Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2011

Registration No. 333-173570


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

AMENDMENT NO. 3

TO

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

ZILLOW, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington   7389   20-2000033
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Classification Code Number)   Identification Number)

 

999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600

Seattle, Washington 98104

(206) 470-7000

www.zillow.com

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

Spencer M. Rascoff

Chief Executive Officer

Zillow, Inc.

999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600

Seattle, Washington 98104

(206) 470-7000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copies to:

 

David F. McShea

Andrew B. Moore

Bradley D. Owens

Perkins Coie LLP

1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4800

Seattle, Washington 98101-3099

(206) 359-8000

 

Kathleen Philips

General Counsel

Zillow, Inc.

999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600

Seattle, Washington 98104

(206) 470-7000

 

Horace L. Nash

Alan C. Smith

James D. Evans

Fenwick & West LLP

1191 Second Avenue, 10th Floor

Seattle, Washington 98101

(206) 389-4510

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:     As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 


 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



Table of Contents

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 20, 2011

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

 

             Shares

 

Zillow, Inc.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

$             per share

 


 

This is the initial public offering of our Class A common stock. We are selling              shares of our Class A common stock. We currently expect the initial public offering price to be between $             and $             per share. Concurrent with the closing of this offering, existing investors, including funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, have agreed to purchase from us in a private placement the number of shares of Class A common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $5,500,000, at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price.

 

Since Zillow’s inception, we have had authorized Class A common stock, which has one vote per share, and authorized Class B common stock, which has ten votes per share. All shares of Class B common stock are held by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink. Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, Mr. Barton will have voting control over approximately             % of our Class A common stock and 55% of our Class B common stock, representing             % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, and Mr. Frink will have voting control over approximately 45% of our Class B common stock, representing             % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to              additional shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments.

 

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “Z.”

 


 

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 12.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

         Per Share    

             Total        

 

Initial Public Offering Price

   $         $     

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

   $         $     

Proceeds to Zillow, Inc. (before expenses)

   $         $     

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about                     , 2011 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 


 

Citi

 


 

Allen & Company   Pacific Crest Securities   ThinkEquity LLC   First Washington Corp.

 

                    , 2011.


Table of Contents

LOGO


Table of Contents

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

 

Summary

     1   

Risk Factors

     12   

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     27   

Market, Industry and Other Data

     28   

Use of Proceeds

     29   

Dividend Policy

     30   

Capitalization

     31   

Dilution

     33   

Selected Financial and Other Data

     35   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     38   

Business

     60   

Management

     74   

Executive Compensation

     81   

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

     97   

Principal Shareholders

     100   

Description of Capital Stock

     102   

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     109   

Material U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

     112   

Underwriting

     115   

Concurrent Private Placement

     121   

Legal Matters

     121   

Experts

     121   

Where You Can Find More Information

     121   

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1   

 

i


Table of Contents

SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our Class A common stock, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus and the information set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Zillow,” “our company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Zillow, Inc. In addition, in this prospectus, we use the term unique user. We count a unique user the first time a computer or mobile device with a unique IP address accesses our website or one of our mobile applications during a calendar month. If an individual accesses our website or mobile applications using different IP addresses within a given month, the first access by each such IP address is counted as a separate unique user.

 

ZILLOW, INC.

 

Mission

 

Our mission is to build the most trusted and vibrant home-related marketplace

to empower consumers with information and tools to make intelligent decisions about homes.

 

Our Company

 

Zillow is the leading real estate information marketplace. We provide vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages through our website and mobile applications, enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. We are transforming the way people make home-related decisions. Zillow provides consumers and real estate professionals an “edge in real estate”.

 

We maintain an unwavering commitment to giving consumers free access to as much useful information as possible. Our living database of more than 100 million U.S. homes – including homes for sale, homes for rent and homes not currently on the market – attracts an active and vibrant community of users. Individuals and businesses that use Zillow have updated information on more than 28 million homes and added more than 60 million home photos, creating exclusive home profiles available nowhere else. These profiles include rich, detailed information about homes, such as property facts, listing information and purchase and sale data. We provide this information to our users where, when and how they want it, both through our website and through our industry-leading mobile applications that allow consumers to access our information when they are curbside, viewing homes.

 

Using complex, proprietary automated valuation models, we provide current home value estimates, or Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes, and current rental price estimates, or Rent Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes. Our products and services present residential real estate data in novel ways that have revolutionized the way consumers search for, find and understand home-related information and make real estate decisions.

 

Consumers increasingly are turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. During May 2011, 22.0 million unique users visited our website and mobile applications, representing year-over-year growth of 102%. We operate the most popular mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry. During May 2011, Zillow was used on a mobile device more than 8.8 million times, with more than 1.7 million homes viewed on mobile devices each day.

 

Real estate and mortgage professionals are a critical part of the home-related marketplace. We enable consumers to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs.

 

1


Table of Contents

Our real estate marketplace benefits from network effects. As more consumers come to our website to use our products and services, more real estate and mortgage professionals contribute content to distinguish themselves, thereby making our marketplace more useful and attracting additional consumers.

 

We generate revenues from local real estate professionals, primarily on an individual subscription basis, and from mortgage professionals and brand advertisers. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we generated revenue of $11.3 million, as compared to $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, an increase of 111%. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we generated revenues of $10.6 million, $17.5 million and $30.5 million, representing year-over-year growth of 49%, 65% and 74%, respectively.

 

Our Opportunity

 

Homes are the center of peoples’ lives, the focus of some of their most important decisions and often their most valuable assets. In addition to whether to buy, sell or rent, consumers make many other important home-related decisions throughout their lifetimes, including decisions relating to refinancing or home equity loans, home maintenance and home improvement. Residential real estate is one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy and supports a large number of professionals that provide home-related services. We believe the following activities represent large market opportunities for Zillow:

 

   

Purchase and Sale.     Sales of existing and new homes in the United States in 2010 had an aggregate transaction value of approximately $1.2 trillion, according to data published in April 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of REALTORS ® , or NAR. Residential real estate brokerage commissions and fees totaled approximately $60 billion in 2010, as derived by Zillow using data released in 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau, NAR and REAL Trends. There are more than 1.8 million licensed real estate agents in the United States, according to data published in April 2011 by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. In an effort to acquire new client relationships and sell homes, real estate agents and brokers spent an estimated $6.2 billion on residential advertising in 2010, according to a 2011 report published by Borrell Associates.

 

   

Rental.     The overall size of the U.S. rental market, including rent, utilities and insurance, exceeded $300 billion in 2009, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau in March 2011 and our own estimates.

 

   

Home Financing.     In 2009 in the United States, 4.6 million purchase loans were originated, representing more than $852 billion in borrowings, and 8.1 million refinancing and home equity loans were originated, representing more than $1.7 trillion in borrowings, according to data available from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. These loans generated approximately $26 billion in fees for mortgage lenders and brokers, according to data available from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, data released in December 2010 by the Mortgage Bankers Association and our own analysis. There were approximately 266,000 mortgage lenders and brokers in the United States in 2009, according to data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

   

Home Maintenance and Improvement.     Approximately $463 billion was spent on home improvement and repair by U.S. consumers in 2010, according to an April 2011 report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Additionally, more than 650,000 businesses in 2007 earned the majority of their revenue by providing remodeling services, according to a January 2011 report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

 

2


Table of Contents

Industry Challenges

 

Highly Fragmented, Local and Complex Market — The market for residential real estate transactions and home-related services is highly fragmented, local and complex. Each home has unique characteristics, including location, value, size, style, age and condition. Each consumer approaches home-related transactions with a personal set of objectives, priorities and values. Real estate agents generally operate in local markets as independent contractors with different experience and skills. These conditions create challenges for consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals alike.

 

Absence of Consumer Orientation — Historically, consumers had minimal access to comprehensive and objective residential real estate data, even though many home-related decisions are extraordinarily information-intensive. While real estate and mortgage professionals had some data, consumers did not have free, independent and easy access to it. Even when accessible, the data was difficult to interpret and analyze.

 

Increasing Role of the Internet and Mobile Technologies — Consumers increasingly are turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. With the widespread adoption of mobile and location-based technologies, consumers expect home-related information to be available on their mobile devices where, when and how they want it.

 

The Zillow Edge

 

We are transforming the way consumers make home-related decisions and connect with real estate and mortgage professionals. We maintain an unwavering commitment to giving consumers free access to as much useful information as possible, and to providing transparency for all market participants. Our living database of homes, our Zestimates and our Rent Zestimates form the foundation of our products and services.

 

Living Database of Homes — Our dynamic and comprehensive living database includes detailed information on more than 100 million U.S. homes, or most U.S. homes, and includes homes for sale, for rent and recently sold, as well as properties not currently on the market. This database is central to the value we provide to consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals. It contains extensive information that users can search, through an easy-to-use interface, to identify, analyze and compare homes. It includes information such as property facts, listing information and purchase and sale data. We apply extensive computer analytics to the data and transform it into information that is accessible, understandable and useful. We refer to the database as “living” because the information is continuously updated by the combination of our proprietary algorithms, synthesis of third-party data from hundreds of sources, and through improvements by us and, importantly, by our community of users.

 

Zestimates and Rent Zestimates — We have developed industry-leading automated home valuation models that use advanced statistical methods and complex, proprietary algorithms. We use these models to provide current home value estimates, or Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes, and current rental price estimates, or Rent Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

We believe we have the following competitive advantages:

 

   

Inimitable Database.     Our living database of homes is the result of years of substantial investment, sophisticated economic and statistical analysis, complex data aggregation and millions of user contributions.

 

   

Independent Market Position and Consumer Focus.     Zillow has been built independently of any real estate industry group. We believe our independence enables us to create compelling products and services with broad consumer appeal.

 

3


Table of Contents
   

Powerful Brand and Scale.     We have established a powerful brand identity and built a large user community in a short time. More than two-thirds of our traffic is direct, with demonstrated consumer intent to visit the Zillow brand. During May 2011, 22.0 million unique users visited our website and mobile applications, representing year-over-year growth of 102%, which we achieved with virtually no advertising expense to date.

 

   

Consumer-Oriented Mortgage Marketplace.     Unlike other sources of mortgage rate quotes, in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace consumers can anonymously submit loan requests, receive an unlimited number of personalized mortgage quotes and then choose to contact these lenders on their own terms. In the first five months of 2011, consumers submitted more than 1.7 million mortgage loan requests in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.

 

   

Personalized Experience .    We present consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals with many opportunities to personalize their Zillow experience, leading to more informed home shopping and financing decisions.

 

   

Mobile Leadership.     We operate the most popular mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry that enable people to access and analyze information about homes curbside — where, when and how they want it.

 

   

Proven Management Team .    We believe the extensive experience and depth of our management team are distinct competitive advantages in the complex and evolving industry in which we compete.

 

Growth Strategies

 

Our growth strategies are:

 

   

Focus on Consumers.     Maintain our unwavering focus on consumers and leverage our industry independence to enhance existing products and services and develop new offerings with broad consumer appeal.

 

   

Enhance Our Living Database.     Enhance the information in our database of homes, and use it as the foundation for new analyses, insights and tools to inform consumers throughout the home ownership lifecycle.

 

   

Deepen and Strengthen Our Marketplace.     Deepen and strengthen our marketplace by creating new opportunities for high-quality consumer-initiated connections with real estate and mortgage professionals when consumers want their services.

 

   

Efficiently Increase Brand Awareness.     Expand public relations, social media and other marketing programs to efficiently increase our brand awareness.

 

   

Leverage Our Sales Force.     Leverage our sales force’s expertise and productivity with new advertising offerings.

 

   

Expand Our Mobile Leadership.     Innovate and expand our offerings for mobile devices, launching more applications and extending our brand and products across additional mobile platforms.

 

   

Pursue Strategic Opportunities.     Pursue strategic opportunities, including commercial relationships and acquisitions, to strengthen our market position, enhance our capabilities and accelerate our growth.

 

4


Table of Contents

Key Growth Drivers

 

Unique Users

 

Measuring unique users is important to us because our marketplace revenues depend in part on our ability to enable our users to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals and our display revenues depend in part on the number of impressions delivered. Furthermore, our community of users improves the quality of our living database with their contributions. We count a unique user the first time a computer or mobile device with a unique IP address accesses our website or one of our mobile applications during a calendar month. If an individual accesses our website or mobile applications using different IP addresses within a given month, the first access by each such IP address is counted as a separate unique user. We measure unique users with Omniture analytical tools.

 

    Average Monthly Unique
Users for the Three
Months Ended March 31,


                   
        2010    

        2011    

    2010 to 2011
% Change


             
   

(in thousands)

                   

Unique Users

    9,301        17,306        86                
    Average Monthly Unique
Users for the  Three
Months Ended December 31,

             
         2008     

         2009     

         2010     

    2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
    (in thousands)              

Unique Users

    5,518        7,611        12,666        38     66

Premier Agent Subscribers

 

The number of Premier Agent subscribers is an important driver of revenue growth because each subscriber pays us a monthly fee to participate in the Premier Agent program. We define a Premier Agent subscriber as an agent with a paid subscription at the end of a period.

 

  

    

    At March 31,

                   
    2010

    2011

    2010 to 2011
% Change


             

Premier Agent Subscribers

    3,438        10,710        212                
    At December 31,

             
      2008  

      2009  

      2010  

    2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 

Premier Agent Subscribers

    26        2,764        8,102        *        193

*   Not meaningful because the Premier Agent program was launched in October 2008.

 

5


Table of Contents

Risks

 

Our business is subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before making an investment decision. These risks are discussed more fully in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors,” and include but are not limited to the following:

 

   

We have incurred significant operating losses in the past and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to be profitable over the long term.

 

   

If real estate and mortgage professionals or other advertisers reduce or end their advertising spending with us and we are unable to attract new advertisers, our business would be harmed.

 

   

If we do not innovate and provide products and services that are attractive to our users and to our advertisers, our business could be harmed.

 

   

We may be unable to increase awareness of the Zillow brand cost-effectively, which could harm our business.

 

   

We are dependent on the real estate industry, and changes to that industry, or declines in the real estate market or increases in mortgage interest rates, could reduce the demand for our products and services.

 

Corporate Information

 

Zillow, Inc. was incorporated in Washington in December 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600, Seattle, Washington 98104, and our telephone number is (206) 470-7000. Our website address is www.zillow.com . In addition, we maintain a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zillow and a twitter feed at www.twitter.com/zillow . Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website, Facebook page or twitter feed does not constitute part of this prospectus and inclusions of our website address, Facebook page address and twitter feed address in this prospectus are inactive textual references only.

 

“Zillow,” “Zillow.com,” “Zestimate,” “Make Me Move,” and the Zillow logo are registered trademarks of Zillow in the United States and in some other countries. Other trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

6


Table of Contents

The Offering

 

Class A common stock offered in this offering

  

             shares (or              shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)

Class A common stock offered by us in the concurrent private placement

  

    

Concurrent with the closing of this offering, funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, and PAR Investment Partners, L.P., will purchase from us in a private placement the number of shares of our Class A common stock with an aggregate purchase price equal to $5.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, this would be              shares. The sale of these shares to funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures and to PAR Investment Partners, L.P. will not be registered in this offering. We refer to the private placement of these shares of Class A common stock as the concurrent private placement.

Class A common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement

  

    

    

             shares (or              shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)

Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement

  

    

    

9,528,313 shares

Total Class A common stock and Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement

  

    

    

             shares (or              shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)

Voting rights

  

Since Zillow’s inception, we have had authorized Class A common stock, which has one vote per share, and authorized Class B common stock, which has ten votes per share. All shares of Class B common stock are held by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink. Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, Mr. Barton will have voting control over approximately         % of our Class A common stock and 55% of our Class B common stock, representing         % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, and Mr. Frink will have voting control over approximately 45% of our Class B common stock, representing         % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.

 

 

7


Table of Contents

Use of proceeds

   We plan to use the net proceeds from this offering and the proceeds of the concurrent private placement for general corporate purposes, including working capital. We also may use a portion of these proceeds to acquire or make investments in complementary businesses, products or technologies. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Directed share program

   The underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to              shares of the Class A common stock being offered to persons who are directors, officers or employees, or who are otherwise associated with us. See “Underwriting.”

Nasdaq symbol

   “Z”

 

The number of shares outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement is based on              shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and, unless otherwise indicated, excludes:

 

   

1,300,000 shares of our Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2011 Incentive Plan, which will become effective in connection with this offering, as more fully described in “Executive Compensation – Employee Benefit Plans”;

 

   

5,477,032 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options, outstanding as of March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.27 per share; and

 

   

186,631 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted after March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.33 per share.

 

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes and reflects:

 

   

the reclassification of our common stock into our Class A common stock;

 

   

that our amended and restated articles of incorporation, which we will file in connection with the completion of this offering, and amended and restated bylaws, which we will adopt in connection with the completion of this offering, are in effect;

 

   

the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

 

   

the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

 

   

a 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock that was effected on June 17, 2011; and

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional              shares of our Class A common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

8


Table of Contents

Summary Financial and Other Data

 

The following tables present summary historical financial data for our business. You should read the financial data set forth below in conjunction with the information under “Selected Financial and Other Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related data included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the following statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the following unaudited statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 and the unaudited balance sheet data as of March 31, 2011 from our unaudited financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results to be expected in any future period. Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders has been calculated assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration of which this prospectus is a part.

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March  31,

 
         2008     

         2009     

         2010     

         2010     

         2011     

 
                      (unaudited)  
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                                       

Revenues

  $ 10,593      $ 17,491      $ 30,467      $ 5,331      $ 11,260   

Costs and expenses:

                                       

Cost of revenues(1)

    4,198        4,042        4,973        1,162        1,817   

Sales and marketing(1)

    7,481        9,654        14,996        3,117        5,484   

Technology and development(1)

    15,048        11,260        10,651        2,534        2,996   

General and administrative(1)

    5,770        5,501        6,684        1,341        1,828   
   


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    32,497        30,457        37,304        8,154        12,125   
   


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

    (21,904     (12,966     (6,837     (2,823     (865

Other income

    687        111        63        17        39   
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss

  $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted

  $ (1.68   $ (1.02   $ (0.53   $ (0.22   $ (0.06
   


 


 


 


 


Weighted-average shares outstanding attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted

    12,593        12,613        12,770        12,640        13,347   
   


 


 


 


 


Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted (unaudited)

                  $ (0.31           $ (0.04
                   


         


Weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted (unaudited)

                    22,046                22,623   
                   


         


Other Financial Data:

                                       

Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)(2)

  $ (12,236   $ (4,908   $ 140      $ (1,183   $ 1,051   
   


 


 


 


 



        Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March  31,

 
             2008     

         2009     

         2010     

         2010     

         2011     

 
                          (unaudited)  
       

(in thousands)

 
(1)   Includes share-based compensation as follows:                                        
    Cost of revenues   $ 157      $ 183      $ 210      $ 54      $ 41   
    Sales and marketing     408        408        445        104        107   
    Technology and development     412        394        389        95       
86
  
    General and administrative     544        666        671        159        156   
       


 


 


 


 


   

Total

  $ 1,521      $ 1,651      $ 1,715      $ 412      $ 390   
       


 


 


 


 


 

(2)   See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for more information and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.

 

9


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth our balance sheet data as of March 31, 2011:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; and

 

   

on a pro forma, as adjusted basis, to give effect to the issuance and sale by us of              shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement, and our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of such shares at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering.

 

The information below is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

     At March 31, 2011

 
     Actual

     Pro Forma

     Pro Forma
as  Adjusted(1)

 
     (in thousands, unaudited)  

Balance Sheet Data:

                          

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 15,554       $ 15,554       $                

Property and equipment, net

     4,994         4,994            

Working capital

     10,332         10,332            

Total assets

     28,520         28,520            

Convertible preferred stock

     4         —              

Common stock

     1         2            

Total shareholders’ equity

     18,575         18,575            

(1)   A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share would increase (decrease) the amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, working capital, total assets and total shareholders’ equity by approximately $         million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 100,000 shares in the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) the amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, working capital, total assets and total shareholders’ equity by approximately $          million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering. The pro forma, as adjusted, information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we have disclosed within this prospectus Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

 

10


Table of Contents

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because it is a key metric used by our management and board of directors to measure operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis.

 

Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of share-based compensation;

 

   

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; and

 

   

Other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net loss and our other GAAP results.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for each of the periods presented.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2008

    2009

    2010

        2010    

        2011    

 
                       (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss:

                                        

Net loss

   $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826

Income tax expense (benefit)

     —          —          —          —          —     

Other income

     (687     (111     (63     (17     (39

Depreciation and amortization expense

     8,147        6,407        5,262        1,228        1,526   

Share-based compensation expense

     1,521        1,651        1,715        412        390   
    


 


 


 


 


Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)

   $ (12,236   $ (4,908   $ 140      $ (1,183   $ 1,051   
    


 


 


 


 


 

11


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our Class A common stock. Any of these risks could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition and our prospects. In addition, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline and you may lose some or all of your investment. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We have incurred significant operating losses in the past and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to be profitable over the long term.

 

Since our inception in December 2004, we have incurred significant net operating losses and, as of March 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $79.5 million. Although we have experienced significant revenue growth, we expect that our revenue growth rate will decline in the future as a result of a variety of factors, including the maturation of our business. At the same time, we also expect our costs to increase in future periods as we continue to expend substantial financial resources to develop and expand our business, including on:

 

   

product development;

 

   

sales and marketing;

 

   

our technology infrastructure;

 

   

strategic opportunities, including commercial relationships and acquisitions; and

 

   

general administration, including legal and accounting expenses related to being a public company.

 

These investments may not result in increased revenue or growth in our business. If we fail to continue to grow our revenue and overall business and to manage our expenses, we may continue to incur significant losses in the future and not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.

 

If real estate and mortgage professionals or other advertisers reduce or end their advertising spending with us and we are unable to attract new advertisers, our business would be harmed.

 

Our current financial model depends on advertising revenues generated almost entirely through sales to real estate agents and brokerages, mortgage lenders and advertisers in categories relevant to real estate. Our ability to attract and retain advertisers, and ultimately to generate advertising revenue, depends on a number of factors, including:

 

   

increasing the number of consumers of our products and services;

 

   

competing effectively for advertising dollars with other online media companies;

 

   

continuing to develop our advertising products and services;

 

   

keeping pace with changes in technology and with our competitors; and

 

   

offering an attractive return on investment to our advertisers for their advertising spending with us.

 

While real estate agents participating in our subscription-based Premier Agent program generally commit to contract terms of six or 12 months, we do not have long-term contracts with most of our other advertisers. Those advertisers could choose to modify or discontinue their relationships with us with little or no advance notice. In addition, as existing subscriptions for our Premier Agent program expire, we may not be successful in renewing these subscriptions, securing new subscriptions or increasing the amount of revenue we earn for a given

 

12


Table of Contents

subscription over time. We may not succeed in capturing a greater share of our advertisers’ spending if we are unable to convince advertisers of the effectiveness or superiority of our products as compared to alternatives, including traditional offline advertising media such as television and newspapers. If current advertisers reduce or end their advertising spending with us and we are unable to attract new advertisers, our advertising revenues and business, results of operations and financial condition would be harmed. In addition, if we do not realize the benefits we expect from our relationship with Yahoo! Real Estate and other strategic relationships we may enter into, including for example, the generation of additional advertising revenue opportunities, our business could be harmed.

 

If we do not innovate and provide products and services that are attractive to our users and to our advertisers, our business could be harmed.

 

Our success depends on our continued innovation to provide products and services that make our website and mobile applications useful for consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals and attractive to our advertisers. As a result, we must continually invest significant resources in research and development in order to improve the attractiveness and comprehensiveness of our products and services and effectively incorporate new Internet and mobile technologies into them. If we are unable to provide products and services that users, including real estate professionals, want to use, then users may become dissatisfied and use competitors’ websites and mobile applications. If we are unable to continue offering innovative products and services, we may be unable to attract additional users and advertisers or retain our current users and advertisers, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may be unable to increase awareness of the Zillow brand cost-effectively, which could harm our business.

 

We rely heavily on the Zillow brand, which we believe is a key asset of our company. Awareness and perceived quality and differentiation of the Zillow brand are important aspects of our efforts to attract and expand the number of consumers who use our website and mobile applications. Should the competition for awareness and brand preference increase among online real estate information providers, we may not be able to successfully maintain or enhance the strength of our brand. If in the future we choose to engage in a paid advertising campaign to further promote the Zillow brand, such efforts may not be successful. If we are unable to maintain or enhance user and advertiser awareness of our brand cost-effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

 

We are dependent on the real estate industry, and changes to that industry, or declines in the real estate market or increases in mortgage interest rates, could reduce the demand for our products and services.

 

Our financial prospects are significantly dependent on real estate shoppers using our services. Real estate shopping patterns depend on the overall health of the real estate market, which has been in decline since 2007. Changes to the regulation of the real estate industry, including mortgage lending, may negatively impact the prevalence of home ownership. Changes to the real estate industry, declines in the real estate market or increases in mortgage interest rates could reduce demand for our services. Real estate markets also may be negatively impacted by a significant natural disaster, such as earthquake, fire, flood or other disruption.

 

We may be unable to maintain or establish relationships with real estate brokerages, real estate listing aggregators, multiple listing services, apartment management companies, home builders and other third-party listing providers, which could limit the information we are able to provide to our users.

 

Our ability to attract users to our website and mobile applications depends to some degree on providing a robust number of for sale and rental listings. To provide these listings, we maintain relationships with real estate brokerages, real estate listing aggregators, multiple listing services, apartment management companies, home builders, other third-party listing providers, and homeowners and their real estate agents to include listing data in our services. Many of our agreements with real estate listing providers are short-term agreements that may be terminated with limited notice. The loss of some of our existing relationships with listing providers, whether due

 

13


Table of Contents

to termination of agreements or otherwise, or an inability to continue to add new listing providers, may cause our listing data to omit information important to users of our products and services. This could reduce user confidence in the sale and rental data we provide and make us less popular with consumers, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may be unable to maintain or establish relationships with data providers, which could limit the information we are able to provide to our users and impair our ability to attract or retain users.

 

We obtain real estate data, such as sale transactions, property descriptions, tax-assessed value and property taxes paid, under licenses from third-party data providers. We use this data to enable the development, maintenance and improvement of our information services, including Zestimates and Rent Zestimates and our living database of homes. We have invested significant time and resources to develop proprietary algorithms, valuation models, software and practices to use and improve upon this specific data. We may be unable to renew our licenses with these data providers, or we may be able to do so only on terms that are less favorable to us, which could harm our ability to continue to develop, maintain and improve these information services and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may in the future be subject to disputes regarding the accuracy of our Zestimates and Rent Zestimates.

 

We provide our users with Zestimate and Rent Zestimate home and rental valuations. A Zestimate is our estimated current market value of a home based on proprietary automated valuation models that apply advanced algorithms to analyze our data; it is not an appraisal. A Rent Zestimate is our estimated current monthly rental price of a home, using similar automated valuation models that we have designed to address the unique attributes of rental homes. Revisions to our automated valuation models, or the algorithms that underlie them, may cause certain Zestimates or Rent Zestimates to vary from our expectations for those Zestimates or Rent Zestimates. In addition, from time to time, users disagree with our Zestimates and Rent Zestimates. Any such variation in Zestimates or Rent Zestimates or disagreements could result in distraction from our business or potentially harm our reputation and could result in legal disputes.

 

We face competition to attract consumers to our website and mobile applications, which could impair our ability to continue to grow the number of users who use our website and mobile applications, which would harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our success depends on our ability to continue to attract additional consumers to our website and mobile applications. Our existing and potential competitors include companies that operate, or could develop, national and local real estate and mortgage websites. These companies could devote greater technical and other resources than we have available, have a more accelerated time frame for deployment and leverage their existing user bases and proprietary technologies to provide products and services that consumers might view as superior to our offerings. Any of our future or existing competitors may introduce different solutions that attract consumers or provide solutions similar to our own but with better branding or marketing resources. If we are unable to continue to grow the number of consumers who use our website and mobile applications, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be harmed.

 

We may be unable to compete successfully against our existing or future competitors in attracting advertisers, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We compete to attract advertisers with media sites, including websites dedicated to providing real estate and mortgage information and services to real estate professionals and consumers, and major Internet portals, general search engines and social media sites, as well as other online companies. We also compete for a share of advertisers’ overall marketing budgets with traditional media such as television, magazines, newspapers and home/apartment guide publications, particularly with respect to advertising dollars spent at the local level by real estate professionals to advertise their qualifications and listings. Large companies with significant brand recognition have large numbers of direct sales personnel and substantial proprietary advertising inventory and web traffic, which may provide a competitive advantage. To compete successfully for advertisers against future and existing competitors, we must continue to invest resources in developing our advertising platform and

 

14


Table of Contents

proving the effectiveness and relevance of our advertising products and services. Pressure from competitors seeking to acquire a greater share of our advertisers’ overall marketing budget could adversely affect our pricing and margins, lower our revenue, and increase our research and development and marketing expenses. If we are unable to compete successfully against our existing or future competitors, our business, financial condition or results of operations would be harmed.

 

Our dedication to making decisions based primarily on the best interests of consumers may cause us to forgo short-term gains.

 

Our guiding principle is to build our business by making decisions based primarily upon the best interests of consumers, which we believe has been essential to our success in increasing our user growth rate and engagement and has served the long-term interests of our company and our shareholders. In the past, we have forgone, and we will in the future forgo, certain expansion or short-term revenue opportunities that we do not believe are in the best interests of consumers, even if such decisions negatively impact our results of operations in the short term. In addition, our philosophy of putting consumers first may negatively impact our relationships with our existing or prospective advertisers. This could result in a loss of advertisers which could harm our revenue and results of operations. For example, we believe that some real estate agents have chosen not to purchase our Premier Agent subscriptions because we display a Zestimate on their for sale listings. However, we believe it is valuable to consumers to have access to a valuation starting point on all homes and so we display a Zestimate on every home in our database for which we have sufficient data to produce the Zestimate. Similarly, we gather and make available to our consumers reviews on real estate and mortgage professionals, even if those reviews are unfavorable. Although real estate and mortgage professionals who receive unfavorable reviews may be less likely to purchase our advertising products and services, we continue to post favorable and unfavorable reviews because we believe the reviews are useful to consumers in finding the right professional. Our principle of making decisions based primarily upon the best interests of consumers may not result in the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our user traffic and engagement, business and results of operations could be harmed.

 

If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our brand, results of operations and business could be harmed.

 

We have experienced rapid growth in our headcount and operations, which places substantial demand on management and our operational infrastructure. Most of our employees have been with us for fewer than two years. As we continue to grow, we must effectively integrate, develop and motivate a large number of new employees, while maintaining the beneficial aspects of our company culture. In particular, we intend to pursue strategic opportunities and make substantial investments in our technology and development and sales and marketing organizations. If we do not manage the growth of our business and operations effectively, the quality of our services and efficiency of our operations could suffer, which could harm our brand, results of operations and overall business.

 

If use of the Internet and mobile technology, particularly with respect to online real estate products and services, does not continue to increase as rapidly as we anticipate, our business could be harmed.

 

Our future success is substantially dependent on the continued use of the Internet and mobile technology as effective media of business and communication by our consumers. Internet and mobile technology use may not continue to develop at historical rates, and consumers may not continue to use the Internet or mobile technology as media for information exchange. Further, these media may not be accepted as viable long-term outlets for information for a number of reasons, including actual or perceived lack of security of information and possible disruptions of service or connectivity. If consumers begin to access real estate information through other media and we fail to innovate, our business may be negatively impacted.

 

15


Table of Contents

We rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel, and if we are unable to attract, retain and motivate well-qualified employees, our business could be harmed.

 

We believe our success has depended, and continues to depend, on the efforts and talents of our management and our highly skilled team of employees, including our software engineers, statisticians, marketing professionals and advertising sales staff. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. The loss of any of our senior management or key employees could materially adversely affect our ability to build on the efforts they have undertaken and to execute our business plan, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements. We cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees. We do not maintain any key person life insurance policies. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining and motivating existing employees, our business could be harmed.

 

Any significant disruption in service on our website or in our network could damage our reputation and result in a loss of users of our products and services and of advertisers, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our brand, reputation and ability to attract users and advertisers depend on the reliable performance of our network infrastructure and content delivery processes. We have experienced minor interruptions in these systems in the past, including server failures that temporarily slowed the performance of our website and mobile applications, and we may experience interruptions in the future. Interruptions in these systems, whether due to system failures, computer viruses or physical or electronic break-ins, could affect the security or availability of our products and services on our website and mobile applications and prevent or inhibit the ability of users to access our services. Problems with the reliability or security of our systems could harm our reputation, result in a loss of users of our products and services and of advertisers and result in additional costs, any of which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Substantially all of the communications, network and computer hardware used to operate our website are located at facilities in the area. We do not own or control the operation of these facilities. Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war, electronic and physical break-ins, computer viruses, earthquakes and similar events. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events could result in damage to our systems and hardware or could cause them to fail completely, and our insurance may not cover such events or may be insufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur.

 

A failure of our systems at one site could result in reduced functionality for our users, and a total failure of our systems could cause our website or mobile applications to be inaccessible. Problems faced by our third-party web hosting providers with the telecommunications network providers with which they contract or with the systems by which they allocate capacity among their customers, including us, could adversely affect the experience of our users. Our third-party web hosting providers could decide to close their facilities without adequate notice. Any financial difficulties, such as bankruptcy reorganization, faced by our third-party web hosting providers or any of the service providers with whom they contract may have negative effects on our business, the nature and extent of which are difficult to predict. If our third-party web hosting providers are unable to keep up with our growing needs for capacity, this could harm our business.

 

We do not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate us for the potentially significant losses, including the potential harm to the future growth of our business that may result from interruptions in our service as a result of system failures. Any errors, defects, disruptions or other performance problems with our services could harm our reputation and harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

16


Table of Contents

We may make acquisitions and investments, which could result in operating difficulties, dilution and other harmful consequences.

 

We expect to evaluate a wide array of potential strategic opportunities. For example, in March 2011, we acquired the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service. Any transactions that we enter into could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. The process of integrating an acquired company, business or technology could create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. The areas where we face risks include:

 

   

diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges;

 

   

implementation or remediation of controls, procedures and policies at the acquired company;

 

   

coordination of product, engineering and sales and marketing functions;

 

   

retention of employees from the acquired company;

 

   

liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition;

 

   

litigation or other claims arising in connection with the acquired company; and

 

   

in the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.

 

Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are subject to a variety of federal and state laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business.

 

We are subject to a variety of federal and state laws that are continuously evolving and developing, including laws regarding the real estate and mortgage industries, Internet-based businesses and businesses that rely on advertising. These laws can be costly to comply with, can require significant management time and effort, and can subject us to claims or other remedies. These laws may conflict with each other and if we comply with the laws of one jurisdiction, we may find that we are violating laws of another jurisdiction. Additionally, our ability to provide a specific target audience to advertisers is a significant competitive advantage. Any legislation reducing this ability would have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

 

If we are unable to comply with these laws or regulations, if we become liable under these laws or regulations or if unfavorable regulations or unfavorable interpretations of existing regulations by courts or regulatory bodies are implemented, we could be directly harmed and forced to implement new measures to reduce our exposure to this liability and it could cause the development of product or service offerings in affected markets to become impractical. This may require us to expend substantial resources or to discontinue certain products or services, limit our ability to expand our product and services offerings or expand into new markets or otherwise harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the increased attention focused upon liability issues as a result of lawsuits and legislative proposals could harm our reputation or otherwise impact the growth of our business. Any costs incurred as a result of this potential liability could harm our business and results of operations.

 

We assist with the processing of customer credit card transactions which results in us receiving personally identifiable information. This information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulation in the United States. This legislation and regulation is generally intended to protect the privacy and security of personal information, including credit card information, that is collected, processed and transmitted. We could be

 

17


Table of Contents

adversely affected if government regulations require us to significantly change our business practices with respect to this type of information.

 

We may be unable to continue to use the domain names that we use in our business, or prevent third parties from acquiring and using domain names that infringe on, are similar to, or otherwise decrease the value of our brand or our trademarks or service marks.

 

We have registered domain names for our website that we use in our business, such as Zillow.com. If we lose the ability to use a domain name, we may incur significant expenses to market our products and services under a new domain name, which could harm our business. In addition, our competitors could attempt to capitalize on our brand recognition by using domain names similar to ours. Domain names similar to ours have been registered in the United States and elsewhere. We may be unable to prevent third parties from acquiring and using domain names that infringe on, are similar to, or otherwise decrease the value of our brand or our trademarks or service marks. Protecting and enforcing our rights in our domain names and determining the rights of others may require litigation, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention.

 

We may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could harm the value of our brand and our business.

 

We regard our intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark, copyright and patent law, trade secret protection and contracts to protect our proprietary rights. If we are not successful in protecting our intellectual property, the value of our brand and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

 

While we believe that our issued patents and pending patent applications help to protect our business, there can be no assurance that our operations do not, or will not, infringe valid, enforceable patents of third parties or that competitors will not devise new methods of competing with us that are not covered by our patents or patent applications. There also can be no assurance that our patent applications will be approved, that any patents issued will adequately protect our intellectual property, that such patents will not be challenged by third parties or found to be invalid or unenforceable or that our patents will be effective in preventing third parties from utilizing a “copycat” business model to offer the same products or services. Moreover, we rely on intellectual property and technology developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms or at all.

 

Effective trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services may be provided. The laws of certain countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States and, therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect intellectual property and our proprietary technology adequately against unauthorized third-party copying or use, which could harm our competitive position. We have licensed in the past, and expect to license in the future, certain of our proprietary rights, such as trademarks or copyrighted material, to third parties. These licensees may take actions that might diminish the value of our proprietary rights or harm our reputation, even if we have agreements prohibiting such activity. To the extent third parties are obligated to indemnify us for breaches of our intellectual property rights, these third parties may be unable to meet these obligations. Any of these events could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Intellectual property disputes are costly to defend and could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

 

From time to time, we face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. We are currently subject to patent infringement claims. These claims allege, among other things, that aspects of our technology infringe upon the plaintiffs’ patents. If we are not successful in defending ourselves against these claims, we may be required to pay damages and may be subject to

 

18


Table of Contents

injunctions, each of which could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation. We may be subject to future claims or allegations relating to our intellectual property rights. As we grow our business and expand our operations we expect that we will continue to be subject to intellectual property claims and allegations. Patent and other intellectual property disputes or litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering certain products, services or features, purchase licenses which may be expensive to procure or modify our products or services. In addition, patent or other intellectual property disputes or litigation may result in significant settlement costs. Any of these events could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

 

In addition, we use open source software in our services and will continue to use open source software in the future. From time to time, we may be subject to claims brought against companies that incorporate open source software into their products or services, claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, the open source software and/or derivative works that were developed using such software, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license or require us to devote additional research and development resources to changing our products or services, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Even if these matters do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor or without significant cash settlements, the time and resources necessary to resolve them could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

 

Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.

 

In order to protect our technologies and processes, we rely in part on confidentiality agreements with our employees, licensees, independent contractors and other advisors. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information, including trade secrets, and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases we could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties. To the extent that our employees, contractors or other third parties with whom we do business use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions. The loss of trade secret protection could make it easier for third parties to compete with our products by copying functionality. In addition, any changes in, or unexpected interpretations of, intellectual property laws may compromise our ability to enforce our trade secret and intellectual property rights. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain protection of our trade secrets or other proprietary information could harm our business, results of operations, reputation and competitive position.

 

We may be unable to halt the operations of websites that aggregate or misappropriate our data.

 

From time to time, third parties have misappropriated our data through website scraping, robots or other means and aggregated this data on their websites with data from other companies. In addition, copycat websites have misappropriated data on our network and attempted to imitate our brand or the functionality of our website. When we have become aware of such websites, we have employed technological or legal measures in an attempt to halt their operations. However, we may be unable to detect all such websites in a timely manner and, even if we could, technological and legal measures may be insufficient to halt their operations. In some cases, particularly in the case of websites operating outside of the United States, our available remedies may not be adequate to protect us against the impact of the operation of such websites. Regardless of whether we can successfully enforce our rights against the operators of these websites, any measures that we may take could require us to expend significant financial or other resources, which could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, to the extent that such activity creates confusion among consumers or advertisers, our brand and business could be harmed.

 

19


Table of Contents

If our security measures are compromised, consumers may curtail use of our products and services and advertisers may reduce their advertising on our website.

 

Our products and services involve the storage and transmission of users’ information, some of which may be private, and security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or exposure of this information, which could result in potential liability and litigation. For example, a hacker could steal a user’s profile password and manipulate information about that user’s home or post to a forum while posing as that user. Like all websites, our website is vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, phishing attacks, attempts to overload our servers with denial-of-service or other attacks and similar disruptions from unauthorized use of our computer systems, any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, or website shutdowns, causing loss of critical data or the unauthorized disclosure or use of personal or other confidential information. If we experience compromises to our security that result in website performance or availability problems, the complete shutdown of our website, or mobile applications, or the loss or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, our users and advertisers may lose trust and confidence in us, and users may decrease the use of our website or stop using our website in its entirety, and advertisers may decrease or stop advertising on our website. Further, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, users or advertisers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our information or our users’ or advertisers’ information. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any or all of these issues could negatively impact our ability to attract new users and increase engagement by existing users, cause existing users to curtail or stop use of our products or services or close their accounts, cause existing advertisers to cancel their contracts, or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, thereby harming our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are subject to a number of risks related to credit card and debit card payments we accept.

 

We accept payments through credit and debit card transactions. For credit and debit card payments, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time. An increase in those fees would require us to either increase the prices we charge or suffer an increase in our operating expenses, either of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We depend on processing vendors to complete credit and debit card transactions. If we or our processing vendors fail to maintain adequate systems for the authorization and processing of credit card transactions, it could cause one or more of the major credit card companies to disallow our continued use of their payment products. In addition, if these systems fail to work properly and, as a result, we do not charge our customers’ credit cards on a timely basis or at all, our business, revenue, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

 

We are also subject to payment card association operating rules, certification requirements and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it more difficult for us to comply. We are required to comply with payment card industry security standards. Failing to comply with those standards may violate payment card association operating rules, federal and state laws and regulations, and the terms of our contracts with payment processors. Any failure to comply fully also may subject us to fines, penalties, damages and civil liability, and may result in the loss of our ability to accept credit and debit card payments. Further, there is no guarantee that such compliance will prevent illegal or improper use of our payment systems or the theft, loss, or misuse of data pertaining to credit and debit cards, card holders and transactions.

 

If we fail to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions, we may face civil liability, diminished public perception of our security measures and significantly higher credit card-related costs, each of which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

20


Table of Contents

If we are unable to maintain our chargeback rate or refund rates at acceptable levels, our processing vendors may increase our transaction fees or terminate their relationships with us. Any increases in our credit and debit card fees could harm our results of operations, particularly if we elect not to raise our rates for our service to offset the increase. The termination of our ability to process payments on any major credit or debit card would significantly impair our ability to operate our business.

 

We have pledged substantially all of our assets to secure indebtedness.

 

In March 2011, we entered into an agreement with a financial institution to establish a $4.0 million line of credit to be used for general business purposes. Indebtedness we incur under this agreement is secured by substantially all our assets other than our intellectual property. If we default on our obligations under this agreement, the financial institution may foreclose on our assets, which would materially and adversely impact our business. On March 22, 2011, we executed a standby letter of credit of $1.5 million in connection with the lease of our new Seattle offices and reserved this amount against the line of credit, which subsequently reduced the available line to $2.5 million. As of March 31, 2011, there were no other amounts outstanding under the line of credit.

 

We expect our results of operations to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis.

 

Our revenue and results of operations could vary significantly from period to period and may fail to match expectations as a result of a variety of factors, some of which are outside our control. The other risk factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section may contribute to the variability of our quarterly and annual results. In addition, our results may fluctuate as a result of fluctuations in the quantity of, and the price at which we are able to sell, our remnant advertising and the size and seasonal variability of our advertisers’ marketing budgets. As a result of the potential variations in our revenue and results of operations, period-to-period comparisons may not be meaningful and the results of any one period should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. In addition, our results of operations may not meet the expectations of investors or public market analysts who follow us, which may adversely affect our stock price.

 

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock and this Offering

 

Our securities have no prior market and an active trading market may not develop, which may cause our Class A common stock to trade at a discount from the initial public offering price.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price for our Class A common stock will be determined through negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of the market price of our Class A common stock after this offering. If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the initial public offering price. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us will lead to the development of an active trading market, or how liquid that market might become. An active public market for our Class A common stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. If an active public market does not develop or is not sustained, it may cause our Class A common stock to trade at a price lower than the initial public offering price and it may be difficult for you to sell your shares of Class A common stock at a price that is attractive to you.

 

The dual class structure of our common stock as contained in our charter documents has the effect of concentrating voting control with our founders, and limits your ability to influence corporate matters.

 

Since Zillow’s inception, our capital structure has had authorized Class B common stock and authorized Class A common stock. Our Class B common stock has 10 votes per share, and our Class A common stock, which is the stock we are offering in this offering and the concurrent private placement, has one vote per share. All shares of Class B common stock have been and are held by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink.

 

21


Table of Contents

Mr. Barton will have voting control over approximately         %, and Mr. Frink will have voting control over approximately         %, of the aggregate number of shares of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively. Mr. Barton’s holdings and Mr. Frink’s holdings will represent approximately         % and         %, respectively, of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock following this offering and the concurrent private placement. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink will have significant control over our management and affairs and will be able to control all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election or removal (with or without cause) of directors and approval of any significant corporate transaction, such as a merger or other sale of us or our assets. This concentrated control could delay, defer or prevent a change of control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us that you, as a shareholder, may otherwise support. This concentrated control could also discourage a potential investor from acquiring our Class A common stock due to the limited voting power of such stock relative to the Class B common stock and might harm the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

Our stock price may be volatile, and you may be unable to sell your shares at or above the offering price.

 

The initial public offering price for the shares of our Class A common stock will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market. The market price of our Class A common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many of the risk factors discussed in this prospectus, and others beyond our control, including:

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

changes in projected operational and financial results;

 

   

addition or loss of significant customers;

 

   

actual or anticipated changes in our growth rate relative to that of our competitors;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital-raising activities or commitments;

 

   

announcements of technological innovations or new offerings by us or our competitors;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

changes in laws or regulations applicable to our services;

 

   

fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us;

 

   

issuance of new or updated research or reports by securities analysts;

 

   

sales of our Class A common stock by us or our shareholders;

 

   

stock price and volume fluctuations attributable to inconsistent trading volume levels of our shares;

 

   

the expiration or waiver of contractual lock-up provisions; and

 

   

general economic and market conditions.

 

Furthermore, the stock markets in recent years have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of the equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions, interest rate changes or international currency fluctuations, may negatively impact the market price of our Class A common stock. If the market price of our Class A common stock after this offering does not exceed the initial public offering price, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the

 

22


Table of Contents

future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Future sales of our Class A common stock in the public market could cause our stock price to decline.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market after this offering, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Upon completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, based on our shares outstanding as of March 31, 2011, and after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock and Class C common stock into shares of Class A common stock, we will have              shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options.

 

Of the outstanding shares, all of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable, except that (1) any shares held or acquired by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, will be subject to the volume limitations and certain other restrictions of Rule 144 and (2) any shares purchased through the directed share program, which will be subject to a 180-day lock-up. The shares to be sold in the concurrent private placement are subject to the holding period requirements of Rule 144 and are, therefore, subject to a minimum six-month holding requirement before such shares can be sold in a non-registered transaction. The remaining              shares of Class A common stock outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement (based on our shares outstanding as of March 31, 2011) and the              shares sold in the concurrent private placement will be restricted as a result of securities laws, lock-up agreements or other contractual restrictions that restrict transfers for at least 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain extensions and subject to certain earlier releases if certain conditions are met. For further information, see “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” In addition, Citi may, in its sole discretion, release all or some portion of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to expiration of the lock-up period. After this offering and the concurrent private placement, the holders of              shares of Class A common stock and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock, or         % of our total outstanding Class A common stock (calculated on an as-if-converted basis), based on shares outstanding as of March 31, 2011, will be entitled to rights with respect to registration of these shares under the Securities Act pursuant to an investors’ rights agreement. If the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock entitled to registration rights elect to exercise such rights and sell a large number of shares, they could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. If we file a registration statement for the purposes of selling additional shares to raise capital and are required to include shares held by these holders pursuant to the exercise of their registration rights, our ability to raise capital may be impaired. We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register approximately              million shares of our Class A common stock for issuance under our Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and 2011 Incentive Plan. Once we register these shares, they can be freely sold in the public market when the options underlying the shares are exercised and the shares of Class A common stock are issued, subject to the lock-up period and other restrictions provided under the terms of the applicable plan, option agreements or lock-up agreements entered into with the option holders.

 

Because the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock will be substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock following this offering, new investors will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

The initial public offering price per share will be substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A and Class B common stock immediately following this offering and the concurrent private placement based on the total value of our tangible assets less our total liabilities. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, you will experience immediate dilution of $         per share, the difference between the price per share you pay for our Class A common stock and our pro forma net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2011, after giving

 

23


Table of Contents

effect to the issuance of              shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement. Furthermore, investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering will only own approximately         % of our outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock (and have         % of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock), after the offering even though their aggregate investment will represent         % of the total consideration received by us in connection with all initial sales of              shares of our capital stock outstanding as of March 31, 2011, after giving effect to the issuance of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement. To the extent outstanding options to purchase our Class A common stock are exercised, investors purchasing our Class A common stock in this offering will experience further dilution.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our Class A common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about our company. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If few or no securities or industry analysts cover our company, the market price of our Class A common stock could be negatively impacted. If securities or industry analysts cover us and if one or more of such analysts downgrades our Class A common stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts covering us fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A common stock could decline, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

 

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract our management, which could make it difficult to manage our business.

 

Following the completion of this offering, we will be required to comply with various regulatory and reporting requirements, including those required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Complying with these reporting and other regulatory requirements will be time-consuming and will result in increased costs to us and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These requirements could strain our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Exchange Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. To maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we will need to commit significant resources, hire additional staff and provide additional management oversight. We will be implementing additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. Sustaining our growth also will require us to commit additional management, operational and financial resources to identify new professionals to join us and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support expansion. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns and could make it difficult to manage our business, which could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, if we find any material weakness in our internal control, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Washington law could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by shareholders to replace or remove our management and affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as amended and restated in connection with this offering, may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our

 

24


Table of Contents

amended and restated articles of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws will include provisions, some of which will become effective only after the date, which we refer to as the threshold date, on which the Class B common stock controlled by our founders represents less than 7% of the aggregate number of shares of the outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, that:

 

   

set forth the dual class structure of our common stock, which concentrates voting control of matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders with the holders of our Class B common stock, which is held by our founders;

 

   

authorize our board of directors to issue, without further action by our shareholders, up to 30,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, subject, prior to the threshold date, to the approval rights of our holders of Class B common stock as described in “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock”;

 

   

establish that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with each class serving three-year staggered terms;

 

   

prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

   

provide that, after the threshold date, our directors may be removed only for cause;

 

   

provide that, after the threshold date, vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office or by the sole remaining director;

 

   

provide that only our board of directors may change the size of our board of directors;

 

   

specify that special meetings of our shareholders can be called only by the chair of our board of directors, our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or, prior to the threshold date, holders of at least 25% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock;

 

   

establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before a meeting of shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors;

 

   

require the approval of our board of directors or the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, to amend or repeal our bylaws; and

 

   

require the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, to amend certain provisions of our articles of incorporation.

 

Prior to the threshold date, our directors can be removed with or without cause by holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, and vacancies on the board of directors may be filled by such shareholders, voting together as a single group. Given the dual class structure of our common stock, our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, who hold our Class B common stock, will have the ability for the foreseeable future to control these shareholder actions. See the risk factor above titled “The dual class structure of our common stock as contained in our charter documents has the effect of concentrating voting control with our founders and limits your ability to influence corporate matters” and the discussion in this prospectus under “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

The provisions described above, after the threshold date, may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for shareholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing our management. In addition, because we are incorporated in the State of Washington, we are governed by the provisions of Chapter 23B.19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, which prohibits certain business combinations between us and certain significant shareholders unless specified conditions are met. These provisions may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company, even if this change of control would benefit our shareholders. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

25


Table of Contents

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds we receive in this offering and the proceeds we receive in the concurrent private placement, and might not apply the proceeds in ways that increase the value of your investment.

 

Our management will have considerable discretion in applying the net proceeds we receive in this offering and the proceeds we receive in the concurrent private placement. We currently intend to use these proceeds primarily for general corporate purposes, including working capital, sales and marketing activities, general and administrative matters and capital expenditures. If appropriate opportunities arise, we may use a portion of these proceeds to acquire or invest in technologies, solutions or businesses that complement our business. We have not allocated these proceeds for any specific purposes. Until these proceeds are used, we plan to invest them, and these investments may not yield a favorable rate of return. If we do not invest or apply these proceeds in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

 

26


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” contains forward-looking statements based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and generally may be identified by terms such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “expect” or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the following:

 

   

our future financial performance, including our revenue, cost of revenue, operating expenses and ability to achieve and maintain profitability;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain consumers of our products and services;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain advertisers;

 

   

our ability to innovate and keep pace with changes in technology;

 

   

the success of our marketing efforts;

 

   

our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our brand and intellectual property;

 

   

the effects of increased competition in our market;

 

   

our ability to effectively manage our growth and successfully enter new markets;

 

   

the viability of Internet and mobile media and the market for Internet and mobile advertising;

 

   

our ability to successfully manage any future acquisitions of business, solutions or technology; and

 

   

the attraction and retention of qualified employees and key personnel.

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the effect of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, except as required by law, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.

 

27


Table of Contents

MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

 

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry and the market in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market size, is based on information from various sources, on assumptions that we have made that are based on those data and other similar sources and on our knowledge of the markets for our products and services. These data involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. Although we believe the data from third-party sources are reliable, we have not independently verified this information. While we believe the market-position, market-opportunity and market-size information included in this prospectus is generally reliable, such information is inherently imprecise. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.

 

28


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that our net proceeds from the sale of the Class A common stock in this offering and the proceeds from the concurrent private placement will be approximately $             million, assuming an initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price would increase (decrease) the net proceeds from this offering by $             million, assuming the number of shares offered, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering.

 

The principal purposes of this offering and the concurrent private placement are to increase our financial flexibility, increase our visibility in the marketplace and, with respect to this offering, create a public market for our Class A common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for these proceeds or the amounts that we plan to use for any particular purpose. Accordingly, our management team will have broad discretion in using these proceeds. However, we currently expect to use these proceeds primarily for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, sales and marketing activities, general and administrative matters and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of these proceeds for the acquisition of, or investment in, technologies, solutions or businesses that complement our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to enter into any acquisitions or investments. Pending the use of these proceeds, we intend to invest the proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing investments.

 

29


Table of Contents

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared or paid a cash dividend on our capital stock and we intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. We therefore do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Class A common stock or Class B common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determinations to pay dividends on our Class A common stock or Class B common stock would depend on our results of operations, our financial condition and liquidity requirements, restrictions that may be imposed by applicable law or our contracts, and any other factors that our board of directors may consider relevant. Pursuant to the current terms of our loan and security agreement with a financial institution, we cannot pay dividends unless specified financial covenants are satisfied.

 

30


Table of Contents

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and capitalization as of March 31, 2011:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to give effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into an aggregate of 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; and

 

   

on a pro forma, as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance and sale by us of              shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement, and our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of such shares at an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering.

 

The information below is illustrative only. Our capitalization following this offering and the concurrent private placement will depend on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table in conjunction with the sections entitled “Selected Financial and Other Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     As of March 31, 2011

 
     Actual

    Pro Forma

    Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


 
     (in thousands, except share and par
value data, unaudited)
 

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 15,554      $ 15,554      $                
    


 


 


Shareholders’ equity:

                        

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 70,000,000 shares authorized, 31,353,797 shares issued and outstanding, actual (unaudited); no shares authorized issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma, as adjusted (unaudited)

     4        —             

Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value: no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual (unaudited); 30,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma, as adjusted (unaudited)

     —          —             

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value: 200,000,000 shares authorized, 2,062,580 shares issued and outstanding, actual (unaudited); 600,000,000 shares authorized, 13,644,750 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma (unaudited); 600,000,000 shares authorized,              shares issued and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted (unaudited)

     —          1           

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value: 35,000,000 shares authorized, 9,528,313 shares issued and outstanding, actual (unaudited); 15,000,000 shares authorized, 9,528,313 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma, as adjusted (unaudited)

     1        1           

Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized, 2,305,980 shares issued and outstanding, actual (unaudited); no shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma, as adjusted (unaudited)

     —          —             

Additional paid-in capital

     98,105        98,108           

Accumulated deficit

     (79,535     (79,535        
    


 


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     18,575        18,575           
    


 


 


Total capitalization

   $ 34,129      $ 34,129      $     
    


 


 


 

31


Table of Contents

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share would increase (decrease) the amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, additional paid in capital and total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 100,000 shares in the number of shares of our Class A common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) the amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $             million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering.

 

The number of shares in the table above excludes:

 

   

1,300,000 shares of our Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2011 Incentive Plan, which will become effective in connection with this offering, as more fully described in “Executive Compensation — Employee Benefit Plans”;

 

   

5,477,032 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.27 per share; and

 

   

186,631 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted after March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.32 per share.

 

32


Table of Contents

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our Class A common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering and the concurrent private placement.

 

Our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2011, was $16.0 million or $0.69 per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets, including goodwill) less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2011, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into an aggregate of 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

After giving effect to the issuance and sale by us of              shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement at the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering, our pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement would have been $             million, or $             per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $             per share to our existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $             per share to our new investors and concurrent private placement investors purchasing shares of Class A common stock.

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed initial public offering price

            $                

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2011

   $ 0.69            

Increase per share attributable to new investors and concurrent private placement investors

                 
                   

Pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement

                 
             


Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors and concurrent private placement investors

            $        
             


 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share would increase (decrease) our pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value as of March 31, 2011 by approximately $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable in connection with this offering. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price per share would increase (decrease) the pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement and increase (decrease) the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors and concurrent private placement investors by $             and $            , respectively, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering. As such, changes in the resulting pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value per share after this offering and the concurrent private placement and dilution in, pro forma, as adjusted, net tangible book value per share to new investors and the concurrent private placement investors are not directly proportional to changes in the assumed offering price per share.

 

33


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth as of March 31, 2011, on a pro forma, as adjusted, basis as described above, the differences between the number of Class A common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share that existing shareholders (including Class B common shareholders) new investors and the concurrent private placement investors paid. The table gives effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into shares of Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into shares of our Class A common stock. The calculation below is based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and before deducting any underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering:

 

     Total Shares

    Total Consideration

    Average Price
Per Share

 
     Number

     Percent

    Amount

     Percent

   

Existing shareholders

                         $                          %      $            

New investors

                         $           %      $     

Concurrent private placement investors

                         $           %      $     
    


  


 


  


 


Total

              100   $           100   $     
    


  


 


  


 


 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share would increase (decrease) total consideration paid by new investors purchasing shares in this offering and total consideration paid by all shareholders by $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remain the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable in connection with this offering.

 

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the number of shares of Class A common stock held by the new investors purchasing shares in this offering will be increased to             , or approximately             % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding after this offering and our existing shareholders and concurrent private placement investors will own              of common stock or approximately             %.

 

The tables and calculations above exclude:

 

   

1,300,000 shares of our Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2011 Incentive Plan, which will be effective in connection with this offering, as more fully described in “Executive Compensation — Employee Benefit Plans”;

 

   

5,477,032 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.27 per share; and

 

   

186,631 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted after March 31, 2011, to purchase shares of our Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.33 per share.

 

34


Table of Contents

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

 

You should read the financial data set forth below in conjunction with the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results to be expected in any future period. We have derived the following statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the following unaudited statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 and the unaudited balance sheet data as of March 31, 2011 from our unaudited financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the following statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 from our audited financial statements not included in this prospectus.

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    Three
Months Ended
March 31,


 
    2006

    2007

    2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
                                  (unaudited)  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                                       

Revenues

  $ 4,289      $ 7,106      $ 10,593      $ 17,491      $ 30,467      $ 5,331      $ 11,260   

Costs and expenses:

                                                       

Cost of revenues(1)

    1,621        3,710        4,198        4,042        4,973        1,162        1,817   

Sales and marketing(1)

    4,676        6,118        7,481        9,654        14,996        3,117        5,484   

Technology and development(1)

    6,794        12,885        15,048        11,260        10,651        2,534        2,996   

General and administrative(1)

    5,148        6,179        5,770        5,501        6,684        1,341        1,828   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    18,239        28,892        32,497        30,457        37,304        8,154        12,125   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

    (13,950     (21,786     (21,904     (12,966     (6,837     (2,823     (865

Other income

    1,361        1,496        687        111        63        17        39   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net loss

  $ (12,589   $ (20,290   $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted

  $ (1.01   $ (1.62   $ (1.68   $ (1.02   $ (0.53   $ (0.22   $ (0.06
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic and diluted

    12,489        12,553        12,593        12,613        12,770        12,640        13,347   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted (unaudited)(2)

                                  $ (0.31           $ (0.04
                                   


         


Weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted (unaudited)(2)

                                    22,046                22,623   
                                   


         


Other Financial Data:

                                                       

Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)(3)

  $ (10,373   $ (13,766   $ (12,236   $ (4,908   $ 140      $ (1,183   $ 1,051   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 



    Year Ended December 31,

    Three
Months Ended
March  31,


 
    2006

    2007

    2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
                                 

(unaudited)

 
    (in thousands)  

(1)    Includes share-based compensation as follows:

                                                       

Cost of revenues

  $ 56      $ 154      $ 157      $ 183      $ 210      $ 54      $ 41   

Sales and marketing

    143        247        408        408        445        104        107   

Technology and development

    190        306        412        394        389       
95
  
   
86
  

General and administrative

    136        473        544        666        671        159        156   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

  $ 525      $ 1,180      $ 1,521      $ 1,651      $ 1,715      $ 412      $ 390   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

35


Table of Contents
(2)   Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders has been calculated assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration of which this prospectus is a part.

 

(3)   See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for more information and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.

 

     At December 31,

     At March 31,

 
     2006

     2007

     2008

     2009

     2010

     2011

 
                                        (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

                                                     

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 30,734       $ 41,728       $ 24,270       $ 16,091       $ 13,777       $ 15,554   

Property and equipment, net

     9,236         9,253         6,249         4,409         4,929         4,994   

Working capital

     30,155         41,451         25,428         16,432         11,941         10,332   

Total assets

     42,905         54,406         34,482         24,608         24,013         28,520   

Convertible preferred stock

     3         4         4         4         4         4   

Total shareholders’ equity

     39,777         51,044         31,840         21,126         17,448         18,575   

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we have disclosed within this prospectus Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. We have provided a reconciliation below of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

 

We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because it is a key metric used by our management and board of directors to measure operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis.

 

Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of share-based compensation;

 

   

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; and

 

   

Other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net loss and our other GAAP results.

 

36


Table of Contents

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for each of the periods presented.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three
Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2006

    2007

    2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
                                   (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss:

                                                        

Net loss

   $ (12,589   $ (20,290   $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826

Income tax expense (benefit)

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Other income

     (1,361     (1,496     (687     (111     (63     (17     (39

Depreciation and amortization expense

     3,052        6,840        8,147        6,407        5,262        1,228        1,526   

Share-based compensation expense

     525        1,180        1,521        1,651        1,715        412        390   
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)

   $ (10,373   $ (13,766   $ (12,236   $ (4,908   $ 140      $ (1,183   $ 1,051   
    


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

37


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes to financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk Factors.”

 

Overview

 

We are the leading real estate information marketplace. We provide vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages through our website and mobile applications, enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. We are transforming the way consumers make home-related decisions.

 

Our living database of more than 100 million U.S. homes – homes for sale, homes for rent and homes not currently on the market – attracts an active and vibrant community of users. Individuals and businesses that use Zillow have updated information on more than 28 million homes and added more than 60 million home photos, creating exclusive home profiles available nowhere else. These profiles include rich detailed information about homes, including property facts, listing information and purchase and sale data. We provide this information to our users where, when and how they want it, both through our website and through our industry-leading mobile applications that enable consumers to access our information when they are curbside, viewing homes. Using industry-leading automated valuation models, we provide current home value estimates, or Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes, and current rental price estimates, or Rent Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes. Our products and services present residential real estate data in novel ways that have revolutionized the way consumers search for, find and understand home-related information and make real estate decisions.

 

We were incorporated in December 2004 and have continually introduced innovative products, achieving key product development and business milestones that have driven our revenue and traffic growth.

 

   

On February 8, 2006, we launched the initial version of our website, Zillow.com, providing Zestimates on approximately 40 million U.S. homes. Two days later, we attracted our one millionth visitor.

 

   

In November 2007, we announced our listings feed program, allowing real estate brokerages to directly feed their listings to our website. By June 2008, we were displaying 2.3 million for sale listings and have since grown our listings to provide extensive nationwide sale and rental listing information.

 

   

In April 2008, we launched Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. By February 2009, mortgage lenders had provided over one million marketplace loan quotes. We began to charge mortgage lenders for participation in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace in January 2010.

 

   

In October 2008, we launched our Premier Agent program. By the end of March 2011, we had more than 10,000 paying Premier Agent subscribers.

 

   

In April 2009, we released our first mobile application. We now operate the most popular mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry.

 

   

In December 2009, we began displaying rental listings and enhanced this experience with the introduction of Rent Zestimates in March 2011.

 

   

In December 2010, we began collecting and displaying consumer-generated real estate agent ratings and reviews. By June 9, 2011, consumers had submitted more than 50,000 agent reviews published by Zillow.

 

38


Table of Contents
   

In February 2011, we launched a strategic relationship with Yahoo! Real Estate through which we provide real estate listings to Yahoo! Real Estate and have exclusive rights to sell real estate agent advertising and certain graphical advertisements for display throughout the Yahoo! Real Estate site.

 

We generate revenues from local real estate professionals, primarily on an individual subscription basis, and from mortgage professionals and brand advertisers. Our revenues include marketplace revenues, consisting of subscriptions sold to real estate agents and advertising sold on a cost per click, or CPC, basis to mortgage lenders, and display revenues consisting of advertising placements sold primarily on a cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, basis.

 

We have experienced significant revenue growth over the past three years. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 we focused on growing our marketplace revenues, which accounted for the majority of our revenue growth over that period. This growth in marketplace revenues helped us achieve an overall 70% compound annual growth rate from 2008 to 2010. The increase in marketplace revenues resulted from growth in our Premier Agent program and the commencement of charging mortgage lenders for participation in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. Our Premier Agent program established a significant source of more predictable subscription-based revenue that complements our display revenues, and created a diversified revenue mix.

 

In 2008, 2009 and 2010, we generated revenues of $10.6 million, $17.5 million and $30.5 million, respectively, representing growth of 49%, 65% and 74%, respectively. We believe achieving these levels of revenue growth were primarily the result of significant growth in the following areas:

 

   

traffic to our website and mobile applications — indicated by the average number of monthly unique users for the three months ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, of 5.5 million, 7.6 million and 12.7 million, respectively, representing year-over-year growth of 48%, 38% and 66%, respectively;

 

   

marketplace revenues — due to the launch of our Premier Agent program in 2008 and the commencement of charging mortgage lenders for participation in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace in January 2010; and

 

   

display revenues — resulting from our traffic growth and the improved productivity of our sales force.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we generated revenue of $11.3 million, as compared to $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, an increase of 111%. We believe this increase is primarily the result of an increase in our Premier Agent Subscribers from 3,438 at March 31, 2010 to 10,710 at March 31, 2011, as well as a significant growth in traffic to our website and mobile applications. There were approximately 17.3 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 9.3 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended March 31, 2010, representing year-over-year growth of 86%.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we began to recognize revenues related to our strategic relationship with Yahoo! Real Estate. Under this strategic relationship, we provide real estate listings to Yahoo! Real Estate and have exclusive rights to sell real estate agent advertising and certain graphical advertising for display on the Yahoo! Real Estate site. We anticipate this partnership will have a positive impact on our future results of operations, primarily due to an increase in marketplace revenues as we expect the partnership will continue to drive greater demand for our Premier Agent product.

 

Key Growth Drivers

 

To analyze our business performance, determine financial forecasts and help develop long-term strategic plans, we frequently review the following key growth drivers:

 

Unique Users

 

Measuring unique users is important to us because our marketplace revenues depend in part on our ability to enable our users to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals, and our display revenues depend in part

 

39


Table of Contents

on the number of impressions delivered. Furthermore, our community of users improves the quality of our living database of homes with their contributions. We count a unique user the first time a computer or mobile device with a unique IP address accesses our website or one of our mobile applications during a calendar month. If an individual accesses our website or mobile applications using different IP addresses within a given month, the first access by each such IP address is counted as a separate unique user. We measure unique users with Omniture analytical tools.

 

    Average Monthly Unique
Users for the Three
Months Ended March
31,


    2010 to 2011
    % Change    


             
        2010    

        2011    

       
    (in thousands)                    

Unique Users

    9,301        17,306        86                
    Average Monthly Unique
Users for the  Three
Months Ended December 31,

    2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
        2008    

        2009    

        2010    

     
    (in thousands)              

Unique Users

    5,518        7,611        12,666        38     66

 

Premier Agent Subscribers

 

The number of Premier Agent subscribers is an important driver of revenue growth because each subscribing agent pays us a monthly fee to participate in the program. We define a Premier Agent subscriber as an agent with a paid subscription at the end of a period.

 

    At March 31,

    2010 to 2011
    % Change    


             
        2010    

        2011    

               

Premier Agent Subscribers

    3,438        10,710        212                
    At December 31,

    2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
        2008    

        2009    

        2010    

     

Premier Agent Subscribers

    26        2,764        8,102        *        193

*   Not a meaningful measurement because the Premier Agent program was launched in October 2008.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Revenues

 

We generate revenues from local real estate professionals, primarily on an individual subscription basis, and from mortgage professionals and brand advertisers. Our revenues include marketplace revenues and display revenues.

 

Marketplace Revenues.     Marketplace revenues consist of subscriptions sold to real estate agents under our Premier Agent program and CPC advertising related to our Zillow Mortgage Marketplace sold to mortgage lenders.

 

Our Premier Agent program allows local real estate agents to establish a persistent online and mobile presence on Zillow in the zip codes they serve. We present contact information for each Premier Agent alongside home profiles and home listings within the agent’s zip code, assisting consumers in evaluating and selecting the real estate agent best suited for them. Pricing for our Premier Agent subscriptions varies by zip code. Subscription advertising revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis during the contractual period over which

 

40


Table of Contents

the advertising is delivered. Typical terms of our Premier Agent subscription contracts range from six to 12 months. Growth in our subscription advertising product is based on our ability to continue to attract agent subscribers and drive consumer traffic to those agents on our website and through our mobile applications.

 

In Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, participating qualified mortgage lenders make a prepayment to gain access to consumers interested in connecting with mortgage professionals. Consumers who request rates for mortgage loans in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace are presented with personalized lender quotes from participating lenders. We only charge mortgage lenders a fee when users click on their links for more information regarding a mortgage loan quote. Mortgage lenders who exhaust their initial prepayment can then prepay additional funds to continue to participate in the marketplace.

 

Display Revenues.     Display revenues primarily consist of graphical web and mobile advertising sold on a CPM basis to advertisers primarily in the real estate industry, including real estate brokerages, home builders, mortgage lenders and home services providers. Our advertising customers also include telecommunications, automotive, insurance and consumer products companies. We recognize these revenues as impressions are delivered to users interacting with our website or mobile applications. Growth in display revenues depends on continuing growth in traffic to our website and mobile applications and migration of advertising spend online from traditional broadcast and print media.

 

Cost and Expenses

 

Cost of Revenues.     Our cost of revenues consists of expenses related to operating our website and mobile applications, including associated headcount expenses, such as salaries and benefits and share-based compensation and bonuses. Cost of revenues also includes credit card fees, ad serving costs paid to third parties, revenue-sharing costs related to our commercial business relationships and facilities costs allocated on a headcount basis.

 

Sales and Marketing.     Sales and marketing expenses consist of headcount expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits, share-based compensation expense and bonuses for sales, sales support, customer support, marketing and public relations employees. Sales and marketing expenses also include other sales expenses related to promotional and marketing activities and facilities costs allocated on a headcount basis.

 

Technology and Development.     Technology and development expenses consist of headcount expenses, including salaries and benefits, share-based compensation expense and bonuses for salaried employees and contractors engaged in the design, development and testing of our website. Technology and development expenses also include equipment and maintenance costs and facilities costs allocated on a headcount basis. Technology and development expenses also include amortization costs related to capitalized website and development activities and amortization of certain intangibles and other data agreement costs related to the purchase of data used to populate our website.

 

General and Administrative.     General and administrative expenses consist of headcount expenses, including salaries, benefits, share-based compensation expense and bonuses for executive, finance, accounting, legal, human resources, recruiting and administrative support. General and administrative expenses also include legal, accounting and other third-party professional service fees, bad debt and facilities costs allocated on a headcount basis.

 

Other Income

 

Other income consists of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

41


Table of Contents

Income Taxes

 

We are subject to U.S. federal income taxes. As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011, we did not have taxable income and, therefore, no tax liability or expense has been recorded in the financial statements. We have provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011, because there is significant uncertainty around our ability to realize the deferred tax assets in the future.

 

We adopted the provisions related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes as of January 1, 2007, which provide a financial statement recognition and measurement threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following tables present our results of operations for the periods indicated and as a percentage of total revenue.

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
         2008     

         2009     

         2010     

    2010

    2011

 
                      (unaudited)  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                       

Revenues

  $ 10,593      $ 17,491      $ 30,467      $ 5,331      $ 11,260   

Costs and expenses:

                                       

Cost of revenues(1)

    4,198        4,042        4,973        1,162        1,817   

Sales and marketing(1)

    7,481        9,654        14,996        3,117        5,484   

Technology and development(1)

    15,048        11,260        10,651        2,534        2,996   

General and administrative(1)

    5,770        5,501        6,684        1,341        1,828   
   


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    32,497        30,457        37,304        8,154        12,125   
   


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

    (21,904     (12,966     (6,837     (2,823     (865

Other income

    687        111        63        17        39   
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss

  $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted

  $ (1.68   $ (1.02   $ (0.53   $ (0.22   $ (0.06
   


 


 


 


 


Weighted-average shares outstanding — basic and diluted

    12,593        12,613        12,770        12,640        13,347   
   


 


 


 


 



                                       
    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
         2008     

         2009     

         2010     

    2010

    2011

 
                      (unaudited)  
    (in thousands)  

(1)    Includes share-based compensation as follows:

                                       

Cost of revenues

  $ 157      $ 183      $ 210      $ 54      $ 41   

Sales and marketing

    408        408        445        104        107   

Technology and development

    412        394        389       
95
  
    86   

General and administrative

    544        666        671        159        156   
   


 


 


 


 


Total

  $ 1,521      $ 1,651      $ 1,715      $ 412      $ 390   
   


 


 


 


 


 

42


Table of Contents
    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
      2008  

      2009  

      2010  

    2010

    2011

 
                      (unaudited)  

Percentage of Revenues:

                                       

Revenues

    100     100     100     100     100

Costs and expenses:

                                       

Cost of revenues

    40        23        16        22        16   

Sales and marketing

    71        55        49        58        49   

Technology and development

    142        64        35        48        27   

General and administrative

    54        31        22        25        16   
   


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    307        174        122        153        108   

Loss from operations

    (207     (74     (22     (53     (8

Other income

    6        1        0        0        0   
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss

    (200 %)      (73 %)      (22 %)      (53 %)      (7 %) 
   


 


 


 


 


 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2011

 

Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2010 to 2011
% Change


 
     2010

     2011

    
     (in thousands)         

Revenues:

                          

Marketplace revenues

   $ 1,854       $ 6,881         271

Display revenues

     3,477         4,379         26
    


  


        

Total

   $ 5,331       $ 11,260         111
    


  


        

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2010

    2011

 

Percentage of Revenues:

                

Marketplace revenues

     35     61

Display revenues

     65     39
    


 


Total

     100     100
    


 


 

Overall revenues increased by $5.9 million, or 111%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. Marketplace revenues increased by 271% and display revenues increased by 26%.

 

Marketplace revenues grew to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, from $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Marketplace revenues represented 61% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 35% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase in marketplace revenues was primarily attributable to growth in the number of subscribers in our Premier Agent program from 3,438 as of March 31, 2010 to 10,710 as of March 31, 2011, representing growth of 212%. In addition, we began to recognize revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2011 related to our strategic relationship with Yahoo! Real Estate, which contributed to the increase in Premier Agent subscribers and positively impacted our marketplace revenues for this period.

 

Display revenues increased from $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily as a result of an increase in our unique users, which grew from

 

43


Table of Contents

9.3 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to 17.3 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended March 31, 2011, representing quarter-over-quarter growth of 86%. The growth in unique users increased the number of graphical display impressions available for sale and advertiser demand for graphical display inventory.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2010 to 2011
% Change


 
         2010    

         2011    

    
     (in thousands)         

Cost of revenues

   $ 1,162       $ 1,817         56

 

Cost of revenues increased by $0.7 million, or 56%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase in cost of revenues is attributable to revenue sharing costs related to the strategic partnership with Yahoo! Inc. that launched in February 2011 as well as increases in credit card fees and other costs related to revenue growth.

 

Sales and marketing

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2010 to 2011
% Change


 
         2010    

         2011    

    
     (in thousands)         

Sales and marketing

   $ 3,117       $ 5,484         76

 

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2.4 million, or 76%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase is primarily related to growth in headcount related costs of $1.8 million, primarily for our sales team to promote our Premier Agent program and increases in advertising, tradeshows, conferences and related travel expenses of $0.5 million.

 

Technology and Development

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2010 to 2011
% Change


 
         2010    

         2011    

    
     (in thousands)         

Technology and development

   $ 2,534       $ 2,996         18

 

Technology and development expenses, which include research and development costs, increased by $0.5 million, or 18%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. Approximately $0.3 million of the increase is the result of additional amortization of capitalized website development costs and intangible assets. The remaining increase is primarily the result of growth in headcount-related costs of $0.1 million and a net increase in various other expenses of $0.1 million. Amortization expense included for capitalized website development costs was $0.8 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Amortization expense included for purchased data content intangible assets was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Other data agreement expense was $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

General and Administrative

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2010 to 2011
% Change


 
         2010    

         2011    

    
     (in thousands)         

General and administrative

   $ 1,341       $ 1,828         36

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 36%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010. The fluctuation was driven by an increase of $0.4 million in professional services fees, an increase of $0.3 million in headcount-related costs driven by

 

44


Table of Contents

growth in headcount and a $0.4 million increase in various other miscellaneous expenses. The increases were partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in local, business and occupational and gross receipts taxes, the majority of which was the result of a $0.3 million tax credit we received relating to a refund of certain state and local taxes from 2006 to 2009.

 

Our current headquarters in Seattle, Washington is under an operating lease expiring in February 2013, and we have entered into an operating lease for our new headquarters in Seattle, Washington, under which we will be obligated to make lease payments beginning in December 2012 and expiring in November 2022. We currently expect to vacate our current office space during the second half of 2011, and we are in the process of evaluating sublease opportunities. At the time we vacate our current office space, we may be required to record a liability for costs that will continue to be incurred under the contract for the remaining term, which could have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010

 

Revenues

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
     2008

     2009

     2010

      
     (in thousands)               

Marketplace revenues

   $ 130       $ 3,912       $ 13,228         *        238

Display revenues

     10,463         13,579         17,239         30     27
    


  


  


                

Total

   $ 10,593       $ 17,491       $ 30,467         65     74
    


  


  


                

*   Not a meaningful measurement because the Premier Agent program was launched in October 2008.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2008

    2009

    2010

 

Percentage of Revenues:

                        

Marketplace revenues

     1     22     43

Display revenues

     99     78     57
    


 


 


Total

     100     100     100
    


 


 


 

2009 Compared to 2010.     Overall revenues grew by $13.0 million, or 74%, in 2010 compared to 2009. Marketplace revenues grew by 238% and display revenues grew by 27%.

 

Marketplace revenues grew from $3.9 million in 2009 to $13.2 million, and represented 43% of total revenues in 2010 compared to 22% of total revenues in 2009. This increase in marketplace revenues was primarily attributable to growth in the number of subscribers in our Premier Agent program from 2,764 as of December 31, 2009 to 8,102 as of December 31, 2010, an increase of 193%. We believe this increase in subscribers in our Premier Agent program was driven by our continued focus on developing our marketplace program and the sales team supporting it, and the overall growth in the number of unique users of our website and mobile applications. Marketplace revenues also increased because we began to charge mortgage lenders for participation in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace in January 2010.

 

Display revenues increased from $13.6 million in 2009 to $17.2 million in 2010 and represented 57% of total revenues in 2010 compared to 78% of total revenues in 2009. We believe this growth was primarily the result of the increase in our unique users which increased from 7.6 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended December 31, 2009 to 12.7 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended December 31, 2010, an increase of 66%. The growth in unique users increased the number of graphical display impressions available for sale and advertiser demand for graphical display inventory.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     Overall revenues increased by $6.9 million, or 65%, in 2009 compared to 2008. Marketplace revenues grew to $3.9 million and display revenues grew by 30% in 2009 compared to 2008.

 

45


Table of Contents

Marketplace revenues grew from $0.1 million in 2008 to $3.9 million, and represented 22% of total revenues in 2009 compared to 1% of total revenues in 2008. The increase in marketplace revenues was due to the full-year impact of selling our Premier Agent program in 2009, as we commenced selling this product in October 2008.

 

Display revenues grew from $10.5 million in 2008 to $13.6 million, and represented 78% of total revenues in 2009 compared to 99% of total revenues in 2008. The increase in display revenues was primarily the result of the increase in our unique users, which increased from 5.5 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended December 31, 2008 to 7.6 million average monthly unique users for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of 38%, as well as the increased productivity of our field sales team.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
     2008

     2009

     2010

      
     (in thousands)               

Cost of revenues

   $ 4,198       $ 4,042       $ 4,973         (4 %)      23

 

2009 Compared to 2010.     Cost of revenues increased by $0.9 million, or 23%, in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase was the result of $0.5 million greater ad serving, credit card fees and other costs and an increase of $0.3 million in headcount expenses for employees supporting the operation of our website. We expect that our cost of revenues will increase in future years as we continue to incur more expenses that are associated with growth in revenues.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     Cost of revenues decreased by $0.2 million, or 4%, in 2009 compared to 2008. The decrease was driven by a decline in headcount expenses of $0.4 million resulting from a headcount reduction in the fourth quarter of 2008, offset by an increase of $0.2 million in ad serving and credit card fees related to revenue growth.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
     2008

     2009

     2010

      
     (in thousands)               

Sales and marketing

   $ 7,481       $ 9,654       $ 14,996         29     55

 

2009 Compared to 2010.     Sales and marketing expenses increased by $5.3 million, or 55%, in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase is related to growth in headcount expenses and related commissions of $5.1 million, primarily for our sales team to promote sales of our Premier Agent program, and tradeshows, conferences and related travel expenses. We expect our sales and marketing expenses will increase in future years as we continue to invest more resources in growing our sales team and potentially invest in advertising. Although these expenses may increase as a percentage of revenues in the near term, we expect these expenses will decrease as a percentage of revenues in the long term.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2.2 million, or 29%, in 2009 from 2008. The increase was primarily related to growth in headcount expenses and related commissions of $3.2 million, primarily offset by a reduction in marketing and related consulting expenses of $0.9 million. The increase in headcount expenses was primarily attributable to the impact of hiring a local sales team to sell and promote our Premier Agent program. The offsetting decreases in marketing and related consulting expenses were primarily attributable to spending reductions implemented in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

Technology and Development

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
     2008

     2009

     2010

      
     (in thousands)               

Technology and development

   $ 15,048       $ 11,260       $ 10,651         (25 %)      (5 %) 

 

46


Table of Contents

2009 Compared to 2010.     Technology and development expenses, which include research and development costs, decreased by $0.6 million, or 5%, in 2010 compared to 2009. The decrease was the result of a reduction of $1.2 million in depreciation and amortization expense as historical purchases of computer equipment reached the end of their depreciable lives and significant components of capitalized website development costs being fully amortized, offset by a $0.6 million increase in headcount expenses and consulting expenses. Amortization expense included for capitalized website development costs was $4.2 million and $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Amortization expense included for purchased data content intangible assets was $0.6 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Other data agreement expense was $0.7 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. While we expect our technology and development expenses to increase over time as we continue to build new website and mobile functionality, we expect these expenses will decrease as a percentage of revenue.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     Technology and development expenses, which include research and development costs, decreased by $3.8 million, or 25%, in 2009 compared to 2008. Approximately $1.7 million of the decrease was related to a reduction in depreciation and amortization expense due to historical purchases of computer equipment reaching the end of their depreciable lives and significant components of capitalized website development costs becoming fully amortized. In addition, $1.3 million of the decrease was related to the full year impact of our headcount reduction in the fourth quarter of 2008. Various reductions in other spending categories, totaling $0.8 million, such as software expenses, repairs and maintenance expenses and consulting service expenses also contributed to the overall decrease from the prior year in technology and development expenses. Amortization expense included for capitalized website development costs was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Amortization expense included for purchased data content intangible assets was $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Other data agreement expense was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

General and Administrative

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
     2008

     2009

     2010

      
     (in thousands)               

General and administrative

   $ 5,770       $ 5,501       $ 6,684         (5 %)      22

 

2009 Compared to 2010.     General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.2 million, or 22%, in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in headcount expenses of approximately $1.0 million. Legal expenses also increased by $0.4 million in 2010 compared to 2009 due to an increase in litigation activity relating to lawsuits filed against us in 2010. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in the near term as we invest in headcount expenses and expenses associated with being a public company, but remain flat or decline as a percentage of revenues over the long term.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $0.3 million, or 5%, in 2009 compared to 2008. The decrease was largely a result of the headcount reduction in the fourth quarter of 2008 and to other initiatives we implemented at that time to reduce spending. Headcount expenses decreased by approximately $0.2 million, consulting expenses decreased by $0.2 million and legal expenses decreased by $0.2 million in 2009 compared to 2008. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $0.3 million in other expenses.

 

Other Income

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2008 to 2009
% Change


    2009 to 2010
% Change


 
       2008  

       2009  

       2010  

      
     (in thousands)               

Other income

   $ 687       $ 111       $ 63         (84 %)      (43 %) 

 

47


Table of Contents

2009 Compared to 2010.     Other income decreased by 43% in 2010 compared to 2009, largely as a result of lower cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and lower yields on those assets. We expect other income to increase in the near term because our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are expected to increase as a result of the net proceeds from this offering and the proceeds of the concurrent private placement.

 

2008 Compared to 2009.     Other income decreased by approximately $0.6 million, or 84%, in 2009 compared to 2008, largely as a result of lower cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and lower yields on those assets.

 

Quarterly Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our unaudited quarterly statements of operations data for each of the nine quarters presented below. In the opinion of management, the data has been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements included in this prospectus, and reflects all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data. The results of historical periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations of any future period. You should read this data together with our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March 31,
2011


 
    (in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                                                       

Revenues

  $ 2,742      $ 4,504      $ 5,541      $ 4,704      $ 5,331      $ 7,334      $ 8,229      $ 9,573      $ 11,260   

Costs and expenses:

                                                                       

Cost of revenues(1)

    920        1,038        1,049        1,035        1,162        1,222        1,263        1,326        1,817   

Sales and marketing(1)

    1,909        2,380        2,679        2,686        3,117        3,748        4,060        4,071        5,484   

Technology and development(1)

    3,077        2,774        2,837        2,572        2,534        2,878        2,528        2,711        2,996   

General and administrative(1)

    1,301        1,419        1,416        1,365        1,341        1,483        1,902        1,958        1,828   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

    7,207        7,611        7,981        7,658        8,154        9,331        9,753        10,066        12,125   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

    (4,465     (3,107     (2,440     (2,954     (2,823     (1,997     (1,524     (493     (865

Other income

    36        38        15        22        17        25        14        7        39   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net loss

  $ (4,429   $ (3,069   $ (2,425   $ (2,932   $ (2,806   $ (1,972   $ (1,510   $ (486   $ (826
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted

  $ (0.35   $ (0.24   $ (0.19   $ (0.23   $ (0.22   $ (0.16   $ (0.12   $ (0.04   $ (0.06
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding — basic and diluted

    12,607        12,608        12,611        12,626        12,640        12,660        12,803        12,972        13,347   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Other Financial Data:

                                                                       

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

  $ (2,153   $ (989   $ (489   $ (1,277   $ (1,183   $ (202   $ 246      $ 1,279      $ 1,051   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

48


Table of Contents

    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March
31,

2011

 
    (in thousands, unaudited)  

(1)    Includes share-based compensation as follows:

                                                                       

Cost of revenue

  $ 46      $ 46      $ 47      $ 44      $ 54      $ 53      $ 61      $ 42      $ 41   

Sales and marketing

    98        109        102        99        104        111        117        113        107   

Technology and development

    107        102        105        80        95        106        102        86        86   

General and administrative

    166        170        169        161        159        159        188        165        156   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

  $ 417      $ 427      $ 423      $ 384      $ 412      $ 429      $ 468      $ 406      $ 390   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


(2)    See “Adjusted EBITDA” below for more information and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.

         

       

 

The following tables present our revenues by type and as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented:

 

    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March 31,
2011


 
    (in thousands, unaudited)  

Revenues :

                                                                       

Marketplace revenues

  $ 455      $ 865      $ 1,168      $ 1,424      $ 1,854      $ 2,632      $ 3,628      $ 5,114      $ 6,881   

Display revenues

    2,287        3,639        4,373        3,280        3,477        4,702        4,601        4,459        4,379   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

  $ 2,742      $ 4,504      $ 5,541      $ 4,704      $ 5,331      $ 7,334      $ 8,229      $ 9,573      $ 11,260   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March 31,
2011

 

Percentage of Revenues :

                                                                       

Marketplace revenues

    17     19     21     30     35     36     44     53     61

Display revenues

    83        81        79        70        65        64        56        47        39
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total

    100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Revenues increased sequentially in all quarters presented with the exception of the fourth quarter of 2009 as display revenues were negatively impacted in that quarter by a decrease in monthly unique users for the quarter. The strong increase in consumer adoption of our website and mobile applications in 2010 was reflected in the significant growth in unique users over the year, which contributed to substantial increases in marketplace revenues. As a result, we experienced less seasonality in revenues, with no decrease in the fourth quarter of 2010, as we grew our marketplace products and services. We have experienced seasonality in our display revenues generally as a result of fluctuations of traffic to our website and mobile devices. However, in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010 we experienced sequential declines in display revenues largely due to price decreases associated with changes relating to our display remnant program.

 

49


Table of Contents

Adjusted EBITDA

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for each of the nine quarters presented below. Please refer to “Adjusted EBITDA” in the section entitled “Selected Financial and Other Data” for more information.

 

    Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March  31,
2011

 
   

(in thousands, unaudited)

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss:

                                                                       

Net loss

  $ (4,429   $ (3,069   $ (2,425   $ (2,932   $ (2,806   $ (1,972   $ (1,510   $ (486   $ (826

Income tax expense (benefit)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Other income

    (36     (38     (15     (22     (17     (25     (14     (7     (39

Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,895        1,691        1,528        1,293        1,228        1,366        1,302        1,366        1,526   

Share-based compensation expense

    417        427        423        384        412        429        468        406        390   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Adjusted EBITDA

  $ (2,153   $ (989   $ (489   $ (1,277   $ (1,183   $ (202   $ 246      $ 1,279      $ 1,051   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Key Growth Drivers

 

The following tables set forth our key growth drivers for each of the nine quarters in the period ended March 31, 2011.

 

    Average for the Three Months Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March  31,
2011

 
    (in thousands)  

Unique Users

    8,084        8,615        8,485        7,611        9,301        10,751        12,061        12,666        17,306   
    Period Ended

 
    March 31,
2009


    June 30,
2009


    September 30,
2009


    December 31,
2009


    March 31,
2010


    June 30,
2010


    September 30,
2010


    December 31,
2010


    March 31,
2011

 

Premier Agent Subscribers

    285        1,111        2,106        2,764        3,438        4,777        6,448        8,102        10,710   

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have funded our operations since inception primarily from the issuance of common and preferred stock, and in 2010 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from cash generated from operations. Through 2007, we raised approximately $81.0 million through various offerings of our convertible preferred stock and approximately $5.9 million from the sale of our common stock.

 

As of December 31, 2010 and as of March 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $13.8 million and $15.6 million, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents balances consist of operating cash on deposit with our financial institutions and money market funds. Short-term investments as of December 31, 2010 and as of March 31, 2011 consisted of U.S. Treasury securities. Amounts on deposit with third-party financial institutions exceed the applicable Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation insurance limits, as applicable. We believe that cash from operations and cash and short-term investment balances will be sufficient to meet our ongoing operating activities, working capital, capital expenditures and other capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

During March 2011, we entered into a loan and security agreement with a financial institution to establish a line of credit of $4.0 million, secured by substantially all our assets other than our intellectual property, to be

 

50


Table of Contents

used for general business purposes. The line of credit contains financial and non-financial covenants. As of March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all covenants. The line of credit is available through March 2013. During March 2011, we executed a standby letter of credit of $1.5 million in connection with the lease of our new Seattle offices and reserved this amount against the line of credit, which reduces the available line to $2.5 million. As of March 31, 2011, there were no other amounts outstanding under the line of credit.

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
    2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
          (unaudited)  
    (in thousands)  

Cash Flow Data:

                                       

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ (13,010   $ (4,217   $ 2,258      $ (842   $ 3,484   

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

    (5,779     (14,494     4,631        696        (5,364

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

    112        100        950        5        657   

 

Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net cash provided by operating activities was $3.5 million. This was driven by a net loss of $0.8 million, adjusted by depreciation and amortization expense and share-based compensation expense of $1.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Changes in operating assets and liabilities increased cash provided by operating activities by $2.4 million.

 

In 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million. This was driven primarily by an increase in the deferred revenue balance of $2.5 million.

 

In 2009, net cash used in operating activities was $4.2 million. This was driven by a net loss of $12.9 million, adjusted by depreciation and amortization expense and share-based compensation expense of $6.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Changes in operating assets and liabilities reduced cash used in operating activities by $0.8 million.

 

In 2008, net cash used in operating activities was $13.0 million. This was driven by a net loss of $21.2 million, adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense and share-based compensation expense of $8.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Changes in operating assets and liabilities reduced cash used in operating activities by $1.5 million, primarily impacted by a decrease in the accounts receivable balance by $1.1 million.

 

Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities

 

Our primary investing activities include the purchase and maturity of short-term investments and the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we used $5.4 million of net cash in investing activities. This was the result of $3.0 million of net purchases of short-term investments, $1.4 million for the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets and $1.0 million paid in connection with our March 2011 acquisition of the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, net cash provided by investing activities was $4.6 million. This was the result of $10.2 million of net proceeds from short-term investments partially offset by $5.5 million for the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we used $14.5 million of net cash in investing activities. This was the result of $10.4 million of net purchases of short-term investments and $4.1 million for the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets.

 

51


Table of Contents

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we used $5.8 million of net cash in investing activities. This was the result of $4.8 million for the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets and $1.0 million of net purchases of short-term investments.

 

Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities

 

Our financing activities have primarily resulted from the exercise of employee non-qualified stock options. The proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock from the exercise of stock options for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2009 or 2010 or as of March 31, 2011.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We have various operating leases for office space and equipment. Our current headquarters in Seattle, Washington is under an operating lease expiring in February 2013 and we have entered into an operating lease for our new headquarters in Seattle, Washington under which we will be obligated to make payments beginning in December 2012 and expiring in November 2022. We also have purchase obligations for content related to our website. We do not have any debt or capital lease obligations. The following table provides a summary of our operating lease obligations and purchase obligations as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited):

 

     Payment Due By Period

 
     Total

     Less Than
1 Year


     1-3 Years

     3-5 Years

     More Than
5 Years


 
     (in thousands)  

Operating lease obligations

   $ 22,912       $ 1,607       $ 3,919       $ 3,617       $ 13,769   

Purchase obligations

     3,592         1,395         1,157         1,040         —     
    


  


  


  


  


Total

   $ 26,504       $ 3,002       $ 5,076       $ 4,657       $ 13,769   
    


  


  


  


  


 

The contractual commitment amounts in the table above are associated with agreements that are enforceable and legally binding. Obligations under contracts that we can cancel without a significant penalty are not included in the table above.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

We believe that the assumptions and estimates associated with revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, website and software development costs, recoverability of intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets and share-based compensation have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements. Therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting policies and estimates. For further information on all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 of the accompanying notes to our financial statements.

 

52


Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenue is primarily derived from advertising services. In general, we recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered to the customer, (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We consider a signed agreement, a binding insertion order or other similar documentation reflecting the terms and conditions under which products will be provided to be persuasive evidence of an arrangement. Collectability is assessed based on a number of factors, including payment history and the creditworthiness of a customer. If it is determined that collection is not reasonably assured, revenue is not recognized until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash.

 

Our marketplace revenues consist of subscriptions sold to real estate agents under our Premier Agent program, and CPC advertising related to our Zillow Mortgage Marketplace sold to mortgage lenders. Subscription advertising revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis during the contractual period over which the advertising is delivered. Typical terms of our Premier Agent subscription contracts range from six to 12 months. For Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, we recognize revenue when a user clicks on a mortgage advertisement or on a link to obtain additional information about a mortgage loan quote.

 

Display revenues primarily consist of graphical advertising sold on a CPM basis to advertisers. We recognize these revenues as impressions are delivered to users interacting with our website or mobile applications.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We review accounts receivable on a regular basis and estimate an amount of losses for uncollectible accounts based on our historical collections experience, age of the receivable, knowledge of the customer and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole.

 

Website and Software Development Costs

 

The costs incurred in the preliminary stages of website and software development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental and deemed by management to be significant, are capitalized in property and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including those costs in the post-implementation stages) are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website (or software) that result in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives.

 

Capitalized development activities placed in service are amortized over the expected useful lives of those releases, currently estimated at one year. Estimated useful lives of website and software development activities are reviewed frequently and adjusted as appropriate to reflect upcoming development activities that may include significant upgrades and/or enhancements to the existing functionality.

 

Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate they may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. We group assets for purposes of such review at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows of the asset group are largely independent of the cash flows of the other groups of assets and liabilities. If this comparison indicates impairment, the amount of impairment to be recognized is calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset group.

 

53


Table of Contents

Share-Based Compensation

 

We measure compensation expense for all share-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to determine the fair-value for awards and recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the awards’ vesting periods. Management has determined the Black-Scholes-Merton fair value of our stock option awards and related share-based compensation expense with the assistance of third-party valuations. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment. The determination of the grant date fair value of options using an option-pricing model is affected by our estimated Class A common stock fair value as well as assumptions regarding a number of other complex and subjective variables. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton model changes significantly, share-based compensation for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously. In valuing our options, we make assumptions about risk-free interest rates, dividend yields, volatility, and weighted-average expected lives, including estimated forfeiture rates, of the options.

 

Risk-free rate.     Risk-free interest rates are derived from U.S. Treasury securities as of the option grant date.

 

Expected dividend yields.     Expected dividend yields are based on our historical dividend payments, which have been zero to date.

 

Volatility.     Absent a public market for our shares, we have historically estimated volatility of our share price based on the published historical volatilities of industry peers in the online publishing market (primarily the financial and real estate services industries) representing the verticals in which we operate.

 

Expected term.     We estimate the weighted-average expected life of the options as the average of the vesting option schedule and the term of the award, since, due to the limited period of time share-based awards have been exercisable, we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term. The term of the award is estimated using the simplified method as the awards granted are plain vanilla share options.

 

Forfeiture rate.     Forfeiture rates are estimated using historical actual forfeiture trends as well as our judgment of future forfeitures. These rates are evaluated at least annually and any change in compensation expense is recognized in the period of the change. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period in which the estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including the types of awards and employee class. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from management’s current estimates.

 

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months
Ended March 31,


     2008

    2009

    2010

    2011

                       (unaudited)

Expected volatility

     57%        55%        50%      52%

Expected dividend yields

     —          —          —        —  

Average risk-free interest rate

     1.91 – 3.14     1.70 – 2.19     1.23 – 2.16   1.87%

Weighted-average expected life

     4.58 years        4.58 years        4.58 years      4.58 years

 

Valuation of Class A Common Stock.     The following table summarizes by grant date the number of shares of our Class A common stock subject to stock options granted since January 1, 2010, and the associated per share exercise price. As discussed below, we have determined for each grant that the exercise price equaled the fair value per share of our Class A common stock as of the date of the grant.

 

54


Table of Contents

Grant Date


   Shares
Subject to
Options
Granted


     Exercise Price
Per Share


     Fair Value
Per Share

 

2010

                          

March 12

     869,094       $ 3.59       $ 3.59   

March 17

     2,958       $ 3.59       $ 3.59   

April 15

     6,796       $ 3.59       $ 3.59   

May 20

     64,781       $ 3.59       $ 3.59   

July 20

     172,361       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

August 17

     54,727       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

September 15

     225,735       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

October 21

     7,244       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

November 15

     29,585       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

December 15

     6,946       $ 3.25       $ 3.25   

2011

                          

March 1

     1,093,272       $ 3.89       $ 3.89   

May 23

     186,631       $ 6.33       $ 6.33   

 

Since July 2006, we have obtained valuation analyses prepared by a third-party valuation firm to assist us in determining the fair value of our Class A common stock. The valuations used methodologies, approaches and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation , or the AICPA Practice Guide. In obtaining third-party valuations of our Class A common stock, our management provided the third-party valuation firm with projections for revenue and expenses on a cash basis, and information about our prospects, our performance and economic and financial market conditions, which the valuation firm used, along with other information, to perform its valuation analysis. These valuations were reviewed by management and either the board of directors or the compensation committee of our board of directors in conjunction with share-based compensation grants. In determining the fair value of our Class A common stock, the board of directors and the compensation committee of our board of directors considered these valuation reports, and other qualitative and quantitative factors that they considered relevant, including:

 

   

key employee hirings and terminations;

 

   

the seasonality of our business;

 

   

general market conditions in the technology, media and real estate markets;

 

   

our operating performance and competitive position within the online real estate space;

 

   

revenue and income projections;

 

   

our cash burn rate;

 

   

the market value of stock of our peer companies;

 

   

present value of possible future cash flows; and

 

   

the likelihood of various liquidity scenarios.

 

The third-party valuation firm performed a top-down valuation by applying the “Income Approach” (as discussed below) to calculate a business enterprise value from which the estimated fair value of our Class A common stock was derived. We prepared financial forecasts for revenue and expenses on a cash basis for five calendar years, which the third-party valuation firm used in its discounted cash flow, or DCF, methodology to estimate our enterprise value using the Income Approach. The financial forecasts were based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding revenue growth rates and expenses, that took into account our past experience and future expectations. The valuation reports were based upon information contemporaneous with the “as of” date of the valuations, and did not give effect to facts or events occurring between that date and the date the reports were issued.

 

55


Table of Contents

Under the Income Approach using the DCF methodology, estimated future free cash flow returns are discounted to present value at an appropriate rate of return for the investment, where the discount reflects the degree of risk associated with the future returns and returns available from alternative investments. Higher risk leads to a higher discount rate, which produces a lower value for the investment. Under the Income Approach, discrete period cash flows were determined over several years, and estimated in a residual period. The analysis was based on a number of assumptions, including:

 

   

our expected sales growth, cost of revenues, operating expenses, depreciation expense, income taxes and capital expenditures for the current and future years, which assumptions were based on management’s estimates as of the effective date of the valuation; and

 

   

a discount rate, which was applied to the forecasted discrete period cash flows and the residual cash flows projected beyond the discrete period.

 

The valuation looked at publicly held companies whose stocks are actively traded (the comparable public company methodology) to derive appropriate ratios and multiples for determining the free cash flows and residual value used in the DCF methodology. To develop an appropriate discount rate to apply to our cash flows, the valuation looked at required venture capital rates for investments in companies at various stages of the business cycle.

 

After using the DCF methodology to arrive at a business enterprise value, the valuation looked at similar companies involved in merger or acquisition transactions and used the comparable public company methodology to benchmark our enterprise value as a multiple of projected revenues and EBITDA. The valuation then added our cash balance to the enterprise value to arrive at the fair value of invested capital, or the value available to all investors of a company, including equity capital (common and preferred), before consideration of any non-operating assets or liabilities. After arriving at the fair value for our total invested capital, the total value of equity is allocated over several series of convertible preferred stock, several classes of common stock and stock options to purchase Class A common stock. Consistent with the AICPA Practice Guide, the value of each share of convertible preferred stock and each share of common stock can be inferred by analyzing various option-pricing methodologies.

 

The option method models the fair value of the various securities comprising a company’s capital structure as a series of call options on the proceeds expected from the sale of the company or the liquidation of its assets at some future date. The model estimates the fair value of each class of securities as a function of the current estimated fair value of the company and assumptions based on the rights and preferences of the respective class. Under the option-pricing methodology used by the third-party valuation firm, the enterprise value was allocated to the convertible preferred stock, several classes of common stock and stock options to purchase Class A common stock using a version of the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation methodology. To determine the Black-Scholes-Merton assumptions, the time to a liquidity event is estimated, the risk-free rate is determined (typically based on the rate available on a government security whose term matches the assumed time to liquidity) and the volatility assumption is determined. For a private company, volatility is based on the historical stock performance for comparable public companies and consideration of the relative lifecycle stage of the company.

 

March 12, March 17, April 15 and May 20, 2010

 

The stock options granted on these dates have an exercise price of $3.59 per share. Our board of directors (with respect to the March 17 grants) and the compensation committee of our board of directors (with respect to the March 12 grants) determined this price taking into account the third-party valuation of our Class A common stock performed as of March 1, 2010, which estimated that the fair value of our Class A common stock at that time was $3.59 per share. In the March 2010 valuation, under the Income Approach, a discount rate of 25% was applied. After arriving at a business enterprise value, our cash balance was added to arrive at the fair value of total invested capital. A portion of the fair value for our total invested capital was then allocated to our Class A

 

56


Table of Contents

common stock under the option-valuation methodology, assuming the following inputs: risk free rate of approximately 0.8%; volatility of approximately 65%; and time to expiration of approximately two years. Finally, the valuation applied a marketability discount of 30% to account for the lack of liquidity relative to a public market.

 

For purposes of the April 15 and May 20 stock option grants, the compensation committee determined that there had been no significant change in our business or industry that would warrant a different valuation than the fair value of our Class A common stock determined in March 2010, and continued to grant stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair value as reflected in the March 1, 2010 valuation.

 

July 20, August 17, September 15, October 21, November 15 and December 15, 2010

 

The stock options granted on these dates have an exercise price of $3.25 per share. The compensation committee of our board of directors determined this price taking into account the third-party valuation of our Class A common stock performed as of June 30, 2010, which estimated that the fair value of our Class A common stock at that time was $3.25 per share. The decrease in the fair value of our Class A common stock from March 1, 2010, was primarily due to the fact that, in 2010, despite growth in revenues, for the period April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 11% and significant macroeconomic pressures on the financial sector and housing markets, including the European debt crisis, continued to put at risk the predictability of future cash flows of the business. As a result, the business enterprise value of our company at June 30, 2010 was determined to be lower than the enterprise value of Zillow at March 1, 2010. In the June 2010 valuation, under the Income Approach, a discount rate of 25% was applied. After arriving at a business enterprise value, our cash balance was added to arrive at the fair value of total invested capital. A portion of the fair value for our total invested capital was then allocated to our Class A common stock under the option-valuation methodology, assuming the following inputs: risk free rate of approximately 0.54%; volatility of approximately 65%; and time to expiration of approximately 1.75 years. Finally, the valuation applied a marketability discount of 25%, to account for the lack of liquidity relative to a public market.

 

For purposes of the stock option grants in August through December 2010, the compensation committee of our board of directors determined that there had been no significant change in our business or prospects that would warrant a different valuation than the fair value of our Class A common stock determined in June 2010, and continued to grant stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair value as reflected in the June 30, 2010 valuation. While our revenues increased over that period, we continued to operate at a net loss, as we faced a challenging housing market and a slowly recovering economy.

 

March 1, 2011

 

The stock options granted on this date have an exercise price of $3.89 per share. The compensation committee of our board of directors determined this price taking into account the third-party valuation of our Class A common stock performed as of December 31, 2010, which estimated that the fair value of our Class A common stock at that time was $3.89 per share. The increase over the June 2010 valuation was in part due to the positive impact on our projections of various initiatives that we had undertaken in 2010 to drive more traffic to our site and enhance our sales and marketing capabilities, offset in part by continued distress in the housing market, constrained mortgage lending markets and historically high rates of foreclosures. In the third-party valuation firm’s December 31, 2010 valuation, two alternative scenarios were considered: (a) our continued operation as a private company with a potential merger or acquisition of Zillow during the 2.5 years following the valuation date (the delayed event scenario); and (b) a potential initial public offering, or IPO, during 2011 (the IPO scenario). In the December 2010 valuation, under the Income Approach, a discount rate of 25% was applied. After arriving at a business enterprise value, our cash balance was added to arrive at the fair value of invested capital. The fair value of invested capital was then allocated to our common stock under each liquidation scenario. Under the IPO scenario, the fair value per share of Class A common stock was estimated by dividing the total equity value by the number of common equivalent shares outstanding. Under the delayed event scenario,

 

57


Table of Contents

the fair value per share of Class A common stock was determined using the version of the Black-Scholes-Merton option-valuation methodology used in previous valuations, and the following inputs were assumed: risk free rate of approximately 0.82%; volatility of approximately 55%; and time to expiration of approximately 2.5 years. The valuation applied a marketability discount of 15% to the fair value determined under the IPO scenario and a marketability discount of 30% to the fair value determined under the delayed event scenario, to account for the lack of liquidity relative to a public market. The weighting of the common equity value per share assumed a delayed event at 75% and the common equity value per share based on an IPO at 25%, in reaching the final fair value of $3.89 per share.

 

May 23, 2011

 

The stock options granted on this date have an exercise price of $6.33 per share. The compensation committee of our board of directors determined this price taking into account the third-party valuation of our Class A common stock performed as of May 20, 2011, which estimated that the fair value of our Class A common stock at that time was $6.33 per share. The increase over the December 2010 valuation was in part due to the positive impact on our projections of increased traffic to our site, as well as an increase in the weighting of the common equity value per share based on an initial public offering, or IPO. In the third-party valuation firm’s May 20, 2011 valuation, two alternative scenarios were considered: (a) our continued operation as a private company with a potential merger or acquisition of Zillow during the two years following the valuation date (the delayed event scenario); and (b) a potential IPO during 2011 (the IPO scenario). In the May 2011 valuation, under the Income Approach, a discount rate of 25% was applied. After arriving at a business enterprise value, our cash balance was added to arrive at the fair value of invested capital. The fair value of invested capital was then allocated to our common stock under each liquidation scenario. Under the IPO scenario, the fair value per share of Class A common stock was estimated by dividing the total equity value by the number of common equivalent shares outstanding. Under the delayed event scenario, the fair value per share of Class A common stock was determined using the version of the Black-Scholes-Merton option-valuation methodology used in previous valuations, and the following inputs were assumed: risk free rate of approximately 0.58%; volatility of approximately 55%; and time to expiration of approximately two years. The valuation applied a marketability discount of 10% to the fair value determined under the IPO scenario and a marketability discount of 30% to the fair value determined under the delayed event scenario, to account for the lack of liquidity relative to a public market. The weighting of the common equity value per share assumed a delayed event at 50% and the common equity value per share based on an IPO at 50%, in reaching the final fair value of $6.33 per share.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-13 regarding ASC Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition – Multiple-element Arrangements . This ASU addresses criteria for separating the consideration in multiple-element arrangements. ASU 2009-13 requires companies to allocate the overall consideration to each deliverable by using a best estimate of the selling price, or BESP, of individual deliverables in the arrangement in the absence of vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, or other third-party evidence, or TPE, of the selling price. The changes under ASU 2009-13 are effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified subsequent to adoption. We adopted the changes under ASU 2009-13 effective January 1, 2011. Management does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures based on the types of revenue arrangements we have historically entered into and currently have in place.

 

Effective October 31, 2009, we adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This standard establishes only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and non-authoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or the Codification, became the source of authoritative, non-governmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became non-authoritative. As the Codification was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP, it did not have any impact on our financial statements.

 

58


Table of Contents

Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted new authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures. The new guidance requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements, amends disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets, and provides clarification regarding the level of disaggregation of fair value disclosures by investment class. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for certain Level 3 activity disclosure requirements that will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Accordingly, we adopted this new guidance beginning January 1, 2010, except for the additional Level 3 requirements, which we adopted effective January 1, 2011. Level 3 assets and liabilities are those whose fair value inputs are unobservable and reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily consist of fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We do not have any long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2010 or as of March 31, 2011.

 

Under our current investment policy, we invest our excess cash in money market funds, FDIC-insured certificates of deposits and U.S. Treasury securities. Our current investment policy seeks first to preserve principal, second to provide liquidity for our operating and capital needs and third to maximize yield without putting our principal at risk.

 

Our investments are exposed to market risk due to the fluctuation of prevailing interest rates that may reduce the yield on our investments or their fair value. As our investment portfolio is short-term in nature, we do not believe an immediate 10% increase in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio, and therefore we do not expect our results of operations or cash flows to be materially affected to any degree by a sudden change in market interest rates.

 

Inflation Risk

 

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

59


Table of Contents

BUSINESS

 

Mission

 

Our mission is to build the most trusted and vibrant home-related marketplace

to empower consumers with information and tools to make intelligent decisions about homes.

 

Overview

 

Zillow is the leading real estate information marketplace. We provide vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages through our website and mobile applications, enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. We are transforming the way people make home-related decisions. Zillow provides consumers and real estate professionals an “edge in real estate”.

 

We maintain an unwavering commitment to giving consumers free access to as much useful information as possible. Our living database of more than 100 million U.S. homes – including homes for sale, homes for rent and homes not currently on the market – attracts an active and vibrant community of users. Individuals and businesses that use Zillow have updated information on more than 28 million homes and added more than 60 million home photos, creating exclusive home profiles available nowhere else. These profiles include rich, detailed information about homes such as property facts, listing information and purchase and sale data. We provide this information to our users where, when and how they want it, both through our website and through our industry-leading mobile applications that allow consumers to access our information when they are curbside, viewing homes.

 

Homes are the center of peoples’ lives, the focus of some of their most important decisions and often their most valuable assets. In addition to whether to buy, sell or rent, consumers make many other important home-related decisions throughout their lifetimes, including decisions relating to refinancing or home equity loans, home maintenance and home improvement. Residential real estate is one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy and supports a large number of professionals that provide home-related services.

 

Using complex, proprietary automated valuation models, we provide current home value estimates, or Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes, and current rental price estimates, or Rent Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes. We present residential real estate data in novel ways that have revolutionized the way consumers search for, find and understand home-related information and make real estate decisions. Consumers increasingly are turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. During May 2011, 22.0 million unique users visited our website and mobile applications, representing year-over-year growth of 102%.

 

Real estate and mortgage professionals are a critical part of the home-related marketplace. We enable consumers to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. We have created a trusted and transparent marketplace where consumers can search and read reviews on local real estate and mortgage professionals and contact those professionals on their own terms. Consumers initiate contact through our marketplace when they are ready to speak with real estate and mortgage professionals — providing those professionals with access to highly qualified clients and providing consumers with control over their decision-making process.

 

We generate revenues from local real estate professionals, primarily on an individual subscription basis, and from mortgage professionals and brand advertisers. Our revenues have grown significantly since our launch in 2006. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, we generated revenues of $5.3 million and $11.3 million, respectively, an increase of 111%. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we generated revenues of $30.5 million, as compared to $17.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, representing an increase of 74%.

 

60


Table of Contents

Industry Dynamics

 

The Importance of Homes

 

Homes are the center of peoples’ lives, the focus of some of their most important decisions and often their most valuable assets. Deciding where to live, which home to choose and whether and when to rent or buy are among the most important decisions a person must make. Historically, objective information and advice about the value of homes has been hard to find and keep current, even though a home’s changing value can profoundly influence many financial and personal decisions. In addition to whether to buy, sell or rent, consumers make many other important home-related decisions throughout their lifetimes, including decisions relating to refinancing or home equity loans, home maintenance and home improvement.

 

Large Market Opportunities

 

Residential real estate is one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy and supports a large number of professionals that provide the following home-related services:

 

Purchase and Sale.     Sales of existing and new homes in the United States in 2010 had an aggregate transaction value of approximately $1.2 trillion, according to data published in April 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau and NAR. Residential real estate brokerage commissions and fees were approximately $60 billion in 2010, as derived by Zillow using data released in 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau, NAR and REAL Trends. There are more than 1.8 million licensed real estate agents in the United States, according to data published in April 2011 by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. In an effort to acquire new client relationships and sell homes, real estate agents and brokers spent an estimated $6.2 billion on residential advertising in 2010, according to a 2011 report published by Borrell Associates.

 

Rental.     The overall size of the U.S. rental housing market, including rent, utilities and insurance, exceeded $300 billion in 2009, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau in March 2011 and our own estimates.

 

Home Financing.     In 2009 in the United States, 4.6 million purchase loans were originated, representing more than $852 billion in borrowings, and 8.1 million refinancing and home equity loans were originated, representing more than $1.7 trillion in borrowings, according to data available from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. These loans generated approximately $26 billion in fees for mortgage lenders and brokers, according to data available from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, data released in December 2010 by the Mortgage Bankers Association and our own analysis. There were approximately 266,000 mortgage lenders and brokers in the U.S. in 2009, according to data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Home Maintenance and Improvement.     Approximately $463 billion was spent on home improvement and repair by U.S. consumers in 2010, according to an April 2011 report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Additionally, more than 650,000 businesses in 2007 earned the majority of their revenue by providing remodeling services, according to a January 2011 report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

 

Highly Fragmented, Local and Complex Market

 

The market for residential real estate transactions and home-related services is highly fragmented, local and complex. Each home has unique characteristics, including location, value, size, style, age and condition. Each consumer approaches home-related transactions with a personal set of objectives, priorities and values. Real estate agents generally operate in local markets as independent contractors with different experience and skills. These conditions create challenges for consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals alike. Consumers are challenged to find information about homes, and to find real estate and mortgage professionals who fit their individual needs. Real estate and mortgage professionals are challenged to efficiently advertise their services and identify new clients, and to measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

 

61


Table of Contents

Absence of Consumer Orientation

 

Historically, consumers had minimal access to comprehensive and objective residential real estate data, even though many home-related decisions are extraordinarily information-intensive. While real estate and mortgage professionals had some data, consumers did not have free, independent and easy access to it. Even when accessible, the data was difficult to interpret and analyze.

 

Increasing Role of the Internet and Mobile Technologies

 

Consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. In 2010, 89% of buyers used the Internet to search for homes and 38% of buyers found through the Internet the actual home they purchased, according to the 2010 National Association of REALTORS ® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. With the widespread adoption of mobile and location-based technologies, consumers increasingly expect home-related information to be available on their mobile devices where, when and how they want it.

 

Challenges for the Consumer

 

Consumers thinking about homes face many important questions:

 

   

What is the value of my home or a home I am interested in?

 

   

How does the value of one home compare to the value of other homes?

 

   

How do I shop for and find the right home for my family?

 

   

How can I get meaningful information about homes for sale when I am on location in a neighborhood?

 

   

Who are the best local real estate professionals to help me?

 

   

Should I buy, sell, refinance or remodel?

 

   

How do I find the best mortgage loan for me?

 

   

What is a fair rental price for this home?

 

   

Which neighborhood is right for my family?

 

Historically, finding answers to these and other important questions was challenging for many reasons:

 

   

Lack of a consumer-oriented experience.     Consumers had difficulty getting and analyzing critical home-related data, such as the current values of homes in a neighborhood, transaction prices for nearby homes, price reductions on homes for sale, appropriate rental rates and other housing information. The information that was available was designed for use in connection with a purchase or sale transaction, but was not useful for consumers’ other home-related decisions and did not address many questions important to those decisions.

 

   

Information asymmetry.     The majority of industry information sources were available to real estate and mortgage professionals, not consumers.

 

   

Fragmented data.     Consumers who wished to research neighborhoods, homes, real estate agents and mortgages needed a wide variety of information from disparate sources. As a result, the information was not easily comparable, and was difficult to use for making intelligent home-related decisions.

 

   

Difficulty finding and evaluating local real estate and mortgage professionals.     Consumers faced difficulties connecting with highly rated real estate and mortgage professionals who were knowledgeable about the local market, well-respected and responsive, because there was no transparent source of information about local real estate and mortgage professionals.

 

62


Table of Contents
   

Mortgage loan complexity.     Getting multiple, personalized mortgage loan quotes was time-consuming, complex and required consumers to disclose sensitive personal information. Mortgage loan terms and hidden costs were difficult for consumers to understand and compare.

 

   

Limited information curbside.     Information about nearby listings, neighborhoods and comparable home values is generally most useful to the consumer on location and historically had been hard to obtain when curbside, viewing homes.

 

Challenges for Real Estate and Mortgage Professionals

 

The fragmented nature of the residential real estate market has made it difficult for real estate and mortgage professionals, including real estate brokers and agents and mortgage lenders, to market their services effectively. Real estate and mortgage professionals operating in this environment are challenged to build their reputations in crowded local markets, reach potential clients at the right time, distinguish themselves from other real estate and mortgage professionals and cost-effectively promote their qualifications, real estate listings or mortgage loan rates.

 

The Zillow Edge

 

We are transforming the way consumers make home-related decisions and connect with real estate and mortgage professionals. We maintain an unwavering commitment to giving consumers free access to as much useful information as possible and to providing transparency for all market participants. Our living database of homes, Zestimates and Rent Zestimates form the foundation of our products and services.

 

Living Database of Homes

 

Our dynamic and comprehensive living database includes detailed information on more than 100 million U.S. homes, or most U.S. homes, and includes homes for sale, for rent and recently sold, as well as properties not currently on the market. This database is central to the value we provide to consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals. It contains extensive information that users can search, through an easy-to-use interface, to identify, analyze and compare homes. Our database is relevant to a broad range of users, including buyers, sellers, renters, homeowners, real estate agents and other real estate professionals. It includes information such as:

 

   

Property facts:     Zestimate and its corresponding value range, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, square footage, lot size, assessed tax value and property type such as single-family, condominium, apartment, multifamily, manufactured home or land.

 

   

Listing information:     price, price history and reductions, dollars per square foot, days on the market, listing type (such as for sale by agent, for sale by owner, foreclosures, new construction, rentals and Make Me Move homes) open houses, property photos and estimated monthly payment.

 

   

Purchase and sale data:     prior sales information and recent sales nearby.

 

We synthesize data from hundreds of automated feeds, representing information from tens of thousands of public and private sources. Applying extensive computer analytics to the data, we transform it into information that is accessible, understandable and useful.

 

We refer to the database as “living” because the information is continually updated by the combination of our proprietary algorithms, synthesis of third-party data from hundreds of sources, and through improvements by us and, importantly, by our community of users. User-generated content from owners, agents and others enriches our database with photos and additional property information. For example, individuals and businesses that use Zillow have updated information on more than 28 million homes in our database and added more than 60 million home photos, creating exclusive home profiles available nowhere else.

 

63


Table of Contents

Zestimates and Rent Zestimates

 

We have developed industry-leading automated home valuation models that use advanced statistical methods and complex, proprietary algorithms. We use these models to provide current home value estimates, or Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes, and current rental price estimates, or Rent Zestimates, on nearly 100 million U.S. homes. In addition, based on our Zestimates, we produce Zillow Home Value Indexes at the neighborhood, zip code, city, metropolitan statistical area, county and national levels. Our Zillow Home Value Indexes have been cited by government entities such as the Federal Reserve Bank and the Congressional Oversight Panel, university studies and respected national publications. For historical comparisons, we provide up to 15 years of Zestimate history on each home and valuable information about property and real estate market trends. Our Zestimates, Rent Zestimates and Zillow Home Value Indexes allow consumers to evaluate homes and neighborhoods, and to easily evaluate historical trends, as they contemplate critical home-related decisions.

 

Our living database, Zestimates and Rent Zestimates have enabled us to create innovative products and services that empower consumers, including:

 

   

Transformative Presentations and Tools.     Our products and services present residential real estate data in novel ways that have revolutionized the way consumers search for, find and understand home-related information, and make real estate decisions. Our map-based user interface allows users to search, navigate and zoom to areas of interest and find and compare information quickly and efficiently from a variety of different perspectives across homes, neighborhoods, cities, counties and other geographical regions. Graphical presentations of historical trends complement the map display, enabling consumers to gain valuable insights.

 

   

Community-Generated Content.     Our large and engaged user community, both consumer and professional, contributes relevant, unique content every day, complementing our living database with reviews of real estate and mortgage professionals and contributions to our real estate advice forums. As of June 9, 2011, we had published more than 50,000 reviews of local real estate agents and more than 7,600 reviews of mortgage professionals submitted by our users, and our users had submitted more than 420,000 questions and answers in our discussion forum, Zillow Advice. Zillow Advice allows consumers to ask questions of real estate and mortgage professionals and other consumers and quickly learn more about homes and real estate topics of interest. In particular, many of our dedicated active contributors devote substantial time sharing their expertise about Zillow and the real estate market on Zillow Advice. Real estate and mortgage professionals who participate in Zillow Advice play a key role in helping to educate consumers, and benefit from exposure to consumers and resulting referrals.

 

   

Trusted, Transparent Marketplace.     We have created a trusted and transparent marketplace where consumers can identify and connect with real estate and mortgage professionals that are best suited to meet their needs. Consumers initiate contact in our marketplace when they are ready to speak with real estate and mortgage professionals – providing those professionals with access to highly qualified clients and providing consumers with control over their decision-making process. As more consumers visit Zillow, more real estate and mortgage professionals are attracted, resulting in more successful matches between real estate and mortgage professionals and consumers, which in turn attracts even more professionals and consumers to Zillow.

 

   

Real Estate Agents.     We present consumers with ratings and contact information for the listing agent and local buyers’ agents alongside home profiles and listings to assist consumers in evaluating and selecting the real estate agent best suited for them. Our directory of local professional real estate agents augments this offering by providing detailed information about real estate professionals, including more detailed ratings and reviews.

 

   

Mortgage Lenders.     In Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, consumers can request free, personalized quotes based on their submission of anonymous data, such as specific loan amount, zip code, purchase price or estimated home value, and credit score. User-generated ratings and reviews of lenders are provided as a powerful tool to help consumers shop for a lender. Consumers then decide if and when to contact mortgage professionals.

 

64


Table of Contents
   

Curbside Access.     Shopping for a home is a far more meaningful consumer experience when it occurs curbside — untethered and on location. Through our mobile applications and mobile Web site, a consumer standing curbside at a home for sale can learn about the home’s price, Zestimate, Rent Zestimate, number of bedrooms, square footage and past sales, and also learn similar information about surrounding homes in the neighborhood. Within our mobile applications and while still curbside, the home shopper can find and click to call a local real estate agent to get more information on a home or schedule a showing. With this scenario in mind, we have developed and operate the most popular platform of mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

We believe we have the following competitive advantages:

 

   

Inimitable Database.     Our living database of homes is the result of years of substantial investment, sophisticated economic and statistical analysis, complex data aggregation and millions of user contributions. This unparalleled resource enables us to create content, products and services not available elsewhere, and attracts an active, vibrant community of users. We benefit from network effects. As more consumers come to our website to use our products and services, more real estate and mortgage professionals contribute content to distinguish themselves, thereby making our marketplace more useful and attracting additional consumers.

 

   

Independent Market Position and Consumer Focus.     Zillow has been built independently of any real estate industry group. We maintain an unwavering commitment to giving consumers free access to as much useful information as possible. We provide unbiased information, products and services, empowering consumers to make informed decisions about homes and the residential real estate market. We believe our independence enables us to create compelling products and services with broad consumer appeal.

 

   

Powerful Brand and Scale.     We have established a powerful brand identity and built a large user community in a short time. More than two-thirds of our traffic is direct, with demonstrated consumer intent to visit the Zillow brand. During May 2011, 22.0 million unique users visited our website and mobile applications, representing year-over-year growth of 102%, which we achieved with virtually no advertising expense to date.

 

   

Consumer-Oriented Mortgage Marketplace.     Unlike other sources of mortgage rate quotes, in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace consumers can anonymously submit mortgage loan requests and receive an unlimited number of personalized mortgage quotes directly from hundreds of consumer-rated lenders. Consumers can then choose to contact those lenders at their discretion. Because we operate this marketplace as part of our real estate home shopping experience, we can efficiently attract motivated users to the marketplace and prioritize the consumer’s experience. In 2011, consumers submitted more than 1.7 million mortgage loan requests in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace through May 31, 2011.

 

   

Personalized Experience .    We present consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals with many opportunities to personalize their Zillow experience, leading to more informed home shopping and financing decisions. Users can save favorite homes on Zillow and receive monthly email updates on changes in those homes’ values, listing status, price changes and other data. Users also can customize “saved searches” for any neighborhood or zip code and receive daily email updates on new homes listed for sale, for rent, or price changes for existing listed homes. Once a favorite home or search parameters are saved on Zillow, a consumer or professional may access these personalized options every time they visit Zillow on our website or through a mobile device, personalizing a Zillow experience unique to them.

 

   

Mobile Leadership.     Shopping for a home is a far more meaningful consumer experience when it occurs curbside — untethered and on location, so we have developed and operate the most popular mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry that enable people to access and analyze information — where, when and how they want it. During May 2011, Zillow was used on a mobile device more than 8.8 million times, with more than 1.7 million homes viewed on mobile devices each day.

 

65


Table of Contents
   

Proven Management Team .    We believe the extensive experience and depth of our management team are distinct competitive advantages in the complex and evolving industry in which we compete. The Zillow management team has deep experience building successful consumer Internet companies. In particular, we believe that the shared experience of 11 of our executives, who held similar positions together at Expedia Inc., provides our management team with unique cohesion and insight.

 

Growth Strategies

 

Our growth strategies are:

 

   

Focus on Consumers.     Maintain our unwavering focus on consumers and leverage our industry independence to enhance existing products and services and develop new offerings with broad consumer appeal.

 

   

Enhance Our Living Database.     Enhance the information in our database of homes, and use it as the foundation for new analyses, insights and tools to inform consumers throughout the home ownership lifecycle.

 

   

Deepen and Strengthen Our Marketplace.     Deepen and strengthen our marketplace by creating new opportunities for high-quality consumer-initiated connections with real estate and mortgage professionals when consumers want their services.

 

   

Efficiently Increase Brand Awareness.     Expand public relations, social media and other marketing programs to efficiently increase brand awareness.

 

   

Leverage Our Sales Force.     Leverage our sales force’s expertise and productivity with new advertising offerings.

 

   

Expand Our Mobile Leadership.     Innovate and expand our offerings for mobile devices, launching more applications and extending our brand and products across additional mobile platforms.

 

   

Pursue Strategic Opportunities.     Pursue strategic opportunities, including commercial relationships and acquisitions, to strengthen our market position, enhance our capabilities and accelerate our growth.

 

Advertising Products and Services

 

We provide advertising products and services for real estate and mortgage professionals that provide useful content for consumers.

 

Marketplace Advertising

 

Premier Agent Program

 

Real estate agents in the Premier Agent program can purchase targeted advertising on Zillow by zip code, at prices that vary based on a number of factors. As part of the Premier Agent subscription, the agent’s ratings, photo and contact information are featured alongside home profiles and listings in the relevant zip code, giving the agent exposure to qualified home shoppers interested in homes in their subscribed zip code. Premier Agents also receive other benefits, including featured listings, showcase advertisements and designation as a Premier Agent in Zillow’s directory. Premier Agent subscribers have access to a portal on our website where we provide individualized program analytics, including detailed information on each contact and on clicks and impressions with respect to featured listings and showcase advertisements.

 

Zillow Mortgage Marketplace

 

In Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, consumers request free, personalized quotes in response to their submission of limited anonymous data, such as specific loan amount, zip code, purchase price or estimated home value, and credit score. In the first five months of 2011, consumers submitted more than 1.7 million mortgage

 

66


Table of Contents

loan requests in Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. Consumers decide if and when to contact the mortgage professionals who provide quotes. User-generated ratings and reviews of mortgage professionals are provided as a powerful tool to help consumers shop for their loans.

 

Display Advertising

 

Our display advertising primarily consists of graphical web and mobile advertising sold on a CPM basis. We offer these businesses display advertising opportunities on our home page, on individual web pages through graphical displays and text links, and on our mobile applications through display ads that are optimized for the mobile experience.

 

Information Products and Services

 

We provide consumers with information products and services to enable them to make intelligent decisions about homes.

 

Zestimates and Rent Zestimates

 

Our Zestimate and Rent Zestimate valuations are computed using complex, proprietary algorithms we have developed and refined through years of statistical analysis and technological development.

 

A Zestimate is our estimated current market value of a home. We generate Zestimates using proprietary information, including:

 

   

Physical attributes:     location, lot size, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and many other details.

 

   

Tax assessments:     property tax information, actual property taxes paid, exceptions to tax assessments and other information provided in the tax assessors’ records.

 

   

Prior and current transactions:     actual sale prices over time of the home itself and comparable recent sales of nearby homes.

 

We use proprietary automated valuation models that apply advanced algorithms to analyze our data to identify relationships, within a specific geographic area, between this home-related data and actual sales prices. Home characteristics, such as square footage, location or the number of bathrooms, are given different weights according to their influence on home sale prices in each specific geography over a specific period of time, resulting in a set of valuation rules, or models, that are applied to generate each home’s Zestimate.

 

To improve the accuracy of our Zestimates, our algorithms automatically remove or reconcile data that would otherwise inappropriately skew the valuation rules. In addition, our algorithms will automatically generate a new set of valuation rules based on the constantly changing universe of data included in our database. This allows us to provide timely home value information on a massive scale. Three times a week, we create more than 1.2 million unique valuation models, built atop 3.2 terabytes of data, to generate current Zestimates on nearly 100 million U.S. homes.

 

We publicly disclose the accuracy of our Zestimates to further empower consumers in assessing a home’s value. The accuracy may be impacted by a variety of factors, including the amount of data about homes we have for a particular geographic area.

 

A Rent Zestimate is our estimated current monthly rental price of a home, computed using similar automated valuation models we have designed to address the unique attributes of a rental home. We estimate rental prices on nearly 100 million homes, including apartments, single-family homes, condominiums and townhomes.

 

67


Table of Contents

Rich, Searchable Home-Related Data and Analysis

 

We provide consumers and real estate professionals with a rich set of home-related information. Through our website or mobile applications, users can access detailed information about homes, including:

 

Value Information

   Zestimate   

Prior sale prices

     Rent Zestimate   

Historical Zestimate values

     For sale price   

Historical Rent Zestimate values

    

Estimated mortgage payment

  

Zillow Home Value Index

    

Rental price

  

Tax-assessed value

    

Make Me Move price

  

Property taxes paid

           

Home Details

  

Bedrooms

  

Number of stories

    

Bathrooms

  

Number of units in building

    

Square footage

  

Finished basement

    

Lot size

  

Cooling system

    

Year built

  

Heating system

    

Property type

  

Heat source

    

County

  

Fireplace

    

Parcel number

  

Exterior material

    

Legal description

  

Parking type

           

Neighborhood Information

   School district    High school
     Elementary school    Walkability
     Middle school    Transit access
           

Listing Details

   Price   

Price reductions

    

Listing agent information

  

Days on Zillow

    

Listing brokerage information

  

MLS number

    

Link to listing source

    

 

Consumers and real estate professionals can update property information, including, for example, by adding home photos and personalized information regarding the neighborhood or school district, creating exclusive home profiles available nowhere else.

 

Our map-based user interface enables our users to search, navigate and zoom to areas of interest and find and compare home information quickly and efficiently from a variety of different perspectives across homes, neighborhoods, cities, counties and other geographical regions. Our consumer search experience supports complex search queries and filters across our data set of homes, allowing consumers to customize their searches and gain actionable insights.

 

Our team of economists and statisticians generates unbiased local and national real estate data and analysis on 371 metropolitan areas and approximately 7,000 individual neighborhoods that we provide to consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals at no cost. This gives our users access to local market trends and data, such as home price cuts, list to sale price ratio and foreclosure data that was historically not easily obtained, if available at all. Users can compare these metrics across neighborhoods and different time periods using our real-time charting and filtering.

 

For Sale and Rental Listings

 

We provide comprehensive for sale and rental listings through relationships with real estate brokerages, real estate listings aggregators, multiple listing services, apartment management companies, home builders and other

 

68


Table of Contents

third-parties. In addition, we provide consumers with access to exclusive home listings, such as our Make Me Move listings, which are a homeowner’s posted price at which they would be willing to move. We also show listings that may not be available on other sources, such as for sale by owner, foreclosure and rental listings. Real estate agents and landlords may feature and gain more exposure for their listings through our advertising products.

 

Marketplace of Real Estate Agents

 

We present consumers with ratings and contact information for the listing agent and local buyer’s agents alongside home profiles and listings for homes to assist them in evaluating and selecting the real estate agent best suited for them. We enhance this offering by providing an online professional directory for consumers to search and contact real estate professionals that they might wish to engage. Our directory includes rich profiles of real estate professionals, including more than 50,000 ratings and reviews provided by our users as of June 9, 2011, allowing consumers to evaluate these agents based on a number of criteria, including neighborhood specialization, number of listings and number of contributions to Zillow Advice.

 

Home-Related Advice and Discussions

 

Consumers have many questions and often seek advice during various stages of their home-ownership lifecycle. The Zillow Advice section of our website captures questions and discussion topics from our users, both consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals. This allows our consumers to ask questions of other consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals and quickly learn more about relevant topics. Our users have submitted more than 420,000 questions and answers to Zillow Advice as of June 9, 2011. Zillow Advice also provides real estate and mortgage professionals with an opportunity to help educate consumers and demonstrate their local expertise. These discussions and content are also indexed and searchable by geography and other custom parameters, allowing users to quickly find the information they seek. Email updates are used to provide ongoing monitoring and delivery of posts related to topics of interest.

 

Mobile Access

 

We operate the most popular platform of mobile real estate applications across iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry. Our mobile real estate applications provide consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals with mobile, on location access to many of our products and services, including Zestimates, Rent Zestimates, for sale and rental listings and extensive home-related data. Through our mobile applications, for example, a consumer standing curbside at a home for sale can learn about the home’s price, Zestimate, number of bedrooms, and square footage and past sales, as well as similar information about surrounding homes. The consumer can call a real estate professional through our mobile applications to get more information or schedule a showing. During May 2011, Zillow was used on a mobile device more than 8.8 million times, with more than 1.7 million homes viewed on mobile devices each day.

 

Marketing

 

At Zillow, marketing starts with product development. We create compelling consumer products that people want to talk about and share. This enables us to execute a robust and viral communications program that is the primary driver of our brand and traffic acquisition efforts. We launched the Zillow brand with communications at the core of our marketing strategy, which has allowed us to grow to 22.0 million unique users during May 2011 with virtually no advertising expense to date.

 

Our communications team includes former print and broadcast journalists, who have established Zillow as an authoritative source for information on a broad range of home and real estate-related subjects. A typical week includes commentary from our real estate experts across dozens of national print and broadcast media outlets, guest opinion pieces or blog posts by our chief economist, and wide-ranging national and local media coverage

 

69


Table of Contents

of Zillow products, listings, data, and consumer tips. We also produce considerable home and real estate-related content on Zillow Blog that is syndicated across numerous prominent media sites. Zillow Blog content ranges from real estate market trends, to home financing tips, to celebrity real estate listings.

 

We focus substantial public relations effort around the marketing of our Zillow Real Estate Market Reports, which are in-depth reports produced by our economics and analytics bureau for 134 U.S. markets. Data is released on a monthly and quarterly basis, and Zillow data is widely used by government entities such as the Federal Reserve and Congressional Oversight Panel, as well as regularly featured in respected media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , Bloomberg , Reuters and across numerous national network and cable news shows including CNBC, CNN, Fox News, Bloomberg and MSNBC. We believe the considerable effort we have spent on public relations and social media has allowed us to build a large and credible brand.

 

Our living database of homes creates significant opportunities for home-ownership lifecycle marketing. A typical person will at various times in life be a renter, buyer, homeowner, mortgage refinancer or seller, and this presents opportunities to communicate with consumers over many years, not just during a transaction. We actively segment and communicate with our users through email and social media channels. In 2010, we sent more than 125 million email messages to Zillow email subscribers, and we see substantial opportunities to grow home-ownership lifecycle marketing.

 

We believe Zillow has considerable opportunity to increase brand awareness and grow traffic through product development, targeted marketing programs and strategic partnerships.

 

Sales and Customer Support

 

Our sales team is responsible for generating advertising customers across our website and mobile applications.

 

We use a Seattle-based inside sales team to sell Premier Agent subscriptions to real estate agents and Zillow Mortgage Marketplace advertising to mortgage lenders. We attract these customers through a combination of outbound calling and inbound customer requests generated from our website and event marketing activities.

 

We also maintain a field sales team based in New York, with additional offices in Chicago and San Francisco, to specifically target larger advertising customers in the real estate and related content categories, such as real estate brokerages, home builders, lenders and home service providers, as well as advertisers in the telecommunications, automotive, insurance and other industries. Our field sales team develops direct relationships with these advertisers and the agencies that serve them.

 

As part of our sales and distribution strategy, we entered into a strategic relationship with Yahoo! Inc. that launched in the first quarter of 2011. Our sales team serves as the exclusive sales force for real estate agent advertising and certain graphical advertising on the Yahoo! Real Estate site.

 

We believe that customer support is important to our success. Our customer support team, which is located in Seattle, responds to commercial, technical and consumer issues from our user community and advertisers. The Zillow Advice forum augments our direct customer support by enabling consumers to obtain answers to questions from our employees and other members of our user community, including real estate and mortgage professionals.

 

Technology and Infrastructure

 

Zillow is a data- and technology-driven company. Our technical infrastructure, website and mobile products are built to provide consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals with access to rich real estate data and powerful online tools to help them accomplish their home-related goals. Many of our services are available through real-time web-based application programming interfaces that allow our information to be easily

 

70


Table of Contents

integrated into third-party websites. We provide HTML and Javascript-based widgets to allow easy integration of Zillow information onto other websites, with little custom programming. Our technology platform is built using industry-leading third party software and internally developed software as well as open source technologies. This combination allows for rapid development and release of high-performance software in a cost-effective and scalable manner. For information about our research and development costs, see Note 2 of the accompanying notes to our financial statements included with this prospectus.

 

Our website is hosted at a third-party facility located in the Seattle area. Content delivery network solutions have been put in place to ensure fast and local access to content. Development and test environments are located in a data center we manage at our corporate headquarters. Network, website, service and hardware-level monitoring, coupled with remote-content monitoring allow our systems to maintain a high level of uptime and availability with high-performance delivery.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We protect our intellectual property through a combination of trademarks, trade dress, domain names, copyrights, trade secrets and patents, as well as contractual provisions and restrictions on access to our proprietary technology.

 

Our trademarks registered in the United States and several other jurisdictions include: “Zillow,” “Zillow.com,” “Zestimate” and the Zillow logo. We also have filed other trademark applications in the United States and certain other jurisdictions and will pursue additional trademark registrations to the extent we believe it will be beneficial and cost-effective.

 

We have one patent issued in the United States that expires in 2026, and one patent issued in Australia that expires in 2027. These cover proprietary techniques that relate to the incorporation of individual aerial images and incorporating visual information into a master planar image, and the collection, storage and display of home attribute values. We have 11 patent applications pending in the United States, which seek to cover proprietary techniques relevant to our products and services. We intend to pursue additional patent protection to the extent we believe it will be beneficial and cost-effective.

 

We are the registered holder of a variety of domestic and international domain names that include “Zillow,” our other trademarks, and similar variations.

 

In addition to the protection provided by our intellectual property rights, we enter into confidentiality and proprietary rights agreements with our employees, consultants, contractors and business partners. Our employees and contractors are also subject to invention assignment provisions. We further control the use of our proprietary technology and intellectual property through provisions in both our general and product-specific terms of use on our website.

 

Competition

 

We face competition to attract consumers to our website and mobile applications and to attract advertisers to purchase our advertising products and services.

 

Competition for Consumers

 

We compete for the attention of consumers with companies that operate, or could develop, national and local real estate and mortgage websites. We compete for consumers primarily on the basis of the quality of the consumer experience, the utility of the data and services we provide, the breadth, depth and accuracy of information, and brand awareness and reputation, and competition for consumer attention is intense. We believe we compete favorably on these factors.

 

71


Table of Contents

Competition for Advertisers

 

We compete for advertising customers with media sites, including websites dedicated to providing real estate and mortgage information and services to real estate professionals and consumers, and major Internet portals, general search engines and social media sites, as well as other online companies. We also compete for a share of advertisers’ overall marketing budgets with traditional media such as television, magazines, newspapers and home/apartment guide publications, particularly with respect to advertising dollars spent at the local level by real estate agents and mortgage lenders to advertise their qualifications or listings. We compete for advertising revenues based on perceived return on investment, the effectiveness and relevance of our advertising products, pricing structure and our ability to effectively deliver types of ads to targeted demographics. We believe we compete favorably on these factors.

 

Employees and Company Culture

 

As of May 31, 2011, we had 275 full-time employees. We believe that our team and company culture has been among the keys to our success. As a team, we embrace the following principles:

 

•   The Consumer is #1 .    This is our guiding principle. We are nothing without consumers and we stay focused on them first.

•   Passion.

   Our passion is to continually listen to our users and customers and innovate, creating a trusted and vibrant online real estate community.

•   Intelligence .

   Our business is creating intellectual property and that requires us to think smart.

•   Respect .

   We listen and give respect.

•   Excellence .

   We do things well and we take pride in our work.

•   Integrity .

   We do the right thing.

 

Government Regulation

 

We are affected by laws and regulations that apply to businesses in general, as well as to businesses operating on the Internet. This includes a continually expanding and evolving range of laws, regulations and standards that address information security, data protection, privacy, consent and advertising, among other things. By providing a medium through which users can post content and communicate with one another, we may also be subject to laws governing intellectual property ownership, obscenity, libel, and privacy, among other issues. In addition, the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, banks, and some of our other customers and advertisers on our website and mobile applications are subject to various state and federal laws and regulations relating to real estate and mortgages. While we do not believe that we are currently subject to these regulations, we intend to ensure that any content created by Zillow is consistent with them by obtaining assurances of compliance from our advertisers and customers for their activities through, and the content they provide on, our website and mobile applications. Since the laws and regulations governing real estate and mortgages are constantly evolving, it is possible that some part of our business activities could fall within the scope of regulation or be prohibited altogether at some point in the future.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

In March 2010, Smarter Agent, LLC, a provider of mobile real estate applications, filed a complaint against us and multiple other defendants for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges, among other things, that our mobile technology infringes three patents held by Smarter Agent purporting to cover: a “Global positioning-based real estate database access device and method,” a “Position-based information access device and method” and a “Position-based information access device and method of searching,” and seeks an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. We have denied the allegations and asserted counterclaims seeking declarations that we are not

 

72


Table of Contents

infringing the patents and that the patents are invalid. In November 2010, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted our petition for re-examination of the three patents-in-suit and its first office action found all claims invalid. In March 2011, the court stayed the litigation pending the completion of the re-examination proceedings.

 

In April 2010, First American CoreLogic, a provider of information and analytic services, filed a complaint against us and multiple other defendants for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that our website technology infringes a patent purporting to cover a “Real estate appraisal using predictive modeling,” and seeks an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. We have denied the allegations and asserted counterclaims seeking declarations that we are not infringing the patent, and that the patent is unenforceable and invalid.

 

In September 2010, LendingTree, LLC, a provider of an online lending marketplace, filed a complaint against us, and other defendants, for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The complaint alleges, among other things, that our website technology infringes two patents purporting to cover a “Method and computer network for coordinating a loan over the internet,” and seeks an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. We have denied the allegations and asserted counterclaims seeking declarations that we are not infringing the patents and that the patents are unenforceable and invalid.

 

Although the results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe we have substantial and meritorious defenses to these claims and that the final outcome of these litigation matters will not have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

 

From time to time, we are involved in litigation and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business and although we cannot be certain of the outcome of any such litigation or claims, nor the amount of damages and exposure that we could incur, we currently believe that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flow. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

Facilities

 

In March 2011, we entered into a lease effective through November 2022 for approximately 66,000 square feet of office space that will house our principal offices beginning approximately in August 2011. This new office space will replace our current 46,000 square feet of office space for our principal offices in Seattle under a lease that expires in February 2013. We lease additional office space in San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

 

73


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and directors as of June 9, 2011:

 

Name


   Age

    

Position


Spencer M. Rascoff(1)

     35      

Chief Executive Officer

Richard Barton

     44      

Executive Chairman and Director

Lloyd D. Frink

     46      

Vice Chairman, President and Director

David A. Beitel

     42      

Chief Technology Officer

Amy Bohutinsky

     36      

Chief Marketing Officer

Chad M. Cohen

     36      

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Kathleen Philips

     44      

General Counsel

Greg M. Schwartz

     38      

Chief Revenue Officer

Erik Blachford

     44      

Director

J. William Gurley

     45      

Director

Jay C. Hoag

     53      

Director

Gregory B. Maffei

     50      

Director

Gordon Stephenson

     45      

Director


(1)   Mr. Rascoff will become a Class I director of our board of directors immediately after the closing of this offering.

 

Executive Officers

 

Spencer M. Rascoff has served as our Chief Executive Officer since September 2010 and will become a member of our board of directors immediately after the closing of this offering. Mr. Rascoff joined our company as one of our founding employees in 2005 as Vice President of Marketing and Chief Financial Officer and served as our Chief Operating Officer from December 2008 until he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Rascoff served as Vice President of Lodging for Expedia, Inc., an online travel company. In 1999, Mr. Rascoff co-founded Hotwire, Inc., an online travel company, and managed several of Hotwire’s product lines before Hotwire was acquired in 2003 by IAC/InterActiveCorp, a holding company of Internet businesses and Expedia, Inc.’s parent company at the time. Mr. Rascoff served in the mergers and acquisitions group at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and also held other positions at TPG Capital, Bear Stearns and Allen & Company prior to that time. Mr. Rascoff serves on the board of directors of Room 77, a privately held online travel company, and ezRez Software, Inc., a privately held travel software company. Mr. Rascoff graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Government from Harvard University, and he serves on Harvard University’s Digital Community & Social Networking Advisory Group. Mr. Rascoff is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to the perspective and experience he brings as our Chief Executive Officer and his extensive background in the Internet industry.

 

Richard Barton is our co-founder and has served as our Executive Chairman since September 2010. Mr. Barton has been a member of our board of directors since our inception in December 2004 and served as our Chief Executive Officer from our inception until September 2010. Mr. Barton has served as a venture partner at Benchmark Capital, a venture capital firm, since February 2005. Prior to co-founding our company, Mr. Barton founded Expedia as a group within Microsoft Corporation, a software company, in 1994, which Microsoft spun out as Expedia, Inc. in 1999 and Mr. Barton served as Expedia’s President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of its board of directors from 1999 to 2003. Mr. Barton also co-founded and has served as Non-Executive Chairman of Glassdoor.com, a salaries and reviews website for companies, since January 2008 and TravelPost, a travel review website, since March 2010, and serves on the boards of directors of several other privately held companies. Mr. Barton serves on the board of directors of Netflix, Inc., an online media subscription service provider. Mr. Barton holds a B.S. in General Engineering: Industrial Economics from Stanford University. Mr. Barton is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of the strategic and technical insight he brings as a founder of companies in the Internet industry, including experience in marketing

 

74


Table of Contents

products to consumers through the Internet, and because of his extensive and in-depth knowledge of our business as one of our co-founders and as one of our largest shareholders. As a former chief executive officer and director of other public companies, Mr. Barton brings managerial, operational and corporate governance experience to our board of directors.

 

Lloyd D. Frink is our co-founder and has served as our Vice Chairman since March 2011, as a member of our board of directors since our inception in December 2004, and as our President since February 2005. Mr. Frink previously served as our Vice President from December 2004 to February 2005, as our Treasurer from December 2009 to March 2011 and as our Chief Strategy Officer from September 2010 to March 2011. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Frink was at Expedia, Inc., where he held many leadership positions, including Senior Vice President, Supplier Relations, in which position he managed the air, hotel, car, destination services, content, merchandising and partner marketing groups from 2003 to 2004. From 1988 to 1999, Mr. Frink was at Microsoft Corporation, where he worked in many leadership roles, including as part of the original Expedia team and as a Group Program Manager from 1991 to 1995 and 1997 to 1999. Mr. Frink holds a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University. Mr. Frink is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive background and experience with Internet-based and technology companies, including experience in marketing products to consumers through the Internet, combined with his in-depth knowledge of our business as one of our co-founders and as one of our largest shareholders.

 

David A. Beitel has served as our Chief Technology Officer since February 2005. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Beitel was at Expedia, Inc., where he held many leadership positions, including Chief Technology Officer from 2003 to 2005 and Vice President of Product Development from 1999 to 2003. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Beitel held many leadership positions at Microsoft Corporation, including Development Lead in the handheld computing group and as a member of the original Expedia team. Mr. Beitel holds a B.S. and an M.E. in Computer Science, both from Cornell University.

 

Amy Bohutinsky has served as our Chief Marketing Officer since March 2011. Since joining our company in 2005, Ms. Bohutinsky has held many leadership positions, including Vice President of Marketing and Communications from September 2010 to March 2011, Vice President of Communications between August 2008 and September 2010, and Director of Communications between August 2005 and August 2008. From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Bohutinsky held many leadership positions at Hotwire, Inc., including Director of Corporate Communications. Ms. Bohutinsky previously worked for Blanc & Otus, a technology public relations firm, from 2000 to 2001 and was formerly a broadcast journalist with various local network affiliates. Ms. Bohutinsky holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Washington & Lee University.

 

Chad M. Cohen has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since March 2011. Mr. Cohen served as our Controller from June 2006 to March 2011 and as our Vice President of Finance from September 2010 to March 2011. Mr. Cohen served as Assistant Controller and Financial Integrity Manager for Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc., a vendor of live event tickets, from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Cohen served as Vice President and Assistant Controller for Countrywide Financial Corporation, a mortgage lender, in 2002. Prior to Mr. Cohen’s employment at Countrywide, he served as Supervising Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young LLP, a provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, where he worked in their Technology, Communications and Entertainment practice between 1998 and 2002. Mr. Cohen worked as a Financial Planning Analyst for Novellus Systems, a provider of advanced process equipment for the semiconductor industry, from 1997 to 1998. Mr. Cohen holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California.

 

Kathleen Philips has served as our General Counsel since July 2010. Ms. Philips served as General Counsel at FanSnap, Inc., a search engine for live event tickets, from June 2008 to June 2010, as General Counsel at Pure Digital Technologies, Inc., the producer of Flip Video camcorders, from September 2007 to June 2008 and as General Counsel at StubHub, Inc., an online live event ticket marketplace, from May 2005 to April 2006. Ms. Philips served as General Counsel at Hotwire, Inc., from 2001 to 2004 and as its Corporate Counsel

 

75


Table of Contents

from 2000 to 2001. Ms. Philips was an attorney in private practice at Cooley Godward LLP from 1998 to 2000 and at Stoel Rives LLP from 1997 to 1998. Ms. Philips holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of Chicago.

 

Greg M. Schwartz has served as our Chief Revenue Officer since September 2010. Prior to his promotion to Chief Revenue Officer, Mr. Schwartz served as our Vice President of Sales from March 2007 to September 2010. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Schwartz was Vice President of Advertising Sales at CNNMoney.com, a financial media company, from July 2005 to March 2007. From August 2001 to July 2005, Mr. Schwartz served as National Accounts Director for the Automotive and Finance properties of Yahoo!, Inc., an online search company. Mr. Schwartz held various positions at DoubleClick, Inc., an online advertising company, from 1998 to 2000, including Director of Business Development. Mr. Schwartz holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hamilton College.

 

Non-Employee Directors

 

Erik Blachford has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2005. Mr. Blachford has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Butterfield & Robinson, Inc., a travel company, since October 2009, as Executive Chairman at TerraPass, Inc., a carbon offset company, since September 2009, and as a venture partner at Technology Crossover Ventures, a private equity and venture capital firm, since March 2011. From May 2007 to August 2009, Mr. Blachford served as Chief Executive Officer at TerraPass, Inc. From March 2003 to December 2004, Mr. Blachford served as Chief Executive Officer of Expedia, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of IAC/InterActiveCorp’s travel division, IAC Travel. From January 2003 to December 2004, Mr. Blachford served as President of Expedia North America and Expedia Senior Vice President of Marketing & Programming. Mr. Blachford previously served on the boards of directors of Expedia, Inc. from April 2003 to September 2003, and Points International Ltd., a reward-program management portal, from June 2003 to December 2004. Mr. Blachford currently serves as a member of the boards of directors of several privately held companies. Mr. Blachford also serves on the U.S. National Council of the World Wildlife Fund. Mr. Blachford holds a B.A. in English and a certificate in theater from Princeton University, and an M.B.A. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. Mr. Blachford is qualified to serve on our board of directors because he brings strategic, operational and corporate governance experience as a former chief executive officer and director of a public company in the Internet industry. In addition, Mr. Blachford brings experience with respect to marketing products to consumers through the Internet.

 

J. William Gurley has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2005. Mr. Gurley serves as a general partner of Benchmark Capital, a venture capital firm, which he joined in March 1999. Prior to joining Benchmark Capital, Mr. Gurley was a partner with Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, from 1997 to 1998 and a research analyst for Credit Suisse First Boston, an investment bank, from 1993 to 1996. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Gurley served as a design engineer at Compaq Computer Corporation, a personal computer company that was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. Mr. Gurley has also served on the board of directors of OpenTable, Inc., an online restaurant reservations service provider, since 2000. Mr. Gurley previously served as a member of the boards of directors of Shopping.com, a price comparison service, which was acquired by eBay, Inc., from 1999 to 2005 and JAMDAT Mobile Inc., a mobile entertainment provider, which was acquired by Electronic Arts, Inc., from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Gurley holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas. Mr. Gurley is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of the strategic insights and financial experience he brings as a venture capital investor. Due to Mr. Gurley’s service on the boards of directors of a variety of private and public companies in the Internet and technology industries, he is familiar with a full range of corporate and board functions.

 

Jay C. Hoag has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2005. Since June 1995, Mr. Hoag has served as a founding General Partner at Technology Crossover Ventures, a private equity and venture capital firm. Mr. Hoag has served on the boards of directors of Netflix, Inc., since 1999, and Tech Target, Inc., a marketing service provider, since 2004. Mr. Hoag also serves on the boards of directors of several

 

76


Table of Contents

privately held companies. Mr. Hoag served on the boards of directors of TheStreet.com, a financial media company, from November 2007 to January 2009, Expedia, Inc., from June 2000 to August 2003, Altiris, Inc., a software company acquired by Symantec Corporation, from February 2002 to April 2007, and eLoyalty Corporation, an integrated contact solutions and behavioral analytics services company, from August 1999 to May 2007. Mr. Hoag holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. As a venture capital investor, Mr. Hoag brings strategic insights and financial experience to our board of directors. He has evaluated, invested in and served as a board member in numerous companies, both public and private and is familiar with a full range of corporate and board functions. His many years of experience in helping companies share and implement strategy provide our board of directors with unique perspectives on matters such as risk management, corporate governance, talent selection and management.

 

Gregory B. Maffei has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2005. Mr. Maffei has served as Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Media Corporation, a holding company of businesses in the electronic retailing, media, communications and entertainment industry, since February 2006 and served as Chief Executive Officer-Elect from November 2005 to February 2006. Mr. Maffei served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle Corporation, a business software and hardware systems company, during 2005 and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 360networks Corporation, a wholesale provider of Internet connectivity services, from 2000 until 2005. Previously, Mr. Maffei was the Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft Corporation from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Maffei has served on the board of directors of Sirius, a satellite radio company, since 2009. Mr. Maffei served on the board of directors of DIRECTV (or its predecessor), a provider of digital television entertainment services, from June 2008 to June 2010, as a director of Electronic Arts, Inc., an interactive entertainment software company, from 2003 to June 2010, as a director of Expedia, Inc. from 1999 to 2003 and Chairman from 1999 to 2002, and as a director of Starbucks Corporation, a retailer of specialty coffee, from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Maffei holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. Mr. Maffei is qualified to serve on our board of directors because he brings significant financial and operations experience due to his current and former leadership roles at public companies in the technology industry. Mr. Maffei provides our board of directors with an executive and leadership perspective on the operations and management of large public companies and risk management principles.

 

Gordon Stephenson has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2005. Mr. Stephenson is the co-founder and has been the Managing Broker of Real Property Associates (RPA), an independent real estate brokerage in the Pacific Northwest, since its inception in 1991. Prior to founding RPA, Mr. Stephenson was an associate broker with Prudential MacPhersons and Windermere Real Estate, both of which are real estate sales and brokerage companies based in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Stephenson holds a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University. Mr. Stephenson is qualified to serve on our board of directors because he brings extensive experience in the real estate industry as a founder of a real estate brokerage firm.

 

Board Independence and Composition

 

Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Blachford, Gurley, Hoag, Maffei and Stephenson do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Global Market. In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director.

 

The board of directors also considered the following transactions, relationships and arrangements that are not required to be disclosed in this prospectus as related person transactions. With respect to the independence of

 

77


Table of Contents

Mr. Gurley, the board considered that Mr. Barton, one of our founders and our Executive Chairman, provides advisory services in a non-employee capacity to Benchmark Capital, a venture capital firm where Mr. Gurley serves as a General Partner. These services include the identification and evaluation for Benchmark of potential investments and related advice. Mr. Barton has also invested in certain of Benchmark’s venture capital funds, which capital commitments represent less than 0.5% of the total committed capital of each of the funds. In exchange for Mr. Barton’s services, Benchmark pays a portion of Mr. Barton’s capital commitments to the funds. With respect to the independence of Mr. Hoag, the board considered that Mr. Barton has invested in TCV V, L.P., , a private equity and venture capital fund, and other related funds of Technology Crossover Ventures, or TCV Funds. Mr. Hoag is a member of the general partner of the TCV Funds. Mr. Barton’s capital commitment in these funds represents less than 0.2% of the total committed capital of the funds. With respect to the independence of Mr. Blachford, the board considered that (a) Messrs. Blachford and Barton are 50% co-owners of a condominium, (b) Mr. Blachford serves on the boards of directors of two privately-held companies in which Mr. Barton is an investor and, for one of the companies, also serves as a board member, and (c) Mr. Blachford serves as a venture partner of TCMI, Inc., a management entity associated with the TCV Funds.

 

In connection with this offering, all of our outstanding convertible preferred stock will be converted into shares of our Class A common stock and all existing contractual rights to appoint directors will be terminated. In accordance with our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws that will become effective in connection with the completion of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors will be Erik Blachford, Spencer M. Rascoff and Gordon Stephenson, and their terms will expire at our first annual meeting of shareholders held after this offering;

 

   

the Class II directors will be Richard N. Barton and Lloyd D. Frink, and their terms will expire at our second annual meeting of shareholders held after this offering; and

 

   

the Class III directors will be J. William Gurley, Jay C. Hoag and Gregory B. Maffei, and their terms will expire at our third annual meeting of shareholders held after this offering.

 

At each annual meeting of our shareholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the total number of directors. The authorized number of directors may be changed by resolution of our board of directors. Vacancies on our board of directors can be filled by our board of directors.

 

Board Committees

 

Our board of directors has established, effective prior to the closing of this offering, an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors is described below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until as otherwise determined by our board of directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our audit committee will, effective prior to the closing of this offering, consist of Erik Blachford, J. William Gurley and Gregory B. Maffei, with Mr. Maffei serving as Chair. Our audit committee will oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting process and internal accounting and financial controls and audits of the financial statements. Our audit committee will also evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance; engage and provide for the compensation of the independent auditor; establish the policies and procedures for the retention of the independent auditor to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services; review our annual audited financial statements; review our critical accounting policies, our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting; discuss with management and

 

78


Table of Contents

the independent auditor the results of the annual audit and the reviews of our quarterly unaudited financial statements; and review related-person transactions that would be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors has determined that each of our audit committee members meets the requirements for independence and financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Market. In making this determination, our board of directors considered that Benchmark Capital, where Mr. Gurley serves as a General Partner, beneficially owns more than 10% of our Class A common stock. However, because Benchmark Capital’s ownership represents less than 2.5% of the outstanding voting power of our capital stock as of May 31, 2011, our board of directors concluded that such beneficial ownership does not cause Benchmark Capital or Mr. Gurley to be an “affiliate” of our company that would impair Mr. Gurley’s independence as a member of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Maffei is an audit committee financial expert as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The audit committee will operate under a written charter to be effective prior to the closing of this offering that satisfies the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our compensation committee will, effective prior to the closing of this offering, consist of Erik Blachford, Jay C. Hoag and Gordon Stephenson, with Mr. Hoag serving as Chair. Our compensation committee will review our overall compensation philosophy and related policies relating to the compensation and benefits of our officers and employees, including reviewing and approving goals and objectives relevant to compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers, evaluating the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives, setting compensation of these officers based on such evaluations and otherwise overseeing our compensation plans, policies and programs for our executive officers. The compensation committee will also administer the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our compensation committee meets the requirements for independence under the applicable rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Global Market and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The compensation committee will operate under a written charter to be effective prior to the closing of this offering that satisfies the applicable listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Our nominating and governance committee will, effective prior to the closing of this offering, consist of J. William Gurley and Gordon Stephenson, with Mr. Gurley serving as Chair. The nominating and governance committee will be responsible for overseeing evaluations of our board and its committees and making recommendations regarding candidates to serve on our board of directors and the size and composition of our board. In making such recommendations, the nominating and governance committee will consider director selection guidelines approved by our board of directors. In addition, the nominating and governance committee will be responsible for overseeing our governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations concerning governance matters. The nominating and governance committee will operate under a written charter to be effective prior to the closing of this offering that satisfies the applicable listing requirements and rules of The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

Director Compensation

 

Prior to this offering, we had not implemented a formal policy with respect to compensation payable to our non-employee directors for service as directors. We currently do not provide any cash compensation to our non-employee directors. From time to time, we have granted stock options to our non-employee directors for their service on our board of directors. We do, however, reimburse our directors for expenses associated with attending meetings of our board and meetings of committees of our board.

 

The following table provides information regarding stock options granted to certain of our non-employee directors during 2010. We did not pay cash or other non-equity compensation to our non-employee directors during 2010. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service as a

 

79


Table of Contents

director. During 2010, Mr. Rascoff, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink were employees. Their compensation is discussed under the heading “Executive Compensation.”

 

Name


   Option Awards
($)(1)(2)


     Total
($)


 

Erik Blachford

     9,830         9,830   

J. William Gurley

     —           —     

Jay C. Hoag

     —           —     

Gregory B. Maffei

     9,830         9,830   

Gordon Stephenson

     9,830         9,830   

(1)   Amounts reflect aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards granted during 2010, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used to calculate these amounts are described in Note 11, “Share-Based Awards,” to our financial statements included in this prospectus. Each stock option was granted on September 15, 2010 for 7,396 shares, has a per share exercise price of $3.25 and was fully vested upon grant.
(2)   As of December 31, 2010, our non-employee directors held stock options to purchase the following number of shares of Class A common stock: Mr. Blachford, 4,437 shares; Mr. Gurley, 4,437 shares; Mr. Hoag, 4,437 shares; Mr. Maffei, 41,418 shares; and Mr. Stephenson, 11,833 shares.

 

Following the closing of this offering, we intend to implement a formal policy pursuant to which our non-employee directors will be eligible to receive equity awards as compensation for service on our board of directors and committees of our board of directors. Under this policy, we intend to grant non-employee directors an annual stock option grant having a Black-Scholes-Merton value on the date of grant equal to $100,000. We intend that the date of grant for these stock options will be March 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2012. The stock options will be granted for prior service and will be fully vested upon grant.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

During our 2010 fiscal year, our compensation committee consisted of Richard Barton, Erik Blachford and Lloyd Frink. Messrs. Barton and Frink have each served, and continue to serve, as our officers. As described in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions – Investors’ Rights Agreement,” Messrs. Barton, Frink and Blachford have registration rights pursuant to an investors’ rights agreement entered into with us and various other shareholders. As described in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions – Indemnification of Officers and Directors,” we will indemnify Messrs. Barton, Frink and Blachford in their capacities as officers, as applicable, and directors pursuant to our amended and restated articles and amended and restated bylaws that will become effective in connection with the closing of this offering and separate indemnification agreements. Further, Phillip Frink, the father of Lloyd Frink, is President of First Washington Corporation, which is a co-managing underwriter of this offering, as noted in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions – Other Transactions”.

 

As noted above, prior to the closing of this offering, our compensation committee will be reconstituted and will consist of Erik Blachford, Jay C. Hoag and Gordon Stephenson. None of these directors are or have at any time in the past been one of our officers or employees.

 

None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, effective prior to the closing of this offering, that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our website at www.zillow.com . We will disclose on our website any amendments to the code or any waivers of its requirements.

 

80


Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth below. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. The actual amount and form of compensation and the compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion.

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information about the compensation for our named executive officers who are included below in the 2010 Summary Compensation Table, including an analysis of the overall objectives of our compensation program and each element of compensation provided. For 2010, our named executive officers are:

 

   

Spencer M. Rascoff, Chief Executive Officer

 

   

Chad M. Cohen, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

   

Richard Barton, Executive Chairman

 

   

Lloyd D. Frink, Vice Chairman and President

 

   

David A. Beitel, Chief Technology Officer

 

   

Greg M. Schwartz, Chief Revenue Officer

 

In late 2010 and again in March 2011, we made several internal changes in the positions held by certain of our executive officers. In September 2010, Mr. Rascoff was promoted to Chief Executive Officer from Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Barton, who served as our Chief Executive Officer from December 2004 to September 2010, became our Executive Chairman. In March 2011, Mr. Cohen was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance. Also in March 2011, in addition to his position as President, Mr. Frink assumed the position of Vice Chairman after previously serving as Chief Strategy Officer. In September 2010, Mr. Schwartz was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer from Vice President of Sales. During 2010, no individual held the title of Chief Financial Officer although Mr. Cohen served in the capacity of principal financial officer during that year.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

We believe our success largely depends on our ability to attract, retain and motivate talented employees to operate our company in a dynamic and changing market and enable us to continue to grow our business. We compete with many other companies in seeking to attract and retain a skilled management team. To meet this challenge, the objectives of our compensation program are to:

 

   

attract qualified, experienced executive officers who will enable us to achieve our business objectives;

 

   

retain and motivate our executive officers to achieve superior performance;

 

   

reward performance; and

 

   

align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders by motivating them to increase shareholder value.

 

How We Have Set Executive Compensation

 

Since August 2005, pursuant to delegation from our board of directors, the compensation committee of our board of directors has generally been responsible for setting our overall executive compensation strategy and for making determinations with respect to executive compensation. This has included establishing and annually

 

81


Table of Contents

reviewing the compensation of our executive officers and overseeing our equity plan to ensure that our total compensation program is reasonable and competitive. On a limited basis, our board of directors has also made compensation decisions when the compensation committee deemed it to be appropriate. During 2010, our compensation committee was comprised of Mr. Blachford and our co-founders, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink.

 

Our compensation committee has historically sought and considered input from our current Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Rascoff, regarding the compensation and performance of the executive officers other than himself. Mr. Rascoff has recommended base salary increases and equity awards to the compensation committee, and has advised the compensation committee regarding our compensation program’s ability to attract, retain and motivate executive talent. Mr. Rascoff’s recommendations reflect compensation levels that he believes are commensurate with an executive officer’s individual qualifications, experience, level of responsibility, knowledge, skills and individual performance, as well as our resources and performance. Our compensation committee considers Mr. Rascoff’s recommendations in approving compensation for our executive officers. Mr. Rascoff regularly attends meetings of the compensation committee, except where his own compensation is being discussed. Mr. Rascoff makes no recommendations to our board of directors or the compensation committee regarding his own compensation.

 

To date, our board of directors and the compensation committee have not retained a compensation consultant and have not benchmarked total compensation or any individual components of compensation against specific comparable companies. From time to time our board of directors and the compensation committee have reviewed and considered various market data, including Benchmark Capital compensation surveys for 2006 and 2007, which provide compensation information by position at privately held companies. These surveys were used primarily as a reference point and as one factor among many. In setting executive compensation, the compensation committee has relied on its collective experience and knowledge, its past practices, our overall performance, input from Mr. Rascoff and other considerations it has deemed relevant. To date, the compensation committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term compensation or between cash and equity compensation.

 

Following the closing of this offering, we expect that the specific direction, emphasis and components of our executive compensation program will continue to evolve as will our process for establishing executive compensation. In the future, the compensation committee may retain a compensation consultant to advise us regarding our compensation program and we may begin to assess our executive compensation program against that of comparable companies, including through the use of market compensation data.

 

Elements of Executive Compensation

 

Our executive compensation program has historically been comprised of base salaries and equity compensation in the form of stock options, with limited use of cash bonuses, except in the circumstances described below in “Cash Bonuses.” Historically, compensation decisions for our executive officers have been highly individualized and based on a variety of factors. As a private company, we have emphasized the use of equity to incentivize our executive officers to focus on our growth and create long-term shareholder value. In light of their current stock holdings in our company, our co-founders, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink, have not received any equity compensation awards to date and, in an effort to conserve cash resources, each received only $1.00 in annual salary from October 2008 to September 2010.

 

Base Salaries.     Base salaries provide our executive officers with a fixed amount of consistent compensation and, in conjunction with equity awards, are a significant motivating factor in attracting and retaining our executive officers. We have designed base salaries to be competitive while also seeking to manage our cash resources.

 

At the time an executive officer is first hired, base salary is generally initially established through individual negotiations between us and the executive officer, taking into account subjective judgments as to the executive

 

82


Table of Contents

officer’s qualifications, experience, job duties and responsibilities, prior salary and internal pay equity comparisons.

 

The compensation committee annually reviews the base salaries of our executive officers. Merit-based adjustments to salary generally become effective in the first quarter of the year following completion of our annual performance review process which includes a comprehensive self performance review as well as a manager and peer review. Adjustments to base salaries also may occur in connection with promotions. In October 2010, Mr. Rascoff’s annual base salary was increased to $270,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer, and in August 2010, Mr. Cohen’s salary was increased to $170,000 in connection with his promotion to Vice President of Finance. Additionally, in connection with the internal changes to certain executive positions made in September 2010, we determined that it was appropriate at that time for Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink to each resume receiving annual base salaries to compensate them for their continued employment. In September 2010, each of Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink began to receive base salaries of $135,000 and $230,000, respectively, after each having received annual salaries of $1.00 since October 2008. These salaries were set at amounts that took into account the job responsibilities to be undertaken by each of them.

 

The annual base salaries for the named executive officers are listed below. In September 2010 and March 2011, annual base salaries for the named executive officers were approved at the following amounts, based on a subjective evaluation of executive officer performance and the other factors described above. For Mr. Cohen, this also included a salary increase resulting from his promotion to Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rascoff and Mr. Schwartz both received merit increases in 2011.

 

Name


   Base Salary

 

Spencer M. Rascoff

   $ 284,000   

Chad M. Cohen

     200,700   

Richard Barton

     135,000   

Lloyd D. Frink

     230,000   

David A. Beitel

     230,000   

Greg M. Schwartz

     212,782   

 

Cash Bonuses.     To date we have not established a formal cash incentive plan for our executive officers or otherwise awarded performance-based cash bonuses, with a limited exception described below. As a private company, we have relied primarily on the long-term incentive value of stock options, which also has allowed us to conserve cash.

 

While we do not offer a cash incentive plan for all our executive officers, pursuant to the terms of his initial employment arrangement with us, Mr. Schwartz, our Chief Revenue Officer, is eligible to receive quarterly cash bonuses based on revenues, determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, compared to his revenue objectives. Mr. Schwartz is eligible to receive a maximum payout of $12,500 per quarter ($50,000 per year), which is payable if revenues meet or exceed his revenue objective for the quarter. If the revenue objective is not met, the quarterly payment is based on the percentage that actual revenues comprise in relation to the objective. For 2010, the revenues for the first, second, third, and fourth quarters were $5.3 million, $7.3 million, $8.2 million, and $9.6 million, respectively. We believe this type and amount of compensation for a principal sales executive was reasonable in order to secure and retain the employment of Mr. Schwartz. The maximum amounts payable to Mr. Schwartz under this arrangement have not been modified since he was first hired in 2007 and for 2010, at maximum payout, comprised less than 25% of his annual base salary for that year. Mr. Schwartz has achieved on average at least 96% of the maximum annual payout he can earn under this arrangement in the last two prior fiscal years.

 

During 2010, our board of directors (with Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink abstaining) also determined to award one-time bonuses of $195,834 to each of our co-founders, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink. These bonus amounts were awarded in the subjective discretion of our board in recognition of our founders’ strong leadership, hard work and longstanding commitment to the company and to continue to retain and motivate them.

 

83


Table of Contents

Equity-Based Compensation.     Since our inception, equity-based compensation in the form of stock options has been an integral component of our compensation program for all our employees, with the exception of our co-founders, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink, who have not received any form of equity compensation to date in light of their current stock holdings. Our board and compensation committee believe that stock options play a significant role in our ability to attract, motivate, and incentivize the executive talent necessary to accomplish our business objectives, and also provide our employees with a significant long-term interest in our success by rewarding the creation of shareholder value. Vesting for stock options is based on continued employment with us, generally over four years, thereby also encouraging the retention of our executive officers.

 

Historically, we have not applied a formula to determine the size of individual stock options granted to our named executive officers. Instead, our compensation committee has generally determined the size of individual grants using its collective business judgment and experience, taking into account, among other factors, the role and responsibility of the individual executive officer, the competitive market for the executive’s position, the size and value of existing equity awards and a subjective evaluation of individual performance and prior contributions to us. Based upon these factors, the compensation committee sets the size of each stock option award at a level it considers appropriate to create a meaningful incentive. No specific weight is given to any one of the foregoing factors, although larger awards are typically granted to executive officers with duties and responsibilities that are more likely to have a larger impact on the creation of long-term shareholder value. To date, stock options are the only type of equity award we have granted to our executive officers.

 

Our executive officers generally receive a stock option grant in connection with their hiring. Following each annual performance review, we historically have granted additional stock options to our employees, including our named executive officers (other than Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink), in the first quarter of the year following completion of our annual performance review. The compensation committee also may grant additional stock options from time to time to retain executive officers and reward them for promotions or performance.

 

Stock options have a seven-year term and generally vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year from the date of grant and the remainder vesting over 36 months in equal monthly installments, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment. Our policy is to grant stock options with an exercise price equal to the current fair market value of our Class A common stock. Since July 2006, we have determined the fair market value of our Class A common stock based on valuation analyses prepared by an independent third-party valuation firm. Certain stock option grants to our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rascoff, and one option grant to Mr. Schwartz made in connection with his initial hire, provide for “double-trigger” acceleration, as described in greater detail under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

 

In March 2010, each of our named executive officers (other than Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink) received stock option grants following our annual performance review process for the following number of shares: Mr. Rascoff, 118,343 shares; Mr. Cohen, 14,792 shares; Mr. Beitel, 51,775 shares; and Mr. Schwartz, 29,585 shares. In determining the size of the foregoing grants, the compensation committee considered the factors described above using its collective business judgment and experience. In particular, for Mr. Rascoff, the compensation committee considered his long-standing service with us in leadership roles, his responsibilities over the prior year and the desire to incentivize and retain Mr. Rascoff. Mr. Cohen’s grant size was largely based on his contributions and level of responsibility in his then current position as our Controller, prior to his promotion to Vice President, Finance and then Chief Financial Officer. Both Mr. Beitel and Mr. Schwartz oversee substantial portions of our business. Mr. Beitel oversees a substantial number of employees in his position as Chief Technology Officer and Mr. Schwartz is largely responsible for revenue development. The grant sizes to each of these individuals reflected the compensation committee’s assessment of grant sizes it felt appropriate to recognize their levels of responsibilities and contributions during the past year and to retain and incentivize them for the future.

 

In light of promotions during 2010 or increased job responsibilities, additional stock options were granted to the following named executive officers during 2010: Mr. Rascoff, 118,343 shares; Mr. Cohen, 44,378 shares; and Mr. Schwartz, 59,171 shares.

 

84


Table of Contents

During March 2011, stock options were granted following our annual performance review to the following named executive officers for the following numbers of shares:

 

Name


   Number of
Shares Subject
to Stock Options


 

Spencer M. Rascoff (1)

     177,514   

Chad M. Cohen

     42,899   

David A. Beitel

     59,171   

Greg M. Schwartz

     53,254   

(1)   Options granted under this award vest 25% after 18 months, and the remaining 75% of the award vests ratably over the next 36 months.

 

Upon completion of this offering, the compensation committee may utilize competitive market data as a tool to determine equity award grant amounts and may consider the use of alternative types of equity awards, such as restricted stock units, or a mix of equity awards, for our executive officers.

 

Other Executive Benefits.     Our named executive officers generally receive health and welfare benefits under the same programs and subject to the same terms and conditions as our other salaried employees. These benefits include medical, dental and vision benefits, short-term and long-term disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and basic life insurance. Our named executive officers also are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan.

 

Historically, we have not provided significant perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers, except that certain of our named executive officers receive paid parking, the value of which was less than $10,000 in 2010. We do not view perquisites or other personal benefits as a significant component of our executive compensation program and do not expect that they will become a significant element of our compensation program in the future.

 

Employment Agreements

 

We have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Rascoff, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Cohen, our Chief Financial Officer, to assist in the retention of the services of these executive officers and to help them maintain their focus and dedication to their responsibilities to maximize shareholder value in the event of a transaction that could result in a change of control of our company. The employment agreements will become effective upon the closing of this offering. Each employment agreement provides that employment with us is “at will.”

 

The employment agreements provide the following severance payments and benefits if the executive officer’s employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined in the employment agreement) or if he resigns for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), including such a termination within 18 months after a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement):

 

   

severance pay equal to six months of salary, generally payable in the form of salary continuation following the date of termination;

 

   

COBRA continuation coverage for up to six months following termination (or until such earlier time as the executive officer becomes covered by the medical plan of another employer);

 

   

12 months’ accelerated vesting of unvested stock options and any other outstanding equity awards that vest based on continued service, except that, in the event of a qualifying termination within 18 months after a change of control, 50% of the unvested portions of such outstanding equity awards will accelerate in vesting;

 

85


Table of Contents
   

an extension of time to exercise outstanding stock options until the earlier of (a) one year following termination and (b) the expiration of the term of the options; and

 

   

earned but unpaid salary and accrued vacation pay otherwise payable under our standard policy.

 

To the extent Mr. Rascoff holds stock options as of the effective date of his employment agreement that, pursuant to their original terms, provide for greater acceleration of vesting upon certain terminations of employment following a change of control, the original vesting acceleration provisions for such options will continue to apply. The vesting acceleration provisions applicable to certain stock options held by Mr. Rascoff are described below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

 

As a condition to receiving any severance payments or benefits under the employment agreements, Mr. Rascoff and Mr. Cohen must execute a general release and waiver of all claims against us in a form satisfactory to us. Mr. Rascoff and Mr. Cohen must also continue to comply with the applicable terms of their confidentiality and noncompetition agreements. The employment agreements and employment terminate automatically upon death or total disability of the executive officer.

 

If any payments or benefits payable under the employment agreements will be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, we will pay to the executive officer either (a) the full amount of such payments or benefits or (b) the full amount reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion from being an excess parachute payment within the meaning of Code Section 280G, whichever results, on an after-tax basis, in the greater amount payable to the executive officer.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

At this time, our board of directors has not adopted stock ownership guidelines with respect to the named executive officers although it may consider doing so in the future. In connection with this offering, we will establish an insider trading compliance policy that will prohibit, among other actions, short sales and hedging of stock ownership positions.

 

Tax Treatment of Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to a public corporation for annual compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to its principal executive officer and the three other most highly compensated named executive officers (excluding the principal financial officer). Compensation that qualifies as “performance-based” is excluded for purposes of calculating the amount of compensation subject to the $1.0 million limit. In addition, in the case of a privately held corporation that becomes a public corporation, the $1.0 million limit generally does not apply to compensation paid pursuant to a compensation plan or agreement that existed prior to the initial public offering. However, a newly public corporation only may rely on this particular exception until the earliest of the following events: (a) the expiration of the plan or agreement; (b) a material modification of the plan or agreement (as determined under Section 162(m) of the Code); (c) the issuance of all the employer stock and other compensation allocated under the plan; or (d) the first meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the year in which the initial public offering occurs.

 

Because we have been a privately held corporation, we have not previously taken the deductibility limit under Section 162(m) of the Code into consideration in setting compensation for our executive officers. Under the exception for newly public corporations described above, any equity-based awards granted under our 2011 Incentive Plan that we intend to implement following the offering will not be subject to the $1.0 million limit, provided such awards are made prior to the earliest of the events specified above. While our compensation committee has not adopted a policy regarding tax deductibility of compensation paid to our named executive officers, we expect that our compensation committee will consider tax deductibility under Section 162(m) as a factor in compensation decisions, but may be authorized to approve compensation that is not deductible if it believes that such payments are appropriate to attract, retain and motivate our executive officers.

 

86


Table of Contents

2010 Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers for 2010. Positions listed below are those currently held by the named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal Position


   Year

     Salary
($)

     Bonus
($)

    Option
Awards

($)(1)

     Non-Equity
Incentive

Plan
Compensation
($)


    Total
($)

 

Spencer M. Rascoff(2)

     2010         215,780         —          351,200         —          566,980   

    Chief Executive Officer

                                                   

Chad M. Cohen(3)

     2010         155,589         —          84,683         —          240,272   

    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

                                                   

Richard Barton(4)

     2010         33,850         195,834 (5)      —           —          229,684   

    Executive Chairman

                                                   

Lloyd D. Frink(6)

     2010         57,600         195,834 (5)      —           —          253,434   

    Vice Chairman and President

                                                   

David A. Beitel

     2010         181,978         —          84,840         —          266,818   

    Chief Technology Officer

                                                   

Greg M. Schwartz(7)

     2010         204,600         —          127,120         47,909 (8)      379,629   

    Chief Revenue Officer

                                                   

(1)   Amounts reflect aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards granted during 2010, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used to calculate these amounts are described in Note 11, “Share-Based Awards,” to our financial statements included in this prospectus. There can be no assurance that the aggregate grant date fair value will approximate the actual value that may be realized upon exercise by a named executive officer.
(2)   Mr. Rascoff was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in September 2010 from Chief Operating Officer.
(3)   Mr. Cohen was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in March 2011 from Controller and Vice President of Finance.
(4)   Mr. Barton served as our Chief Executive Officer from our inception until September 2010. From October 2008 until September 2010, Mr. Barton received an annual salary of $1.00 and no bonus.
(5)   Reflects one-time cash bonuses paid to each of our co-founders, Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink.
(6)   Mr. Frink has served as our Vice Chairman since March 2011. From October 2008 until September 2010, Mr. Frink received an annual salary of $1.00 and no bonus.
(7)   Mr. Schwartz was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer in September 2010 from Vice President of Sales.
(8)   Reflects amounts earned by Mr. Schwartz for performance during 2010 as described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of Executive Compensation — Cash Bonuses.” Includes the amount Mr. Schwartz earned for the fourth quarter of 2010 that was paid in January 2011.

 

87


Table of Contents

2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table provides information regarding share-based awards granted to our named executive officers during 2010.

 

            Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive  Plan Awards

    All Other
Option Awards:
Number of
Securities of
Underlying
Options

(#)(1)

     Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards

($/Sh)

     Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

($)(2)

 

Name


   Grant Date

     Threshold
(#)


     Target
($)


     Maximum
($)


         

Spencer M. Rascoff

              —           —           —                               
       9/15/2010                                   118,343         3.25         157,280   
       3/12/2010                                   118,343         3.59         193,920   

Chad M. Cohen

              —           —           —                               
       11/15/2010                                   28,106         3.25         38,817   
       8/17/2010                                   16,272         3.25         21,626   
       3/12/2010                                   14,792         3.59         24,240   

Richard Barton

              —           —           —                               
       —                                     —           —           —     

Lloyd D. Frink

              —           —           —                               
       —                                     —           —           —     

David A. Beitel

              —           —           —                               
       3/12/2010                                   51,775         3.59         84,840   

Greg M. Schwartz

              —           —           50,000 (3)                           
       9/15/2010                                   59,171         3.25         78,640   
       3/12/2010                                   29,585         3.59         48,480   

(1)   Reflects option awards granted under our Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2005 Plan. Each stock option vests over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting monthly over the following 36 months, subject to continued service.
(2)   Reflects grant date fair value of option awards granted during 2010, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used to calculate these amounts are described in Note 11, “Share-Based Awards,” to our financial statements included in this prospectus.
(3)   The amount represents the maximum award that Mr. Schwartz could earn under his bonus arrangement with us for 2010. Since amounts are payable under the arrangement as a percentage of actual results, no threshold or target payout amount is reported. The actual amount paid to Mr. Schwartz for 2010 performance is set forth in the 2010 Summary Compensation Table above. We did not provide any other non-equity incentive plan awards to our other named executive officers during 2010.

 

88


Table of Contents

2010 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table provides certain information regarding outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers at December 31, 2010. Other than the option awards listed below, our named executive officers held no other equity awards at December 31, 2010.

 

 

     Option Awards(1)

 
     Grant Date

     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options


     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options


     Option
Exercise Price
($)


     Option
Expiration
Date


 

Name


      Exercisable
(#)


     Unexercisable
(#)


       

Spencer M. Rascoff

     9/15/2010         —           118,343         3.25         9/15/2017   
       3/12/2010         —           118,343         3.59         3/12/2017   
       2/12/2009         54,240         64,103         3.52         2/12/2016   
       12/3/2008         59,171         59,172         5.99         12/3/2015   
       2/27/2008         41,912         17,259         7.27         2/27/2015   
       9/12/2007         16,827         3,883         8.96         9/12/2014   
       2/6/2007         49,617         2,158         6.53         2/6/2014   
       1/25/2006         53,254         —           3.38         1/25/2013   
       3/7/2005         103,550         —           0.09         3/7/2012   

Chad M. Cohen

     11/15/2010         —           28,106         3.25         11/15/2017   
       8/17/2010         —           16,272         3.25         8/17/2017   
       3/12/2010         —           14,792         3.59         3/12/2017   
       8/25/2009         2,465         4,931         3.86         8/25/2016   
       2/12/2009         5,776         6,825         3.52         2/12/2016   
       2/27/2008         7,543         3,107         7.27         2/27/2015   
       2/6/2007         5,097         222         6.53         2/6/2014   
       6/9/2006         13,313         —           3.99         6/9/2013   

Richard Barton

     —           —           —           —           —     

Lloyd D. Frink

     —           —           —           —           —     

David A. Beitel

     3/12/2010         —           51,775         3.59         3/12/2017   
       2/12/2009         27,120         32,051         3.52         2/12/2016   
       2/27/2008         41,912         17,259         7.27         2/27/2015   
       2/6/2007         56,705         2,466         6.53         2/6/2014   
       1/25/2006         66,568         —           3.38         1/25/2013   
       2/18/2005         443,786         —           0.09         2/18/2012   

Greg M. Schwartz

     9/15/2010         —           59,171         3.25         9/15/2017   
       3/12/2010         —           29,585         3.59         3/12/2017   
       2/12/2009         16,570         19,583         3.52         2/12/2016   
       2/27/2008         20,956         8,629         7.27         2/27/2015   
       7/27/2007         12,634         2,158         6.53         7/27/2014   
       4/16/2007         69,341         4,623         6.53         4/16/2014   

(1)   Reflects shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options granted under our 2005 Plan. Each stock option vests over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting monthly over the following 36 months, subject to continued service.

 

2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

Our named executive officers did not exercise any stock options during 2010. None of the named executive officers hold any equity awards other than stock options.

 

89


Table of Contents

Pension Benefits

 

We currently do not (and did not in 2010) sponsor any defined benefit pension or other actuarial plan.

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

We currently do not (and did not in 2010) maintain any nonqualified defined contribution or other deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

Our Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2005 Plan, provides that if outstanding stock options will not be assumed or substituted in a company transaction, our board of directors or the compensation committee may, in its discretion, fully or partially accelerate the vesting of all outstanding stock options. The term “company transaction” (including certain exclusions for related party transactions) is defined below under “Employee Benefit and Stock Plans – Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.”

 

If stock options are assumed or substituted in a company transaction, certain stock options granted to our named executive officers will become fully vested and exercisable if their employment terminates (a) in connection with a company transaction or (b) within 18 months following a company transaction, unless, in each case, employment is terminated for cause or by the named executive officer without good reason. Of our named executive officers, Mr. Rascoff holds certain stock options with this provision and Mr. Schwartz holds one stock option with this provision. For purposes of these stock options, “good reason” generally means:

 

   

substantial reduction in the executive officer’s status, title, position or responsibilities; the assignment to the executive officer of duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal from or failure to reappoint the executive officer to such position (with exceptions for terminations of employment due to cause, death or disability or by the executive officer for other than good reason);

 

   

reduction in annual base salary;

 

   

relocation outside a 50-mile radius of the place of employment prior to the company transaction;

 

   

failure to receive compensation and benefits that are substantially equivalent to those provided prior to the company transaction;

 

   

material breach by the successor company of its obligations under the 2005 Plan (or a substantially equivalent plan); and

 

   

purported termination for cause that is not consistent with the definition of “cause” in the 2005 Plan. Under the 2005 Plan, “cause” generally means dishonesty, fraud, serious or willful misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conducted prohibited by law (except minor violations).

 

90


Table of Contents

The following table shows the estimated value of change in control benefits that would have accrued to the named executive officers with respect to their outstanding stock options under the 2005 Plan if (a) we completed a company transaction in which outstanding stock options became fully vested and exercisable or (b) the employment of certain named executive officers terminated in connection with a company transaction in which stock options were assumed or substituted. The amounts in the table assume that the company transaction or termination of employment was effective as of December 31, 2010. The amounts are estimates of the incremental amounts that would have accrued as of December 31, 2010 in the foregoing circumstances. The actual amounts can only be determined at the time of an actual company transaction or a related termination of employment. Mr. Barton and Mr. Frink do not hold any stock options and are not included in the table below.

 

Name


   Full
Acceleration
of Options
Not Assumed
or Substituted
in a Company
Transaction(1)


     Involuntary
Termination
of Employment
in Connection
with a  Company
Transaction


 

Spencer M. Rascoff

   $                    $                

Chad M. Cohen

              —     

David A. Beitel

              —     

Greg M. Schwartz

                 

(1)   The value of accelerated vesting of stock options is based on the difference between $             per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and the per share exercise price.

 

Employee Benefit and Stock Plans

 

Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Our board of directors originally adopted, and our shareholders approved, the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2005 Plan, on February 18, 2005. The 2005 Plan was last amended on March 10, 2011 to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance. No additional awards will be granted under the 2005 Plan after completion of this offering. After completion of this offering, outstanding options under the 2005 Plan will continue to be governed by their existing terms and conditions and those of the 2005 Plan.

 

The principal features of the 2005 Plan are summarized below. This summary is qualified by reference to the text of the 2005 Plan, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

As of March 31, 2011, 6,908,284 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan. As of March 31, 2011, 1,263,767 shares of Class A common stock had been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 2005 Plan, options to purchase 5,477,032 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $4.27 per share and 167,485 shares remained available for future grant under the 2005 Plan.

 

Our board of directors and, pursuant to authority delegated by our board, the compensation committee of our board of directors administer the 2005 Plan. Our board of directors or the compensation committee selects the individuals to be granted awards, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares subject to awards, and the other terms, conditions and provisions of such awards. Our board or the compensation committee has the authority to amend outstanding awards under the 2005 Plan, except that such amendments generally may not materially adversely affect a participant’s rights under outstanding awards, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the 2005 Plan.

 

The 2005 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, restricted stock, stock units and other stock or cash-based awards to our employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors and those of our subsidiaries, if any, and other related companies. As of

 

91


Table of Contents

December 31, 2010, we have granted only stock options under the 2005 Plan. Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan generally vest over four years, with 25% vesting after one year and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments thereafter. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2005 Plan must be equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant, except in the case of options granted in connection with assuming or substituting options in acquisition transactions and except for options that meet all the requirements for awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan have a term of seven years from the date of grant, subject to earlier termination following a participant’s termination of employment or service relationship with us.

 

Under the 2005 Plan, unless our board or the compensation committee determines otherwise with respect to an award, in the event of a company transaction that is not a related party transaction (which terms “company transaction” and “related party transaction” are defined below), our board or the compensation committee may approve that outstanding awards will be assumed or substituted for by a successor company. If our board or compensation committee does not approve such assumption or substitution, or the successor company does not agree to assume or substitute outstanding awards, our board or the compensation committee will determine the effect of the company transaction on outstanding awards, which may include one or both of the following:

 

   

outstanding awards will become fully or partially exercisable or payable, and all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions will lapse, immediately prior to the company transaction; or

 

   

options and stock appreciation rights will terminate upon effectiveness of the company transaction and holders will receive a cash payment equal to the amount by which (a) the per share acquisition price multiplied by the number of shares subject to an option (either to the extent then vested and exercisable or whether or not then vested and exercisable, as determined by our board or the compensation committee) exceeds (b) the total exercise or grant price of the award.

 

Unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing an award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between a participant and us, “company transaction” generally means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

   

our merger or consolidation with or into any other company or other entity;

 

   

a statutory share exchange pursuant to which our outstanding shares are acquired or a sale in one transaction or a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose of all our outstanding voting securities; or

 

   

a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transaction of all or substantially all our assets.

 

“Related party transaction” generally means:

 

   

a merger or consolidation, or a statutory share exchange, in which holders of our outstanding voting securities immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or share exchange hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the successor company thereafter;

 

   

a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all our assets to a majority-owned subsidiary; or

 

   

a transaction undertaken for the principal purpose of restructuring our capital, including, but not limited to, a reincorporation in a different jurisdiction.

 

If we dissolve or liquidate, unless our board or the compensation committee determines otherwise, outstanding awards will terminate immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation.

 

92


Table of Contents

2011 Incentive Plan

 

Our board of directors has adopted, and our shareholders have approved, our 2011 Incentive Plan, or the 2011 Plan. The 2011 Plan will become effective upon execution of the underwriting agreement for this offering.

 

Purpose.     The purpose of the 2011 Plan will be to attract, retain and motivate our employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors by providing them with the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in us and to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of our shareholders.

 

Administration.     Our board or the compensation committee of our board of directors will be authorized to administer the 2011 Plan. Our board may delegate concurrent administration of the 2011 Plan to different committees consisting of two or more members of our board or to one or more senior executive officers in accordance with the 2011 Plan’s terms. The plan administrator will be authorized to select the individuals to be granted awards, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares subject to awards, and the other terms, conditions and provisions of such awards. References to the “committee” below are, as applicable, to our board or the compensation committee, or other committee or officers that may be authorized to administer the 2011 Plan.

 

Eligibility.     Awards may be granted under the 2011 Plan to our employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors and those of our subsidiaries and other related companies.

 

Share Reserve.     The 2011 Plan will initially authorize the issuance of up to 1,300,000 shares of our Class A common stock. In addition, as of the effective date of the 2011 Plan, any shares not issued or subject to existing awards under our 2005 Plan, plus any shares then subject to outstanding awards under our 2005 Plan that subsequently cease to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards in shares), will automatically become available for issuance under the 2011 Plan, up to an aggregate maximum of 5,569,773 shares. The number of shares authorized under the 2011 Plan also will be increased each January starting in 2013 by an amount equal to the least of (i) 3.5% of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock on a fully diluted basis as of the end of our immediately preceding fiscal year, (ii) 3,500,000 shares, and (iii) a lesser amount determined by our board.

 

The following shares will be available again for issuance under the 2011 Plan:

 

   

shares subject to awards that lapse, expire, terminate or are canceled prior to the issuance of the underlying shares;

 

   

shares subject to awards that are subsequently forfeited to or otherwise reacquired by us;

 

   

shares withheld by or tendered to us as payment for the purchase price of an award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to an award; and

 

   

shares subject to an award that is settled in cash or in another manner where some or all of the shares covered by the award are not issued.

 

Awards granted on assumption of or in substitution for previously granted awards by an acquired company will not reduce the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2011 Plan.

 

If any change in our stock occurs by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, combination or exchange of shares, distribution to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend or other change in our corporate or capital structure, the committee will make proportional adjustments to the maximum number and kind of securities (a) available for issuance under the 2011 Plan, (b) issuable as incentive stock options and (c) subject to any outstanding award, including the per share price of such securities.

 

93


Table of Contents

Types of Awards.     The 2011 Plan will permit the grant of any or all of the following types of awards:

 

   

Stock Options.     The committee may grant either incentive stock options, which must comply with Code Section 422, or nonqualified stock options. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2011 Plan must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock on the date of grant, except in the case of options granted in connection with assuming or substituting options in acquisition transactions. Unless the committee otherwise determines, fair market value means, as of a given date, the closing price of our Class A common stock. Options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant, subject to earlier termination following a participant’s termination of employment or service relationship with us.

 

   

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs).     The committee may grant SARs as a right in tandem with the number of shares underlying stock options granted under the 2011 Plan or on a stand-alone basis. Upon exercise, SARs are the right to receive payment per share in stock or cash, or in a combination of stock and cash, equal to the excess of the share’s fair market value on the date of exercise over its fair market value on the date the SAR was granted. Exercise of an SAR issued in tandem with a stock option will reduce the number of shares underlying the related stock option to the extent of the SAR exercised. The term of a stand-alone SAR cannot be more than ten years, and the term of a tandem SAR cannot exceed the term of the related option.

 

   

Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units.     The committee may grant awards of shares of Class A common stock, or awards denominated in units of Class A common stock, under the 2011 Plan. These awards may be made subject to repurchase or forfeiture restrictions at the committee’s discretion. The restrictions may be based on continuous service with us or the achievement of specified performance criteria, as determined by the committee.

 

   

Performance Awards.     The committee may grant performance awards in the form of performance shares or performance units. Performance shares are units valued by reference to a designated number of shares of Class A common stock, and performance units are units valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than shares of Class A common stock. Both types of awards may be payable in stock, cash or other property, or a combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance criteria and other terms and conditions as established by the committee.

 

   

Other Stock or Cash-Based Awards.     The committee may grant other incentives payable in cash or in shares of Class A common stock, subject to the terms of the 2011 Plan and any other terms and conditions determined by the committee.

 

Repricing.     The 2011 Plan will permit the committee, without shareholder approval, to (a) reduce the exercise or grant price of an option or SAR after it is granted, (b) cancel an option or SAR at a time when its exercise or grant price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying stock, in exchange for cash, another option or SAR, restricted stock or other equity award or (c) take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Change of Control or Liquidation.     Under the 2011 Plan, unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing an award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between a participant and us, the following will apply in the event of a change of control (as will be defined in the 2011 Plan):

 

   

Upon certain changes of control, such as specified reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, outstanding awards that vest based on continued employment or service will become fully and immediately vested and exercisable or payable, and all applicable restrictions or forfeiture provisions will lapse, only if and to the extent the awards are not converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by a successor company. Except for such specified types of changes of control in which awards are converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by a successor company, all outstanding awards, other than performance shares, performance units and other performance-based awards, will become fully and immediately vested and exercisable or

 

94


Table of Contents
 

payable and all applicable restrictions or forfeiture provisions will lapse immediately prior to the change of control and the awards (other than stock awards) will terminate at the effective time of the change of control.

 

   

Upon a change of control, all performance shares, performance units and other performance-based awards will be payable based on targeted performance being attained as of the effective date of the change of control and will be paid in accordance with the payout schedule for the award.

 

   

In the event of certain reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, the committee, in its discretion, may provide that a participant’s outstanding awards will be cashed out.

 

If we dissolve or liquidate, unless the committee determines otherwise, outstanding awards will terminate immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation.

 

Amendment and Termination.     Our board or the compensation committee will be permitted to amend the 2011 Plan or any outstanding award thereunder, except that only our board will be permitted to amend the 2011 Plan if shareholder approval of the amendment is required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule. Amendment of an outstanding award generally may not materially adversely affect a participant’s rights under the award without the participant’s consent, subject to certain exceptions to be set forth in the 2011 Plan.

 

Our board or compensation committee may suspend or terminate all or any portion of the 2011 Plan at any time, but in such event, outstanding awards will remain outstanding in accordance with their existing terms and conditions and the 2011 Plan’s terms and conditions. Unless sooner terminated by our board or compensation committee, the 2011 Plan will terminate on June 16, 2021.

 

401(k) Plan

 

We maintain a tax-qualified 401(k) retirement plan for all employees who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Under our 401(k) plan, employees may elect to defer up to 100% of their eligible compensation subject to applicable annual limits set pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We may provide a discretionary employee matching contribution and discretionary profit sharing contribution under the 401(k) plan, but we have not elected to make either type of contribution. We intend for the 401(k) plan to qualify, depending on the employee’s election, under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) so that contributions by employees, and income earned on those contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k) plan.

 

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, that will become effective in connection with the completion of this offering, will provide that we will limit the liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law. Washington law provides that directors of a corporation shall not be personally liable for reasonable expenses incurred in the wholly successful defense of a proceeding to which the director was a party because of being a director. Washington law provides further that directors may be indemnified against liability incurred in a proceeding to which they are a party because of being a director so long as:

 

   

the director acted in good faith;

 

   

the director reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in the director’s official capacity, that his or her conduct was in the corporation’s best interests or, in all other cases, that his or her conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and

 

   

in the case of a criminal proceeding, the director had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

95


Table of Contents

Directors generally may not, however, be indemnified:

 

   

in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation;

 

   

in connection with any other proceeding in which the director was adjudged liable for receiving improper personal benefit;

 

   

for acts or omissions of the director that involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; or

 

   

for unlawful distributions to shareholders.

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer or director for any liability arising out of his or her actions in connection with their services to us, regardless of whether our bylaws permit such indemnification.

 

We have also entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and certain of our officers to the fullest extent allowed under Washington law. These agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify our directors and certain of our officers for certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts reasonably incurred by such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in our right, on account of any services undertaken by such person on our behalf or that person’s status as a director or officer of Zillow.

 

There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers as to which indemnification is required or requested, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim for indemnification.

 

96


Table of Contents

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

 

We describe below transactions and series of similar transactions, since January 1, 2008, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which:

 

   

the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

 

   

any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Concurrent Private Placement

 

Concurrent with the closing of this offering, funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities and an affiliate of Jay C. Hoag, a non-employee director, and PAR Investment Partners, L.P., a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities, will purchase from us in a private placement the number of shares of our Class A common stock with an aggregate purchase price equal to $5.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, this would be              shares. The sale of these shares will not be registered in this offering. We refer to the private placement of these shares of Class A common stock as the concurrent private placement. The funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, and PAR Investment Partners, L.P., will be entitled to registration rights with respect to these shares under the investors’ rights agreement described below.

 

Investors’ Rights Agreement

 

We are party to an investors’ rights agreement with a group of our shareholders that includes our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, who are both executive officers and members of our board of directors and beneficial owners of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities, Gregory B. Maffei and Erik Blachford, who are both non-employee directors, Benchmark Capital Partners V, L.P., a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities and an affiliate of J. William Gurley, a non-employee director, TCV V, L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P., together, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities and an affiliate of Jay C. Hoag, a non-employee director, and PAR Investment Partners, L.P., a beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of our voting securities. Subject to the terms and conditions of the investors’ rights agreement and after the expiration of the lock-up provisions with the underwriters described elsewhere in this prospectus, these shareholders have registration rights with respect to the shares of our capital stock they, or certain of their affiliates, hold, including the right to demand that we file a registration statement or request that their shares be covered by a registration statement that we are otherwise filing. For a more detailed description of these rights, see “Description of Capital Stock — Registration Rights.”

 

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will become effective in connection with the closing of this offering will limit the liability of each of our directors and will provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law. In addition, we have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain of our officers. See “Executive Compensation — Limitations on Liability and Indemnification Matters” for a general description of these provisions.

 

Other Transactions

 

Phillip Frink, the father of Lloyd Frink, an executive officer and a member of our board of directors, is President of First Washington Corporation. First Washington Corporation is a co-managing underwriter of this offering.

 

97


Table of Contents

We have entered into an employment agreement with Kathleen Philips, our General Counsel, which will become effective upon the closing of this offering. The terms of Ms. Philips’s employment agreement are substantially similar to the terms of the employment agreements described above under “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Employment Agreements.” Ms. Philips’s employment agreement also provides that she will be eligible to receive $65,000, representing the second half of an initial hiring bonus, on the one-year anniversary of her employment with us. If Ms. Philips voluntarily terminates employment with us prior to July 11, 2012, she will be required to reimburse us $65,000 of the hiring bonus received as of such termination date, with certain exceptions to reimbursement in the event Ms. Philips’s employment terminates under circumstances in which she would be eligible to receive severance payments and benefits under the employment agreement.

 

Policies and Procedures for the Review and Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

Our board of directors has adopted a written policy to be effective upon the closing of this offering for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. Under the policy, all of our directors and executive officers and all of our beneficial owners of more than 5% of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock are expected to disclose to our general counsel the material facts of any transaction that could potentially be considered a related person transaction promptly on gaining knowledge that the transaction may occur or has occurred. The audit committee is authorized to administer this policy, and may amend, modify, and interpret this policy.

 

A related person transaction generally is defined under the policy as any transaction required to be disclosed under the SEC’s related person transaction disclosure requirement of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Any potential related person transaction reported to or otherwise made known to the general counsel will be reviewed under the policy according to the following procedures:

 

   

If the general counsel determines that disclosure of the transaction in our annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K is not required under the SEC’s related person transaction requirement, the transaction will be deemed approved and will be reported to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

   

If disclosure of the transaction in our annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K is required under the SEC’s related person transaction requirement, the general counsel will submit the transaction to the chairperson of the audit committee, who will review and, if authorized, will determine whether to approve or ratify the transaction. The chairperson is authorized to approve or ratify any related person transaction involving an aggregate amount of less than $250,000 or when it would not be practicable in the judgment of the chairperson and general counsel to wait for the next audit committee meeting to review the transaction. The chairperson is not authorized to review a related person transaction in which the chairperson is involved.

 

   

If the transaction is outside the chairperson’s authority, the chairperson will submit the transaction to the audit committee for review and approval or ratification at its next regularly scheduled meeting or, if deemed necessary by the general counsel or the chairperson, as applicable, at a special meeting of the audit committee called for this purpose.

 

   

If the transaction to be reviewed and acted upon by the audit committee involves a member of the audit committee (including the chairperson), the involved member shall recuse himself or herself from deliberations related to the transaction and the other members of the audit committee shall take appropriate action.

 

98


Table of Contents

When determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the chairperson of the audit committee or the audit committee, as applicable, will review relevant facts regarding the related person transaction, including:

 

   

the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

 

   

whether the terms are comparable to those generally available in arm’s-length transactions; and

 

   

whether the related person transaction is consistent with the best interests of the company.

 

If any related person transaction is ongoing or is part of a series of transactions, the chairperson or the audit committee, as applicable, may establish guidelines as necessary to appropriately review the ongoing transaction. After initial approval or ratification of the transaction, the chairperson or the audit committee, as applicable, will review the transaction on a regular basis (at least annually).

 

If any related person transaction is not approved or ratified, the audit committee may take such action as it may deem necessary or desirable in the best interests of the company.

 

99


Table of Contents

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock at May 31, 2011, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of Class A common stock offered by us in this offering and the concurrent private placement, for

 

   

Each person who we know beneficially owns more than five percent of any class of our voting securities;

 

   

Each of our directors;

 

   

Each of our named executive officers; and

 

   

All of our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table is Zillow, Inc., 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600, Seattle, Washington 98104.

 

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 13,706,147 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of May 31, 2011, which assumes the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock and the automatic conversion of all shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be converted upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of May 31, 2011. For purposes of the table below, we have assumed that              shares of Class A common stock and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock will be outstanding upon closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement. In computing the number of shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed outstanding shares of Class A common stock subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011 and the number of shares of Class B common stock held by that person. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

    Shares Beneficially Owned
Prior to Offering and Concurrent Private Placement

    Shares Beneficially Owned
After Offering and
Concurrent Private Placement

 
    Class A
Common Stock


    Class B
Common Stock

    %
Total
Voting
Power(1)


    Class A
Common Stock


    Class B
Common Stock

    %
Total
Voting
Power(1)


 

Name of Beneficial Owner


  Shares

    %

    Shares

    %

      Shares

    %

    Shares

    %

   

Officers and Directors:

                                                                               

Spencer M. Rascoff(2)

    561,963        4.0        —          —          *                        —          —             

Richard Barton(3)

    5,900,012        31.1        5,267,091        55.3        48.3                                           

Lloyd D. Frink(4)

    5,444,652        30.3        4,261,222        44.7        39.1                                           

David A. Beitel(5)

    736,121        5.3        —          —          *                        —          —             

Chad M. Cohen(6)

    46,773        *        —          —          *                        —          —             

Greg M. Schwartz(7)

    152,130        1.1        —          —          *                        —          —             

Erik Blachford(8)

    325,969        2.4        —          —          *                        —          —             

J. William Gurley(9)

    2,601,321        19.0        —          —          2.4                        —          —             

Jay C. Hoag(10)

    4,082,917        29.8        —          —          3.8                        —          —             

Gregory B. Maffei(11)

    325,968        2.4        —          —          *                        —          —             

Gordon Stephenson(12)

    114,312        *        —          —          *                        —          —             

All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(13)

    20,403,541        84.0        9,528,313        100.0        94.8                                           

5% Security Holders:

                                                                               

Benchmark Capital V, L.P.(14)

    2,596,884        19.0        —          —          2.4                        —          —             

TCV Funds(15)

    4,078,480        29.8        —          —          3.7                        —          —             

PAR Investment Partners, L.P.(16)

    1,512,289        11.0        —          —          1.4                        —          —             

 

100


Table of Contents

*   Represents beneficial ownership or total voting power of less than 1%.
(1)   Percentage total voting power represents voting power with respect to all outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, as a single group. Each holder of Class A common stock shall be entitled to one vote per share of Class A common stock and each holder of Class B common stock shall be entitled to 10 votes per share of Class B common stock. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single group on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of shareholders, unless otherwise required by law or our amended and restated articles of incorporation. The Class B common stock is convertible at any time by the holder into shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.
(2)   Includes 466,342 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(3)   Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned include 5,267,091 shares of Class B common stock and 619,608 shares of Class A common stock held by the Barton Descendants’ Trust dated December 30, 2004. Mr. Barton has investment power over the shares of Class A common stock held by the trust but cannot receive proceeds from the sale of the shares. Mr. Barton does not have voting power over the shares of Class A common stock held by the trust and therefore those shares have been excluded from the calculation of percentage of total voting power.
(4)   Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned include 4,261,222 shares of Class B common stock and 1,183,430 shares of Class A common stock held by the Frink Descendants’ Trust dated December 30, 2004. Mr. Frink has investment power over the shares of Class A common stock held by the trust but cannot receive proceeds from the sale of the shares. Mr. Frink does not have voting power over the shares of Class A common stock held by the trust and therefore those shares have been excluded from the calculation of percentage of total voting power.
(5)   Includes 229,287 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(6)   Includes 43,815 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(7)   Includes 145,730 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(8)   Includes 4,437 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(9)   Includes 4,437 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011 and 2,596,884 shares of Class A common stock held by Benchmark Capital Partners V, L.P., or BCP V. Mr. Gurley, one of our directors, is an affiliate of BCP V. Mr. Gurley disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all shares beneficially owned by BCP V, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares. See footnote 14 for discussion of the ownership by BCP V and its related entities.
(10)   Includes 4,437 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011. Mr. Hoag has the sole power to dispose and direct the disposition of such options and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such options, and the sole power to direct the vote of the shares of Class A common stock to be received upon exercise of the options. However, Mr. Hoag has transferred to TCV Management 2004, L.L.C., or TCM 2004, 100% of the pecuniary interest in such options and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of such options. Mr. Hoag is a member of TCM 2004, but disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares. In addition, includes 4,000,768 shares of common stock held by TCV V, L.P. and 77,712 shares held by TCV Member Fund, L.P., or together, the TCV Funds. Mr. Hoag, one of our directors, is an affiliate of each of the TCV Funds. Mr. Hoag disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all shares beneficially owned by the TCV Funds. Please see footnote 15 for a discussion of the ownership by the TCV Funds.
(11)   Includes 41,418 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(12)   Includes 11,833 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011. Includes 35,502 shares of Class A common stock held by the Stephenson Family LLC.
(13)   Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned include 1,063,139 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2011.
(14)   Consists of 2,596,884 shares of Class A common stock held by BCP V, as nominee for BCP V, Benchmark Founders’ Fund V, L.P., Benchmark Founders’ Fund V-A, L.P., Benchmark Founders’ Fund V-B, L.P. and related individuals, or the Benchmark Funds. Benchmark Capital Management Co. V, L.L.C., or BCMC V, is the general partner of BCP V. Mr. Gurley is a managing member of BCMC V and may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power over the shares held by the Benchmark Funds. The address of BCP V is 2480 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025.
(15)   Includes 4,000,768 shares of Class A common stock held by TCV V, L.P., or TCV V, and 77,712 shares of Class A common stock held by TCV Member Fund, L.P., or TCV MF and, together with TCV V, the TCV Funds. Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned after the offering and the concurrent private placement include              shares of Class A common stock and              shares of Class A common stock to be purchased by TCV V and TCV MF, respectively, in the concurrent private placement. The TCV Funds are organized as “blind pool” partnerships in which the limited partners (or equivalents) have no discretion over investment or sale decisions, are not able to withdraw from the TCV Funds, except under exceptional circumstances, and generally participate ratably in each investment made by the TCV Funds. Technology Crossover Management V, L.L.C., or TCM V, is the sole General Partner of TCV V, L.P. and a General Partner of TCV, MF. The investment activities of TCM V are managed by Mr. Hoag, one of our directors, Richard H. Kimball, John L. Drew, William J.G. Griffith, IV, and Jon Q. Reynolds, Jr., or together, the TCM Members, who share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the TCV Funds. The address for each of these persons and entities is c/o Technology Crossover Ventures, 528 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, California 94301.
(16)   Consists of 1,512,289 shares of Class A common stock held by PAR Investment Partners, L.P., or PAR. Shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned after the offering and the concurrent private placement include              shares of Class A common stock to be purchased in the concurrent private placement. PAR Capital Management, Inc., or PCM, as the general partner of PAR Group, L.P., which is the general partner of PAR, has investment discretion and voting control over shares held by PAR. Paul A. Reeder, III is president and a portfolio manager of PCM and exercises voting and dispositive power over the shares of Class A common stock held by PAR. The address of PAR is One International Place, Suite 2401, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

 

101


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

General

 

The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will become effective in connection with the completion of this offering. Copies of these documents will be included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The descriptions below of our capital stock reflect changes that will occur on or prior to the closing of this offering.

 

Upon the closing of this offering, our authorized capital stock will be 645,000,000 shares, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, consisting of the following three classes of stock:

 

   

600,000,000 shares designated as Class A common stock;

 

   

15,000,000 shares designated as Class B common stock; and

 

   

30,000,000 shares designated as preferred stock.

 

As of March 31, 2011, we had outstanding 13,644,750 shares of Class A common stock, held of record by 208 shareholders (which assumes the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock, and all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of our Class A common stock, both to be effected upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part), and 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock, held of record by two shareholders. In addition, as of March 31, 2011, 5,477,032 shares of our Class A common stock were subject to outstanding stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $4.27 per share. Upon the closing of the offering and the concurrent private placement, we will have              shares of Class A common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock options.

 

Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

 

Voting Rights

 

Since Zillow’s inception, we have had authorized Class A common stock, which has one vote per share, and authorized Class B common stock, which has ten votes per share. On any matter that is submitted to a vote of our shareholders, the holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share of Class A common stock and the holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes per share of Class B common stock. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single group on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of shareholders, unless otherwise required by law or our amended and restated articles of incorporation.

 

Under Washington law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation, holders of our Class A common stock and holders of our Class B common stock may each be entitled to vote as a separate voting group, or as a separate voting group with other classes that are affected in the same or a substantially similar way, on a proposed amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation that would:

 

   

effect an exchange or reclassification of all or part of the issued and outstanding shares of the class into shares of another class that would adversely affect the holders of the exchanged or reclassified class;

 

   

change the rights, preferences, or limitations of all or part of the issued and outstanding shares of the class that would adversely affect the holders of shares of the class;

 

   

change all or part of the issued and outstanding shares of the class into a different number of shares of the same class, that would adversely affect the holders of the class;

 

102


Table of Contents
   

limit or deny an existing preemptive right of all or part of the shares of the class;

 

   

cancel or otherwise adversely affect rights to distributions or dividends that have accumulated but have not yet been declared on all or part of the shares of the class; or

 

   

effect a redemption or cancellation of all or part of the shares of the class in exchange for cash or any other form of consideration other than shares of our capital stock.

 

Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single voting group, will be entitled to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose.

 

After this offering and the concurrent private placement, all of our Class B common stock will be controlled by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, and will represent             % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Because of our dual class structure, for the foreseeable future our founders will continue to be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors (with or without cause).

 

Dividends

 

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends that our board of directors may declare from time to time unless different treatment is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, each voting as a separate voting group. If a dividend is paid in the form of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, then holders of Class A common stock will receive Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will receive Class B common stock.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A common stock then held by each (assuming the conversion of all shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock) in our assets available for distribution to the shareholders after the payment of any liabilities and the liquidation preferences on any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Redemption

 

Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are not redeemable.

 

Preemptive Rights

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that no preemptive rights shall exist with respect to shares of our stock or securities convertible into shares of our stock, except to the extent provided by written agreement.

 

Conversion

 

All of the Class B common stock is currently held by Richard Barton or Lloyd Frink, each of whom we refer to in this “Conversion” section as a “founder.” Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of Class A common stock. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except for (i) certain transfers described in our amended and restated articles of incorporation, so long as the founder who transfers the Class B common stock continues to hold exclusive voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares transferred or (ii) transfers between the founders or entities through which a founder holds exclusive voting and dispositive power with respect to the Class B common stock.

 

103


Table of Contents

In the event of the death or mental disability of a founder, each share of such founder’s Class B common stock will convert into one share of Class A common stock, except as set forth below. If a founder (whom we refer to as the transferring founder), or an entity that holds Class B common stock with respect to which such founder holds exclusive voting and dispositive power, transfers voting control of shares of Class B common stock to the other founder contingent or effective upon the transferring founder’s death or mental disability, then the transferring founder’s death or mental disability will not immediately trigger a conversion to Class A common stock, provided that the shares of Class B common stock as to which voting control was transferred shall convert to Class A common stock no later than nine months after the death or mental disability of the transferring founder. Further, if one founder dies or becomes mentally disabled simultaneously with when the other founder dies or becomes mentally disabled, the founders’ death or mental disability will not immediately trigger a conversion to Class A common stock if voting control of the founders’ shares of Class B common stock is transferred to a trustee designated by the founders and approved by the board of directors, provided that the shares of Class B common stock as to which voting control was transferred shall convert to Class A common stock no later than nine months after the death or mental disability of the founders.

 

Once converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock may not be reissued.

 

Except for the issuance of Class B common stock in connection with dividends or distributions in accordance with the amended and restated articles of incorporation, we will not issue additional shares of Class B common stock unless the issuance is approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, each voting as a separate voting group.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Immediately prior to the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement, our outstanding convertible preferred stock will be converted into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock. After such conversion and pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our board of directors will have the authority to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, including preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of other shares of our capital stock, without further action by shareholders, other than approval by or written agreement of holders of at least a majority of our outstanding Class B common stock, which is held by our two founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink (which we refer to as the approval right), or in lieu of such approval or written agreement, approval by our board of directors including a founder in his capacity as a member of our board of directors. The approval right will terminate when the Class B common stock represents less than 7% of the aggregate number of shares of the outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Subject to this approval right, our board of directors will also have the authority to fix the voting rights, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, liquidation rights, redemption rights, conversion rights and voting rights. The issuance of preferred stock may decrease the market price of the Class A common stock. We have no plans at this time to issue any preferred stock.

 

Registration Rights

 

We are party to an investors’ rights agreement with significant holders of our convertible preferred stock (which preferred stock will be converted into 9,276,190 shares of our Class A common stock in connection with this offering), who we refer to in this section as the “eligible investors,” and Richard Barton, Lloyd Frink, the Barton Descendants’ Trust and the Frink Descendants’ Trust, who we refer to collectively in this “Registration Rights” section as our “founders”. Under this agreement, the eligible investors and our founders are entitled to the registration rights described below with respect to an aggregate of              shares of our Class A common stock (assuming conversion of the outstanding convertible preferred stock and Class C common stock in connection with this offering, and conversion of Class B common stock) and the shares purchased by funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, and by PAR Investment Partners, L.P., in the concurrent private

 

104


Table of Contents

placement, which we refer to in this section as the “registrable securities.” These registration rights enable the eligible investors and our founders to offer and sell registered shares of our Class A common stock, after the expiration of the lock-up provisions described elsewhere in this prospectus, without restriction (including in public markets) under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective.

 

We are required to pay for all expenses, other than underwriting discounts, commissions and stock transfer taxes, incurred in connection with the registration of the registrable securities. Under the investors’ rights agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the holders of the registrable securities against specified liabilities under state and federal securities laws, including liabilities under the Securities Act. No holder of registrable securities will be entitled to registration rights under the investors’ rights agreement after the earlier of (a) five years after the closing of this offering, or (b) as to any holder, the time after this offering at which the holder holds 1% or less of our outstanding Class A common stock and all registrable securities held by the holder can be sold in any three-month period without registration in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

Demand Registration Rights

 

Pursuant to the investors’ rights agreement, the eligible investors and our founders are entitled to the demand registration rights described in this section. At any time beginning after the six-month anniversary of this offering, any one of the three largest holders of our convertible preferred stock prior to this offering, who we refer to in this section as the “major investors,” or one or more of our founders holding in the aggregate at least 30% of our Class B common stock, including for this purpose, any Class A common stock issued in conversion of such Class B common stock, may request that we register all or a portion of their registrable securities so long as the anticipated aggregate offering price is in excess of $20 million. In that case, all of the eligible investors and our founders will be entitled to participate in the registration. We will not be required to effect a demand registration during the period beginning 90 days prior to the filing, and ending 180 days following the effectiveness, of a registration statement we initiate relating to a public offering of our securities. Subject to specified conditions, we may defer a demand registration for up to 90 days in a 12-month period. Further, we will not be required to effect a demand registration for a major investor if we have previously effected two demand registrations initiated by one or more major investors. Similarly, we will not be required to effect a demand registration for one of our founders if we have previously effected two demand registrations initiated by one or more of our founders. In an underwritten offering, the underwriter has the right, subject to conditions, to limit the number of registrable securities that the eligible investors and our founders may include in the registration. In that case, the number of shares that may be included in the underwritten offering will be apportioned between the eligible investors and our founders so that the eligible investors may include 65% of the total number of securities to be included in the offering and our founders may include 35% of the total number of securities to be included in the offering.

 

Piggyback Registration Rights

 

The eligible investors and our founders may elect to include their registrable securities in any registration statement we file under the Securities Act to register any of our securities, subject to exceptions, and also to include those shares in any underwritten offering contemplated by that registration statement. We are not required to include in any registration and underwriting the shares that the holders elect to include in a registration statement where the underwriter determines in good faith that the inclusion of the shares would jeopardize the success of the offering, so long as the total number of shares of the holders included in the offering is not reduced below 30% of the total number of registrable securities included in the offering. In the event the underwriter determines to limit the participation of the eligible investors and our founders, the shares those holders may include in the registration will be apportioned between the eligible investors and our founders so that the eligible investors may include 65% of the total number of securities to be offered by those holders and our founders may include 35% of the total number of securities to be offered by those holders. In connection with this offering, the eligible investors and our founders were entitled, and those holders representing the necessary percentage of registrable securities waived their rights, to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering.

 

105


Table of Contents

Form S-3 Registration Rights

 

If and when we become eligible to file registration statements on Form S-3, the eligible investors and our founders may require us, upon request of a major investor or one or more of our founders holding an aggregate of at least 30% of our Class B common stock, including, for this purpose, any Class A common stock issued in conversion of such Class B common stock, to file additional registration statements on Form S-3 to register their registrable securities so long as the proposed aggregate offering amount is at least $10 million for each registration. We do not have to effect a Form S-3 registration in response to a major investor’s request if we have, within the preceding 12-month period, already effected two Form S-3 registrations at the request of one or more major investors. Similarly, we do not have to effect a Form S-3 registration in response to a founder’s request if we have, within the preceding 12-month period, already effected two Form S-3 registrations at the request of one or more of our founders. In addition, subject to specified conditions, we may defer a Form S-3 registration for up to 90 days in a 12-month period.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws and Washington Law

 

Provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and Washington law could have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring us, even if the acquisition would benefit our shareholders. These provisions, which are summarized below, may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt of our company that a shareholder might consider in the shareholder’s best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our shareholders. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors and to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited proposal for a takeover that does not contemplate the acquisition of all of our outstanding shares, or an unsolicited proposal for our restructuring or sale of all or part of our business. Some of these provisions will become effective only after the date, which we refer to as the threshold date, on which the Class B common stock held by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, represents less than 7% of the aggregate number of shares of the outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

 

Dual Class Structure

 

As discussed above, our Class B common stock has 10 votes per share, while our Class A common stock, which is the class of stock we are selling in this offering and in the concurrent private placement, and which will be the only class of stock which is publicly traded, has one vote per share. After this offering and the concurrent private placement, all of our Class B common stock will be controlled by our founders, Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, and will represent         % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Because of our dual class structure, for the foreseeable future our founders will continue to be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors and significant corporate transactions such as a merger or other sale of us or of our assets. In addition, until the threshold date our founders will be able to call meetings of shareholders and fill vacancies on the board, and directors may be removed with or without cause. The concentrated control described above could also delay, defer or prevent a change of control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us that other shareholders may support, and could discourage a potential acquiror from initiating such a transaction.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares of Class A Common Stock and Preferred Stock

 

Our authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock are available for our board of directors to issue without shareholder approval (except to the extent described above under “Preferred Stock”). To the extent described above in “Preferred Stock”, our board of directors has the authority under our amended and restated articles of incorporation to issue preferred stock with rights superior to the rights of our Class A common stock. As a result, preferred stock could be issued quickly, could adversely affect the rights of holders of Class A common stock and could be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change of control or

 

106


Table of Contents

make removal of management more difficult. We may use the additional authorized shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of our authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other transaction.

 

Classified Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the directors in each class serving for three-year terms, and one class being elected annually by our shareholders. Prior to the threshold date, our directors can be removed with or without cause by holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, and vacancies on the board of directors may be filled by such shareholders voting together as a single group, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by the sole remaining director. After the threshold date, our directors can be removed only for cause and vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by the sole remaining director. Further, both before and after the threshold date, only our board of directors may change the size of our board of directors. Because, after the threshold date, this system of electing, appointing and removing directors generally makes it more difficult for shareholders to replace a majority of our board of directors, it may discourage a third party from initiating a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of our company, and may maintain the incumbency of our board of directors.

 

Limits on Ability of Shareholders to Act by Written Consent or Call Special Meetings of Shareholders

 

Washington law limits the ability of shareholders of public companies from acting by written consent by requiring unanimous written consent for a shareholder action to be effective. This limit on the ability of our shareholders to act by less than unanimous written consent may lengthen the amount of time required to take shareholder actions. In addition, our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or (prior to the threshold date) holders of at least 25% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. After the threshold date, only the chairman of our board of directors, our board of directors, our chief executive officer or our president may call a special meeting of shareholders.

 

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholders Proposals and Director Nominations

 

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to bring business before a meeting of shareholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of shareholders, must provide us with timely written notice of their proposal. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Amendment to Our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that shareholders can amend or repeal the bylaws only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group.

 

Unless approved by a majority of our “continuing directors,” as that term is defined in our amended and restated articles of incorporation, specified provisions of our articles of incorporation may not be amended or

 

107


Table of Contents

repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting power of our capital stock entitled to vote on the action, including the following provisions:

 

   

those requiring the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, in order for shareholders to amend or repeal our bylaws;

 

   

those dividing our board of directors into three classes;

 

   

those providing that, after the threshold date, directors are removable only for cause;

 

   

those permitting, after the threshold date, only a majority of the members of our board of directors or the sole remaining director to fill vacancies on our board;

 

   

those providing that only our board of directors may change the size of our board of directors;

 

   

those requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single group, to amend specified provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation; and

 

   

those providing that special meetings of shareholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or (prior to the threshold date) holders of at least 25% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

 

Washington Law

 

Chapter 23B.19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, with limited exceptions, prohibits a “target corporation” from engaging in specified “significant business transactions” for a period of five years after the share acquisition by an acquiring person, unless (a) the significant business transaction or the acquiring person’s purchase of shares was approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s board of directors prior to the acquiring person’s share acquisition or (b) the significant business transaction was both approved by the majority of the members of the target corporation’s board and authorized at a shareholder meeting by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares (excluding the acquiring person’s shares or shares over which the acquiring person has voting control) at or subsequent to the acquiring person’s share acquisition. An “acquiring person” is defined as a person or group of persons that beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the target corporation. Significant business transactions include, among other transactions:

 

   

mergers, share exchanges or consolidations with, dispositions of assets to, or issuances of stock to or redemptions of stock from, the acquiring person;

 

   

termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation employed in Washington over a five-year period as a result of the acquiring person’s acquisition of 10% or more of the shares;

 

   

allowing the acquiring person to receive any disproportionate benefit as a shareholder; and

 

   

liquidating or dissolving the target corporation.

 

After the five-year period, “significant business transactions” are permitted, as long as they comply with the “fair price” provisions of the statute or are approved by a majority of the outstanding shares other than those of which the acquiring person has beneficial ownership. A corporation may not “opt out” of this statute.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

Upon the completion of this offering, the transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.

 

Listing

 

We have applied to have our Class A common stock approved for listing on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “Z.”

 

108


Table of Contents

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock, and although we expect that our Class A common stock will be approved for listing on The Nasdaq Global Market, an active public market for our Class A common stock may not develop following this offering. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales by our existing shareholders of shares of Class A common stock, or the availability of shares of Class A common stock for sale, will have on the market price of our Class A common stock prevailing from time to time. Sales by our existing shareholders of substantial amounts of Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could reduce the market price of our Class A common stock and impair our future ability to raise capital through the sale of equity securities.

 

Upon completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, based on our shares outstanding as of March 31, 2011, and after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock and Class C common stock into shares of Class A common stock, we will have              shares of Class A common stock outstanding and, 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options. Of the outstanding shares, all of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable, except that (1) any shares held or acquired by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, will be subject to the volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144 described below and (2) any person buying shares through the directed share program has agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, he or she will not, without the prior written consent of Citi, dispose of or hedge any shares purchased in the program. The remaining              shares of Class A common stock, including the              shares to be issued in the concurrent private placement, and the 9,528,313 shares of Class B common stock, will be “restricted securities” as defined under Rule 144 and also will be subject to the lock-up provisions described below or similar market standoff agreements between us and our shareholders. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration, including, among others, the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

 

Rule 144

 

In general, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our Class A common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell his or her shares provided that (1) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months before, the sale and (2) we have been subject to and satisfied the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. If such person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then such person is entitled to sell the shares regardless of whether we have been subject to and satisfied the Exchange Act reporting requirements.

 

A person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our Class A common stock for at least six months, but who is one of our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the 90 days before, the sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of our Class A common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately              shares immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding stock options, based on the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2011, and after giving effect to the conversion of all shares of our outstanding convertible preferred stock and shares of Class C common stock into shares of Class A common stock; and

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our Class A common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market during the four calendar weeks before the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale;

 

109


Table of Contents

provided, in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Such sales by affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale and notice provisions of Rule 144.

 

Rule 701

 

In general, under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, a person who purchased shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates during the immediately preceding 90 days may sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information requirements or holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after we have become subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements before selling their shares.

 

As of March 31, 2011, 1,223,087 shares of our outstanding Class A common stock had been issued in reliance on Rule 701 as a result of stock option exercises. All of these shares are subject to the lock-up agreements described below or similar market standoff agreements with us.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

We, our officers and directors and substantially all of our shareholders have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citi, dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our capital stock. Citi in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

 

If, however, at any time beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, (i) we have filed with the SEC at least one quarterly report on Form 10-Q, (ii) the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market is at least 33% greater than the initial public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus for 20 trading days out of any 30 trading day period ending after the 90th day following the date of this prospectus (which 30 trading day period may begin prior to such 90th day), and (iii) the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on the last day of that 30 trading day period described in clause (ii) is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price, then 25% of each holder’s capital stock that is subject to the 180-day restrictions described above as of immediately prior to the opening of The Nasdaq Global Market on the day following the end of the 30 trading day period, or the initial release date, will be automatically released from those restrictions on the initial release date, provided that none of the underwriters named under the section entitled “Underwriting” in this prospectus has published research on us within 15 days prior to the day following the initial release date. If an underwriter of this offering has published research on us within 15 days prior to the day following the initial release date, the initial release date will be deferred until the expiration of the 15-day period beginning on, and including, the date such research is published. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs during the last 17-day period of the 180-day restricted period or the last 17-day period prior to the initial release date, or (ii) prior to the initial release date or the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the initial release date or the last day of the 180-day restricted period, then, in either case, the initial release date will be deferred or the 180-day restricted period will be extended, as applicable, and the restrictions of the lock-up agreements will continue to apply, until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on, and including, the issuance of the earnings release or material news or occurrence of the material event, unless Citi waives, in writing, such extension or deferral.

 

In addition, each person buying shares through the directed share program has agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, he or she will not, without the prior written consent of Citi, dispose of or hedge any shares purchased in the program.

 

110


Table of Contents

Registration Rights

 

Pursuant to an investors’ rights agreement, the holders of approximately 20,151,712 shares of our Class A common stock (including shares issuable upon the conversion of our outstanding convertible preferred stock and our Class C common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering and assuming the conversion of our Class B common stock at the option of the holders thereof), or their transferees, will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the offer and sale of those shares under the Securities Act. For a description of these registration rights, see “Description of Capital Stock — Registration Rights.” If the offer and sale of these shares is registered, the shares will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, and a large number of shares may be sold into the public market. If such sale occurs, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline. In addition, in connection with the concurrent private placement, we have agreed to extend certain registration rights, after the expiration of the lockup provisions described elsewhere in this prospectus, to funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures and to PAR Investment Partners, L.P., pursuant to which, under certain conditions, we will register shares of our Class A common stock held by funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures and by PAR Investment Partners, L.P., for resale on a registration statement on Form S-3.

 

Stock Options

 

As of March 31, 2011, options to purchase a total of 5,477,032 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan were outstanding, of which options to purchase 2,549,422 shares were exercisable, and no options were outstanding or exercisable under our 2011 Incentive Plan. We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the closing of this offering to register shares that may be issued pursuant to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and our 2011 Incentive Plan. The registration statement is expected to become effective immediately upon filing, and shares covered by the registration statement will then become eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to the Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates, vesting restrictions and any applicable lock-up agreements. For a more complete discussion of our equity incentive plans, see “Executive Compensation — Employee Benefit and Stock Plans.”

 

111


Table of Contents

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based on the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, which could result in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different than those summarized below. We have not sought a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

 

This summary does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction and is limited to investors who will hold our Class A common stock as a capital asset for tax purposes. This summary does not address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular investor in light of the investor’s circumstances or to certain categories of non-U.S. investors that may be subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

   

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations or tax-qualified retirement plans;

 

   

real estate investment trusts or regulated investment companies;

 

   

controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

dealers in securities or currencies;

 

   

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

   

persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

   

certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

persons who hold our Class A common stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction; or

 

   

persons deemed to sell our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In addition, if a partnership (including any entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Class A common stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and on the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold our Class A common stock and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors.

 

The following discussion of material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to non-U.S. holders is for general information only. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

 

112


Table of Contents

Non-U.S. Holder Defined

 

For purposes of this discussion, you are a non-U.S. holder if you are any holder other than (i) a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, (ii) a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that was created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust that either is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and has one or more U.S. persons with authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

Distributions on Class A Common Stock

 

If we make distributions on our Class A common stock, these distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent these distributions exceed both our current and our accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce your basis in our Class A common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock.

 

Any dividend paid to you generally will be subject to withholding either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, you must provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 properly certifying qualification for the reduced rate. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of withholding pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. If you hold our Class A common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

 

Dividends received by you that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such dividend is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States) are exempt from withholding. In order to claim this exemption, you must provide us with an IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying exemption. Effectively connected dividends, although not subject to withholding, are taxed at the same graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. In addition, if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, dividends you receive that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are entities rather than individuals.

 

Gain on Disposition of Class A Common Stock

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding recent legislative withholding developments, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States);

 

   

you are an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; or

 

113


Table of Contents
   

our Class A common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest by reason of our status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or your holding period for our Class A common stock.

 

If you are described in the first bullet above, you will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale at the same graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons (net of certain deductions and credits), and if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, you may be subject to the branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are described in the second bullet above, you will be required to pay a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which tax may be offset by U.S. source capital losses (even though you are not considered a resident of the United States).

 

We believe that we are not currently and will not become a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if we become a USRPHC, however, as long as our Class A common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, our Class A common stock will be treated as a U.S. real property interest only if you actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such regularly traded Class A common stock at any time during the applicable period specified in the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Federal Estate Tax

 

Our Class A common stock beneficially owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be includable in the decedent’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and therefore may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to you, your name and address, and the amount of tax withheld, if any, regardless of whether withholding is reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty. A similar report is sent to you. Pursuant to applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make these reports available to tax authorities in your country of residence.

 

Payments of dividends on or the gross proceeds of disposition of our Class A common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a current rate of 28% unless you establish an exemption, for example by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on a Form W-8BEN or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that you are a U.S. person.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to you under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information or returns are furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

Recent Legislative Developments

 

Recent legislation generally imposes withholding at a rate of 30% on payments to certain foreign entities (including financial institutions, which include hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, securitization vehicles and other investment vehicles regardless of size), after December 31, 2012, of dividends on and the gross proceeds of dispositions of U.S. common stock, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (that are different from, and in addition to, the beneficial owner certification requirements described above) have been satisfied that generally relate to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible implications of this legislation on your investment in our Class A common stock.

 

114


Table of Contents

UNDERWRITING

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager of this offering and as representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter                                                                          


   Number
of Shares


 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

        

Allen & Company

        

Pacific Crest Securities LLC

        

ThinkEquity LLC

        

First Washington Corporation

        
    


Total

        
    


 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

 

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $             per share. If all the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The representative has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.

 

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to              additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any shares issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares that are the subject of this offering.

 

We, our officers and directors and substantially all of our shareholders have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citi, dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our capital stock. Citi in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

 

If, however, at any time beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, (i) we have filed with the SEC at least one quarterly report on Form 10-Q, (ii) the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market is at least 33% greater than the initial public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus for 20 trading days out of any 30 trading day period ending after the 90th day following the date of this prospectus (which 30 trading day period may begin prior to such 90th day), and (iii) the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on the last day of that 30 trading day period described in clause (ii) is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price, then 25% of each holder’s capital stock that is subject to the 180-day restrictions described above as of immediately prior to the opening of The Nasdaq Global Market on the day following the end of the 30 trading day period, or the initial release date, will be automatically released from those restrictions on the initial release date provided that none of the underwriters have published

 

115


Table of Contents

research on us within 15 days prior to the day following the initial release date. If an underwriter has published research on us within 15 days prior to the day following the initial release date, the initial release date will be deferred until the expiration of the 15-day period beginning on, and including, the date such research is published. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs during the last 17-day period of the 180-day restricted period or the last 17-day period prior to the initial release date, or (ii) prior to the initial release date or the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the initial release date or the last day of the 180-day restricted period, then, in either case, the initial release date will be deferred or the 180-day restricted period will be extended, as applicable, and the restrictions of the lock-up agreements will continue to apply, until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on, and including, the issuance of the earnings release or material news or the occurrence of the material event, unless Citi waives, in writing, such extension or deferral.

 

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 5% of the shares for sale at the initial public offering price to persons who are directors, officers or employees, or who are otherwise associated with us through a directed share program. The number of shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced by the number of directed shares purchased by participants in the program. Each person buying shares through the directed share program has agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, he or she will not, without the prior written consent of Citi, dispose of or hedge any shares purchased in the program. Citi in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. Any directed shares not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as all other shares offered. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in connection with the sales of the directed shares.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the shares was determined by negotiations between us and the representative. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our results of operations, our current financial condition, our future prospects, our markets, the economic conditions in and future prospects for the industry in which we compete, our management, and currently prevailing general conditions in the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the shares will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our shares will develop and continue after this offering.

 

We have applied to have our Class A common stock approved for listing on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “Z.”

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

     Paid by Us

 
     No Exercise

     Full Exercise

 

Per share

   $            $        

Total

   $         $     

 

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering will be $            . The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for certain expenses in connection with this offering.

 

116


Table of Contents

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, and stabilizing purchases.

 

   

Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering.

 

   

“Covered” short sales are sales of shares in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

   

“Naked” short sales are sales of shares in an amount in excess of the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

   

Covering transactions involve purchases of shares either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.

 

   

To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

   

To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. They may also cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on The Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

 

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), including each Relevant Member State that has implemented the 2010 PD Amending Directive with regard to persons to whom an offer of securities is addressed and the denomination per unit of the offer of securities (each, an “Early Implementing Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”), no offer of shares will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State (other than offers (the “Permitted Public Offers”) where a prospectus will be published in relation to the shares that has been approved by the competent authority in a Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus

 

117


Table of Contents

Directive), except that with effect from and including that Relevant Implementation Date, offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

   

to “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive; or

 

   

to fewer than 100 (or, in the case of Early Implementing Member States, 150) natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares shall result in a requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or of a supplement to a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

Each person in a Relevant Member State (other than a Relevant Member State where there is a Permitted Public Offer) who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that (A) it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive, and (B) in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Subscribers has been given to the offer or resale. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale. For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer of any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71 EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, in the case of Early Implementing Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

 

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in France

 

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the shares described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority

 

118


Table of Contents

of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the shares has been or will be:

 

   

released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or

 

   

used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the securities to the public in France.

 

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

   

to qualified investors ( investisseurs qualifiés ) and/or to a restricted circle of investors ( cercle restreint d’investisseurs ), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with Article L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier ;

 

   

to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or

 

   

in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1-or-2-or 3 of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations ( Règlement Général ) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers , does not constitute a public offer ( appel public à l’épargne ).

 

The shares may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier .

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

 

This prospectus relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale.

 

Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

 

The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

119


Table of Contents

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

 

The shares offered in this prospectus have not been registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

 

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

 

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

   

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

   

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

 

shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

   

to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA;

 

   

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or

 

   

where the transfer is by operation of law.

 

120


Table of Contents

CONCURRENT PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

Concurrent with the closing of this offering, funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, and PAR Investment Partners, L.P., will purchase from us in a private placement the number of shares of our Class A common stock with an aggregate purchase price equal to $5.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, this would be              shares. The sale of these shares to funds affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures and to PAR Investment Partners, L.P., will not be registered in this offering.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, Washington, which has acted as our counsel in connection with this offering, will pass upon the validity of the shares of Class A common stock being offered by this prospectus. The underwriters have been represented by Fenwick & West LLP, Seattle, Washington.

 

TWB Investment Partnership II, L.P., an entity affiliated with Perkins Coie LLP, beneficially owns shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock and Series C convertible preferred stock, which will be converted into an aggregate of 9,761 shares of our Class A common stock in connection with this offering and represents less than 0.1% of our outstanding capital stock.

 

EXPERTS

 

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements at December 31, 2009 and 2010, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, as set forth in their report. We have included our financial statements in the prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits filed with the registration statement. For further information about us and the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits filed with this prospectus.

 

Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. When we complete this offering, we will be required to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. For further information about us and our Class A common stock, you can inspect a copy of the registration statement and the exhibits and schedule to the registration statement without charge at the offices of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain copies of all or any part of the registration statement from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 upon paying the prescribed fees. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants like us that file electronically with the SEC. You can also inspect our registration statement on this website.

 

121


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Balance Sheets

     F-3   

Statements of Operations

     F-4   

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

     F-5   

Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-7   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Zillow, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Zillow, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Zillow, Inc. at December 31, 2009 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Seattle, Washington

April 18, 2011, except Note 15 as to which
the date is June 17, 2011

 

F-2


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

    December 31,

    March 31,
2011


    Pro Forma
March 31,
2011 (Note 2)


 
    2009

    2010

     
                (unaudited)  

Assets

                               

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 4,439      $ 12,278      $ 11,055           

Short-term investments

    11,652        1,499        4,499           

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $261, $501 and $522 at December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011, respectively

    2,868        3,984        3,729           

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    349        410        693           
   


 


 


       

Total current assets

    19,308        18,171        19,976           

Property and equipment, net

    4,409        4,929        4,994           

Goodwill

    —          —          1,035           

Intangible assets, net

    875        888        1,518           

Other assets

    16        25        997           
   


 


 


       

Total assets

  $ 24,608      $ 24,013      $ 28,520           
   


 


 


       

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

                               

Current liabilities:

                               

Accounts payable

  $ 423      $ 750      $ 1,267           

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    506        607        2,018           

Accrued compensation and benefits

   
873
  
   
1,318
  
   
1,327
  
       

Deferred revenue

    807        3,284        4,762           

Deferred rent, current portion

    267        271        270           
   


 


 


       

Total current liabilities

    2,876        6,230        9,644           

Deferred rent, net of current portion

    606        335        301           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

                               

Shareholders’ equity:

                               

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 70,000,000 shares authorized, 31,353,797 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); aggregate liquidation value of $81,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); no shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

    4        4        4      $ —     

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); 30,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma as of March 31, 2001 (unaudited)

    —          —          —          —     

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); 803,201, 1,290,602 and 2,062,580 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited), respectively; 600,000,000 shares authorized, 13,644,750 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

    —          —          —          1   

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 35,000,000 shares authorized, 9,528,313 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); 15,000,000 shares authorized, 9,528,313 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

    1        1        1        1   

Class C nonvoting common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 2,305,980 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and March 31, 2011 (unaudited); no shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma as of March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

    —          —          —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

    93,056        96,152        98,105        98,108   

Accumulated deficit

    (71,935     (78,709     (79,535     (79,535
   


 


 


 


Total shareholders’ equity

    21,126        17,448        18,575        18,575   
   


 


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 24,608      $ 24,013      $ 28,520      $ 28,520   
   


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
                       (unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 10,593      $ 17,491      $ 30,467      $ 5,331      $ 11,260   

Costs and expenses:

                                        

Cost of revenues

     4,198        4,042        4,973        1,162        1,817   

Sales and marketing

     7,481        9,654        14,996        3,117        5,484   

Technology and development

     15,048        11,260        10,651        2,534        2,996   

General and administrative

     5,770        5,501        6,684        1,341        1,828   
    


 


 


 


 


Total costs and expenses

     32,497        30,457        37,304        8,154        12,125   
    


 


 


 


 


Loss from operations

     (21,904     (12,966     (6,837     (2,823     (865

Other income

     687        111        63        17        39   
    


 


 


 


 


Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826
    


 


 


 


 


Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted

   $ (1.68   $ (1.02   $ (0.53   $ (0.22   $ (0.06
    


 


 


 


 


Weighted-average shares outstanding — basic and diluted

     12,593        12,613        12,770        12,640        13,347   
    


 


 


 


 


Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted (unaudited)

                   $ (0.31           $ (0.04
                    


         


Weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders — basic and diluted (unaudited)

                     22,046                22,623   
                    


         


 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

    Convertible Preferred Stock

    Class A
Common Stock


    Class B
Common Stock


    Class C
Common Stock


    Additional
Paid-In
Capital


    Accumulated
Deficit


    Total
Shareholders’
Equity


 
  Series A

    Series B

    Series C

             
  Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

    Shares

    Amount

       

Balance at December 31, 2007

    17,931,034      $ 2        6,933,103      $ 1        6,489,660      $ 1        750,017      $ —          9,528,313      $ 1        2,305,980      $ —        $ 88,902      $ (37,863   $ 51,044   

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options

    —          —          —          —          —          —          22,103        —          —          —          —          —          108        —          108   

Refund of Series C convertible preferred stock issuance costs

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          4        —          4   

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          1,901        —          1,901   

Net loss and total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (21,217     (21,217
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2008

    17,931,034        2        6,933,103        1        6,489,660        1        772,120        —          9,528,313        1        2,305,980        —          90,915        (59,080     31,840   

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options

    —          —          —          —          —          —          31,081        —          —          —          —          —          100        —          100   

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          2,041        —          2,041   

Net loss and total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (12,855     (12,855
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2009

    17,931,034        2        6,933,103        1        6,489,660        1        803,201        —         
9,528,313
  
    1        2,305,980        —          93,056        (71,935     21,126   

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options

    —          —          —          —          —          —          487,401        —          —          —          —          —          950        —          950   

Share-based compensation expense

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          2,146        —          2,146   

Net loss and total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (6,774     (6,774
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2010

    17,931,034        2        6,933,103        1        6,489,660        1        1,290,602        —          9,528,313        1        2,305,980        —          96,152        (78,709     17,448   

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options
(unaudited)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          564,878        —          —          —          —          —          657        —          657   

Share-based compensation expense (unaudited)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          491        —          491   

Class A common stock issued in connection with an acquisition (unaudited)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          207,100        —          —          —          —          —          805        —          805   

Net loss and total comprehensive loss (unaudited)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (826     (826
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2011
(unaudited)

    17,931,034      $ 2        6,933,103      $ 1        6,489,660      $ 1        2,062,580      $ —          9,528,313      $ 1        2,305,980      $ —        $ 98,105      $ (79,535   $ 18,575   
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2008

    2009

    2010

    2010

    2011

 
                       (unaudited)  

Operating activities

                                        

Net loss

   $ (21,217   $ (12,855   $ (6,774   $ (2,806   $ (826

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                                        

Depreciation and amortization

     8,147        6,407        5,262        1,228        1,526   

Share-based compensation expense

     1,521        1,651        1,715        412        390   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     416        44        161        —          20   

Bad debt expense

     20        10        240        (27     21   

Deferred rent

     (176     (246     (266     (64     (35

Accretion of bond discount

     (214     (15     (5     —          (2

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                        

Accounts receivable

     (1,092     (607     (1,356     (233     234   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     130        308        (69     (261     (1,259

Accounts payable

     (24     59        327        228        517   

Accrued expenses

     (456     385        546        110        1,420   

Deferred revenue

     (65     642        2,477        571        1,478   
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (13,010     (4,217     2,258        (842     3,484   

Investing activities

                                        

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

     33,500        19,050        18,582        3,000        500   

Purchases of short-term investments

     (34,506     (29,467     (8,425     (980     (3,498

Purchases of property and equipment

     (4,408     (3,622     (4,896     (1,224     (1,236

Purchases of intangible assets

     (365     (455     (630     (100     (130

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

     —          —          —          —          (1,000
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (5,779     (14,494     4,631        696        (5,364

Financing activities

                                        

Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options

     112        100        950        5        657   
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     112        100        950        5        657   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during period

     (18,677     (18,611     7,839        (141     (1,223

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     41,727        23,050        4,439        4,439        12,278   
    


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 23,050      $ 4,439      $ 12,278      $ 4,298      $ 11,055   
    


 


 


 


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Noncash transactions:

                                        

Capitalized share-based compensation

   $ 380      $ 390      $ 431      $ 113      $ 101   
    


 


 


 


 


Deferred offering costs not yet paid

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 976   
    


 


 


 


 


Class A common stock issued in connection with an acquisition

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 805   
    


 


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 1.    Organization and Description of Business

 

Zillow, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) was incorporated as a Washington corporation effective December 13, 2004. We operate a real estate information marketplace dedicated to providing vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages and enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals.

 

Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties

 

We operate in a dynamic industry and, accordingly, can be affected by a variety of factors. For example, we believe that changes in any of the following areas could have a significant negative effect on us in terms of our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows: rates of revenue growth; engagement and usage of our products; scaling and adaptation of existing technology and network infrastructure; competition in our market; management of our growth; acquisitions and investments; qualified employees and key personnel; protection of our brand and intellectual property; changes in government regulation affecting our business; intellectual property infringement and other claims; protection of customers’ information and privacy concerns; and security measures related to our website, among other things.

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Estimates are used for revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, website development costs, recoverability of intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets and for share-based compensation. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments, or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application.

 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

 

The accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2011, the statements of operations and the statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 and the statement of shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are unaudited. The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of March 31, 2011 and results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes to financial statements related to the three month periods are unaudited. The results of the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2011 or for any other interim period or for any other future year.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet and Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement, (1) all of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock, assuming we raise at least $40.0 million and (2) all of the outstanding shares of Class C common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. The March 31, 2011 unaudited pro forma balance sheet data has been prepared assuming the conversion of the convertible preferred stock outstanding into 9,276,190 shares of Class A common stock and the conversion of the Class C common stock into 2,305,980 shares of Class A common stock. Unaudited pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2011 has been computed to give effect to the automatic conversion of the convertible preferred stock and Class C common stock (using the if-converted method) into Class A common stock as though the conversion had occurred on the original dates of issuance.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions, which management assesses to be of high credit quality, in order to limit exposure of our investments.

 

Our credit risk on accounts receivable is mitigated by the relatively short payment terms that we offer. Collateral is not required for accounts receivable. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts such that receivables are stated at their net realizable value.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

Deferred offering costs of $1.0 million are included in other assets in the balance sheet as of March 31, 2011. Upon the consummation of the initial public offering, these amounts will be offset against the proceeds of the offering and included in shareholders’ equity. If the offering is terminated, the deferred offering costs will be expensed. There were no amounts capitalized as of December 31, 2010.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds as well as certificates of deposit with financial institutions. We regularly maintain cash in excess of federally insured limits at financial institutions.

 

Short-Term Investments

 

As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011, our investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities with original maturities when purchased greater than three months but less than 12 months. The U.S. Treasury securities are classified as held-to-maturity and are recorded at amortized cost, as we do not intend to sell the investments, and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these investments prior to maturity. The amortized cost of the U.S. Treasury securities approximates fair value.

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days and are recorded net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We consider accounts outstanding longer than the contractual terms past due. We review accounts receivable on a regular basis and estimate an amount of losses for uncollectible accounts based on our historical

 

F-8


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

collections experience, age of the receivable, knowledge of the customer and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. We record changes in our estimate to the allowance for doubtful accounts through bad debt expense and relieve the allowance when accounts are ultimately determined to be uncollectible. Bad debt expense is included in general and administrative expenses.

 

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months Ended
March 31,

 
       2008  

      2009  

      2010  

    2011

 
           (unaudited)  

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

                                

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 231      $ 251      $ 261      $  501   

Additions charged to expense

     61        314        377        88   

Less: write-offs, net of recoveries and other adjustments

     (41     (304     (137     (67
    


 


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 251      $ 261      $ 501      $ 522   
    


 


 


 


 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The useful lives are as follows:

 

Computer equipment

   3 years

Office equipment, furniture, and fixtures

   5 to 7 years

Purchased software

   3 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of expected useful life or lease term

 

Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major improvements, which extend the useful life of the related asset, are capitalized. Upon disposal of a fixed asset, we record a gain or loss based on the differences between the proceeds received and the net book value of the disposed asset.

 

Website and Software Development Costs

 

The costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental and deemed by management to be significant, are capitalized in property and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including those costs in the post-implementation stages) are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software that result in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. Amortization expense is included in technology and development expense.

 

Capitalized development activities placed in service are amortized over the expected useful lives of those releases, currently estimated at one year. The estimated useful lives of website and software development activities are reviewed frequently and adjusted as appropriate to reflect upcoming development activities that may include significant upgrades and/or enhancements to the existing functionality.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition. We assess the impairment of goodwill on an annual basis, in our fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired.

 

We assess goodwill for possible impairment using a two-step process. The first step identifies if there is potential goodwill impairment. If step one indicates that an impairment may exist, a second step is performed to measure the amount of the goodwill impairment, if any. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. If impairment exists, the carrying value of the goodwill is reduced to fair value through an impairment charge recorded in our statements of operations.

 

Intangible Assets

 

We purchase and license data content, from multiple data providers. This data content consists of U.S. county data about home details (e.g., the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage) and other information relating to the purchase price of homes —both current and historical, as well as imagery, mapping and parcel data that is displayed on our website. Our home details data not only provides information about a home and its related transactions which is displayed on our website, but is also used in our proprietary valuation algorithms to produce Zestimates, Rent Zestimates and Zillow Home Value Indexes. License agreement terms vary by vendor. In some instances, we retain perpetual rights to this information after the contract ends; in other instances, the information and data are licensed only during the fixed term of the agreement. Additionally, certain data license agreements provide for uneven payment amounts throughout the life of the contract term.

 

We capitalize payments made to third parties for data licenses that we expect to provide future economic benefit through the recovery of the costs of these arrangements via the generation of our revenues and margins. For data license contracts that include uneven payment amounts, we capitalize the payments as they are made as an intangible asset and amortize the total contract value over the estimated useful life. For contracts in which we have perpetual rights to the data, the total contract value is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract plus two years, which is equivalent to the estimated useful life of the asset. For contracts in which we do not have access to the data beyond the contractual term, the total contract value is amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the contract. We evaluate data content contracts for potential capitalization at the inception of the arrangement as well as each time periodic payments to third parties are made.

 

The amortization period for the capitalized purchased content is based on our best estimate of the useful life of the asset. This includes consideration of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, our assessment of the expected use of the asset and contractual provisions that may limit the useful life, as well as an assessment of when the data is expected to become obsolete based on our estimates of the diminishing value of the data over time. We evaluate the useful life of the capitalized purchased data content each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life. If we determine the estimate of the asset’s useful life requires modification, the carrying amount of the asset is amortized prospectively over the revised useful life. The capitalized purchased data content is amortized on a straight-line basis as the pattern of delivery of the economic benefits of the data cannot reliably be determined because we do not have the ability to reliably predict future traffic to our website and mobile applications.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

Under certain other data agreements, the underlying data is obtained on a subscription basis with consistent monthly recurring payment terms over the contractual period. Upon the expiration of such arrangements, we no longer have the right to access the related data, and therefore, the costs incurred under such contracts are not capitalized and are expensed as payments are made.

 

We also have intangible assets for developed technology, customer relationships and trademarks which we recorded in connection with our March 2011 acquisition of the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company. These intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

 

Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that they may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. We group assets for purposes of such review at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows of the asset group are largely independent of the cash flows of the other groups of assets and liabilities. If this comparison indicates impairment, the amount of impairment to be recognized is calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset group.

 

Deferred Revenue

 

Deferred revenue consists of prepaid but unrecognized subscription revenue, advertising fees received or billed in advance of the delivery or completion of the services and for amounts received in instances when revenue recognition criteria have not been met. Deferred revenue is recognized when the services are provided and all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

 

Deferred Rent

 

For our operating leases, we recognize rent expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases and, accordingly, we record the difference between cash rent payments and the recognition of rent expenses as a deferred rent liability. We have landlord-funded leasehold improvements that are recorded as deferred rent liabilities, which are being amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the noncancelable terms of the operating leases.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenue is primarily derived from advertising services. In general, we recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered to the customer, (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We consider a signed agreement, a binding insertion order or other similar documentation reflecting the terms and conditions under which products or services will be provided to be persuasive evidence of an arrangement. Collectability is assessed based on a number of factors, including payment history and the creditworthiness of a customer. If it is determined that collection is not reasonably assured, revenue is not recognized until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

Our revenues include marketplace revenues and display revenues:

 

Marketplace Revenues.     Marketplace revenues consist of individual subscriptions sold to real estate agents under our Premier Agent program, and cost per click, or CPC, advertising related to our Zillow Mortgage Marketplace sold to mortgage lenders.

 

Subscription advertising revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis during the contractual period over which the advertising is delivered. Typical terms of our Premier Agent subscription contracts range from six to 12 months.

 

In Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, we present mortgage lenders’ quotes to consumers who request rates for mortgage loans. We recognize revenue when a user clicks on a mortgage advertisement or on a link to obtain additional information about a mortgage loan quote.

 

Display Revenues.     Display revenues primarily consist of graphical advertising sold on a cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, basis to advertisers. We recognize these revenues as impressions are delivered to users interacting with our website or mobile applications.

 

In 2009, one customer accounted for approximately 17% of our total revenues. There was no other single customer that generated 10% or more of our total revenues in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 or 2010 or during the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2011.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Our cost of revenues consists of expenses related to operating our website and mobile applications, including associated headcount expenses, such as salaries and benefits and share-based compensation and bonuses. Cost of revenues also includes credit card fees, ad serving costs paid to third parties, revenue sharing costs related to our commercial business relationships and facilities costs allocated on a headcount basis.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, expenses attributable to research and development for our business totaled $10.1 million, $7.7 million and $7.8 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, expenses attributable to research and development for our business totaled $1.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Research and development costs are recorded in technology and development expenses.

 

Segments

 

We have one reportable segment. Our reportable segment has been identified based on how our chief operating decision maker manages our business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance.

 

Other Income

 

Other income consists primarily of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

 

F-12


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

We measure compensation expenses for all share-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expenses over the service period for awards expected to vest. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to determine the fair-value for our awards and recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the awards’ vesting periods.

 

In valuing our options, we make assumptions about risk-free interest rates, dividend yields, volatility, and weighted-average expected lives, including estimated forfeiture rates, of the options. Risk-free interest rates are derived from U.S. Treasury securities as of the option grant date. Expected dividend yield is based on our historical dividend payments, which have been zero to date. There is no active external or internal market for our common shares. Thus, it is not possible to estimate the expected volatility of our share price in estimating the fair value of the options granted. Accordingly, as a substitute for such volatility, we use the published historical volatilities of industry peers in the online publishing market (primarily the financial and real estate services industries) representing the verticals in which we operate. We estimate the weighted-average expected life of the options as the average of the vesting option schedule and the term of the award, since we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term due to the limited period of time share-based awards have been exercisable. The term of the award is estimated using the simplified method, as awards are plain vanilla share options. Forfeiture rates are estimated using historical actual forfeiture trends as well as our judgment of future forfeitures. These rates are evaluated at least annually and any change in compensation expense is recognized in the period of the change. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period the estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including the types of awards and employee class. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from management’s current estimates.

 

Income Taxes

 

We use the asset and liability approach for accounting and reporting income taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets would be established if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not expected to be realized.

 

We adopted the provisions related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes as of January 1, 2007, which provide a financial statement recognition and measurement threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

401(k) Savings Plan

 

We sponsor a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participation in the plan is available to all employees with a minimum of three months of service, and each participant may elect to contribute a portion of their salary, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits.

 

At our discretion we may contribute to the employee’s account an amount up to 25% of the first 6% of employee contributions. During October 2008, we suspended our matching contributions, and our board of

 

F-13


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

 

directors amended the 401(k) plan in December 2009 to terminate the matching program, resulting in no contributions or expense in 2009 or 2010. The amount contributed and expensed for the match was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition to require companies to allocate revenue in multiple-element arrangements based on an element’s estimated selling price if vendor-specific or other third-party evidence of value is not available. This guidance is effective beginning January 1, 2011 with earlier application permitted. We adopted this guidance prospectively starting on January 1, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not and is not expected to have any impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures based on the types of revenue arrangements we have historically entered into and currently have in place.

 

Effective October 31, 2009, we adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This standard establishes only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and non-authoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or the Codification, became the source of authoritative, non-governmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became non-authoritative. As the Codification was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP, it did not have any impact on our financial statements.

 

Effective January 1, 2010, we adopted new authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures. The new guidance requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements, amends disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets, and provides clarification regarding the level of disaggregation of fair value disclosures by investment class. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for certain Level 3 activity disclosure requirements that will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Accordingly, we adopted this new guidance beginning January 1, 2010, except for the additional Level 3 requirements, which we adopted beginning January 1, 2011. Level 3 assets and liabilities are those whose fair value inputs are unobservable and reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The adoption of this guidance did not and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Note 3.    Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards also establish a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 — Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 3.    Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

 

Assets

 

Cash equivalents — Cash equivalents include money market funds and investments with original maturities of three months or less. The fair value measurement of these assets is based on quoted market prices in active markets and, therefore, these assets are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Short-term investments — Short-term investments consist mainly of U.S. government agency securities and certificates of deposit. The fair value measurement of these assets is based on observable market-based inputs or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means and, therefore, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The balance of short-term investments was $11.7 million at December 31, 2009, consisting entirely of certificates of deposit that were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The balance of short-term investments was $1.5 million and $4.5 million at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011, respectively, consisting entirely of U.S. Treasury securities which were classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The following tables present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2009

 
     Total

     Level 1

     Level 2

 

Assets:

                          

Cash equivalents:

                          

Money market funds

   $ 3,634       $ 3,634       $ —     

Short-term investments:

                          

Certificates of deposit

     11,652         —           11,652   
    


  


  


Total

   $ 15,286       $ 3,634       $ 11,652   
    


  


  


     December 31, 2010

 
     Total

     Level 1

     Level 2

 

Assets:

                          

Cash equivalents:

                          

Money market funds

   $ 11,517       $ 11,517       $ —     

Short-term investments:

                          

U.S. Treasury securities

     1,499         1,499         —     
    


  


  


Total

   $ 13,016       $ 13,016       $ —     
    


  


  


 

F-15


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 3.    Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

 

      

March 31, 2011

  

     Total

     Level 1

     Level 2

 
     (unaudited)  

Assets:

                          

Cash equivalents:

                          

Money market funds

   $ 9,270       $ 9,270       $ —     

Short-term investments:

                          

U.S. Treasury securities

     4,499         4,499         —     
    


  


  


Total

   $ 13,769       $ 13,769       $ —     
    


  


  


 

We did not have any Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 or 2010 or as of March 31, 2011.

 

Note 4.    Accounts Receivable, net

 

The following table presents the detail of accounts receivable as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

    March 31, 

 
           2009      

          2010      

          2011      

 
                 (unaudited)  

Accounts receivable

   $ 3,129      $ 4,485      $ 4,251   

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

     (261     (501     (522
    


 


 


Accounts receivable, net

   $ 2,868      $ 3,984      $ 3,729   
    


 


 


 

Note 5.    Property and Equipment, net

 

The following table presents the detail of property and equipment as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

    March 31, 

 
           2009      

          2010      

          2011      

 
                 (unaudited)  

Computer equipment

   $ 7,029      $ 8,072      $ 8,247   

Website development costs

     15,408        18,921        20,076   

Leasehold improvements

     1,846        1,891        1,894   

Software

     821        1,153        1,191   

Construction-in-progress

     525        675        610   

Office equipment, furniture and fixtures

     429        511        526   
    


 


 


Property and equipment

     26,058        31,223        32,544   

Less: accumulated amortization and depreciation

     (21,649     (26,294     (27,550
    


 


 


Property and equipment, net

   $ 4,409      $ 4,929      $ 4,994   
    


 


 


 

We recorded amortization and depreciation expenses related to property and equipment other than website development costs of $2.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 5.    Property and Equipment, net — (continued)

 

We capitalized $4.2 million, $3.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, in website development costs during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011. Amortization expense for website development costs included in technology and development expenses totaled $4.7 million, $4.2 million and $3.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011. Capitalized website development costs written down to the net realizable value during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, were $0.3 million, $39 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively, and are included in technology and development expenses.

 

Construction-in-progress primarily consists of website development costs that are capitalizable, but for which the associated applications had not been placed in service.

 

Note 6.     Acquisition (unaudited)

 

On March 3, 2011, we acquired all of the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company. We intend to offer the service as part of our platform of free and paid services for real estate professionals as an additional tool for marketing their listings across the web.

 

The purchase price paid was $1.0 million in cash and 207,100 shares of Class A common stock. Acquisition-related expenses were expensed as incurred and were negligible. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available, but in any case, will not be revised beyond twelve months after the acquisition date.

 

Identifiable assets acquired in the business combination have been measured at fair value at the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the acquisition-date fair value of the assets acquired in connection with the business combination (in thousands):

 

     March 3,
2011


 

Identifiable intangible assets

     770   

Goodwill

     1,035   
    


Total assets acquired

   $ 1,805   
    


 

Intangibles assets acquired consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 3,
2011


     Amortization
Period

(in years)

 

Developed technology

   $ 630         2   

Customer relationships

     80         3   

Trademarks

     60         5   
    


        

Total intangible assets acquired

   $ 770            
    


        

 

We used a cost approach to measure the fair value of the developed technology and the trademarks. The valuation of the developed technology was based on the estimated cost to recreate the technology and the

 

F-17


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 6.     Acquisition (unaudited) — (continued)

 

trademarks were valued based on the relief-from-royalty method. We used an income approach to measure the fair value of the trademarks based on the discounted cash flow method, whereby the fair value is estimated based upon the present value of cash flows that the applicable asset is expected to generate. The fair value of the Class A common stock issued as consideration in the asset acquisition was derived based on third-party valuation of our Class A common stock. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements under the fair value hierarchy.

 

The results of operations related to the asset acquisition have been included in our financial statements since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information for the acquisition accounted for as a business combination has not been presented, as the effects were not material to our financial statements.

 

Note 7.     Goodwill (unaudited)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recorded goodwill of $1.0 million in conjunction with our acquisition of the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company. All the goodwill recorded as of March 31, 2011 is deductible for tax purposes.

 

Note 8.    Intangible Assets

 

The following table presents the detail of intangible assets subject to amortization as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

    March 31, 

 
           2009      

          2010      

          2011      

 
                 (unaudited)  

Purchased content

   $ 3,554      $ 4,184      $ 4,314   

Developed technology

     —          —          630   

Customer relationships

     —          —          80   

Trademarks

     —          —          60   

Less: accumulated amortization

     (2,679     (3,296     (3,566
    


 


 


Intangible assets, net

   $ 875      $ 888      $ 1,518   
    


 


 


 

Amortization expense recorded for purchased content for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and these amounts are included in technology and development expenses. The remaining weighted-average amortization period as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, was approximately 2.7 years and 1.8 years, respectively.

 

Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 8.    Intangible Assets — (continued)

 

Estimated future amortization expense for purchased content, including $2.9 million of amortization related to future commitments, as of December 31, 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2011

   $ 972   

2012

     821   

2013

     412   

2014

     409   

2015

     396   

All future years

     780   
    


Total

   $ 3,790   
    


 

Note 9.    Income Taxes

 

We are subject to federal income taxes in the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011, we did not have taxable income and, therefore, no tax liability or expense has been recorded in the financial statements.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the federal statutory rate and our effective tax rate for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
         2008    

        2009    

        2010    

 

Tax at federal statutory rate

     34.0     34.0     34.0

Nondeductible expenses

     (0.4 %)      (1.3 %)      (0.8 %) 

Stock-based compensation

     0.0     0.0     (1.9 %) 

Research and development credits

     2.0     2.6     1.7

Valuation allowance

     (35.6 %)      (35.3 %)      (33.0 %) 
    


 


 


Effective tax rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0
    


 


 


 

F-19


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 9.    Income Taxes — (continued)

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts for tax purposes. The following table presents the significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the dates presented (in thousands):

 

     December 31,

 
           2009      

          2010      

 

Deferred tax assets:

                

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 19,877      $ 21,361   

Share-based compensation

     1,955        2,524   

Intangibles

     162        276   

Depreciation and amortization

     142        114   

Start-up and organizational costs

     730        663   

Research and development credits

     753        866   

Accruals and reserves

     115        194   

Other

     408        408   
    


 


Total deferred tax assets

     24,142        26,406   

Deferred tax liability:

                

Website and software development costs

     (859     (891
    


 


Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

     23,283        25,515   

Less: valuation allowance

     (23,283     (25,515
    


 


Net deferred tax assets

   $ —        $ —     
    


 


 

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. We have provided a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 because there is a significant degree of uncertainty around our ability to realize the deferred tax assets in the future. The valuation allowance increased by $3.8 million and $2.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

We have accumulated tax losses of approximately $59.0 million and $64.0 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, which are available to reduce future taxable income. Approximately $1.2 million of our net operating loss carryforwards relate to tax deductible share-based compensation in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes. To the extent that net operating loss carryforwards, if realized, relate to share-based compensation, the resulting tax benefits will be recorded to shareholders’ equity, rather than to the statement of operations. Additionally, we have research and development credit carryforwards of $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, which are available to reduce future tax liabilities. The tax loss and research and development credit carryforwards begin to expire in 2025. The use of these net operating loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits may be limited should an ownership change occur in future years under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

 

As a result of the adoption of the new guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes as of January 1, 2007, we reduced our deferred tax asset related to research and development credits by $0.4 million which was accounted for as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. However, due to the presence of a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset, there was no impact to accumulated deficit upon adoption.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 9.    Income Taxes — (continued)

 

We are currently not under audit in any tax jurisdiction. Tax years from 2007 through 2010 are currently open for audit by federal and state taxing authorities, while 2005 and 2006 are subject to adjustment to the extent the net operating loss from those years are utilized on a future year’s tax return.

 

At December 31, 2010, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $0.9 million is recorded as a reduction to the deferred tax asset. The Company does not anticipate that the amount of existing unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense and are zero.

 

Changes for unrecognized tax benefits during 2008, 2009 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

   $ 376   

Gross increases — current-period tax positions

     211   
    


Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 587   
    


Gross increases — current-period tax positions

     166   
    


Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 753   
    


Gross increases — current-period tax positions

     113   
    


Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 866   
    


 

Note 10.    Shareholders’ Equity

 

Convertible Preferred Stock

 

In November 2005, we completed a private placement of $26.0 million, authorizing the issuance and sale of 17,931,034 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock (Series A) at $1.45 per share. In July 2006, we completed a private placement of $25.0 million, authorizing the issuance and sale of 6,933,103 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock (Series B) at $3.6059 per share. In October 2007, we completed a private placement of $30.0 million, authorizing the issuance and sale of 6,489,660 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock (Series C) at $4.62274 per share. The key terms of all issued preferred stock are summarized below:

 

  (a)   Dividends

 

The holders of Series A, B and C convertible preferred stock have preferential rights to dividends at the rate of $0.116, $0.28847 and $0.3698 per share per annum, respectively, when and if declared by our board of directors, over common shareholders. The right to receive dividends is not cumulative. As of December 31, 2009 and 2010 and as of March 31, 2011, no dividends had been declared.

 

  (b)   Conversion

 

At any time after the date of issuance, each share of Series A, B and C convertible preferred stock, at the option of the holder, shall be converted into Class A common stock using the formula provided in our articles of incorporation (after giving effect to the reverse stock split described in Note 15, the conversion ratio is 3.38-to-1), or automatically upon the effectiveness of a registration statement filed for a firm commitment underwritten initial public offering of our Class A common stock with an aggregate offering price to the public of more than $40.0 million, or with the approval of the holders of at least 70% of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock, respectively.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 10.    Shareholders’ Equity — (continued)

 

  (c)   Liquidation Preference

 

In the event of a deemed liquidation, as defined, the holders of Series A, B and C convertible preferred stock have preferential rights over common shareholders to liquidation payments of $1.45, $3.6059, and $4.62274 per share, respectively, plus all declared but unpaid dividends on such shares, if any. Upon completion of such a distribution, the remaining assets shall be distributed among the holders of all classes of common stock pro rata based on the number of shares of Class A common stock held by each (assuming the conversion of all shares of Class B and Class C common stock into shares of Class A common stock in the ratios provided). Series A, B and C convertible preferred shareholders do not have preferential rights over other preferred series holders and should there be insufficient funds to pay such preferences in full, then each preferred series holder will have liquidation rights that are proportionate to other preferred series holders.

 

We have classified the Series A, B and C convertible preferred stock within shareholders’ equity since the convertible preferred stock is not redeemable, and the Series A, B and C convertible preferred stockholders do not have the right to effect a deemed liquidation of the Company.

 

  (d)   Voting Rights

 

Holders of Series A, B and C convertible preferred stock are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Class A common stock into which their preferred stock could be converted. As long as at least 20% of the Series A convertible preferred stock outstanding on the original issue date remains outstanding, the holders of Series A convertible preferred stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two of the seven members of our board of directors. The holders of Class A common stock, Class B common stock, Series B convertible preferred stock, and Series C convertible preferred stock, voting together as a single voting group, are entitled to elect four members of our board of directors, and the holders of all classes of common stock and all series of convertible preferred stock, voting together, shall be entitled to elect any remaining members.

 

Common Stock

 

Our Class A common stock has no preferences or privileges and is not redeemable. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share.

 

Class B common stock has no preferences or privileges and is not redeemable. At any time after the date of issuance, each share of Class B common stock, at the option of the holder, shall be converted into one share of Class A common stock or Class C common stock, or automatically converted upon the affirmative vote by or written consent of holders of a majority of the shares of the Class B common stock. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share.

 

Class C common stock has no preferences or privileges and is not redeemable as of December 31, 2010 or March 31, 2011. Each share of Class C common stock, at the option of the holder thereof, shall be convertible into one share of Class A common stock, at any time after the consummation of the first firm commitment underwritten public offering of our securities. Each share of Class C common stock shall automatically convert into one share of Class A common stock upon the sale of the Company or upon the affirmative vote by holders of at least 65% of the shares of the Class C common stock. Holders of Class C common stock have no voting rights, except to the extent required by law.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 10.    Shareholders’ Equity — (continued)

 

The following shares of Class A common stock have been reserved for future issuance as of the dates presented:

 

     December  31,
2010

     March  31,
2011

 
            (unaudited)  

Class A common stock options outstanding

     5,010,310         5,477,032   

Class A common stock options available for grant

    
1,021,571
  
     167,485   

Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock

     9,276,190         9,276,190   

Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Class B common stock

     9,528,313         9,528,313   

Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Class C common stock

     2,305,980         2,305,980   
    


  


Total

     27,142,364         26,755,000   
    


  


 

Note 11.    Share-Based Awards

 

In February 2005, our board of directors adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan). Under the terms of the Plan, our board of directors may grant stock awards, including incentive and nonqualified stock options, to employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors, and independent contractors. Upon adoption of the 2005 Plan, an aggregate of 2,485,207 shares of Class A common stock was reserved for future issuance. Through December 31, 2010, our board of directors has subsequently approved increases to the shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance to 6,730,769 shares.

 

We grant nonqualified stock options with exercise prices, determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee of our board of directors, that are generally equal to the fair value of the Class A common stock on the date of grant. All stock options granted since inception have been nonqualified stock options. Options granted under the 2005 Plan are exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by our board of directors, but the term of the options and the right of exercise may not exceed seven years from the date of grant. Employees forfeit their rights to exercise vested options after 90 days or 12 months following the termination of their employment, depending on the cause of termination. Options have a seven-year term and generally vest 25% after 12 months, and the remaining 75% of the award vests ratably over the next 36 months.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 11.    Share-Based Awards — (continued)

 

A summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2010 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 is as follows:

 

     Options
Available
for Grant


    Number of
Shares


    Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share


     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)


     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value


 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     1,015,008        4,394,807      $ 4.04                     

Authorized increase in 2005 Plan shares

     1,109,467        —          —                       

Granted

     (1,440,227     1,440,227        3.47                     

Exercised

     —          (487,401     1.95                     

Forfeited or cancelled

     337,323        (337,323     4.79                     
    


 


                         

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     1,021,571        5,010,310        4.03         4.48       $ 20,173,909   

Authorized increase in 2005 Plan shares (unaudited)

     177,514        —          —                       

Granted (unaudited)

     (1,093,272     1,093,272        3.89                     

Exercised (unaudited)

     —          (564,878     1.16                     

Forfeited or cancelled (unaudited)

     61,672        (61,672     5.77                     
    


 


                         

Outstanding at March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

     167,485        5,477,032        4.27         4.77         23,410,746   

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2010

             2,831,280        4.09         3.64         11,567,652   

Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2011 (unaudited)

             2,549,422        4.72         3.61         12,034,069   

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $42 thousand, $32 thousand and $0.9 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $1.7 million.

 

The fair value of options granted is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, assuming no dividends and with the following assumptions:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    Three Months Ended
March  31,

 
     2008

    2009

    2010

    2011

 
                       (unaudited)  

Expected volatility

     57%        55%        50%        52%   

Expected dividend yields

     —          —          —          —     

Average risk-free interest rate

     1.91 – 3.14     1.70 – 2.19     1.23 – 2.16     1.87%   

Weighted-average expected life

     4.58 years        4.58 years        4.58 years        4.58 years   

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

     $      1.01        $      0.48        $      0.45        $0.51   

 

The fair value of shares vested at December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The fair value of shares vested at March 31, 2011 was $1.0 million.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 11.    Share-Based Awards — (continued)

 

Since July 2006, we have obtained valuation analyses prepared by an independent third-party valuation firm to assist us in determining the fair value of our Class A common stock. The valuations used methodologies, approaches and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation , or the AICPA Practice Guide. In obtaining third-party valuations of our Class A common stock, our management provided the third-party valuation firm with projections for revenue and expenses on a cash basis, and information about our prospects, our performance and economic and financial market conditions, which the valuation firm used, along with other information, to perform its valuation analysis. These valuations were reviewed by management and either the board of directors or the compensation committee of the board of directors in conjunction with share-based compensation grants. In determining the fair value of our Class A common stock, the board of directors and the compensation committee of our board of directors considered these valuation reports, and other qualitative and quantitative factors that they considered relevant, including but not limited to: (i) key employee hirings and terminations; (ii) the seasonality of our business; (iii) general market conditions in the technology, media and real estate markets; (iv) our operating performance and competitive position within the online real estate space; (v) revenue and income projections; (vi) our cash burn rate; (vii) the market value of stock of our peer companies; (viii) present value of possible future cash flows; and (ix) the likelihood of various liquidity scenarios. These determinations of fair value were used for purposes of determining the Black-Scholes-Merton fair value of our stock option awards and related share-based compensation expense.

 

The following table presents the effects of share-based compensation on our statements of operations during the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     Three Months Ended March 31,

 
     2008

     2009

     2010

       2010  

       2011  

 
                         

(unaudited)

 

Cost of revenues

   $ 157       $ 183       $ 210       $ 54       $ 41   

Sales and marketing

     408         408         445         104         107   

Technology and development

     412         394         389        
95
  
     86   

General and administrative

     544         666         671         159         156   
    


  


  


  


  


     $ 1,521       $ 1,651       $ 1,715       $ 412       $ 390   
    


  


  


  


  


 

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and vested stock options as of December 31, 2010:

 

       Options Outstanding

       Options Vested and Exercisable

 

Exercise Price

or Range


     Number
Outstanding


       Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)


       Weighted Average
Exercise Price


       Number
Exercisable


       Weighted
Average Exercise
Price


 

$0.085 – $0.152

       554,732           1.15           $0.09           554,732           $0.09   

$0.659 – $3.380

       997,128           4.64           2.75           531,777           2.32   

$3.520 – $3.590

       1,765,619           5.66           3.55           422,225           3.52   

$3.860 – $5.990

       434,412           4.63           5.15           245,314           5.09   

$6.530

       526,098           3.20           6.53           498,044           6.53   

$7.270

       657,473           3.81           7.27           521,328           7.27   

$8.960

       74,848           3.88           8.96           57,860           8.96   
      


                          


          

Total

       5,010,310           4.48           4.03           2,831,280           4.09   
      


                          


          

 

F-25


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 11.    Share-Based Awards — (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2010, there was a total of $3.2 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.76 years. As of March 31, 2011, there was a total of $4.2 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 3.09 years.

 

Note 12.    Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares (including Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock) outstanding during the period. Series A, B and C convertible preferred shareholders do not have contractual obligations to share in or fund the losses of the Company. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares (including Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock) outstanding during the period and potentially dilutive Class A common stock equivalents, except in cases where the effect of the Class A common stock equivalent would be antidilutive. Potential Class A common stock equivalents consist of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method and Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of our convertible preferred stock. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, 3,372,946, 4,394,807 and 5,010,310 shares underlying stock options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders because their effect would have been antidilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, 5,194,454 and 5,477,032 shares underlying stock options have been excluded from the calculations of diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders because their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

In the event of liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up of the Company, the holders of all classes of common stock have equal rights to receive all the assets of the Company after the rights of the holders of the preferred stock have been satisfied. We have not presented net loss per share attributable to common shareholders under the two-class method for our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock because it would be the same for each class due to equal dividend and liquidation rights for each class.

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share were computed to give effect to the conversion of the convertible preferred stock (using the if-converted method) into common stock as though the conversion had occurred on the dates of issuance.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 12.    Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders — (continued)

 

The following table presents the calculation of pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2010


    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011

 
     (unaudited)  

Numerator

                

Net loss, as reported

   $ (6,774 )   $ (826
    


 


Pro forma net loss

   $ (6,774 )   $ (826
    


 


Denominator

                

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders

     12,770        13,347   

Adjustment for assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock

     9,276        9,276   
    


 


Shares used in computing basic and diluted pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders

     22,046        22,623   
    


 


Pro forma net loss per share attributable to common shareholders–basic and diluted

   $ (0.31 )   $ (0.04
    


 


 

Note 13.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lease Commitments

 

We have various operating leases for office space and equipment. Our current headquarters is under an operating lease expiring in February 2013 that includes an option to extend the lease term for an additional five-year period. Future minimum payments for all operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2011

   $ 1,629   

2012

     1,587   

2013

     439   

2014

     106   
    


Total future minimum lease payments

   $ 3,761   
    


 

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, was $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

During 2009 and 2010, $0.2 million and $0.3 million respectively, was amortized from the deferred rent liability as a reduction of rent expense.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 13.    Commitments and Contingencies — (continued)

 

Purchase Commitments

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had non-cancelable purchase commitments for content related to our website totaling $2.9 million. The amount due for this content is as follows (in thousands):

 

2011

   $ 695   

2012

     520   

2013

     520   

2014

     520   

2015

     520   

All future years

     130   
    


Total

   $ 2,905   
    


 

Separately, we entered into two significant arrangements in 2005 and 2007, respectively, to purchase licensed data for the purposes of populating our website. These data costs are being accounted for in a manner consistent with a subscription service, with license fees charged to expense as payments are made. We are obligated to make payments under a five year commitment totaling $1.0 million. As of December 31, 2010, the amount is due as follows (in thousands):

 

2011

   $ 700   

2012

     292   
    


Total

   $ 992   
    


 

Letters of Credit

 

We have three outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.7 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, payable to the landlord of our headquarters office in the event we default on our lease. The letters of credit are secured by our investments and are effective until 60 days after the expiration date of the lease.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

In October 2009, Mortgage Grader LLC filed a complaint against us for patent infringement in the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleged, among other things, that our website technology infringes one patent owned by Mortgage Grader, and sought injunctive relief, monetary damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. We denied Mortgage Grader’s allegations and asserted counterclaims seeking declarations that we were not infringing the Mortgage Grader patent, and that the Mortgage Grader patent was unenforceable and invalid. In April 2010, Zillow and Mortgage Grader signed a patent license and settlement agreement for an insubstantial payment.

 

In May 2010, Source Search Technologies, LLC (SST) filed an action alleging that we infringed certain patent rights. In March 2011, we signed a settlement agreement with SST, and Zillow paid a small one-time license fee. As a result of the settlement, effective from January 1, 2010 for as long as the related patent is valid and enforceable in the U.S., we must pay to SST insubstantial royalties on a quarterly basis under the terms of the agreement.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 13.    Commitments and Contingencies — (continued)

 

In March 2010, Smarter Agent, LLC filed a complaint against us for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint seeks, among other things, a judgment that we may have infringed certain patents held by Smarter Agent, an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. In November 2010, the U.S. Patent Office granted our petition for re-examination of the three patents-in-suit, and in an initial office action rejected all claims. In March 2011, the court granted a stay of the litigation pending the completion of the re-examination proceedings. We were granted a stay against the patent infringement complaint. We have not recorded an accrual related to this complaint as of December 31, 2010 or March 31, 2011 as we do not believe a material loss is probable. It is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred; however, the possible loss or range of loss is not estimable.

 

In April 2010, First American CoreLogic filed a complaint against us, for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint seeks, among other things, a judgment that we may have infringed certain patents held by CoreLogic, an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. We have not recorded an accrual related to this complaint as of December 31, 2010 or March 31, 2011 as we do not believe a material loss is probable. It is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred; however, the possible loss or range of loss is not estimable.

 

In September 2010, LendingTree, LLC filed a complaint against us, for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The complaint seeks, among other things, a judgment that we may have infringed certain patents held by LendingTree, an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. We have not recorded an accrual related to this complaint as of December 31, 2010 or March 31, 2011 as we do not believe a material loss is probable. It is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred; however, the possible loss or range of loss is not estimable.

 

In addition to the aforementioned, from time to time, we are involved in litigation and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although we cannot be certain of the outcome of any litigation and claims, nor the amount of damages and exposure that we could incur, we currently believe that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

Indemnifications

 

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements under which we agree to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract. Further, our obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, we have indemnification agreements with certain of our directors and executive officers that require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations may vary.

 

Note 14.    Segment Information and Revenues

 

We have one reportable segment. Our reportable segment has been identified based on how our chief operating decision-maker manages our business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 14.    Segment Information and Revenues — (continued)

 

The chief executive officer acts as the chief operating decision-maker and reviews financial and operational information on an entity-wide basis. We have one business activity and there are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results or plans for levels or components. Accordingly, we have determined that we have a single reporting segment and operating unit structure.

 

The chief executive officer reviews information about revenue categories for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The following table presents our revenue categories during the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     Three Months Ended
March  31,

 
     2008

     2009

     2010

         2010    

         2011    

 
                         

(unaudited)

 

Marketplace revenues

   $ 130       $ 3,912       $ 13,228       $ 1,854       $ 6,881   

Display revenues

     10,463         13,579         17,239         3,477         4,379   
    


  


  


  


  


Total

   $ 10,593       $ 17,491       $ 30,467       $ 5,331       $ 11,260   
    


  


  


  


  


 

Note 15.    Subsequent Events

 

In February 2011, we received a tax credit of $0.3 million, from the State of Washington, net of fees paid to tax advisors, relating to a refund of certain taxes from 2006 to 2009.

 

In March 2011, we acquired the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company.

 

In March 2011, we signed a lease agreement effective through November 2022 for new corporate office space in Seattle, which will become our new corporate headquarters. We continue to utilize our existing space and we are in the process of evaluating sublease opportunities for the current office space in Seattle. The following table is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under the new corporate office space in Seattle (in thousands):

 

2011

   $ —     

2012

     138   

2013

     1,667   

2014

     1,732   

2015

     1,798   

All future years

     14,234   
    


Total future minimum lease payments

   $ 19,569   
    


 

In March 2011, we entered into a loan and security agreement with a financial institution to establish a line of credit of $4.0 million, secured by substantially all our assets other than our intellectual property, to be used for general business purposes. The line of credit contains financial and non-financial covenants. As of March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all covenants. The line of credit is available through March 2013. In March 2011, we executed a standby letter of credit of $1.5 million in connection with the lease of our new Seattle offices and reserved this amount against the line of credit, which reduces the available line to $2.5 million.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

ZILLOW, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(Information as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 is unaudited)

 

Note 15.    Subsequent Events — (continued)

 

In March 2011, the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was amended to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance to 23,350,000 before giving effect to the 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock that was effected on June 17, 2011.

 

In April 2011, our board of directors approved the filing of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of our Class A common stock.

 

In April 2011, our board of directors approved the reclassification of our common stock into Class A common stock in connection with the completion of our initial public offering of our Class A common stock.

 

In April 2011, the Class C common stock shareholders consented to the automatic conversion of each share of Class C common stock into one share of Class A common stock upon the effectiveness of the registration statement.

 

On June 16, 2011, our board of directors and shareholders approved a 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of our outstanding Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock that was effected on June 17, 2011. Fractional shares will be settled in cash for common shareholders. All references to shares in the financial statements and the notes to financial statements, including but not limited to the number of shares and per share amounts, unless otherwise noted, have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split retroactively.

 

On June 16, 2011 our board of directors and shareholders approved an amendment to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, which amendment fixes the authorized capital stock as follows: 600,000,000 shares of Class A common stock; 15,000,000 shares of Class B common stock; and 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

In June 2011, the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was adjusted to give effect to the 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of our Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock that was effected on June 17, 2011.

 

We have evaluated subsequent events through June 17, 2011, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

             Shares

 

Zillow, Inc.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

LOGO

 


 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

                    , 2011

 


 

Citi

 


 

Allen & Company

Pacific Crest Securities

ThinkEquity LLC

First Washington Corp.

 

Until                     , 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade shares of our Class A common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 



Table of Contents

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The following table shows expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement, all of which will be paid by Zillow. All amounts are estimates, other than the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee.

 

SEC registration fee

     $ 6,009  

FINRA filing fee

       5,675  

Nasdaq listing fee

       125,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

       *      

Legal fees and expenses

       *      

Printing and engraving expenses

       *      

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

       *      

Miscellaneous

       *      
      


Total

     $ *      
      



*   To be provided by amendment.

 

ITEM 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify our directors, officers and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Reference is made to the form of underwriting agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto. For information about indemnification of our officers and directors, see “Executive Compensation — Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

 

Reference is also made to Item 17 for our undertakings with respect to indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

ITEM 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Since January 1, 2008, we made sales of the following unregistered securities:

 

(a) Since January 1, 2008, we have granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 4,933,880 shares of our Class A common stock at exercise prices ranging from $3.25 to $8.96 per share to officers, employees, directors and consultants under our Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Since January 1, 2008, we have issued to our officers, employees, directors and consultants an aggregate of 1,166,854 shares of our Class A common stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.09 to $8.96 pursuant to exercises of options granted under our 2005 Stock Plan, as amended. These transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance upon Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

 

(b) On March 3, 2011, we issued 207,100 shares of our Class A common stock to an accredited investor in connection with our acquisition of the operating assets of a real estate agent and rental property manager marketing service company.

 

These transactions were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or pursuant to benefit plans and

 

II-1


Table of Contents

contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about Zillow.

 

ITEM 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)    Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1**    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated September 6, 2007 (as currently in effect).
  3.2    Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (to be in effect upon the closing of the offering).
  3.3**    Bylaws, effective December 30, 2004 (as currently in effect).
  3.4    Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws (to be in effect upon the closing of the offering).
  3.5    Form of Articles of Amendment (effecting a 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of Zillow, Inc. Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock).
  4.1    Specimen of Class A Common Stock Certificate.
  4.2**    Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated September 7, 2007.
  4.3**    Form of Common Stock Purchase Agreement among the Registrant and certain of its security holders.
  5.1*    Opinion of Perkins Coie LLP.
10.1**    Form of Indemnification Agreement between Zillow, Inc. and each of its directors and executive officers.
10.2    Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
10.3    Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
10.5    Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.6**    Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.7**    Office Lease Agreement by and between EOP-Northwest Properties, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated March 1, 2005.
10.8**    First Amendment by and between EOP-Northwest Properties, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated November 10, 2005.
10.9**    Second Amendment by and between WA-999 Third Avenue, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated August 7, 2006.
10.10**    Office Lease between The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Zillow, Inc. dated March 22, 2011.
10.11†    Listings and Sales Agreement by and among Yahoo! Inc., Yahoo! Realty Inc. and Zillow, Inc. dated July 2, 2010.
10.12**    Loan and Security Agreement by and between Silicon Valley Bank and Zillow, Inc. dated March 4, 2011.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


10.13**    Forms of Confidential Information, Inventions, Nonsolicitation and Noncompetition Agreement for the officers of Zillow, Inc.
10.14**    Executive Employment Agreement by and between Spencer M. Rascoff and Zillow, Inc.
10.15**    Executive Employment Agreement by and between Chad M. Cohen and Zillow, Inc.
10.16**    Executive Employment Agreement by and between Kathleen Philips and Zillow, Inc.
10.17    Stock Option Grant Program for Nonemployee Directors Under the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2*    Consent of Perkins Coie LLP (contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1**    Power of Attorney.

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
  Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pending a determination by the Securities and Exchange Commission as to whether these portions should be granted confidential treatment.

 

(b)    The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the information to be included in the financial statement schedules is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

ITEM 17. Undertakings

 

A.    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

B.    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) The registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Seattle, State of Washington, on June 20, 2011.

 

ZILLOW, INC.
By:             / S /    S PENCER M. R ASCOFF        

Name:  Spencer M. Rascoff

Title:    Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    S PENCER M. R ASCOFF        


Spencer M. Rascoff

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  June 20, 2011

/ S /    C HAD M. C OHEN        


Chad M. Cohen

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  June 20, 2011

*


Richard Barton

  

Executive Chairman and Director

  June 20, 2011

*


Erik Blachford

  

Director

  June 20, 2011

*


Lloyd D. Frink

  

Vice Chairman, President and Director

  June 20, 2011

*


J. William Gurley

  

Director

  June 20, 2011

*


Jay C. Hoag

  

Director

  June 20, 2011

*


Gregory B. Maffei

  

Director

  June 20, 2011

*


Gordon Stephenson

  

Director

  June 20, 2011

 

     
*By:   /s/    S PENCER M. R ASCOFF       June 20, 2011
   

Spencer M. Rascoff

Attorney-in-fact

       

 

II-4


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


 

Description


  1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1**   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated September 6, 2007 (as currently in effect).
  3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (to be in effect upon the closing of the offering).
  3.3**   Bylaws, effective December 30, 2004 (as currently in effect).
  3.4   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws (to be in effect upon the closing of the offering).
  3.5   Form of Articles of Amendment (effecting a 3.38-to-1 reverse stock split of Zillow, Inc. Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Class C common stock).
  4.1   Specimen of Class A Common Stock Certificate.
  4.2**   Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated September 7, 2007.
  4.3**   Form of Common Stock Purchase Agreement among the Registrant and certain of its security holders.
  5.1*   Opinion of Perkins Coie LLP.
10.1**   Form of Indemnification Agreement between Zillow, Inc. and each of its directors and executive officers.
10.2   Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
10.3   Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
10.5   Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.6**   Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.7**   Office Lease Agreement by and between EOP-Northwest Properties, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated March 1, 2005.
10.8**   First Amendment by and between EOP-Northwest Properties, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated November 10, 2005.
10.9**   Second Amendment by and between WA-999 Third Avenue, L.L.C. and Zillow, Inc. dated August 7, 2006.
10.10**   Office Lease between The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Zillow, Inc. dated March 22, 2011.
10.11†   Listings and Sales Agreement by and among Yahoo! Inc., Yahoo! Realty Inc. and Zillow, Inc. dated July 2, 2010.
10.12**   Loan and Security Agreement by and between Silicon Valley Bank and Zillow, Inc. dated March 4, 2011.
10.13**   Forms of Confidential Information, Inventions, Nonsolicitation and Noncompetition Agreement for the officers of Zillow, Inc.
10.14**   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Spencer M. Rascoff and Zillow, Inc.
10.15**   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Chad M. Cohen and Zillow, Inc.
10.16**   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Kathleen Philips and Zillow, Inc.
10.17   Stock Option Grant Program for Nonemployee Directors under the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.
23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2*   Consent of Perkins Coie LLP (contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1**   Power of Attorney.

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
  Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pending a determination by the Securities and Exchange Commission as to whether these portions should be granted confidential treatment.

Exhibit 1.1

Zillow, Inc.

                    Shares 1

Class A Common Stock

($0.0001 par value)

Underwriting Agreement

New York, New York

, 2011

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

As Representative of the several Underwriters,

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Zillow, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Washington (the “Company”), proposes to sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you (the “Representative”) are acting as representative,              shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”) of the Company (said shares to be issued and sold by the Company being hereinafter called the “Underwritten Securities”). The Company also proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to              additional shares of Class A Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Option Securities”; the Option Securities, together with the Underwritten Securities, being hereinafter called the “Securities”). To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule I other than you, the term Representative as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representative and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires. The use of the neuter in this Agreement shall include the feminine and masculine wherever appropriate. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 20 hereof. As part of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has agreed to reserve out of the Securities set forth opposite its name on the Schedule I to this Agreement, up to              shares of Class A Common Stock, for sale to the Company’s employees, officers, and directors and other parties associated with the Company (collectively, “Participants”), as set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting” (the “Directed Share Program”). The Securities to be sold by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to the Directed Share Program (the “Directed Shares”) will be sold by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price. Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participants by 7:30 A.M. New York City time on the business day following the date on which this Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

1  

Plus an option to purchase from the Company up to              additional Securities to cover over-allotments.


1. Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission a registration statement (file number 333-173570) on Form S-1, including a related preliminary prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, has become effective. The Company may have filed one or more amendments thereto, including a related preliminary prospectus, each of which has previously been furnished to you. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus shall contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder and, except to the extent the Representative shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein.

(b) On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date (as defined herein) and on any date on which Option Securities are purchased, if such date is not the Closing Date (a “settlement date”), the Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date and any settlement date, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(c) (i) The Disclosure Package and the price to the public, the number of Underwritten Securities and the number of Option Securities to be included on the cover page of the Prospectus, when taken together as a whole and (ii) each electronic road show when taken together as a whole with the Disclosure Package and the price to the public, the number of Underwritten Securities and the number of Option Securities to be included on the cover page of the Prospectus , does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

2


The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(d) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and (ii) as of the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated by reference therein that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(f) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered, with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except, where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings or business properties of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association or other entity.

(g) The Company’s authorized equity capitalization is as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; the Securities have been duly and validly authorized; and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and nonassessable; the certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient form; the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the Securities; and, except as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other

 

3


obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding.

(h) There is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required (and the Preliminary Prospectus contains in all material respects the same description of the foregoing matters contained in the Prospectus); and the statements in (i) the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings “Risk Factors – We are subject to a variety of federal and state laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business”, “Risk Factors – We may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could harm the value of our brand”, “Risk Factors – Intellectual property disputes are costly to defend and could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation”, “Business – Intellectual Property”, “Business – Legal Proceedings”, “Description of Capital Stock” and “Material U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and (ii) Item 15 of the Registration Statement, in each case, insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.

(i) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(j) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(k) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein , except such as have been obtained under the Act, the listing rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, the applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated herein and in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(l) Neither the issue and sale of the Securities nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, (i) the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having

 

4


jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for such breach or violation as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this agreement.

(m) No holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such securities under the Registration Statement, except for such rights as have been effectively waived prior to the date hereof in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.

(n) The historical financial statements and schedules of the Company included in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The selected financial data set forth under the caption “Selected Financial and Other Data” in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and Registration Statement fairly present in all material respects, on the basis stated in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the information included therein.

(o) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or its property is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(p) The Company owns or leases all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

(q) The Company is not in violation or default of (i) any provision of its articles of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for such breach or violation as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5


(r) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and delivered their report with respect to the audited financial statements and schedules included in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder.

(s) There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Company or sale by the Company of the Securities.

(t) The Company has filed all tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure to so file would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto)) and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(u) No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, contractors or customers, that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(v) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such material losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or its business, assets, employees, officers and directors are, to the knowledge of the Company, in full force and effect; the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company has informed the Company in writing that it is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; since June 1, 2009, the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

6


(w) Except as would not, individually on in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company possesses all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by all applicable authorities necessary to conduct its business, and the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(x) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company is not aware of any significant deficiencies or material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.

(y) The Company and its subsidiaries maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(z) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(aa) The Company (i) is in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) has received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business and (iii) has not received written notice of any actual or potential liability under any environmental law, except where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

(bb) The Company owns, possesses, licenses or has other rights to use all trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how, other intellectual property, and, to the knowledge of the Company, all patents and patent applications necessary for

 

7


the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”). Except as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Business — Intellectual Property” and “Business – Legal Proceedings” or where the failure of any of the following representations to be true would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company: (a) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s rights in or to any such Intellectual Property; (b) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any Intellectual Property and none of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel is aware of any facts that would form a reasonable basis for such claim; (c) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property rights of others and none of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel is aware of any facts that would form a reasonable basis for such claim; (d) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no U.S. patent or published U.S. patent application which contains claims that dominate or may dominate any Intellectual Property described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by the Company or that interferes with the issued or pending claims of any such Intellectual Property; and (e) there is no prior art of which the Company is aware that would render any U.S. patent held by the Company invalid or any U.S. patent application held by the Company unpatentable which has not been disclosed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

(cc) All patent applications owned by the Company and filed by the Company with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”) or any foreign or international patent authority (the “Company Patent Applications”) have been duly and properly filed; all inventions developed, reduced to practice and owned by the Company in which the U.S. Government has rights have been properly reported to the U.S. Government and those rights have been properly noticed in patent applications, patents and licenses relating thereto; the Company has undertaken reasonable best efforts to ensure that it has complied with its duty of candor and disclosure to the PTO for the Company Patent Applications; the Company is not aware of any facts required to be disclosed to the PTO that were not disclosed to the PTO and which would preclude the grant of a patent for the Company Patent Applications; the Company has no knowledge of any facts which would preclude it from having clear title to the Company Patent Applications that have been identified by the Company in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being exclusively owned by the Company.

(dd) None of the following events has occurred or exists: (i) a failure to fulfill the obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to a Plan, determined without regard to any waiver of such obligations or extension of any amortization period; (ii) an audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other federal or state governmental agency or any foreign regulatory agency with respect to the

 

8


employment or compensation of employees by the Company that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) any breach of any contractual obligation, or any violation of law or applicable qualification standards, with respect to the employment or compensation of employees by the Company that could have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (A) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans in the current fiscal year of the Company compared to the amount of such contributions made in the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company; (B) a material increase in the “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) of the Company compared to the amount of such obligations in the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company; (C) any event or condition giving rise to a liability under Title IV of ERISA that could have a Material Adverse Effect; or (D) the filing of a claim by one or more employees or former employees of the Company related to their employment that could have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “Plan” means a plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA with respect to which the Company may have any liability.

(ee) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 relating to loans.

(ff) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company acting on behalf of the Company has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA.

(gg) Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(hh) Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in the

 

9


Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects, and, to the extent required by such sources, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.

(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities that would be integrated with the offer and sale of the Offered Securities contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Act, the Rules and Regulations or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.

(jj) (i) The Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and (ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is necessary under the securities laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the United States. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, Securities to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or its products and services.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

2. Purchase and Sale . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company , at a purchase price of              per share, the amount of the Underwritten Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule I hereto.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to              Option Securities at the same purchase price per share as the Underwriters shall pay for the Underwritten Securities, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. Said option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the Underwritten Securities by the Underwriters. Said option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time on or before the 30th day after the date of the Prospectus upon written or telegraphic notice by the Representative to the Company setting forth the number of shares of the Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option and the settlement date. The number of Option

 

10


Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of the total number of shares of the Option Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters as such Underwriter is purchasing of the Underwritten Securities, subject to such adjustments as you in your absolute discretion shall make to eliminate any fractional shares.

3. Delivery and Payment . Delivery of and payment for the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities (if the option provided for in Section 2(b) hereof shall have been exercised on or before the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date) shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York City time, on    , 2011, or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representative shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representative and the Company or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representative for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representative of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Company. Delivery of the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representative shall otherwise instruct.

If the option provided for in Section 2(b) hereof is exercised after the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Company will deliver the Option Securities (at the expense of the Company) to the Representative, at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, on the date specified by the Representative (which shall be within three Business Days after exercise of said option) for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representative of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Company. If settlement for the Option Securities occurs after the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Representative on the settlement date for the Option Securities, and the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase the Option Securities shall be conditioned upon receipt of, supplemental opinions, certificates and letters confirming as of such date the opinions, certificates and letters delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

4. Offering by Underwriters . It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Prospectus.

5. Agreements . The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object. The Company will cause the Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representative with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the

 

11


Representative of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representative (i) when the Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or when any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission, (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b) If, at any time prior to the filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representative so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act or the rules thereunder, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representative of any such event; (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and (iii) supply any supplemented Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(d) As soon as reasonably practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement

 

12


or statements of the Company which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(e) The Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representative may reasonably request.

(f) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition of (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of (other than any registration statement on Form S-8 related to the Company’s equity incentive plans), or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other shares of Class A Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Class A Common Stock; or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 180 days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, provided, however, that the Company may issue and sell (A) the Securities, (B) Class A Common Stock and awards (including stock options) exercisable for, or convertible into, Class A Common Stock pursuant to any employee stock option or incentive plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the Execution Time or which is described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, (C) Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding at the Execution Time, (D) Class A Common Stock pursuant to the concurrent private placement disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (E) the issuance of up to an aggregate of 10% of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be outstanding immediately following the sale of the Securities pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement (assuming conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock) in connection with one or more acquisitions by the Company of the assets or capital stock of another person or entity, whether through merger, asset acquisition, stock purchase or otherwise, provided, however, that in each case of (B), (C), (D) and (E) of this paragraph, the

 

13


issuance of such shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company shall be subject to the condition that each recipient of such shares has previously signed (or will enter into prior to or concurrently with such issuance) a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, or (y) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, then, the 180-day restricted period will be extended and the restrictions imposed in this clause shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on, and including, the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. The Company will provide the Representative and any co-managers and each individual subject to the restricted period pursuant to the lockup letters described in Section 6(i) with prior notice of any such announcement that gives rise to an extension of the restricted period.

(h) If Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 6(i) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto through a major news service at least two Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

(i) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(j) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) the registration of the Securities under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Securities on the NASDAQ Global Market; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing fees and the

 

14


reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings); (viii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities and (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section and Section 7 and 8 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connection with any offers they may make.

(k) The Company agrees to pay (1) all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program, (2) all costs and expenses incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of copies of the Directed Share Program material and (3) all stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program.

(l) Company covenants with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. that the Company will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

(m) During the 180-day restricted period described above in clause (g) (including any extensions thereof), the Company will not without the written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, waive or release any person or entity from the terms of any contractual restriction which prohibits such person or entity from: (i) offering, selling, issuing, contracting to sell, pledging or otherwise disposing of shares of the capital stock of the Company, (ii) offering, selling, issuing, contracting to sell, contracting to purchase or granting any option, right or warrant to purchase shares of the capital stock of the Company, (iii) entering into any swap, hedge or any other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequences of ownership of shares of the capital stock of the Company and (iv) establishing or increasing a put equivalent position or liquidating or decreasing a call equivalent position in shares of the capital stock of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(n) The Company agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representative, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in

 

15


Schedule II hereto and any electronic road show. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative or the Company is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters . The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time, the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); any material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.

(b) The Company shall have requested and caused Perkins Coie LLP, counsel for the Company, to have furnished to the Representative their opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representative, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

(c) The Representative shall have received from Fenwick & West LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representative, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters as the Representative may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(d) The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate of the Company, signed by the principal executive officer and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as well as each electronic road show used in connection with the offering of the Securities, and this Agreement and that:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;

 

16


(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and

(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(e) The principal financial officer of the Company shall have furnished the Representative, at the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, certificates, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, containing statements and information with respect to certain information contained in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(f) The Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP to have furnished to the Representative, at the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.

(g) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (f) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(h) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further information, certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

(i) At the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto from each officer and director of the Company and all holders of Company equity securities addressed to the Representative.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the

 

17


Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representative. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered at the office of Fenwick & West LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 1191 2nd Avenue, 10th Floor, Seattle, Washington 98101, on the Closing Date.

7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters severally through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. on demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been reasonably incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

8. Indemnification and Contribution . (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter

 

18


furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representative specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that (i) the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Securities and, under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution”, (ii) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Securities, (iii) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (iv) the paragraph related to stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

(c) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the directors, officers, employees and agents of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and each person, who controls Citigroup Global Markets Inc. within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act (“Citigroup Entities”), against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities to which they may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the prospectus wrapper material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution in foreign jurisdictions in connection with the Directed Share Program attached to the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein, when considered in conjunction with the Prospectus or any applicable Preliminary Prospectus, not misleading; (ii) are caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of the securities which, immediately following the Effective Date of the Registration Statement, were subject to a properly confirmed agreement to purchase; or (iii) relate to, arise out of, or are in connection with the Directed Share Program, except that this clause (iii) shall not apply to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability is finally judicially determined to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Citigroup Entities.

(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party.

 

19


Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof in respect of such action or proceeding, then in addition to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the directors, officers, employees and agents of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and all persons, if any, who control Citigroup Global Markets Inc. within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act for the defense of any losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the Directed Share Program.

(e) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand

 

20


and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, (i) each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter and (ii) each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (e).

9. Default by an Underwriter . If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representative shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

10. Termination . This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representative, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such delivery and payment (i) trading in the

 

21


Company’s Class A Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NASDAQ Global Market or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Global Market shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representative, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (exclusive of supplement thereto).

11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

12. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representative, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Citigroup Global Markets Inc. General Counsel (fax no.: (212) 816-7912) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: General Counsel; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to Zillow, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, (fax no.: (206) 470-7001) and confirmed to the General Counsel at 999 Third Avenue, Suite 460, Seattle, Washington 98104, attention of the General Counsel.

13. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

14. No Fiduciary Duty . The Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters and any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (b) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company and (c) the Company’s engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether any of the Underwriters has advised or is currently advising the Company on related or other matters). The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

22


15. Integration . This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

16. Applicable Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

17. Waiver of Jury Trial . The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

19. Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

20. Definitions . The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Preliminary Prospectus that is generally distributed to investors and used to offer the Securities, (ii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto, and (iii) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or becomes effective.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

 

23


“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above and any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date that omits Rule 430A Information.

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus relating to the Securities that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time.

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430A, as amended at the Execution Time and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be.

“Rule 158”, “Rule 163”, “Rule 164”, “Rule 172”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430A” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Rule 430A Information” shall mean information with respect to the Securities and the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering covered by the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a) hereof.

 

24


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
Zillow, Inc.
By:  

 

  Name: Spencer Rascoff
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

25


Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
For itself and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule I to the foregoing Agreement.

 

26


SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriters

   Number of Underwritten Securities to be Purchased  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  

Allen & Company Inc.

  

Pacific Crest Securities LLC

  

ThinkEquity, LLC

  

First Washington Corporation

  
        

Total

  
        


SCHEDULE II

Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package


EXHIBIT A

[Form of Lock Up Agreement]


EXHIBIT B

[Form of Press Release]

Zillow, Inc.

[Date]

Zillow, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the lead book-running manager in the Company’s recent public sale of              shares of Class A common stock, is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to              shares of the Company’s Class A common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on     ,                      20    , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


EXHIBIT C

[Form of Perkins Coie LLP Opinion]

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

of

ZILLOW, INC.

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this corporation is Zillow, Inc.

ARTICLE 2. SHARES

 

2.1 Authorized Capital

The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is 645,000,000, consisting of three classes of shares to be designated, respectively, “ Class A Common Stock ,” “ Class B Common Stock ” (collectively the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are referred to herein as the “ Common Stock ”) and “ Preferred Stock .” The total number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 600,000,000 shares, each with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares of Class B Common Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 15,000,000 shares, each with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that this corporation shall have authority to issue is 30,000,000 shares, each with a par value of $0.0001.

 

2.2 Preferred Stock

This corporation’s board of directors (the “ Board of Directors ”) shall have the full authority permitted by law to divide the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock into series, and to provide for the issuance of such shares (in an aggregate amount not exceeding the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized by this corporation’s articles of incorporation (as amended or restated from time to time) (the or these “ Articles ”)), as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated, before the issuance of any shares thereof, in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix and determine and to amend the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that is wholly unissued or to be established and to fix and determine and to amend the designation, preferences, voting powers and limitations, and the relative, participating, optional or other rights, of any series of shares of Preferred Stock that is wholly unissued or to be established, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the voting rights relating to shares of such series of Preferred Stock, the rate of dividend to which holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock may be entitled, the rights of holders of shares of such series of Preferred Stock in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of this corporation, the rights of holders of shares of


such series of Preferred Stock to convert or exchange shares of such series of Preferred Stock for shares of any other capital stock or for any other securities, property or assets of this corporation, and whether or not the shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be redeemable and, if so, the term and conditions of such redemption.

Before this corporation shall initially issue shares of a series of Preferred Stock created under RCW 23B.06.020 (or any successor provision thereto) of the Washington Business Corporation Act, articles of amendment setting forth the terms of such series in a form meeting the requirements of RCW 23B.06.020 shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington in the manner prescribed by the Washington Business Corporation Act, and shall be effective without shareholder approval. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the resolution establishing any series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors shall further have the authority, after the issuance of shares of a series whose number it has designated, to amend the resolution establishing such series to decrease the number of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.2, prior to the Threshold Date, this corporation shall not, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, considered as a separate voting group, or the written agreement of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock: (i) initially issue any series of Preferred Stock, or any other security convertible into or exercisable for any such series of Preferred Stock, including by merger or otherwise, or (ii) amend the designation, preferences, voting powers and limitations, or rights, of any series of Preferred Stock, or any other security convertible into or exercisable for any such series of Preferred Stock, unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above, such action is approved by the Board of Directors including at least one of the Founders (as defined in Section 2.3(g) of these Articles) acting in his capacity as a director of this corporation.

 

2.3 Common Stock

The preferences, limitations, voting powers and relative rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock (subject to the preferences and rights of the Preferred Stock as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Articles) are as follows:

(a) Voting Rights .

(i) Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, or except as required by applicable law (subject to Article 11 of these Articles), the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single voting group on all matters submitted to a vote of this corporation’s shareholders.

 

-2-


(ii) Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required pursuant to RCW 23B.07.210(2), each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the shareholders of this corporation (including, without limitation, any matter voted on at a shareholders’ meeting), and

(iii) Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required pursuant to RCW 23B.07.210(2), each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Class B Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the corporation (including, without limitation, any matter voted on at a shareholders’ meeting).

(b) Dividends and Distributions . Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any Distribution as may be declared by the Board of Directors from time to time with respect to the Common Stock, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group; provided , however , that in the event any such Distribution declared by the Board of Directors with respect to the Common Stock is paid in the form of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such class of stock), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be) and holders of Class B Common Stock shall receive Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be). Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, the shares of Class A Common Stock and the shares of Class B Common Stock are entitled to the net assets of this corporation upon dissolution in accordance with Chapter 23B.14 of the RCW.

(c) Subdivision or Combination . If this corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other such class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.

(d) Equal Status . Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Articles or required by applicable law, shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common Stock shall have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any consideration paid or otherwise distributed in respect of such shares to shareholders of this corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.

 

-3-


(e) Conversion of Class B Common Stock .

(i) Voluntary Conversion . Each share of the Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon either (A) written notice to the Secretary and compliance with the procedures for voluntary conversion as set forth in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2, or (B) if the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and the corporation have entered into a written agreement to amend the procedures, or adopt other procedures, governing the voluntary conversion of the Class B Common Stock, upon compliance with such procedures as amended or adopted in such written agreement.

(ii) Automatic Conversion . Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon a Transfer of such share, other than a Transfer:

(A) from a Founder, or any Permitted Entity of such Founder, to the other Founder, or any Permitted Entity of such other Founder.

(B) by a Founder to any of the entities, accounts, plans or trusts listed in clauses (1) through (6) below (each, a “ Permitted Entity ” and, collectively, “ Permitted Entities ”), and from any such Permitted Entity back to such Founder and/or any other Permitted Entity established by or for such Founder:

(1) a trust for the benefit of such Founder or persons other than such Founder so long as such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; provided such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to such Founder, and provided , further , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(2) a trust under the terms of which such Founder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of Section 2702(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or a reversionary interest so long as such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; provided , however , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

 

-4-


(3) an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Founder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided that in each case such Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held in such account, plan or trust, and provided , further , that in the event such Founder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such account, plan or trust, each of such Founder’s shares of Class B Common Stock then held by such account, plan or trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(4) a corporation in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns shares with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient shares or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such corporation shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(5) a partnership in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns partnership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the partnership, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient partnership interests or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such partnership, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such partnership shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock; or

(6) a limited liability company in which such Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns membership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the limited liability company, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that such Founder retains sole dispositive power

 

-5-


and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company; provided that in the event such Founder no longer owns sufficient membership interests or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to enable such Founder to retain sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such limited liability company, each share of Class B Common Stock then held by such limited liability company shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock.

(iii) Conversion Upon Death or Mental Disability . Each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by a Founder, or by any of such Founder’s Permitted Entities, shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the death or Mental Disability of such Founder; provided, however, that:

(A) If a Founder or such Founder’s Permitted Entity (in either case, the “ Transferring Founder ”) transfers exclusive Voting Control (but not ownership) of shares of Class B Common Stock to the other Founder (the “ Transferee Founder ”) which transfer of Voting Control is contingent or effective upon the death or Mental Disability of the Transferring Founder, then each share of Class B Common Stock that is the subject of such transfer shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of: (a) nine months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferring Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferring Founder occurred, as the case be, or (b) the date upon which the Transferee Founder ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; provided , further , that if the Transferee Founder shall die or suffer Mental Disability within nine months following the death or Mental Disability, as the case may be, of the Transferring Founder, then a trustee designated by the Transferee Founder and approved by the Board of Directors may exercise Voting Control over: (x) such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Transferring Founder or the Transferring Founder’s Permitted Entity and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of (1) nine months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferring Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferring Founder occurred, as the case be, or (2) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; and (y) the Transferee Founder’s shares of Class B Common Stock (or shares of Class B Common Stock held of record by any Permitted Entity of the Transferee Founder) and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of: (1) nine

 

-6-


months after the earlier of the date upon which the Transferee Founder died or the date upon which Mental Disability in respect of such Transferee Founder occurred, as the case be, or (2) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock; and

(B) If one Founder dies or Mental Disability in respect of such Founder occurs simultaneously with when the other Founder dies or Mental Disability in respect of such other Founder occurs (such simultaneous occurrence, a “ Simultaneous Event ”), a trustee designated by the Founders and approved by the Board of Directors may exercise Voting Control over the Founders’ shares of Class B Common Stock (or shares of Class B Common Stock held of record by any of the Permitted Entities of either of the Founders) and, in such instance, each such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon that date which is the earlier of (a) nine months after the date of the Simultaneous Event or (b) the date upon which such trustee ceases to hold exclusive Voting Control over such shares of Class B Common Stock.

(iv) Procedures . This corporation may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures relating to the administration of the dual class structure, including, without limitation, the issuance of stock certificates or procedures with respect to book entry systems, as it deems necessary or advisable. This corporation may request that holders of shares of Class B Common Stock furnish affidavits, certificates or other proof to this corporation as it deems necessary to verify the ownership of Class B Common Stock and to confirm that a conversion to Class A Common Stock has not occurred. A determination by the Secretary of this corporation (the “ Secretary ) with respect to whether a Transfer results in a conversion to Class A Common Stock shall be conclusive and binding.

(v) Mechanics of Conversion . Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to convert voluntarily some or all shares of such holder’s Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3(e)(i) of this Article 2, such holder shall give signed written notice (the “ Conversion Notice ”) to the Secretary at the office of this corporation that such holder elects to convert the same, shall state therein the number of shares to be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, and shall surrender the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares of Class B Common Stock of which all or a portion are to be converted, at the office of this corporation (and accompanied by all transfer taxes (or proof of payment thereof), if any); provided , however , that if the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares to be converted have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, the holder may, in lieu of delivering such certificate or certificates, notify the Secretary that such certificate or certificates have been lost, stolen, or destroyed and execute and deliver an agreement satisfactory to this corporation (the “ lost certificate agreement ”) to indemnify this corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificate or certificates. If requested by such holder, this corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, provide for the issuance and delivery to such holder, at the address for delivery indicated in the

 

-7-


Conversion Notice, of a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder has elected to convert the applicable shares of Class B Common Stock and to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately before the close of business on the later of (A) the date of receipt by the Secretary of the Conversion Notice and (B) the date of either (i) the surrender to the Secretary of the certificate or certificates evidencing the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted or (ii) the delivery of the lost certificate agreement, as the case may be (the later of the dates under clause (A) or clause (B), the “ Voluntary Conversion Date ”), and the holder entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Class A Common Stock on such Voluntary Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.3, upon the written agreement of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and the corporation, this corporation may amend the procedures, or adopt other procedures, governing the voluntary conversion of the Class B Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.3, automatic conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3(e)(ii) or Section 2.3(e)(iii) of this Article 2 shall be effective without any further action on the part of the holder of such shares and shall be effective whether or not the certificates for such shares are surrendered to this corporation. Upon any conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock, all rights of the holder (as of immediately prior to such conversion) of such shares of Class B Common Stock shall cease and the person, persons, entity or entities entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or record holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock that are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in this Section 2.3(e) shall be retired and may not be reissued.

(f) Reservation of Stock . This corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock.

(g) Definitions .

As used in these Articles, including this Article 2, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Change of Control Transaction means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition (other than liens, encumbrances and the grant of security interests in the ordinary course of business and non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business) by this corporation of

 

-8-


all or substantially all of this corporation’s property and assets (which shall for such purpose include the property and assets of any direct or indirect subsidiary of this corporation); provided that any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of property or assets exclusively between or among this corporation and any direct or indirect subsidiary or subsidiaries of this corporation shall not be deemed a “Change of Control Transaction”; or

(b) the merger or consolidation of this corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or the acquisition of this corporation by means of a share exchange, other than a merger, consolidation or share exchange that would result in the voting securities of this corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent, or being converted into, cancelled in consideration of obtaining the right to receive, or exchanged for, voting securities that represent, immediately following such merger, consolidation or share exchange, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the capital stock of (i) this corporation or the surviving entity or (ii) if this corporation or the surviving entity is a subsidiary of another entity immediately following such merger, consolidation or share exchange, the parent entity of this corporation or the surviving entity.

Conversion Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2.

Distribution ” means (i) any dividend or distribution of cash, property or shares of this corporation’s capital stock; and (ii) any distribution following or in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of this corporation, either voluntary or involuntary.

Fifth Trading Day ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 9.2 of Article 9.

Founder ” means either Richard Barton or Lloyd Frink, each as a natural living person, and “ Founders ” means both of them.

Mental Disability ” means, with respect to a Founder, permanent and total disability such that such Founder is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a licensed medical practitioner. In the event of a dispute as to whether a Founder has suffered a Mental Disability, no Mental Disability of the Founder shall be deemed to have occurred unless and until an affirmative ruling regarding such Mental Disability has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction, and such ruling has become final and non-appealable.

Permitted Entity ” and “ Permitted Entities ” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 2.3(e)(ii)(B) of Article 2.

 

-9-


RCW ” means the Revised Code of Washington and “ RCW 23B ” means Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington (also known as the Washington Business Corporation Act).

Rights ” means any option, warrant, conversion right or contractual right of any kind to acquire shares of this corporation’s authorized but unissued capital stock.

Secretary ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iv) of Article 2, except that such meaning does not apply to the use of the term “Secretary” in Section 2.2 of Article 2.

Securities Exchange ” means, at any time, the registered national securities exchange on which this corporation’s equity securities are then principally listed or traded, which shall be either the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Global Market (or similar national quotation system of The Nasdaq Stock Market) (“ Nasdaq ”) or any successor exchange of either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq.

Threshold Date ” means 5:00 p.m. in New York City, New York on the first Trading Day falling on or after the first date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than seven percent (7%) of the aggregate number of shares of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

Trading Day ” means any day on which the Securities Exchange is open for trading.

Transfer ” of a share of Class B Common Stock shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A “Transfer” shall also include, without limitation, (i) a transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee, regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership (provided however that any such transfer to a broker or other nominee that is determined by the Secretary to have been unintended by the transferor shall not be considered a “Transfer” if no shareholder vote has occurred since such unintended transfer to the broker or nominee and such transfer to the broker or nominee is rescinded, revoked or reversed within 15 days after the transferor first becomes aware of such unintentional transfer) or (ii) the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a share of Class B Common Stock by proxy or otherwise; provided , however , that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”:

(a) the grant of a proxy to officers or directors of this corporation at the request of the Board of Directors of this corporation in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders;

 

-10-


(b) the entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with shareholders who are Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of Founders, that (1) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary, (2) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of Founders at any time, and (3) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to a Founder or any Permitted Entity of a Founder other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;

(c) the transfer of exclusive Voting Control with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock of one or more of the Founders or one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder permitted in Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2;

(d) the entering by any of a Founder or one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) with any of the other Founder, one or more Permitted Entities of a Founder or a trustee that is entered into to provide for transfer of Voting Control contingent upon the death or Mental Disability of a Founder in accordance with Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2; provided that (i) the parties to such voting trust, agreement or arrangement shall agree that the provisions of Section 2.3(e)(iii) of Article 2 apply in respect of such voting trust, agreement or arrangement, and (ii) if a voting trust, (A) the transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock by a Transferring Founder or such Transferring Founder’s Permitted Entities to the Transferee Founder in his capacity as trustee of such voting trust shall be deemed not to be a transfer of ownership for purposes of the second parenthetical of Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2, and (B) the transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock to the trustee of such voting trust in such trustee’s capacity as trustee of the voting trust shall be deemed not to be a Transfer;

(e) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a Founder or a Permitted Entity of a Founder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the Founder continues to exercise exclusive Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided , however , that a foreclosure on such shares of Class B Common Stock or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”; or

(f) the fact that the spouse of any Founder possesses or obtains a community property interest in such Founder’s shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock.

Transferee Founder ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2.

 

-11-


Transferring Founder ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(iii)(A) of Article 2.

Voluntary Conversion Date ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(e)(v) of Article 2.

Voting Control ” with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock means the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such share of Class B Common Stock by proxy, voting agreement, or otherwise.

 

2.4 No Further Issuance

Except for the issuance or payment of Class B Common Stock pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.3(b) of Article 2, this corporation shall not issue any additional shares of Class B Common Stock, unless such issuance is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group.

ARTICLE 3. REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The name of the initial registered agent of this corporation and the address of its initial registered office are as follows:

CT Corporation

520 Pike Street

Seattle, WA 98101

ARTICLE 4. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

No preemptive rights shall exist with respect to shares of stock or securities convertible into shares of stock of this corporation, except to the extent provided by written agreement with this corporation.

ARTICLE 5. CUMULATIVE VOTING

The right to cumulate votes in the election of directors shall not exist with respect to shares of stock of this corporation.

 

-12-


ARTICLE 6. DIRECTORS

 

6.1 Board Size

Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, the total number of authorized directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time solely by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

6.2 Classified Board Structure

From and after the effectiveness of these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “ Effective Time ”), the directors, other than any who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into three (3) classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board of Directors may assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time such classification becomes effective. The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire at the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the shareholders following the Effective Time, the term of office of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the shareholders following the Effective Time, and the term of office of the initial Class III directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the shareholders following the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of shareholders, commencing with the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Time, each of the persons elected as a director of the Class of directors whose term shall have expired at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third annual meeting next succeeding his or her election. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6, despite the expiration of a director’s term, a director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the size of the Board of Directors. If the number of directors is hereafter changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as is practicable, provided that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

6.3 Removal

(a) Prior to Threshold Date . Prior to the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, one or more directors, including the entire Board of Directors, may be removed with or without cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.

 

-13-


(b) After Threshold Date . After the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, one or more directors, including the entire Board of Directors, may be removed only for cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.

 

6.4 Vacancies

Any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled as follows:

(a) prior to the Threshold Date, by the shareholders, by the Board of Directors or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director; and

(b) after the Threshold Date, only by the Board of Directors or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director.

The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next election of directors by the shareholders.

ARTICLE 7. LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

(a) To the full extent that the Washington Business Corporation Act, as it exists on the date hereof or may hereafter be amended, permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, a director of this corporation shall not be liable to this corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for conduct as a director.

(b) This corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify any individual made a party to a proceeding because that individual is or was a director of this corporation and shall advance or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by such individual in advance of final disposition of the proceeding, without regard to the limitations in RCW 23B.08.510 through 23B.08.550 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, or any other limitation which may hereafter be enacted to the extent such limitation may be disregarded if authorized by these Articles.

(c) Any amendments to or repeal of this Article 7 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of this corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring before such amendment or repeal.

 

-14-


ARTICLE 8. SHAREHOLDER ACTIONS

Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting or a vote if the action is taken by written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

ARTICLE 9. AUTHORITY TO AMEND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

This corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any of the provisions contained in these Articles in any manner now or hereafter permitted by the Washington Business Corporation Act or by these Articles and the rights of the shareholders of this corporation are granted subject to this reservation.

 

9.1 Supermajority Voting

Except as provided in Section 9.2, the amendment or repeal of provisions in any of the following Articles or sections listed in this Section 9.1 shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the shareholders of this corporation, voting together as a single voting group:

Article 6 (“Directors”)

Article 7 (“Limitation of Director Liability and Indemnification”)

Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of Article 9 (“Authority to Amend Articles of Incorporation”)

Article 12 (“Special Meeting of Shareholders”)

Article 14 (“Bylaws”)

 

9.2 Majority Voting

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1, an amendment or repeal of provisions in an Article or section identified in Section 9.1 that is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), voting separately and as a subclass of directors, shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the shareholders of this corporation, voting together as a single voting group.

As used in this Article 9, “ Continuing Director ” means any member of the Board of Directors who was a member of the Board of Directors on the fifth Trading Day after the closing of this corporation’s initial public offering of common stock (the “ Fifth Trading Day ” or who is elected to the Board of Directors after the Fifth Trading Day upon the recommendation of a majority of the Continuing Directors.

 

-15-


9.3 Other Special Voting Requirements

The provisions in the following sections or Articles listed in this Section 9.3 may be amended or repealed only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a separate voting group:

Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of Article 2 (“Shares”)

Section 9.3 of Article 9 (“Authority to Amend Articles of Incorporation”)

Article 13 (“No Reliance on Controlled Company Exemption”)

ARTICLE 10. SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED ON CERTAIN MATTERS

With respect to any proposal or matter presented to shareholders for approval under RCW 23B.11.030, RCW 23B.12.020 or RCW 23.B.14.020, in accordance with RCW 23B.07.270, this corporation’s shareholders may approve the proposal or matter by a majority of the voting group comprising all the votes entitled to be cast on such proposal or matter. This Article 10 is intended to reduce the voting requirements otherwise prescribed by the Washington Business Corporation Act with respect to the foregoing matters.

ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION OF SEPARATE CLASS VOTING TO EXTENT

PERMITTED BY LAW

Except (a) to the extent otherwise expressly provided in these Articles with respect to voting or approval rights of a particular class or series of capital stock, (b) as may be fixed or determined with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, or (c) to the extent otherwise provided pursuant to RCW 23B.10.030(3) or RCW 23.B.11.030(3), the holders of each outstanding class or series of shares of this corporation shall not be entitled to vote as a separate voting group (1) on any amendment to these Articles with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under RCW 23B.10.040(1)(a), (e), or (f) to vote as a separate voting group, or (2) on any plan of merger or share exchange with respect to which such class or series would otherwise be entitled under RCW 23B.11.035 to vote as a separate voting group.

ARTICLE 12. SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of this corporation, the President of this corporation or the Board of Directors may call special meetings of the shareholders. Further, prior to the Threshold Date, a special meeting of the shareholders may be called upon request by holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting, provided the request is in proper form as prescribed by the Bylaws of this corporation and as otherwise required by applicable laws. After the Threshold Date, special meetings of the shareholders may not be called by the shareholders or any other person or persons, other than as set forth in the first sentence of this Article 12.

 

-16-


ARTICLE 13. NO RELIANCE ON CONTROLLED COMPANY EXEMPTION

At any time during which shares of capital stock of this corporation are listed for trading on the Securities Exchange, this corporation shall not rely upon the exemptions from the corporate governance rules and requirements of the Securities Exchange available to any company that constitutes a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules and requirements of the Securities Exchange.

ARTICLE 14. BYLAWS

The Bylaws of this corporation may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, except that the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal any Bylaw that the shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing the Bylaw, may not be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. The shareholders may also alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of this corporation or adopt new Bylaws; provided , however , that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of this corporation generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single voting group, shall be required for the shareholders of this corporation to alter, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws of this corporation or adopt new Bylaws.

 

-17-


ARTICLE 15. SAVINGS CLAUSE

If any provision of these Articles is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or contrary to applicable law, the remainder of these Articles shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

Dated:              , 2011

 

 

                     , Secretary

Exhibit 3.4

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ZILLOW, INC.

Originally adopted on:              , 2011

Amendments are listed on page i


AMENDMENTS

 

Section

 

Effect of Amendment

 

Date of Amendment

 

 

-i-


CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

     1   

SECTION 2. SHAREHOLDERS

     2   

2.1 Annual Meetings

     2   

2.2 Special Meetings

     2   

2.3 Meetings by Communications Equipment

     3   

2.4 Date, Time and Place of Meetings

     3   

2.5 Notice to Shareholders

     3   

2.5.1 Type of Notice

     3   

2.5.2 Effectiveness of Notice

     4   

2.5.3 Notice of Meetings

     5   

2.5.3.1 Number of Days’ Notice

     5   

2.5.3.2 Adjourned Meetings

     5   

2.5.4 Waiver of Notice

     5   

2.5.4.1 Waiver by Delivery of a Record

     5   

2.5.4.2 Waiver by Attendance

     6   

2.5.4.3 Waiver of Objection

     6   

2.6 Notice of Nominations and Shareholder Business

     6   

2.6.1 Annual Meetings

     6   

2.6.2 Special Meetings

     8   

2.6.3 General

     9   

2.6.4 Notice or Request to Corporation

     10   

 

-ii-


2.7 Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive

      Payment of a Dividend

     10   

2.7.1 Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders

     10   

2.7.2 Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution

     10   

2.8 Voting Record

     10   

2.9 Quorum

     11   

2.10 Manner of Acting

     11   

2.10.1 Matters Other Than the Election of Directors

     11   

2.10.2 Election of Directors

     11   

2.11 Proxies

     11   

2.11.1 Written Authorization

     11   

2.11.2 Recorded Telephone Call, Voice Mail or Other Electronic Transmission

     12   

2.11.3 Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy

     12   

2.11.4 Revocability of Proxy

     12   

2.11.5 Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy

     13   

2.11.6 Acceptance of Proxy’s Vote or Action

     13   

2.11.7 Meaning of Sign or Signature

     13   

2.12 Voting of Shares

     13   

2.13 Voting for Directors

     13   

2.14 Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting

     13   

2.14.1 Unanimous Written Consent

     13   

 

-iii-


2.14.2 General Provisions

     14   

2.15 Inspectors of Election

     14   

2.15.1 Appointment

     14   

2.15.2 Duties

     14   

SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     15   

3.1 General Powers

     15   

3.2 Number and Tenure

     15   

3.3 Regular Meetings

     16   

3.4 Special Meetings

     16   

3.5 Meetings by Communications Equipment

     16   

3.6 Notice of Special Meetings

     16   

3.6.1 Number of Days’ Notice

     16   

3.6.2 Type of Notice

     16   

3.6.3 Effectiveness of Written Notice

     17   

3.6.4 Effectiveness of Oral Notice

     18   

3.7 Waiver of Notice

     18   

3.7.1 Waiver by Delivery of a Record

     18   

3.7.2 Waiver by Attendance

     18   

3.8 Quorum

     19   

3.8.1 Board

     19   

3.8.2 Committees

     19   

3.9 Manner of Acting

     19   

3.10 Presumption of Assent

     19   

 

-iv-


3.11 Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting

     19   

3.12 Resignation of Directors and Committee Members

     20   

3.13 Removal of Directors and Committee Members

     20   

3.13.1 Removal of Directors

     20   

3.13.2 Removal of Committee Members

     20   

3.14 Vacancies

     20   

3.15 Executive and Other Committees

     21   

3.15.1 Creation of Committees

     21   

3.15.2 Authority of Committees

     21   

3.15.3 Minutes of Meetings

     21   

3.16 Compensation of Directors and Committee Members

     22   

SECTION 4. OFFICERS

     22   

4.1 Appointment and Term

     22   

4.2 Resignation of Officers

     22   

4.3 Removal of Officers

     22   

4.4 Contract Rights of Officers

     22   

4.5 Chairperson of the Board

     23   

4.6 Chief Executive Officer

     23   

4.7 President

     23   

4.8 Vice President

     23   

4.9 Secretary

     24   

4.10 Treasurer

     24   

4.11 Salaries

     24   

 

-v-


SECTION 5. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

     24   

5.1 Issuance of Shares

     24   

5.2 Certificates for Shares

     24   

5.3 Issuance of Shares Without Certificates

     25   

5.4 Stock Records

     25   

5.5 Restriction on Transfer

     25   

5.6 Transfer of Shares

     26   

5.7 Lost, Destroyed or Damaged Certificates

     26   

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION

     26   

6.1 Right to Indemnification

     26   

6.2 Restrictions on Indemnification

     27   

6.3 Advancement of Expenses

     27   

6.4 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit

     27   

6.5 Procedures Exclusive

     27   

6.6 Nonexclusivity of Rights

     28   

6.7 Insurance, Contracts and Funding

     28   

6.8 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation

     28   

6.9 Persons Serving Other Entities

     28   

SECTION 7. GENERAL MATTERS

     29   

7.1 Accounting Year

     29   

7.2 Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws

     29   

7.3 Books and Records

     29   

 

-vi-


7.4 Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits

     30   

7.4.1 Contracts

     30   

7.4.2 Loans to the Corporation

     30   

7.4.3 Checks, Drafts, etc.

     30   

7.4.4 Deposits

     30   

7.5 Corporate Seal

     30   

 

-vii-


Amended and Restated Bylaws

of

Zillow, Inc.

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

As used in these Bylaws, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Articles of Incorporation ” means the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and all amendments as filed with the Washington Secretary of State.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the corporation.

Electronic transmission ” means an electronic communication not directly involving the physical transfer of a record in a tangible medium that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by the sender and the recipient and that may be directly reproduced in a tangible medium by the sender and recipient.

Execute ,” “ executes ” or “ executed ” means signed with respect to a written record or electronically transmitted along with sufficient information to determine the sender’s identity with respect to an electronic transmission.

RCW ” means the Revised Code of Washington and “ RCW 23B ” means Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington (also known as the Washington Business Corporation Act).

Record ” means information inscribed on a tangible medium or contained in an electronic transmission.

Tangible medium ” means a writing, copy of a writing or facsimile, or a physical reproduction, each on paper or on other tangible material.

Threshold Date ” has the meaning given such term in the Articles of Incorporation.

Washington Business Corporation Act ” means the Washington Business Corporation Act, as it exists now or may be amended.

Writing ” or “ written ” means embodied in a tangible medium, and excludes an electronic transmission.


SECTION 2. SHAREHOLDERS

 

2.1 Annual Meetings

The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such place and time and on such date as determined by the Board for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

2.2 Special Meetings

 

  2.2.1 General

A special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the Board, or by any of the following persons: the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

  2.2.2 Shareholder Requested Special Meetings

(a) Prior to the Threshold Date, a special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Board upon request to the Secretary, in accordance with Section 2.6.4, of one or more record holders of shares of the corporation representing in the aggregate not less than 25% of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting. A request to the Secretary shall be executed by each shareholder, or a duly authorized agent of such shareholder, requesting the special meeting and shall set forth: (i) a brief description of each matter of business desired to be brought before the special meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the special meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of each shareholder requesting the special meeting, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are owned by each shareholder requesting the special meeting, including shares beneficially owned and shares held of record, (iv) any material interest of each shareholder in the business desired to be brought before the special meeting, and (v) any other information that is required to be set forth in a shareholder’s notice required pursuant to Section 2.6.1.

(b) A special meeting requested by shareholders shall be held at such date, time and place within or without the State of Washington as may be fixed by the Board and the record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting shall be determined in accordance with Section 2.7.1; provided, however, that the date of any such special meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the request to call the special meeting that complies with Section 2.2.2(a) is delivered to and received by the Secretary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a special meeting requested by shareholders shall not be held if (i) the special meeting request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for shareholder action under applicable law or (ii) the Board has called or calls for an annual meeting of shareholders to be held within 90 days after the Secretary receives the request for the special meeting and the Board determines in good faith that the business of such annual meeting includes (among any other matters properly brought before the annual meeting) the

 

-2-


business specified in the request. A shareholder may revoke a request for a special meeting at any time by notice delivered to and received by the Secretary, and if, following such revocation, there are unrevoked requests from shareholders holding shares of the corporation representing in the aggregate less than the requisite number of votes entitling the shareholders to request a special meeting, the Board, in its discretion, may cancel the special meeting.

(c) Business transacted at a special meeting requested by shareholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the request for the special meeting; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board from submitting additional matters to shareholders at any such special meeting.

(d) After the Threshold Date, a special meeting of shareholders may not be called by the shareholders or any other person or persons, other than as set forth in Section 2.2.1.

 

2.3 Meetings by Communications Equipment

Shareholders may participate in any meeting of the shareholders by any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other during the meeting, and participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

 

2.4 Date, Time and Place of Meetings

Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all meetings of shareholders, including those held pursuant to request by shareholders as provided herein, shall be held on a date and at a time and place, within or without the State of Washington, designated by or at the direction of the Board.

 

2.5 Notice to Shareholders

Any notice to shareholders required or permitted under these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act shall be provided in accordance with this Section 2.5.

 

  2.5.1 Type of Notice

(a) Notice Provided in a Tangible Medium. Notice may be provided in a tangible medium and may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, personal delivery, telegraph, teletype, telephone or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.

(b) Notice Provided in an Electronic Transmission. Notice may be provided in an electronic transmission and be electronically transmitted.

 

-3-


(1) Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice to shareholders in an electronic transmission is effective only with respect to shareholders that have consented, in the form of a record, to receive electronically transmitted notices and designated in the consent the address, location or system to which these notices may be electronically transmitted. Notice provided in an electronic transmission includes material required or permitted to accompany the notice by the Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable statute or regulation.

(2) Revocation of Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. A shareholder that has consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may revoke the consent by delivering a revocation to the corporation in the form of a record. The consent of a shareholder to receive notice by electronic transmission is revoked if the corporation is unable to electronically transmit two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with the consent, and this inability becomes known to the Secretary, the transfer agent or any other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure by the corporation to treat this inability as a revocation does not invalidate any meeting or other action.

(3) Posting Notice on an Electronic Network. Notice to shareholders that have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the shareholder a separate record of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

 

  2.5.2 Effectiveness of Notice

(a) Notice by Mail. Notice given by mail is effective when deposited in the United States mail, first-class postage prepaid, properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears in the corporation’s current record of shareholders.

(b) Notice by Telegraph, Teletype or Facsimile Equipment. Notice given by telegraph, teletype or facsimile equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice is effective when dispatched to the shareholder’s address, telephone number or other number appearing on the records of the corporation.

(c) Notice by Air Courier. Notice given by air courier is effective when dispatched, if prepaid and properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears in the corporation’s current record of shareholders.

(d) Notice by Ground Courier or Other Personal Delivery. Notice given by ground courier or other personal delivery is effective when received by a shareholder.

(e) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice provided in an electronic transmission, if in comprehensible form, is effective when it (i) is electronically transmitted to an address, location or system designated by the recipient for that purpose or (ii) has been posted on an electronic network and a separate record of the posting has been delivered to the recipient together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

 

-4-


(f) Notice by Publication. Notice given by publication is effective five days after first publication.

 

  2.5.3 Notice of Meetings

Notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be provided in the form of a record by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Secretary to each shareholder entitled to notice of or to vote at the meeting, as provided below.

 

  2.5.3.1 Number of Days’ Notice

(a) Normal Business. Except as provided in Section 2.5.3.1(b), notice of the meeting shall be provided not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the meeting.

(b) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation; Merger or Share Exchange; Sale of Assets or Dissolution. Notice of a meeting held for the purpose of considering an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, a plan of merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets other than in the regular course of business or the dissolution of the corporation shall be provided not less than 20 or more than 60 days before the meeting.

 

  2.5.3.2 Adjourned Meetings

If an annual or special meeting of shareholders is adjourned to a different date, time or place, no notice of the new date, time or place is required if this information is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed, notice of the adjourned meeting must be provided to shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote as of the new record date.

 

  2.5.4 Waiver of Notice

 

  2.5.4.1 Waiver by Delivery of a Record

A shareholder may waive any notice required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act before or after the date and time of the meeting that is the subject of the notice. The waiver must be (a) delivered by the shareholder entitled to notice to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records, and (b) set forth either in an executed and dated written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the waiver may be electronically transmitted and the waiver is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed and dated electronically transmitted record.

 

-5-


  2.5.4.2 Waiver by Attendance

Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting will be waived by any shareholder by attendance in person or by proxy, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting.

 

  2.5.4.3 Waiver of Objection

A shareholder waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at a meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the notice of the meeting unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

 

2.6 Notice of Nominations and Shareholder Business

 

  2.6.1 Annual Meetings

(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board or the proposal of other business to be transacted by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made only (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof or (iii) by any shareholder of the corporation who is a shareholder of record both at the time the notice required by Section 2.6.1(b) is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6.1. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “ Exchange Act ”), and included in the corporation’s notice of meeting, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of shareholders by a shareholder pursuant to Section 2.6.1(a)(iii), the shareholder must have delivered timely notice thereof, in accordance with Section 2.6.4, to the Secretary and any such proposed business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board) must constitute a proper matter for shareholder action. Without qualification, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to and received by the Secretary not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than 70 days after such anniversary date, then to be timely such notice must be delivered to and received by the Secretary no earlier than 120 days prior to such annual meeting and no later than the later of 70 days prior to the date of the meeting or the 10th day following the day on which a Public Announcement of the date of the meeting was first made. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above. “ Public Announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

-6-


(c) A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth

(i) as to each person (a “ nominee ”) whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivatives positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivative, long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to create or mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, any such nominee with respect to the corporation’s securities, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the shareholder, and (F) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election or re-election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected or re-elected, as the case may be);

(ii) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business and any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and

(iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the Shareholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made: (A) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business and any Shareholder Associated Person, (B) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivatives, long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options,

 

-7-


warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made, the effect or intent of which is to create or mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such shareholder or any such Shareholder Associated Person with respect to the corporation’s securities, (D) any material interest of the shareholder or a Shareholder Associated Person in such business, and (E) a statement whether either such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the votes entitled to be cast on the proposal or nomination required under applicable law to carry the proposal or to elect the director.

In addition, to be in proper form under this Section 2.6.1, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be supplemented not later than 10 days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in Sections 2.6.1(c)(i)(C), (D) and (E) and 2.6.1(c)(iii)(B) and (C) as of the record date for notice of the meeting.

(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.6, the term “ Shareholder Associated Person ” of any shareholder shall mean (A) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such shareholder, (B) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, and (C) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Shareholder Associated Person.

 

  2.6.2 Special Meetings

Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of shareholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof (or, prior to the Threshold Date, upon the request of shareholders pursuant to Section 2.2.2) or (b) provided that the Board (or, prior to the Threshold Date, shareholders pursuant to Section 2.2.2) has determined that directors shall be elected at such special meeting, by any shareholder of the corporation who is a shareholder of record both at the time the notice required by Section 2.6.1 is delivered to and received by the Secretary and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the special meeting and in such election of directors, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.6.1 as to such nomination. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such shareholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as are specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if the shareholder’s notice required by Section 2.6.1 is delivered to and received by the Secretary no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting and the 10th day following the day on which a Public Announcement of the date of the special meeting was first made and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such special meeting. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting as to which notice has been sent to shareholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

-8-


  2.6.3 General

(a) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 (including whether the shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group that solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such shareholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such shareholder’s statement as required by Section 2.6.1(c)(iii)(E)) and (ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.6, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, unless otherwise required by law, if the shareholder (or a qualified representative of the shareholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.6, to be considered a qualified representative of the shareholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such shareholder or must be authorized by a written record executed by such shareholder or an electronically transmitted record executed by such shareholder to act for such shareholder as proxy at the annual or special meeting and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the annual or special meeting.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.6; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or such rules and regulations are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 2.6, and compliance with Sections 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or submit other business. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or (iii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, if any, to the extent provided for under law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

-9-


  2.6.4 Notice or Request to Corporation

Any notice or request required to be delivered by a shareholder to the corporation pursuant to Section 2.2 or this Section 2.6 must be either (a) set forth in an executed written record given, either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary at the corporation’s principal executive offices or (b) set forth in an executed electronically transmitted record, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which such notice or request may be electronically transmitted and the notice or request is electronically transmitted to that designated address, location or system.

 

2.7 Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive Payment of a Dividend

 

  2.7.1 Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders

For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment of a meeting, the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the determination. The record date shall be not less than 10 or more than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting, the record date shall be the day immediately preceding the date on which notice of the meeting is first given to shareholders. The determination of the record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board fixes a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the date fixed for the original meeting.

 

  2.7.2 Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution

For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution (including a dividend or distribution in connection with a stock split), the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the dividend or distribution. The record date shall be not more than 70 days prior to the date on which the dividend or distribution is payable. If no record date is set for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment of any stock dividend or distribution (other than one involving a purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the corporation’s shares), the record date shall be the date the Board authorizes the stock dividend or distribution.

 

2.8 Voting Record

At least 10 days before each meeting of shareholders, an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting shall be made, arranged by voting group and by each class or series of shares, with the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. This record shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation or at a place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held for 10 days prior to the meeting, and shall be kept open at the meeting, for the inspection of any shareholder or any shareholder’s agent or attorney-in-fact.

 

-10-


2.9 Quorum

A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by the holders of shares that, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, are entitled to vote on the matter, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of those shares at a meeting of shareholders, including a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of any class or series of shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group. If less than a quorum of votes is represented at a meeting, a majority of the votes so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice if the new date, time and place are announced at the meeting before adjournment. Any business may be transacted at a reconvened meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called, if a quorum is present or represented at the meeting. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting other than solely to object to holding the meeting or transacting business, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment (unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting) notwithstanding the withdrawal of holders of shares representing enough votes entitled to be cast to leave less than a quorum.

 

2.10 Manner of Acting

 

  2.10.1 Matters Other Than the Election of Directors

If a quorum is present, action on a matter other than the election of directors shall be approved if the votes cast in favor of the action by shares entitled to vote on the matter exceed the votes cast against the action by shares entitled to vote thereon, unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act requires a greater number of affirmative votes or approval by separate voting groups.

 

  2.10.2 Election of Directors

Directors shall be elected in the manner set forth in Section 2.13.

 

2.11 Proxies

A shareholder or the shareholder’s agent or attorney-in-fact may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the shareholder by an executed writing or by a recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission.

 

  2.11.1 Written Authorization

Execution of a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for the shareholder as proxy may be accomplished by the shareholder or the shareholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing the writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to the writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

-11-


  2.11.2 Recorded Telephone Call, Voice Mail or Other Electronic Transmission

Authorizing another person or persons to act for the shareholder as proxy may be accomplished by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive the transmission, provided that the transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information, including any security or validation controls used, from which it can reasonably be determined that the transmission was authorized by the shareholder. If it is determined that the transmission is valid, the inspectors of election or, if there are no inspectors, any officer or agent of the corporation making that determination on behalf of the corporation shall specify the information upon which he or she relied. The corporation shall require the holders of proxies received by transmission to provide to the corporation copies of the transmission, and the corporation shall retain copies of the transmission for a reasonable period of time after the election, provided that they are retained for at least 60 days.

 

  2.11.3 Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy

An appointment of a proxy is effective when a signed appointment form or telegram, cablegram, recorded telephone call, voice mail or other transmission of the appointment is received by the inspectors of election or the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes. An appointment is valid for 11 months unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. A proxy with respect to a specified meeting shall entitle its holder to vote at any reconvened meeting following adjournment of the meeting but shall not be valid after the final adjournment.

 

  2.11.4 Revocability of Proxy

An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the shareholder unless the appointment indicates that it is irrevocable and the appointment is coupled with an interest. Appointments coupled with an interest include the appointment of a pledgee, a person who purchased or agreed to purchase the shares, a creditor of the corporation who extended it credit under terms requiring the appointment, an employee of the corporation whose employment contract requires the appointment or a party to a voting agreement created under RCW 23B.07.310. An appointment made irrevocable is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished. A transferee for value of shares subject to an irrevocable appointment may revoke the appointment if the transferee did not know of its existence when the transferee acquired the shares and the existence of the irrevocable appointment was not noted conspicuously on the certificate representing the shares or on the information statement for shares without certificates.

 

-12-


  2.11.5 Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy

The death or incapacity of the shareholder appointing a proxy does not affect the right of the corporation to accept the proxy’s authority unless notice of the death or incapacity is received by the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes before the proxy exercises the proxy’s authority under the appointment.

 

  2.11.6 Acceptance of Proxy’s Vote or Action

Subject to RCW 23B.07.240 and to any express limitation on the proxy’s authority stated in the appointment form or recorded telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission, the corporation is entitled to accept the proxy’s vote or other action as that of the shareholder making the appointment.

 

  2.11.7 Meaning of Sign or Signature

For the purposes of this Section 2.11, “signing” or “signature” includes any manual, facsimile, conformed or electronic signature.

 

2.12 Voting of Shares

Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding share entitled to vote with respect to a matter submitted to a meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to one vote upon the matter.

 

2.13 Voting for Directors

Each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors may vote, in person or by proxy, the number of shares owned by the shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the shareholder has a right to vote. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the candidates elected shall be those receiving the largest number of votes cast, up to the number of directors to be elected. Directors may be elected by consent in lieu of an annual or special meeting in accordance with Section 2.14.

 

2.14 Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting

Any action that may or is required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting or a vote, pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.14.

 

  2.14.1 Unanimous Written Consent

Action may be taken by unanimous consent if (a) one or more consents, each in the form of a record, describing the action taken are executed by all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the matter and (b) the executed consents are delivered to the corporation for filing with the corporate records.

 

-13-


  2.14.2 General Provisions

(a) Form of Consent. The consent shall be set forth either in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the consent may be electronically transmitted and the consent is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record.

(b) Record Date. If not otherwise fixed by the Board, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to take action without a meeting is the date the first shareholder consent is executed.

(c) Withdrawal of Consent. A shareholder may withdraw a consent only by delivering a notice of withdrawal in the form of a record to the corporation prior to the time that consents sufficient to authorize taking the action have been delivered to the corporation.

(d) Date of Signature. Every consent shall bear the date of execution of each shareholder that executes the consent.

(e) Time Allowed to Complete Execution of Consents. A consent is not effective to take the action referred to in the consent unless, within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent that is delivered to the corporation, consents executed by a sufficient number of shareholders to take action are delivered to the corporation.

(f) Effective Date of Consent Action. Unless the consent specifies a later effective date, actions taken by consent of the shareholders are effective when consents sufficient to authorize taking the action are in possession of the corporation.

(g) Inclusion in Corporate Records. The consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a meeting of the shareholders.

 

2.15 Inspectors of Election

 

  2.15.1 Appointment

In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board shall appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at such meeting and to make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one or more persons to serve as alternate inspectors to serve in place of any inspector who is unable or fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of shareholders, the chairperson of such meeting shall appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at such meeting.

 

  2.15.2 Duties

The inspectors of election shall

(a) ascertain the number of shares of the corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share;

 

-14-


(b) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;

(c) count all votes and ballots;

(d) determine and retain for a reasonable period of time a record of the disposition of any challenges to any determination made by them; and

(e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of the votes and ballots.

The validity of any proxy or ballot shall be determined by the inspectors of election in accordance with the applicable provisions of these Bylaws and the Washington Business Corporation Act as then in effect. In determining the validity of any proxy transmitted by telephone call, voice mail or other electronic transmission, the inspectors shall record in writing the information upon which they relied in making such determination. Each inspector of elections shall, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors of election may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist them in the performance of their duties.

SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

3.1 General Powers

All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board, except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.

 

3.2 Number and Tenure

The Board shall be composed of not less than two directors, the specific number to be set from time to time solely by resolution of the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. No decrease in the number of authorized directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Unless a director dies, resigns or is removed, such director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the authorized number of directors. In accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, the directors of the corporation shall be divided into three classes. Directors need not be shareholders of the corporation or residents of the State of Washington.

 

-15-


3.3 Regular Meetings

By resolution, the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may specify the time and place, within or without the State of Washington, for holding regular meetings without notice other than the resolution.

 

3.4 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may be called by or at the request of the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or, in the case of special Board meetings, any director and, in the case of any special meeting of any committee designated by the Board, by the committee’s chairperson. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings may fix any place, within or without the State of Washington, for holding any special Board or committee meeting called by such person or persons.

 

3.5 Meetings by Communications Equipment

Members of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating in the meeting can hear one another during the meeting, and participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

 

3.6 Notice of Special Meetings

Notice of a special Board or committee meeting stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be provided to each director on the Board or committee, as applicable, in the form of a record or orally, as provided below. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any special meeting need be specified in the notice of the meeting.

 

  3.6.1 Number of Days’ Notice

Notice of the meeting shall be given at least two days before the meeting.

 

  3.6.2 Type of Notice

(a) Oral Notice. Oral notice may be communicated in person, by telephone, wire or wireless equipment that does not transmit a facsimile of the notice, or by any electronic means that does not create a record.

(b) Notice Provided in a Tangible Medium. Notice may be provided in a tangible medium and may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, personal delivery, telegraph, teletype, telephone or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.

 

-16-


(c) Notice Provided in an Electronic Transmission. Notice may be provided in an electronic transmission and be electronically transmitted.

(1) Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice to directors in an electronic transmission is effective only with respect to directors who have consented, in the form of a record, to receive electronically transmitted notices and designated in the consent the address, location or system to which these notices may be electronically transmitted. Notice provided in an electronic transmission includes material required or permitted to accompany the notice by the Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable statute or regulation.

(2) Revocation of Consent to Receive Notice by Electronic Transmission. A director who has consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may revoke the consent by delivering a revocation to the corporation in the form of a record. The consent of a director to receive notice by electronic transmission is revoked if the corporation is unable to electronically transmit two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with the consent, and this inability becomes known to the Secretary or any other person responsible for giving the notice. The inadvertent failure by the corporation to treat this inability as a revocation does not invalidate any meeting or other action.

(3) Posting Notice on an Electronic Network. Notice to directors who have consented to receipt of electronically transmitted notices may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the director a separate record of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

 

  3.6.3 Effectiveness of Written Notice

(a) Notice by Mail. Notice given by mail is effective five days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed with first-class postage prepaid and correctly addressed to the director at his or her address shown on the records of the corporation.

(b) Notice by Registered or Certified Mail. Notice is effective on the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee.

(c) Notice by Telegraph, Teletype or Facsimile Equipment. Notice sent to the director’s address, telephone number or other number appearing on the records of the corporation is effective when dispatched by telegraph, teletype or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.

(d) Notice by Private Carrier. Notice given by private carrier is effective when received by the director.

 

-17-


(e) Personal Notice. Notice given by personal delivery is effective when received by the director.

(f) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice provided by electronic transmission, if in comprehensible form, is effective when it (i) is electronically transmitted to an address, location or system designated by the recipient for that purpose or (ii) has been posted on an electronic network and a separate record of the posting has been delivered to the recipient together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

 

  3.6.4 Effectiveness of Oral Notice

(a) Notice in Person or by Telephone. Oral notice is effective when received by the director.

(b) Notice by Wire or Wireless Equipment. Notice given by wire or wireless equipment that does not transmit a facsimile of the notice or by any electronic means that does not create a record is effective when communicated to the director.

 

3.7 Waiver of Notice

 

  3.7.1 Waiver by Delivery of a Record

A director may waive any notice required to be given to any director under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, before or after the date and time stated in the notice, and the waiver shall be equivalent to the giving of notice. The waiver must be delivered to the corporation by the director entitled to the notice for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. The waiver shall be set forth either in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the waiver may be electronically transmitted and the waiver has been electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board or any committee designated by the Board need be specified in the waiver of notice of the meeting.

 

  3.7.2 Waiver by Attendance

A director’s attendance at or participation in a Board or committee meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, unless the director at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.

 

-18-


3.8 Quorum

 

  3.8.1 Board

A majority of the number of directors fixed by or in the manner provided in these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting but, if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

 

  3.8.2 Committees

A majority of the number of directors composing any committee of the Board, as established and fixed by resolution of the Board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee but, if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

 

3.9 Manner of Acting

If a quorum is present when the vote is taken, the act of the majority of the directors present at a Board or committee meeting shall be the act of the Board or the committee, unless the vote of a greater number is required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.

 

3.10 Presumption of Assent

A director of the corporation who is present at a Board or committee meeting at which any action is taken shall be deemed to have assented to the action taken unless (a) the director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting any business at the meeting, (b) the director’s dissent or abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting, or (c) the director delivers notice of the director’s dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or to the corporation within a reasonable time after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.

 

3.11 Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting

Any action that could be taken at a meeting of the Board or of any committee created by the Board may be taken without a meeting if one or more consents setting forth the action so taken are executed by all the directors or by all the members of the committee either before or after the action is taken and delivered to the corporation, each of which shall be set forth in an executed written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the consent may be electronically transmitted and the consent is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed electronically transmitted record. Action taken by consent of directors without a meeting is effective when the last director executes the consent, unless the consent specifies a later effective date. The consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a Board or a committee meeting.

 

-19-


3.12 Resignation of Directors and Committee Members

Any director may resign from the Board or any committee of the Board at any time by delivering an executed notice to the Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board. The resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

3.13 Removal of Directors and Committee Members

 

  3.13.1 Removal of Directors

(a) Prior to Threshold Date. Prior to the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), one or more directors, including the entire Board, may be removed with or without cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.

(b) After Threshold Date. After the Threshold Date, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), one or more directors, including the entire Board, may be removed only for cause by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if, with respect to a particular director, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast to not remove the director.

 

  3.13.2 Removal of Committee Members

The Board may remove any member of any committee elected or appointed by it by the affirmative vote of the greater of a majority of the directors then in office and the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws.

 

3.14 Vacancies

Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be filled as follows:

(a) prior to the Threshold Date, by the shareholders (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.6), by the Board or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director; and

 

-20-


(b) after the Threshold Date, only by the Board or, if the directors in office constitute less than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or the sole remaining director.

The term of a director elected to fill a vacancy expires at the next election of directors by the shareholders.

 

3.15 Executive and Other Committees

 

  3.15.1 Creation of Committees

The Board, by resolution, may create standing or temporary committees, including an Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, and appoint members from its own number and invest the committees with powers as it may see fit, subject to conditions as may be prescribed by the Board, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws and applicable law. The resolution must be adopted by the greater of a majority of all the directors then in office or the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws. Each committee must have two or more members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

  3.15.2 Authority of Committees

Each committee shall have and may exercise all the authority of the Board to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board creating the committee and any subsequent resolutions adopted in like manner, except that no committee shall have the authority to: (a) authorize or approve a distribution, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the Board, (b) approve or propose to shareholders actions or proposals required by the Washington Business Corporation Act to be approved by shareholders, (c) fill vacancies on the Board or any committee of the Board, (d) amend the Articles of Incorporation pursuant to RCW 23B.10.020, (e) adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws, (f) approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval, or (g) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares, except that the Board may authorize a committee or a senior executive officer of the corporation to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board.

 

  3.15.3 Minutes of Meetings

All committees shall keep regular minutes of their meetings and shall cause them to be recorded in books kept for that purpose.

 

-21-


3.16 Compensation of Directors and Committee Members

By Board resolution, directors and committee members may be paid for their service as directors and committee members in such amounts and form as specified in such resolution, which may include, without limitation, their expenses, if any, of attendance at each Board or committee meeting, a fixed sum for attendance at each Board or committee meeting or a stated salary as director or a committee member, and such other compensation as the Board may determine (including, without limitation, stock options or other equity compensation). No payment for expenses or compensation as a director or committee member shall preclude any director or committee member from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for his or her services.

SECTION 4. OFFICERS

 

4.1 Appointment and Term

The officers of the corporation shall be those officers appointed from time to time by the Board or by any other officer empowered to do so. The Board shall have sole power and authority to appoint any executive officer and shall have the authority to appoint any other officers and to prescribe the respective terms of office, authority and duties of the executive officers or other officers. As used in these Bylaws, the term “executive officer” shall mean the President, any Vice President in charge of a principal business unit, division or function or any other officer who performs a policymaking function. The Board may delegate to any executive officer the power to appoint any subordinate officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authority and duties. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless an officer dies, resigns or is removed from office, he or she shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed.

 

4.2 Resignation of Officers

Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a notice to the corporation either in an executed written record or in an executed electronically transmitted record. The resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

4.3 Removal of Officers

Any officer may be removed by the Board at any time, with or without cause. An officer or assistant officer, if appointed by another officer, may be removed by any officer authorized to appoint officers or assistant officers.

 

4.4 Contract Rights of Officers

The appointment of an officer does not itself create contract rights.

 

-22-


4.5 Chairperson of the Board

If appointed, the Chairperson of the Board shall perform the duties assigned to him or her by the Board from time to time, and shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders unless another officer is appointed or designated by the Board as chairperson of the meetings.

 

4.6 Chief Executive Officer

If appointed, the Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation, shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders in the absence of a Chairperson of the Board, and, subject to the Board’s control, shall supervise and control all of the assets, business and affairs of the corporation. The Chief Executive Officer may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except when the signing and execution thereof have been expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation or are required by law to be otherwise signed or executed by some other officer or in some other manner. In general, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as are prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

4.7 President

In the event of the death of the Chief Executive Officer or a vacancy in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, or his or her inability to act, the President, if appointed, shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. The President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and other duties prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

4.8 Vice President

In the event of the death of the President or a vacancy in the office of the President, or his or her inability to act, the Vice President shall, if appointed, perform the duties of the President, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the President. If there is more than one Vice President, the Vice President who was designated by the Board as the successor to the President, or if no Vice President is so designated, the Vice President first elected to the office of Vice President, shall perform the duties of the President, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board, with all the powers of and subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or with the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certificates for shares of the corporation. Vice Presidents shall perform other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by or at the direction of the Board.

 

-23-


4.9 Secretary

If appointed, the Secretary shall be responsible for preparation of minutes of the meetings of the Board and shareholders, maintenance of the corporation records and stock registers, and authentication of the corporation’s records and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary may perform the duties of the Secretary.

 

4.10 Treasurer

If appointed, the Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, receive and give receipts for funds due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit funds in the name of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer may perform the duties of the Treasurer.

 

4.11 Salaries

The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or by any person or persons to whom the Board has delegated authority to set salaries of officers. No officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the corporation.

SECTION 5. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

 

5.1 Issuance of Shares

No shares of the corporation shall be issued unless authorized by the Board or by a committee designated by the Board to the extent the committee is empowered to do so.

 

5.2 Certificates for Shares

Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, (a) by any two officers designated by the Board or (b) if no specific designation is made, by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary and shall include on their face written notice of any restrictions that may be imposed on the transferability of the shares. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.

 

-24-


5.3 Issuance of Shares Without Certificates

The Board may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of any or all of the corporation’s classes or series without certificates. The authorization does not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the shareholder a complete record containing the information required on certificates by applicable Washington law.

 

5.4 Stock Records

The stock transfer books shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar. The name and address of each person to whom certificates for shares are issued, together with the class and number of shares represented by the certificate and the date of issuance of the certificate, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the corporation. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the corporation shall be deemed by the corporation to be the owner for all purposes.

 

5.5 Restriction on Transfer

Except to the extent that the corporation has obtained an opinion of counsel acceptable to the corporation that transfer restrictions are not required under applicable securities laws, or has otherwise satisfied itself that transfer restrictions are not required, all certificates representing shares of the corporation shall bear a legend on the face of the certificate, or on the reverse of the certificate if a reference to the legend is contained on the face, that reads substantially as follows or that substantially effects the same purpose:

The securities evidenced by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), or applicable state securities laws, and no interest may be sold, distributed, assigned, offered, pledged or otherwise transferred unless (a) there is an effective registration statement under the Act and applicable state securities laws covering the transaction involving these securities, (b) the corporation receives an opinion of legal counsel for the holder of these securities satisfactory to the corporation stating that the transaction is exempt from registration, or (c) the corporation otherwise satisfies itself that the transaction is exempt from registration.

If any securities of the corporation are issued pursuant to Regulation S (“ Regulation S ”) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”), the corporation will refuse to register any subsequent transfer of such securities if such transfer is not made in accordance with Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the 1933 Act or pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the 1933 Act.

 

-25-


5.6 Transfer of Shares

The transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation pursuant to authorization or document of transfer made by the holder of record or by the holder’s legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by the holder’s attorney-in-fact authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary. All certificates surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificates for a like number of shares have been surrendered and canceled.

 

5.7 Lost, Destroyed or Damaged Certificates

In the case of a lost, destroyed or damaged certificate, a new certificate may be issued in its place upon terms and indemnity to the corporation as the Board may prescribe.

SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 Right to Indemnification

Each person who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation or, that being or having been a director or officer of the corporation, he or she is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (an “ indemnitee ”), whether the basis of a proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation against all losses, claims, damages (compensatory, exemplary, punitive or otherwise), liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, amounts to be paid in settlement and any other expenses) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by the indemnitee in connection with the proceeding, and the indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the corporation or a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Except as provided in Section 6.4 with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify the indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part of a proceeding) initiated by the indemnitee only if a proceeding (or part of a proceeding) was authorized or ratified by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6 shall be a contract right.

 

-26-


6.2 Restrictions on Indemnification

No indemnification shall be provided to any indemnitee for acts or omissions of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for conduct of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be in violation of RCW 23B.08.310, for any transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that the indemnitee personally received a benefit in money, property or services to which the indemnitee was not legally entitled or if the corporation is otherwise prohibited by applicable law from paying indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if RCW 23B.08.560 is amended, the restrictions on indemnification set forth in this Section 6.2 shall be as set forth in the amended statutory provision.

 

6.3 Advancement of Expenses

The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6 shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “ advancement of expenses ”). An advancement of expenses shall be made upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (an “ undertaking ”), by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified.

 

6.4 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit

If a claim under Section 6.1 or 6.3 is not paid in full by the corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part, in any such suit or in a suit brought by the corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of litigating the suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.4 upon submission of a written claim (and, in an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses, when the required undertaking has been tendered to the corporation), and thereafter the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the indemnitee is so entitled.

 

6.5 Procedures Exclusive

Pursuant to RCW 23B.08.560(2) or any successor provision, the procedures for indemnification and the advancement of expenses set forth in this Section 6 are in lieu of the procedures required by RCW 23B.08.550 or any successor provision.

 

-27-


6.6 Nonexclusivity of Rights

Except as set forth in Section 6.5, the right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, general or specific action of the Board or shareholders, contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding any amendment or repeal of this Section 6, or of any amendment or repeal of any of the procedures that may be established by the Board pursuant to this Section 6, any indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and those procedures with respect to any acts or omissions of the indemnitee occurring prior to the amendment or repeal.

 

6.7 Insurance, Contracts and Funding

The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the authority or right to indemnify the person against the expense, liability or loss under the Washington Business Corporation Act or other law. The corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation in furtherance of the provisions of this Section 6 and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of the amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Section 6.

 

6.8 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation

In addition to the rights of indemnification set forth in Section 6.1, the corporation may, by action of the Board, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents or any class or group of employees and agents of the corporation (a) with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this Section 6 with respect to indemnification and the advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the corporation, (b) pursuant to rights granted or provided by the Washington Business Corporation Act, or (c) as are otherwise consistent with law.

 

6.9 Persons Serving Other Entities

Any person who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving (a) as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors is held by the corporation or (b) as a partner, trustee or otherwise in an executive or management capacity in a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which the corporation or a majority owned subsidiary of the corporation is a general partner or has a majority ownership, shall conclusively be deemed to be so serving at the request of the corporation and entitled to indemnification and the advancement of expenses under Sections 6.1 and 6.3, respectively.

 

-28-


SECTION 7. GENERAL MATTERS

 

7.1 Accounting Year

The accounting year of the corporation shall be the calendar year, but if a different accounting year is at any time selected by the Board for purposes of federal income taxes, or any other purpose, the accounting year shall be the year so selected.

 

7.2 Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board, except that the Board may not amend or repeal any Bylaw that the shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing the Bylaw, may not be amended or repealed by the Board. The shareholders may also alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.2, as applicable, and Section 2.6); provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single voting group, shall be required for the shareholders of the corporation to alter, amend or repeal any provision of these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws.

 

7.3 Books and Records

The corporation shall:

(a) keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its shareholders and the Board, a record of all actions taken by shareholders or the Board without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the Board exercising the authority of the Board on behalf of the corporation;

(b) maintain appropriate accounting records;

(c) maintain or hire an agent to maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders, in alphabetical order by class of shares showing the number and class of shares held by each;

(d) maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time; and

(e) keep a copy of the following records at its principal office;

(i) the Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;

(ii) these Bylaws and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;

(iii) the minutes of all meetings of shareholders and records of all actions taken by shareholders without a meeting for the past three years;

 

-29-


(iv) the financial statements described in RCW 23B.16.200(1) for the past three years;

(v) all communications in the form of a record to shareholders generally within the past three years;

(vi) a list of the names and business addresses of the current directors and officers; and

(vii) the most recent annual report delivered to the Washington Secretary of State.

 

7.4 Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits

 

  7.4.1 Contracts

The Board may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. The authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

  7.4.2 Loans to the Corporation

No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board. The authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

  7.4.3 Checks, Drafts, etc.

All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by the officer or officers, or agent or agents, of the corporation and in the manner from time to time determined by resolution of the Board.

 

  7.4.4 Deposits

All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected by the Board.

 

7.5 Corporate Seal

The Board may provide for a corporate seal that shall consist of the name of the corporation, the state of its incorporation and the year of its incorporation.

 

-30-

Exhibit 3.5

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

OF

ZILLOW, INC.

Pursuant to RCW 23B.10.060, the following Articles of Amendment are executed by the undersigned, a Washington corporation:

1. The name of the corporation is Zillow, Inc.

2. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the corporation are amended as follows:

(a) Article 2. Shares, is hereby amended to amend the name of the Common Stock (and not the Class B Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock) to “Class A Common Stock” and, accordingly, to change each reference in Article 2 to “Common Stock” (and not to the Class B Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock) to instead state “Class A Common Stock”.

(b) Section 2.1 of Article 2 is hereby further amended to add the following subsection (c) at the end thereof:

(c) Reverse Stock Split . Upon effectiveness of these Articles of Amendment,

(i) every 3.38 outstanding shares of the corporation’s Class A Common Stock shall be combined and reclassified into one share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the corporation,

(ii) every 3.38 outstanding shares of the corporation’s Class B Common Stock shall be combined and reclassified into one share of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the corporation, and

(iii) every 3.38 outstanding shares of the corporation’s Class C Common Stock shall be combined and reclassified into one share of Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the corporation,

thereby giving effect to a 3.38-to-one reverse stock split (the “ Reverse Split ”). No fractional shares shall be issued in the Reverse Split; instead, any shareholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share shall receive in lieu of such fractional share a cash payment equal to the value of such fraction (based on the per share value as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.) The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue and the total number shares of any class or series of shares that this corporation shall have authority to issue shall not be effected by the Reverse Split and shall remain as set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Article 2.”


3. The date of the adoption of the amendments by the shareholders of the corporation is _______________, 2011.

4. The amendments were duly approved by the shareholders of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of RCW 23B.10.030 and RCW 23B.10.040.

5. These Articles of Amendment shall be effective at _____ _.M., Pacific time, on _______________, 2011.

[Signature page follows.]

 

-2-


These Articles of Amendment are executed by said corporation by its duly authorized officer.

DATED: _______________, 2011

 

ZILLOW, INC.
By:     
  Kathleen Philips, Corporate Secretary

 

-3-

Exhibit 4.1

LOGO

NUMBER Z Zillow SHARES INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP 98954A 107 This certifies that Is the record holder of FULLY PAID AND NONASSESSABLE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE, OF ZILLOW, INC. transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers Dated: Chief Executive Officer Secretary COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED MELLON INVESTOR SERVICES LLC TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE BY: ZILLOW, INC. CORPORATE SEAL DEC, 13 2004 WASHINGTON


LOGO

This Certificate evidences shares of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation. Other classes of shares of the Corporation are or may in the future be authorized, and those classes may consist of one or more series of shares, each with different rights, preferences and limitations. The Corporation will furnish any shareholder upon request and without charge a full statement of the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of each class authorized to be issued, and the variations in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series so far as the same have been fixed and determined, and the authority of the board of directors to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT ......................... Custodian TEN ENT as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor) JT TEN as joint tenants with right of under Uniform Gifts to Minors survivorship and not as tenants Act .............................................................................. (State) in common COM PROP as community property UNIF TRF MIN ACT ................. Custodian (until age (Cust) ............................................. (Minor) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ............................................................ (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _____________________________________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint attorney-in-fact to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated NOTICE: SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER.

Exhibit 10.2

ZILLOW, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan is to attract, retain and motivate employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its Related Companies by providing them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

Certain capitalized terms used in the Plan have the meanings set forth in Appendix A .

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 Administration of the Plan

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board or the Compensation Committee (including a subcommittee thereof), which shall be composed of two or more directors, each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may delegate concurrent responsibility for administering the Plan, including with respect to designated classes of Eligible Persons, to different committees consisting of two or more members of the Board, subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate. Members of any committee shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject to removal by the Board at any time. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Board may authorize one or more senior executive officers of the Company to grant Awards to designated classes of Eligible Persons, within limits specifically prescribed by the Board; provided, however, that no such officer shall have or obtain authority to grant Awards to himself or herself or to any person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(c) All references in the Plan to the “ Committee ” shall be, as applicable, to the Board, the Compensation Committee or any other committee or any officer to whom authority has been delegated to administer the Plan.


3.2 Administration and Interpretation by Committee

(a) Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and exclusive authority, subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board or a Committee composed of members of the Board, to (i) select the Eligible Persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted under the Plan; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan; (v) approve the forms of notice or agreement for use under the Plan; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock or other property or canceled or suspended; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument evidencing an Award, notice or agreement executed or entered into under the Plan; (viii) establish such rules and regulations as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) delegate ministerial duties to such of the Company’s employees as it so determines; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.

(b) The Committee shall have the right, without shareholder approval, to (i) lower the exercise or grant price of an Option or SAR after it is granted; (ii) cancel an Option or SAR at a time when its exercise or grant price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying stock, in exchange for cash, another option or stock appreciation right, restricted stock, or other equity award; or (iii) take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) The effect on the vesting of an Award of a Company-approved leave of absence or a Participant’s reduction in hours of employment or service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors or executive officers, by the Compensation Committee, whose determination shall be final.

(d) Decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, any Participant, any shareholder and any Eligible Person. A majority of the members of the Committee may determine its actions.

SECTION 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Authorized Number of Shares

Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 15.1, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be:

(a) 1,300,000 shares; plus

(b) an annual increase to be added as of the first day of the Company’s fiscal year beginning in 2013 equal to the least of (i) 3.5% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a fully diluted basis as of the end of the Company’s immediately preceding fiscal year, (ii) 3,500,000 shares, and (iii) a lesser amount determined by the Board; provided, however, that any shares from any such increases in previous years that are not actually issued shall continue to be available for issuance under the Plan; plus

 

-2-


(c) (i) any authorized shares not issued or subject to awards under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Prior Plan ”) on the Effective Date and (ii) any shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plan on the Effective Date that subsequently cease to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested or nonforfeitable shares), up to an aggregate maximum of 5,569,733 shares that can be added to the Plan pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii), which shares shall cease, as of such applicable date, to be available for grant and issuance under the Prior Plan.

Shares issued under the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares.

 

4.2 Share Usage

(a) Shares of Class A Common Stock covered by an Award shall not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant. If any Award lapses, expires, terminates or is canceled prior to the issuance of shares thereunder or if shares of Class A Common Stock are issued under the Plan to a Participant and thereafter are forfeited to or otherwise reacquired by the Company, the shares subject to such Awards and the forfeited or reacquired shares shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares of Class A Common Stock (i) tendered by a Participant or retained by the Company as full or partial payment to the Company for the purchase price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award, or (ii) covered by an Award that is settled in cash, or in a manner such that some or all of the shares of Class A Common Stock covered by the Award are not issued, shall be available for Awards under the Plan. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional shares of Class A Common Stock or credited as additional shares of Class A Common Stock subject or paid with respect to an Award.

(b) The Committee shall also, without limitation, have the authority to grant Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan. In the event that an Acquired Entity has shares available for awards or grants under one or more preexisting plans not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination and previously approved by the Acquired Entity’s shareholders, then, to the extent determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such preexisting plans (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to holders of securities of the entities that are parties to such acquisition or

 

-3-


combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of such preexisting plans, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employees or directors of the Company or a Related Company prior to such acquisition or combination. In the event that a written agreement between the Company and an Acquired Entity pursuant to which a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange is completed is approved by the Board and that agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of the Acquired Entity, those terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action of the Committee without any further action by the Committee, except as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and the persons holding such awards shall be deemed to be Participants.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.2 to the contrary, the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall equal the aggregate share number stated in Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15.1.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY

An Award may be granted to any employee, officer or director of the Company or a Related Company whom the Committee from time to time selects. An Award may also be granted to any consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor for bona fide services rendered to the Company or any Related Company that (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

SECTION 6. AWARDS

 

6.1 Form, Grant and Settlement of Awards

The Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted under the Plan. Such Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other type of Award. Any Award settlement may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall determine.

 

6.2 Evidence of Awards

Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written, including an electronic, instrument that shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Committee shall deem advisable and that are not inconsistent with the Plan.

 

-4-


6.3 Deferrals

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of any Award. If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals, which may include the grant of additional Awards or provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents, including converting such credits to deferred stock unit equivalents. All deferrals by Participants shall be made in accordance with Section 409A.

 

6.4 Dividends and Distributions

Participants may, if the Committee so determines, be credited with dividends or dividend equivalents paid with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock underlying an Award in a manner determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends or dividend equivalents that the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine the form of payment of dividends or dividend equivalents, including cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, Restricted Stock or Stock Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on the number of shares underlying an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right may not be contingent, directly or indirectly, on the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, and must comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on Restricted Stock must (a) be paid at the same time such dividends or dividend equivalents are paid to other shareholders and (b) comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A.

SECTION 7. OPTIONS

 

7.1 Grant of Options

The Committee may grant Options designated as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

7.2 Option Exercise Price

Options shall be granted with an exercise price per share not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date (and shall not be less than the minimum exercise price required by Section 422 of the Code with respect to Incentive Stock Options), except in the case of Substitute Awards.

 

7.3 Term of Options

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of an Option shall be ten years from the Grant Date. For Incentive Stock Options, the maximum term shall comply with Section 422 of the Code.

 

-5-


7.4 Exercise of Options

(a) The Committee shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option the time at which, or the installments in which, the Option shall vest and become exercisable, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time.

(b) To the extent an Option has vested and become exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part by delivery to or as directed or approved by the Company of a properly executed stock option exercise agreement or notice, in a form and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, setting forth the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, the restrictions imposed on the shares purchased under such exercise agreement or notice, if any, and such representations and agreements as may be required by the Committee, accompanied by payment in full as described in Section 7.5. An Option may be exercised only for whole shares and may not be exercised for less than a reasonable number of shares at any one time, as determined by the Committee.

 

7.5 Payment of Exercise Price

The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration must be paid before the Company will issue the shares being purchased and must be in a form or a combination of forms acceptable to the Committee for that purchase, which forms may include:

(a) cash;

(b) check or wire transfer;

(c) having the Company withhold shares of Class A Common Stock that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;

(d) tendering (either actually or, so long as the Class A Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, by attestation) shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Participant that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;

(e) so long as the Class A Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and to the extent permitted by law, delivery of a properly executed exercise agreement or notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a brokerage firm designated or approved by the Company to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate amount of proceeds to pay the Option exercise price and any withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or

 

-6-


(f) such other consideration as the Committee may permit.

 

7.6 Effect of Termination of Service

The Committee shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option whether the Option shall continue to be exercisable, and the terms and conditions of such exercise, after a Termination of Service, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time. If not otherwise established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall be exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived or modified by the Committee at any time:

(a) Any portion of an Option that is not vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on such date.

(b) Any portion of an Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on the earliest to occur of:

(i) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for reasons other than Cause, Retirement, Disability or death, the date that is three months after such Termination of Service;

(ii) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs by reason of Retirement, Disability or death, the one-year anniversary of such Termination of Service; and

(iii) the Option Expiration Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant dies after his or her Termination of Service but while an Option is otherwise exercisable, the portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of such Termination of Service shall expire upon the earlier to occur of (y) the Option Expiration Date and (z) the one-year anniversary of the date of death, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

Also notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for Cause, all Options granted to the Participant shall automatically expire upon first notification to the Participant of such termination, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Participant shall be terminated for Cause, all the Participant’s rights under any Option shall likewise be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after a Participant’s Termination of Service, any Option then held by the Participant may be immediately terminated by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

-7-


(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if exercise of the Option following a Participant’s Termination of Service, but while the Option is otherwise exercisable, would be prohibited solely because the issuance of Class A Common Stock upon exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the Option Expiration Date and (ii) the expiration of a total period of three months (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), which time period need not be consecutive, after the Participant’s Termination of Service during which exercise of the Option would not be in violation of the Securities Act.

SECTION 8. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the terms and conditions of any Incentive Stock Options shall in addition comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and any applicable regulations thereunder, including, to the extent required thereunder, the following:

 

8.1 Eligible Employees

Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent or subsidiary corporations (as such terms are defined for purposes of Section 422 of the Code) on the Grant Date may not be granted Incentive Stock Options.

 

8.2 Dollar Limitation

To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value of Class A Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000 (or, if different, the maximum limitation in effect at the time of grant under the Code), such portion in excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

8.3 Ten Percent Stockholders

In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (a “ Ten Percent Stockholder ”), such Option shall be granted with an exercise price per share not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date and with a maximum term of five years from the Grant Date. The determination of more than 10% ownership shall be made in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

-8-


SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

9.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights

The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants at any time on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. An SAR may be granted in tandem with an Option (a “ tandem SAR ”) or alone (a “ freestanding SAR ”). The grant price of a tandem SAR shall be equal to the exercise price of the related Option. The grant price of a freestanding SAR shall be established in accordance with procedures for Options set forth in Section 7.2. An SAR may be exercised upon such terms and conditions and for such term as the Committee determines in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the SAR, the maximum term of a freestanding SAR shall be ten years, and in the case of a tandem SAR, (a) the term shall not exceed the term of the related Option and (b) the tandem SAR may be exercised for all or part of the shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option, except that the tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

 

9.2 Payment of SAR Amount

Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment in an amount determined by multiplying: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR by (b) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Committee as set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, the payment upon exercise of an SAR may be in cash, in shares, in some combination thereof or in any other manner approved by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

9.3 Waiver of Restrictions

The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any SAR under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

SECTION 10. STOCK AWARDS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS

 

10.1 Grant of Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units

The Committee may grant Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units on such terms and conditions and subject to such repurchase or forfeiture restrictions, if any, which may be based on continuous service with the Company or a Related Company or the achievement of any performance goals, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award.

 

-9-


10.2 Vesting of Restricted Stock and Stock Units

Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed with respect to Restricted Stock or Stock Units, or upon a Participant’s release from any terms, conditions and restrictions on Restricted Stock or Stock Units, as determined by the Committee, (a) the shares covered by each Award of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant, and (b) Stock Units shall be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Awards, in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock. Any fractional shares subject to such Awards shall be paid to the Participant in cash.

 

10.3 Waiver of Restrictions

The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive the repurchase or forfeiture period and any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any Restricted Stock or Stock Units under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

SECTION 11. PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

11.1 Performance Shares

The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Shares, designate the Participants to whom Performance Shares are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Shares and the terms and conditions of each such Award. Performance Shares shall consist of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of shares of Class A Common Stock, the value of which may be paid to the Participant by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee. The amount to be paid under an Award of Performance Shares may be adjusted on the basis of such further consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

11.2 Performance Units

The Committee may grant Awards of Performance Units, designate the Participants to whom Performance Units are to be awarded and determine the number of Performance Units and the terms and conditions of each such Award. Performance Units shall consist of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than shares of Class A Common Stock, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, other property, or any combination thereof, upon the attainment of performance goals, as established by the Committee, and other terms and conditions specified by the Committee. The amount to be paid under an Award of Performance Units may be adjusted on the basis of such further consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

-10-


SECTION 12. OTHER STOCK OR CASH-BASED AWARDS

Subject to the terms of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, the Committee may grant other incentives payable in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan.

SECTION 13. WITHHOLDING

(a) The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company or a Related Company, as applicable, the amount of (i) any taxes that the Company or a Related Company is required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law to withhold with respect to the grant, vesting or exercise of an Award (“ tax withholding obligations ”) and (ii) any amounts due from the Participant to the Company or any Related Company (“ other obligations ”). Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Class A Common Stock or otherwise settle an Award under the Plan until such tax withholding obligations and other obligations are satisfied.

(b) The Committee, its sole discretion, may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the Participant’s tax withholding obligations and other obligations by (i) paying cash to the Company or a Related Company, as applicable, (ii) having the Company withhold an amount from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company or a Related Company to the Participant, (iii) having the Company withhold a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to the Participant (or become vested, in the case of Restricted Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations, (iv) surrendering a number of shares of Class A Common Stock the Participant already owns having a value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations, (v) selling shares of Class A Common Stock issued under an Award on the open market or to the Company, or (vi) taking such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligations. The value of the shares so withheld or tendered may not exceed the employer’s applicable minimum required tax withholding rate or such other applicable rate as is necessary to avoid adverse treatment for financial accounting purposes, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

SECTION 14. ASSIGNABILITY

No Award or interest in an Award may be sold, assigned, pledged (as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose) or transferred by a Participant or made subject to attachment or similar proceedings otherwise than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, except to the extent the Participant designates one or more beneficiaries on a Company-approved form who may exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Award may be exercised only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to assign or transfer an Award subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall specify.

 

-11-


SECTION 15. ADJUSTMENTS

 

15.1 Adjustment of Shares

(a) In the event, at any time or from time to time, a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, distribution to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company’s corporate or capital structure results in (i) the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in their place, being exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or (ii) new, different or additional securities of the Company or any other company being received by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, then the Committee shall make proportional adjustments in (x) the maximum number and kind of securities available for issuance under the Plan; (y) the maximum number and kind of securities issuable as Incentive Stock Options as set forth in Section 4.2(d); and (z) the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor. The determination by the Committee as to the terms of any of the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services rendered, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, outstanding Awards. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a Company Transaction shall not be governed by this Section 15.1 but shall be governed by Sections 15.2 and 15.3, respectively.

 

15.2 Dissolution or Liquidation

To the extent not previously exercised or settled, and unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, Awards shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company. To the extent a vesting condition, forfeiture provision or repurchase right applicable to an Award has not been waived by the Committee, the Award shall be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of the dissolution or liquidation.

 

15.3 Change of Control

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, in the event of a Change of Control:

(a) All outstanding Awards that are subject to vesting based on continued employment or service with the Company or a Related Company shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable or payable, and all applicable restrictions or forfeiture provisions shall lapse,

 

-12-


immediately prior to the Change of Control and shall terminate at the effective time of the Change of Control; provided, however, that with respect to a Change of Control that is a Company Transaction in which such Awards could be converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by the Successor Company, such Awards shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable or payable, and all applicable restrictions or forfeiture provisions shall lapse, only if and to the extent such Awards are not converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by the Successor Company. If and to the extent that the Successor Company converts, assumes, substitutes for or replaces an Award, the vesting restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions applicable to such Award shall not be accelerated or lapse, and all such vesting restrictions and/or forfeiture provisions shall continue with respect to any shares of the Successor Company or other consideration that may be received with respect to such Award.

For the purposes of Section 15.3(a), an Award shall be considered converted, assumed, substituted for or replaced by the Successor Company if following the Company Transaction the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Company Transaction, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the Company Transaction by holders of Class A Common Stock for each share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Company Transaction is not solely common stock of the Successor Company, the Committee may, with the consent of the Successor Company, provide for the consideration to be received pursuant to the Award, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject thereto, to be solely common stock of the Successor Company substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Class A Common Stock in the Company Transaction. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee, and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.

(b) All Performance Shares, Performance Units and other outstanding Awards that are subject to vesting based on the achievement of specified performance goals and that are earned and outstanding as of the date the Change of Control is determined to have occurred and for which the payout level has been determined shall be payable in full in accordance with the payout schedule pursuant to the instrument evidencing the Award. All Performance Shares, Performance Units and other outstanding Awards that are subject to vesting based on the achievement of specified performance goals for which the payout level has not been determined as of the date the Change of Control is determined to have occurred shall be prorated at the target payout level up to and including the date of such Change of Control and shall be payable in accordance with the payout schedule set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award. Any existing deferrals or other restrictions not waived by the Committee in its sole discretion shall remain in effect.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may instead provide in the event of a Change of Control that is a Company Transaction that a Participant’s outstanding Awards shall terminate upon or immediately prior to such Company Transaction

 

-13-


and that such Participant shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (x) the value of the per share consideration received by holders of Class A Common Stock in the Company Transaction, or, in the event the Company Transaction is one of the transactions listed under subsection (c) in the definition of Company Transaction or otherwise does not result in direct receipt of consideration by holders of Class A Common Stock, the value of the deemed per share consideration received, in each case as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to such outstanding Awards (to the extent then vested and exercisable or whether or not then vested and exercisable, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) exceeds (y) if applicable, the respective aggregate exercise price or grant price for such Awards.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 15.3 requires all outstanding Awards to be treated similarly.

 

15.4 Further Adjustment of Awards

Subject to Sections 15.2 and 15.3, the Committee shall have the discretion, exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change of control of the Company, as defined by the Committee, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or advisable with respect to Awards. Such authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing, amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for exercise, lifting restrictions and other modifications, and the Committee may take such actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants or only to individual Participants. The Committee may take such action before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change of control that is the reason for such action.

 

15.5 No Limitations

The grant of Awards shall in no way affect the Company’s right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

15.6 Fractional Shares

In the event of any adjustment in the number of shares covered by any Award, each such Award shall cover only the number of full shares resulting from such adjustment, and any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be disregarded.

 

-14-


15.7 Section 409A

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (a) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 15 to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A and (b) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 15 to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment the Awards either (i) continue not to be subject to Section 409A or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

SECTION 16. MARKET STANDOFF

In the event of an underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company’s initial public offering, no person may sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any shares issued pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such limitations shall be in effect for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters; provided, however, that in no event shall such period exceed (a) 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement for such public offering or (b) such longer period requested by the underwriters as is necessary to comply with regulatory restrictions on the publication of research reports (including, but not limited to, NYSE Rule 472, NASD Conduct Rule 2711 or any amendments or successor rules thereto). The limitations of this Section 16 shall in all events terminate two years after the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering.

In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the Company’s outstanding Class A Common Stock effected as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities distributed with respect to the shares issued under the Plan shall be immediately subject to the provisions of this Section 16, to the same extent the shares issued under the Plan are at such time covered by such provisions.

In order to enforce the limitations of this Section 16, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares until the end of the applicable standoff period.

SECTION 17. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

17.1 Amendment, Suspension or Termination

The Board or the Compensation Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time and in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, shareholder approval shall be required for any amendment to the Plan; and provided, further, that any amendment that requires shareholder approval may be made only by the Board. Subject to Section 17.3, the Committee may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively.

 

-15-


17.2 Term of the Plan

Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall automatically terminate on the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (a) the date the Board adopts the Plan and (b) the date the shareholders approve the Plan. After the Plan is terminated, no future Awards may be granted, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions.

 

17.3 Consent of Participant

The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or a portion thereof or the amendment of an outstanding Award shall not, without the Participant’s consent, materially adversely affect any rights under any Award theretofore granted to the Participant under the Plan. Any change or adjustment to an outstanding Incentive Stock Option shall not, without the consent of the Participant, be made in a manner so as to constitute a “modification” that would cause such Incentive Stock Option to fail to continue to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 15 shall not be subject to these restrictions.

SECTION 18. GENERAL

 

18.1 No Individual Rights

No individual or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and the Company has no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Plan.

Furthermore, nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate a Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.

 

18.2 Issuance of Shares

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver any shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, such issuance, delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act or the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction) and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.

 

-16-


(b) The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for offering or resale or to qualify for exemption under the Securities Act, or to register or qualify under the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction, any shares of Class A Common Stock, security or interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan, or to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made.

(c) As a condition to the exercise of an Option or any other receipt of Class A Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, the Company may require (i) the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that such shares are being purchased or received only for the Participant’s own account and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares and (ii) such other action or agreement by the Participant as may from time to time be necessary to comply with federal, state and foreign securities laws. At the option of the Company, a stop-transfer order against any such shares may be placed on the official stock books and records of the Company, and a legend indicating that such shares may not be pledged, sold or otherwise transferred, unless an opinion of counsel is provided (concurred in by counsel for the Company) stating that such transfer is not in violation of any applicable law or regulation, may be stamped on stock certificates to ensure exemption from registration. The Committee may also require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company a purchase agreement or such other agreement as may be in use by the Company at such time that describes certain terms and conditions applicable to the shares.

(d) To the extent the Plan or any instrument evidencing an Award provides for issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, the issuance may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.

 

18.3 Indemnification

(a) Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board, the Compensation Committee, or a committee of the Board or an officer of the Company to whom authority to administer the Plan was delegated in accordance with Section 3.1, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding against such person, unless such loss, cost, liability or expense is a result of such person’s own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s own behalf.

 

-17-


(b) The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or of any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless.

 

18.4 No Rights as a Shareholder

Unless otherwise provided by the Committee or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement, no Award, other than a Stock Award, shall entitle the Participant to any cash dividend, voting or other right of a shareholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award.

 

18.5 Compliance with Laws and Regulations

(a) In interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by law, be construed as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(b) The Plan and Awards granted under the Plan are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the exclusion applicable to stock options, stock appreciation rights and certain other equity-based compensation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is intended that the Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan shall comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any payments and benefits under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to which Section 409A applies, all references in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the termination of the Participant’s employment or service are intended to mean the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i). In addition, if the Participant is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting the Participant to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i), shall not be paid to the Participant during such period, but shall instead be accumulated and paid to the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s estate) in a lump sum on the first business day after the earlier of the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service or the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be

 

-18-


required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.

(c) Also notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board or the Compensation Committee shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant to the extent the Board or the Compensation Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with, or take into account, changes in applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules or other applicable laws, rules or regulations.

 

18.6 Participants in Other Countries or Jurisdictions

Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to Eligible Persons who are foreign nationals on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws or regulations of other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or any Related Company may operate or have employees to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries or jurisdictions, meet the requirements that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax-efficient manner, comply with applicable foreign laws or regulations and meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

18.7 No Trust or Fund

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or shares of Class A Common Stock, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

18.8 Successors

All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

18.9 Severability

If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed

 

-19-


amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Committee’s determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

18.10 Choice of Law and Venue

The Plan, all Awards granted thereunder and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. Participants irrevocably consent to the nonexclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Washington.

 

18.11 Legal Requirements

The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE

The Plan shall become effective on the IPO Date (the “ Effective Date ”). If the shareholders of the Company do not approve the Plan within 12 months after the Board’s adoption of the Plan, any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan will be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

-20-


APPENDIX A

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan,

Acquired Entity ” means any entity acquired by the Company or a Related Company or with which the Company or a Related Company merges or combines.

Award ” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Restricted Stock, Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, cash-based award or other incentive payable in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock as may be designated by the Committee from time to time.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause ,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means dishonesty, fraud, serious or willful misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conduct prohibited by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Compensation Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Change of Control ,” unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to an Award at the time the Award is granted or unless otherwise defined for purposes of an Award in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) an acquisition by any Entity of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege where the security being so converted was not acquired directly from the Company by the party exercising the conversion privilege, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Related Company, (iv) any acquisition by a Founder Shareholder, provided that this clause (iv) shall terminate and be of no effect with respect to a Founder Shareholder at such time as such Founder Shareholder’s beneficial ownership of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities is less than 25%, or (v) any acquisition by any Entity pursuant to a transaction that meets the conditions of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) set forth in the definition of Company Transaction;


(b) a change in the composition of the Board during any two-year period such that the individuals who, as of the beginning of such two-year period, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of the two-year period, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided further, however, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of or in connection with an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an Entity other than the Board shall not be considered a member of the Incumbent Board; or

(c) the consummation of a Company Transaction.

Class A Common Stock ” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

Class B Common Stock ” means the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Company ” means Zillow, Inc., a Washington corporation.

Company Transaction ,” unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to an Award at the time the Award is granted or unless otherwise defined for purposes of an Award in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means consummation of:

(a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company;

(b) a statutory share exchange pursuant to which all of the Company’s outstanding shares are acquired or a sale in one transaction or a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose of all of the Company’s outstanding voting securities; or

 

R-B2


(c) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions undertaken with a common purpose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets,

excluding, however, in each case, any such transaction pursuant to which

(i) the Entities who are the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Successor Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such transaction, of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities;

(ii) no Entity (other than the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company, a Related Company or a Successor Company) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Successor Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless such ownership resulted solely from ownership of securities of the Company prior to such transaction; and

(iii) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will immediately after the consummation of such transaction constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Successor Company.

Where a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose is deemed to be a Company Transaction, the date of such Company Transaction shall be the date on which the last of such transactions is consummated.

Compensation Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

Disability ,” unless otherwise defined by the Committee for purposes of the Plan in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means a mental or physical impairment of the Participant that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more and that causes the Participant to be unable to perform his or her material duties for the Company or a Related Company and to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity, in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Compensation Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.

 

R-B3


Eligible Person ” means any person eligible to receive an Award as set forth in Section 5.

Entity ” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Fair Market Value ” means the closing price for the Class A Common Stock on any given date during regular trading, or if not trading on that date, such price on the last preceding date on which the Class A Common Stock was traded, unless determined otherwise by the Committee using such methods or procedures as it may establish.

Founder Shareholder ” means any holder of record of the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company as of the Effective Date.

Grant Date ” means the later of (a) the date on which the Committee completes the corporate action authorizing the grant of an Award or such later date specified by the Committee and (b) the date on which all conditions precedent to an Award have been satisfied, provided that conditions to the exercisability or vesting of Awards shall not defer the Grant Date.

Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option granted with the intention that it qualify as an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.

Incumbent Board ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change of Control.”

IPO Date ” means the date of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the underwriter(s) managing the initial public offering of the Class A Common Stock, pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock is priced for the initial public offering.

Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.

Option ” means a right to purchase Class A Common Stock granted under Section 7.

Option Expiration Date ” means the last day of the maximum term of an Option.

Outstanding Company Voting Securities ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change of Control.”

Parent Company ” means a company or other entity which as a result of a Company Transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries.

 

R-B4


Participant ” means any Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.

Performance Award ” means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted under Section 11.

Performance Share ” means an Award of units denominated in shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 11.1.

Performance Unit ” means an Award of units denominated in cash or property other than shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 11.2.

Plan ” means the Zillow, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.

Prior Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

Related Company ” means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by, in control of or under common control with the Company.

Restricted Stock ” means an Award of shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are subject to restrictions prescribed by the Committee.

Restricted Stock Unit means a Stock Unit subject to restrictions prescribed by the Committee.

Retirement ,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means “retirement” as defined for purposes of the Plan by the Committee or the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means Termination of Service on or after the date the Participant reaches “normal retirement age,” as that term is defined in Section 411(a)(8) of the Code.

Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, including any regulations and other guidance issued thereunder by the Department of the Treasury and/or the Internal Revenue Service.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means a right granted under Section 9.1 to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock over the grant price.

 

R-B5


Stock Award ” means an Award of shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are not subject to restrictions prescribed by the Committee.

Stock Unit ,” including a Restricted Stock Unit, means an Award denominated in units of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10.

Substitute Awards ” means Awards granted or shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by an Acquired Entity.

Successor Company ” means the surviving company, the successor company or Parent Company, as applicable, in connection with a Company Transaction.

Termination of Service ” means a termination of employment or service relationship with the Company or a Related Company for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, including by reason of death, Disability or Retirement. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Service for the purposes of an Award and the cause of such Termination of Service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors and executive officers, by the Compensation Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding. Transfer of a Participant’s employment or service relationship between the Company and any Related Company shall not be considered a Termination of Service for purposes of an Award. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur if the Participant’s employment or service relationship is with an entity that has ceased to be a Related Company. A Participant’s change in status from an employee of the Company or a Related Company to a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor, or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company, or a change in status from a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company to an employee of the Company or a Related Company, shall not be considered a Termination of Service.

Vesting Commencement Date ” means the Grant Date or such other date selected by the Committee as the date from which an Award begins to vest.

 

R-B6

Exhibit 10.3

ZILLOW, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

Zillow, Inc. (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to you an Option (the “ Option ”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock under the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”). The Option is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Notice (this “ Grant Notice ”) and in the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the “ Stock Option Agreement ”) and the Plan, which are incorporated into this Grant Notice in their entirety.

 

Participant:   ____________________   
Grant Date:   ____________________   
Vesting Commencement Date:   ____________________   
Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Subject to Option (the “ Shares ”):  

 

____________________

  
Exercise Price (per Share):   ____________________   
Option Expiration Date:   ____________________    (subject to earlier termination in
  accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement)
Type of Option :   Nonqualified Stock Option
Vesting and Exercisability Schedule (subject to continued employment or service):     

Additional Terms/Acknowledgement : You acknowledge receipt of, and understand and agree to, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. You further acknowledge that as of the Grant Date, this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.

 

ZILLOW, INC.     PARTICIPANT
               
By:         [Name]  
Title:           

Attachments:

1. Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement


ZILLOW, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Pursuant to your Nonqualified Stock Option Grant Notice (the “ Grant Notice ”) and this Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), Zillow, Inc. has granted you an Option under its 2011 Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice (the “ Shares ”) at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of the Option are as follows:

1. Vesting and Exercisability . Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Option will vest and become exercisable as provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon your Termination of Service and the unvested portion of the Option will terminate.

2. Securities Law Compliance . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, you may not exercise the Option unless the Shares issuable upon exercise are registered under the Securities Act or, if such Shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of the Option must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Option, and you may not exercise the Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

3. Independent Tax Advice. You should obtain tax advice independent from the Company when exercising the Option and prior to the disposition of the Shares.

4. Method of Exercise . You may exercise the Option by giving written notice to the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, which will state your election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares for which you are exercising the Option. The written notice must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price for the number of Shares you are purchasing. You may make this payment in any combination of the following: (a) by cash; (b) by wire transfer or check acceptable to the Company; (c) if permitted by the Committee, by having the Company withhold shares of Class A Common Stock that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option; (d) if permitted by the Committee, by tendering already owned shares of Class A Common Stock; (e) if the Class A Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent permitted by law, by instructing a broker to deliver to the Company the total payment required; or (f) by any other method permitted by the Committee.


5. Treatment upon Termination of Service . The unvested portion of the Option will terminate automatically and without further notice immediately upon your Termination of Service. You may exercise the vested portion of the Option as follows:

(a) General Rule . You must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) three months after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;

(b) Retirement or Disability . If your employment or service relationship terminates due to Retirement or Disability, you must exercise the vested portion of the Option on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;

(c) Death . If your employment or service relationship terminates due to your death, the vested portion of the Option must be exercised on or before the earlier of (i) one year after your Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If you die after your Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) one year after the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and

(d) Cause . The vested portion of the Option will automatically expire at the time the Company first notifies you of your Termination of Service for Cause, unless the Committee determines otherwise. If your employment or service relationship is suspended pending an investigation of whether you will be terminated for Cause, all your rights under the Option likewise will be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after your Termination of Service, any Option you then hold may be immediately terminated by the Committee.

It is your responsibility to be aware of the date the Option terminates.

6. Limited Transferability . During your lifetime only you can exercise the Option. The Option is not transferable except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution. The Plan provides for exercise of the Option by a beneficiary designated on a Company-approved form. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to assign or transfer the Option, subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Committee.

7. Withholding Taxes . As a condition to the exercise of any portion of an Option, you must make such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise.

 

-2-


8. Option Not an Employment or Service Contract . Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan will be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer any right for you to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate your employment or other service relationship at any time, with or without cause.

9. No Right to Damages . You will have no right to bring a claim or to receive damages if you are required to exercise the vested portion of the Option within three months (one year in the case of Retirement, Disability or death) of your Termination of Service or if any portion of the Option is cancelled or expires unexercised. The loss of existing or potential profit in the Option will not constitute an element of damages in the event of your Termination of Service for any reason even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or a Related Company to you.

10. Binding Effect . The Grant Notice and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and be binding upon you and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

11. Section 409A . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, at any time and without your consent, modify the terms of the Option as it determines appropriate to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations that the Option shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to the Option.

 

-3-

Exhibit 10.5

ZILLOW, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan is to attract, retain and motivate employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its Related Companies by providing them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and to link their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

Certain terms used in the Plan have the meanings set forth in Appendix A.

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 Administration of the Plan

The Plan shall be administered by the Board.

 

3.2 Administration and Interpretation by Plan Administrator

(a) Except for the terms and conditions explicitly set forth in the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have full power and exclusive authority, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to (i) select the Eligible Persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted under the Plan; (ii) determine the type or types of Award to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan; (v) approve the forms of notice or agreement for use under the Plan; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock or other property or canceled or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument evidencing an Award or notice or agreement entered into under the Plan; (ix) establish such rules and regulations as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (x) delegate ministerial duties to such of the Company’s employees as it so determines; and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Plan Administrator deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.

 


(b) The effect on the vesting of an Award of a Company-approved leave of absence or a Participant’s reduction in hours of employment or service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors or executive officers, by the Board, whose determination shall be final.

(c) Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, any Participant, any shareholder and any Eligible Person. A majority of the members of the Plan Administrator may determine its actions.

SECTION 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.1 Authorized Number of Shares

Subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 14.1, a maximum of 6,908,284 shares of Class A Common Stock shall be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan shall be drawn from authorized and unissued shares.

 

4.2 Share Usage

(a) Shares of Class A Common Stock covered by an Award shall not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant. If any Award lapses, expires, terminates or is canceled prior to the issuance of shares thereunder or if shares of Class A Common Stock are issued under the Plan to a Participant and thereafter are forfeited to or otherwise reacquired by the Company, the shares subject to such Awards and the forfeited or reacquired shares shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares of Class A Common Stock (i) tendered by a Participant or retained by the Company as full or partial payment to the Company for the purchase price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with an Award or (ii) covered by an Award that is settled in cash or in a manner such that some or all of the shares covered by the Award are not issued, shall be available for Awards under the Plan. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional shares of Class A Common Stock or credited as additional shares of Class A Common Stock subject or paid with respect to an Award.

(b) The Plan Administrator shall also, without limitation, have the authority to grant Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan Administrator may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. In the event that a written agreement between the Company and an Acquired Entity pursuant to which a merger or consolidation is completed is approved by the Board and said agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the substitution for or assumption of outstanding awards of the Acquired Entity, said terms and conditions shall be deemed to be the action of the Plan Administrator without any further action by the Plan Administrator, except as may be required for compliance with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and the persons holding such awards shall be deemed to be Participants.

 

  -2-  


(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall equal the aggregate share number stated in Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.1.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY

An Award may be granted to any employee, officer or director of the Company or a Related Company whom the Plan Administrator from time to time selects. An Award may also be granted to any consultant, agent, advisor or independent contractor for bona fide services rendered to the Company or any Related Company that (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

SECTION 6. AWARDS

 

6.1 Form, Grant and Settlement of Awards

The Plan Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted under the Plan. Such Awards may be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other type of Award. Any Award settlement may be subject to such conditions, restrictions and contingencies as the Plan Administrator shall determine.

 

6.2 Evidence of Awards

Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement, including an electronic agreement, that shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Plan Administrator shall deem advisable and that are not inconsistent with the Plan.

 

6.3 Deferrals

The Plan Administrator may permit or require a Participant to defer receipt of the payment of any Award. If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals, which may include the grant of additional Awards or provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents, including converting such credits to deferred stock unit equivalents.

 

6.4 Dividends and Distributions

Participants may, if the Plan Administrator so determines, be credited with dividends or dividend equivalents paid with respect to shares underlying an Award in a manner determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion. The Plan Administrator may

 

  -3-  


apply any restrictions to the dividends or dividend equivalents that the Plan Administrator deems appropriate. The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine the form of payment of dividends or dividend equivalents, including cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, Restricted Stock or Stock Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on the number of shares underlying an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be contingent, directly or indirectly, on the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, and must comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A of the Code. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to any dividends or dividend equivalents declared and paid on Restricted Stock must (a) be paid at the same time they are paid to other shareholders and (b) comply with or qualify for an exemption under Section 409A of the Code.

SECTION 7. OPTIONS

 

7.1 Grant of Options

The Plan Administrator may grant Options designated as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

7.2 Option Exercise Price

Options shall be granted with an exercise price per share at least equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date (and not less than the minimum exercise price required by Section 422 of the Code with respect to Incentive Stock Options), except in the case of Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator may grant Nonqualified Stock Options with an exercise price of less than the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date if the Option meets all the requirements for Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.3 Term of Options

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the maximum term of an Option (the “ Option Term ”) shall be as established for that Option by the Plan Administrator or, if not so established, shall be seven years from the Grant Date. For Incentive Stock Options, the Option Term shall be as specified in Section 8.4.

 

7.4 Exercise of Options

The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option the time at which, or the installments in which, the Option shall vest and become exercisable, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall vest and become exercisable according to the following schedule, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time:

 

Period of Participant’s Continuous Employment or Service With the
Company or Its Related Companies From the Vesting Commencement
Date

  

Portion of Total Option That Is Vested and Exercisable

After 1 year    1/4
Each additional one-month period of continuous service completed thereafter    An additional 1/48
After 4 years    100%

 

  -4-  


To the extent an Option has vested and become exercisable, the Option may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part by delivery to the Company of a properly executed stock option exercise agreement or notice, in a form and in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator, setting forth the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, the restrictions imposed on the shares purchased under such exercise agreement or notice, if any, and such representations and agreements as may be required by the Plan Administrator, accompanied by payment in full as described in Sections 7.5 and 12. An Option may be exercised only for whole shares and may not be exercised for less than a reasonable number of shares at any one time, as determined by the Plan Administrator.

 

7.5 Payment of Exercise Price

The exercise price for shares purchased under an Option shall be paid in full to the Company by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option exercise price and the number of shares purchased. Such consideration must be paid before the Company will issue the shares being purchased and must be in a form or a combination of forms acceptable to the Plan Administrator for that purchase, which forms may include:

(a) cash;

(b) check or wire transfer;

(c) having the Company withhold shares of Class A Common Stock that would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;

(d) tendering (either actually or, if and as so long as the Class A Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, by attestation) shares of Class A Common Stock already owned by the Participant, which have a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares being purchased under the Option;

 

  -5-  


(e) if and so long as the Class A Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and to the extent permitted by law, delivery of a properly executed exercise agreement or notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a brokerage firm designated or approved by the Company to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate amount of proceeds to pay the Option exercise price and any withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or

(f) such other consideration as the Plan Administrator may permit.

In addition, to assist a Participant (including directors and executive officers) in acquiring shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may authorize, either at the Grant Date or at any time before the acquisition of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Award, (i) the payment by a Participant of the purchase price of the Class A Common Stock by a promissory note or (ii) the guarantee by the Company of a loan obtained by the Participant from a third party. Such notes or loans must be full recourse to the extent necessary to avoid adverse accounting charges to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes. Subject to the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall in its sole discretion specify the terms of any loans or loan guarantees, including the interest rate and terms of and security for repayment.

 

7.6 Effect of Termination of Service

The Plan Administrator shall establish and set forth in each instrument that evidences an Option whether the Option shall continue to be exercisable, and the terms and conditions of such exercise, after a Termination of Service, any of which provisions may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time. If not so established in the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option shall be exercisable according to the following terms and conditions, which may be waived or modified by the Plan Administrator at any time:

(a) Any portion of an Option that is not vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on such date.

(b) Any portion of an Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service shall expire on the earliest to occur of

(i) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for reasons other than Cause, Retirement, Disability or death, the date that is three months after such Termination of Service;

(ii) if the Participant’s Termination of Service occurs by reason of Retirement, Disability or death, the one-year anniversary of such Termination of Service; and

(iii) the last day of the Option Term (the “ Option Expiration Date ”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant dies after the Participant’s Termination of Service but while an Option is otherwise exercisable, the portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable on the date of such Termination of Service shall expire upon the earlier to occur of (y) the Option Expiration Date and (z) the one-year anniversary of the date of death, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise.

 

  -6-  


Also notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Participant’s Termination of Service occurs for Cause, all Options granted to the Participant shall automatically expire upon first notification to the Participant of such termination, unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise. If a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Participant shall be terminated for Cause, all the Participant’s rights under any Option shall likewise be suspended during the period of investigation. If any facts that would constitute termination for Cause are discovered after a Participant’s Termination of Service, any Option then held by the Participant may be immediately terminated by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion.

SECTION 8. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of any Incentive Stock Options shall in addition comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and any applicable regulations thereunder, including, to the extent required thereunder, the following:

 

8.1 Dollar Limitation

To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of Class A Common Stock with respect to which a Participant’s Incentive Stock Options become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other stock option plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, such portion in excess of $100,000 shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. In the event the Participant holds two or more such Options that become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year, such limitation shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted.

 

8.2 Eligible Employees

Individuals who are not employees of the Company or one of its parent or subsidiary corporations may not be granted Incentive Stock Options.

 

8.3 Exercise Price

The exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date, and in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (a “ Ten Percent Shareholder ”), shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date. The determination of more than 10% ownership shall be made in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

  -7-  


8.4 Option Term

Subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Option, the Option Term of an Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed seven years, and in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, shall not exceed five years.

 

8.5 Exercisability

An Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent it is exercised (if permitted by the terms of the Option) (a) more than three months after the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was for reasons other than death or Disability, (b) more than one year after the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was by reason of Disability, or (c) after the Participant has been on leave of absence for more than 90 days, unless the Participant’s reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or contract.

 

8.6 Taxation of Incentive Stock Options

In order to obtain certain tax benefits afforded to Incentive Stock Options under Section 422 of the Code, the Participant must hold the shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option for two years after the Grant Date and one year after the date of exercise.

A Participant may be subject to the alternative minimum tax at the time of exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares acquired on the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of such holding periods.

 

8.7 Code Definitions

For the purposes of this Section 8, “Disability,” “parent corporation” and “subsidiary corporation” shall have the meanings attributed to those terms for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

 

8.8 Promissory Notes

The amount of any promissory note delivered pursuant to Section 7.5 in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall bear interest at a rate specified by the Plan Administrator, but in no case less than the rate required to avoid imputation of interest (taking into account any exceptions to the imputed interest rules) for federal income tax purposes.

 

  -8-  


SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

9.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights

The Plan Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants at any time on such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. An SAR may be granted in tandem with an Option or alone (“ freestanding ”). The grant price of a tandem SAR shall be equal to the exercise price of the related Option. The grant price of a freestanding SAR shall be established in accordance with procedures for Options set forth in Section 7.2. An SAR may be exercised upon such terms and conditions and for the term as the Plan Administrator determines in its sole discretion; provided, however, that, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the SAR, the term of a freestanding SAR shall be as established for that SAR by the Plan Administrator or, if not so established, shall be seven years, and in the case of a tandem SAR, (a) the term shall not exceed the term of the related Option and (b) the tandem SAR may be exercised for all or part of the shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option, except that the tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

 

9.2 Payment of SAR Amount

Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment in an amount determined by multiplying: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock for the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR by (b) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Plan Administrator as set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award, the payment upon exercise of an SAR may be in cash, in shares, in some combination thereof or in any other manner approved by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.

SECTION 10. STOCK AWARDS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND STOCK UNITS

 

10.1 Grant of Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units

The Plan Administrator may grant Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Stock Units on such terms and conditions and subject to such repurchase or forfeiture restrictions, if any, which may be based on continuous service with the Company or a Related Company or the achievement of any performance goals, as the Plan Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion, which terms, conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the instrument evidencing the Award.

 

10.2 Vesting of Restricted Stock and Stock Units

Upon the satisfaction of any terms, conditions and restrictions prescribed with respect to Restricted Stock or Stock Units, or upon a Participant’s release from any terms, conditions and restrictions of Restricted Stock or Stock Units, as determined by the Plan Administrator, and subject to the provisions of Section 12, (a) the shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Award of Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the instrument evidencing the Award and applicable securities laws, and (b) Stock Units shall be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock or, if set forth in the instrument evidencing the Awards, in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock. Any fractional shares subject to such Awards shall be paid to the Participant in cash.

 

  -9-  


10.3 Waiver of Restrictions

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may waive the repurchase or forfeiture period and any other terms, conditions or restrictions on any Restricted Stock or Stock Unit under such circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

SECTION 11. OTHER STOCK OR CASH-BASED AWARDS

Subject to the terms of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator deems appropriate, the Plan Administrator may grant other incentives payable in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan as it determines.

SECTION 12. WITHHOLDING

The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company the amount of (a) any taxes that the Company is required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law to withhold with respect to the grant, vesting or exercise of an Award (“ tax withholding obligations ”) and (b) any amounts due from the Participant to the Company or to any Related Company (“ other obligations ”). The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Class A Common Stock or otherwise settle an Award under the Plan until such tax withholding obligations and other obligations are satisfied.

The Plan Administrator may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or part of the Participant’s tax withholding obligations and other obligations by (a) paying cash to the Company, (b) having the Company withhold an amount from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant, (c) having the Company withhold a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to the Participant (or become vested in the case of Restricted Stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations, or (d) surrendering a number of shares of Class A Common Stock the Participant already owns having a value equal to the tax withholding obligations and other obligations. The value of the shares so withheld or tendered may not exceed the employer’s minimum required tax withholding rate.

SECTION 13. ASSIGNABILITY

No Award or interest in an Award may be sold, assigned, pledged (as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose) or transferred by a Participant or made subject to attachment or similar proceedings otherwise than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, except to the extent the Participant designates one or more beneficiaries on a Company-approved form who may exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Award may be exercised only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing

 

  -10-  


and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, an Award may be transferred, in whole or in part, (a) by gift or, with the consent of the Plan Administrator, for value, to the Participant’s Immediate Family, partnerships of which the only partners are members of the Participant’s Immediate Family and trusts established solely for the benefit of the Participant’s Immediate Family; provided, that such transferability shall be limited to vested rights or (b) subject to such other terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator shall specify. In addition, an Award may be transferred, in whole or in part, with consent of the Plan Administrator, to charitable organizations, provided such transferability shall be limited to vested rights. Charitable organizations shall not be permitted to effect a cashless exercise. Any Award transferred pursuant to the terms of this Section 13 shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the agreement evidencing the Award and the transferee shall not have the right to further transfer such Award other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

SECTION 14. ADJUSTMENTS

 

14.1 Adjustment of Shares

In the event, at any time or from time to time, a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, a statutory share exchange, distribution to shareholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company’s corporate or capital structure results in (a) the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, or any securities exchanged therefor or received in their place, being exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or any other company or (b) new, different or additional securities of the Company or any other company being received by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, then the Plan Administrator shall make proportional adjustments in (i) the maximum number and kind of securities available for issuance under the Plan; (ii) the maximum number and kind of securities issuable as Incentive Stock Options as set forth in Section 4.2(d); and (iii) the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor. The determination by the Plan Administrator as to the terms of any of the foregoing adjustments shall be conclusive and binding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services rendered, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, outstanding Awards. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a Company Transaction shall not be governed by this Section 14.1 but shall be governed by Sections 14.2 and 14.3, respectively.

 

  -11-  


14.2 Dissolution or Liquidation

To the extent not previously exercised or settled, and unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company. To the extent a vesting condition, forfeiture provision or repurchase right applicable to an Award has not been waived by the Plan Administrator, the Award shall be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of the dissolution or liquidation.

 

14.3 Company Transaction

 

  14.3.1 Effect of a Company Transaction

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Plan Administrator shall determine otherwise with respect to a particular Award, in the event of a Company Transaction that is not a Related Party Transaction, all outstanding Awards may be assumed or substituted for by the Successor Company if such assumption or substitution is approved by the Plan Administrator. If the Successor Company refuses to assume or substitute outstanding awards or the Plan Administrator does not approve such assumption or substitution, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of the Company Transaction on outstanding Awards, which may include that some or all of the outstanding Awards shall (a) become fully or partially exercisable or payable, and that all applicable deferral and restriction limitations or forfeiture provisions shall lapse immediately prior to the Company Transaction or (b) with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, terminate upon consummation of such Company Transaction and that each such Participant shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (x) the Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to such outstanding Options or SARs (either to the extent then vested and exercisable or whether or not then vested and exercisable, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion) exceeds (y) the respective aggregate exercise price for such Options or grant price for such SARs. If and to the extent the Successor Company assumes or substitutes outstanding Awards, the forfeiture provisions applicable to Restricted Stock shall not lapse, and all such restrictions shall continue with respect to any shares of the Successor Company or other consideration that may be issued in exchange or in substitution for such Restricted Stock.

 

  14.3.2 Assumption or Substitution

For the purposes of this Section 14.3, an Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Company Transaction an option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Company Transaction, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Company Transaction by holders of Class A Common Stock for each share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Company

 

  -12-  


Transaction is not solely common stock of the Successor Company, the Plan Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Company, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject thereto, to be solely common stock of the Successor Company substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Class A Common Stock in the Company Transaction. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Plan Administrator and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.

 

14.4 Further Adjustment of Awards

Subject to Sections 14.2 and 14.3, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable at any time before a sale, merger, consolidation, a statutory share exchange, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change in control of the Company, as defined by the Plan Administrator, to take such further action as it determines to be necessary or advisable with respect to Awards. Such authorized action may include (but shall not be limited to) establishing, amending or waiving the type, terms, conditions or duration of, or restrictions on, Awards so as to provide for earlier, later, extended or additional time for exercise, lifting restrictions and other modifications, and the Plan Administrator may take such actions with respect to all Participants, to certain categories of Participants or only to individual Participants. The Plan Administrator may take such action before or after granting Awards to which the action relates and before or after any public announcement with respect to such sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or change in control that is the reason for such action.

 

14.5 No Limitations

The grant of Awards shall in no way affect the Company’s right to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

14.6 Fractional Shares

In the event of any adjustment in the number of shares covered by any Award, each such Award shall cover only the number of full shares resulting from such adjustment.

 

14.7 Section 409A of the Code

Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, (a) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 14 or any other amendments to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and (b) any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 14 or any other amendments to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment or amendment the Awards either (i) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

  -13-  


SECTION 15. FIRST REFUSAL AND REPURCHASE RIGHTS

 

15.1 First Refusal Rights

Until the date on which the initial registration of the Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act first becomes effective, the Company shall have the right of first refusal with respect to any proposed sale or other disposition by a Participant of any shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award. Such right of first refusal shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock purchase agreement evidencing the purchase of the shares.

 

15.2 Repurchase Rights for Vested Shares

Until the date on which the initial registration of the Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act first becomes effective, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service, all vested shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award (whether issued before or after such Termination of Service) shall be subject to repurchase by the Company, at the Company’s sole discretion, at the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of such repurchase. The terms and conditions upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise) shall be established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the stock purchase agreement evidencing the purchase of the shares.

 

15.3 General

The Company’s first refusal and repurchase rights under this Section 15 are assignable by the Company at any time.

SECTION 16. MARKET STANDOFF

In the event of an underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, including the Company’s initial public offering, no person may sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer for value or otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to any shares issued pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such limitations shall be in effect for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters (such period, the “ Lock-Up Period ”); provided, however, that the Lock-Up Period shall not exceed 180 days after the effective date of the registration statement unless (a) during the last 17 days of the initial Lock-Up Period the Company releases earnings results or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or (b) prior to the expiration of the initial Lock-Up

 

  -14-  


Period the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the initial Lock-Up Period. If the conditions of clause (a) or (b) of the foregoing sentence have been satisfied, and upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the underwriters, the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable. The limitations of this Section 16 shall in all events terminate two years after the effective date of the Company’s initial public offering.

In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the Company’s outstanding Class A Common Stock effected as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities distributed with respect to the shares issued under the Plan shall be immediately subject to the provisions of this Section 16, to the same extent the shares issued under the Plan are at such time covered by such provisions.

In order to enforce the limitations of this Section 16, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the purchased shares until the end of the applicable standoff period.

SECTION 17. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

17.1 Amendment, Suspension or Termination

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time and in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, shareholder approval shall be required for any amendment to the Plan. Subject to Section 17.3, the Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively.

 

17.2 Term of the Plan

The Plan shall have no fixed expiration date. After the Plan is terminated, no future Awards may be granted, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten years after the later of (a) the adoption of the Plan by the Board and (b) the adoption by the Board of any amendment to the Plan that constitutes the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.

 

17.3 Consent of Participant

The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or a portion thereof or the amendment of an outstanding Award shall not, without the Participant’s consent, materially adversely affect any rights under any Award theretofore granted to the Participant under the Plan. Any change or adjustment to an outstanding Incentive Stock Option shall not, without the consent of the Participant, be made in a manner so as to constitute a “modification” that would cause such Incentive Stock Option to fail to continue to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 14 shall not be subject to these restrictions.

 

  -15-  


SECTION 18. GENERAL

 

18.1 No Individual Rights

No individual or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and the Company has no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Plan.

Furthermore, nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute an employment contract or confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Related Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Related Company to terminate a Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.

 

18.2 Issuance of Shares

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver any shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless, in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, such issuance, delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act or the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction) and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.

The Company shall be under no obligation to any Participant to register for offering or resale or to qualify for exemption under the Securities Act, or to register or qualify under the laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction, any shares of Class A Common Stock, security or interest in a security paid or issued under, or created by, the Plan, or to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made.

As a condition to the exercise of an Option or any other receipt of Class A Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, the Company may require (a) the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that such shares are being purchased or received only for the Participant’s own account and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares and (b) such other action or agreement by the Participant as may from time to time be necessary to comply with the federal, state and foreign securities laws. At the option of the Company, a stop-transfer order against any such shares may be placed on the official stock books and records of the Company, and a legend indicating that such shares may not be pledged, sold or otherwise transferred, unless an opinion of counsel is provided (concurred in by counsel for the Company) stating that such transfer is not in violation of any applicable law or regulation, may be stamped on stock certificates to ensure exemption from registration. The Plan Administrator may also require the Participant to execute and deliver to the Company a purchase agreement or such other agreement as may be in use by the Company at such time that describes certain terms and conditions applicable to the shares.

 

  -16-  


To the extent the Plan or any instrument evidencing an Award provides for issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, the issuance may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.

 

18.3 Indemnification

Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be a party or in which such person may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability or expense is a result of such person’s own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute.

The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such person may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or of any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold harmless.

 

18.4 No Rights as a Shareholder

Unless otherwise provided by the Plan Administrator or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement, no Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Unit shall entitle the Participant to any cash dividend, voting or other right of a shareholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award.

 

18.5 Compliance With Laws and Regulations

In interpreting and applying the provisions of the Plan, any Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to the Plan shall, to the extent permitted by law, be construed as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

The Plan and Awards granted under the Plan are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation

 

  -17-  


Section 1.409A- 1(b)(4), the exclusion applicable to stock options, stock appreciation rights and certain other equity-based compensation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A of the Code is applicable to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is intended that the Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any payments and benefits under the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to which Section 409A of the Code applies, all references in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to the termination of the Participant’s employment or service are intended to mean the Participant’s “separation from service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, the Plan Administrator, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Plan Administrator makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.

Also notwithstanding any provision contained in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan Administrator shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant to the extent the Board deems necessary or advisable to comply with, or take into account, changes in applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules or other applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

18.6 Participants in Other Countries or Jurisdictions

Without amending the Plan, the Plan Administrator may grant Awards to eligible persons who are foreign nationals on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan, which may, in the judgement of the Plan Administrator, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws or regulations of other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or any Related Company may operate or have employees to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries or jurisdictions, meet the requirements that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax efficient manner, comply with applicable foreign laws or regulations and meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

  -18-  


18.7 No Trust or Fund

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to segregate any monies or other property, or shares of Class A Common Stock, or to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits for any immediate or deferred amounts payable to any Participant, and no Participant shall have any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

 

18.8 Successors

All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

18.9 Severability

If any provision of the Plan or any Award is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Plan Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or, if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the Plan Administrator’s determination, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

18.10 Choice of Law and Venue

The Plan, all Awards granted thereunder and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. Participants irrevocably consent to the nonexclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Washington.

 

18.11 Legal Requirements

The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

18.12 California Appendix Provisions

Participants who are residents of the State of California shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions set forth in Appendix B to the Plan to the extent required by applicable law until such time as the Class A Common Stock becomes a “listed” security under the Securities Act.

 

  -19-  


SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE

The effective date (the “ Effective Date ”) is the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board. If the shareholders of the Company do not approve the Plan within 12 months after the Board’s adoption of the Plan, any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan will be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

  -20-  


APPENDIX A

Acquired Entity ” means any entity acquired by the Company or a Related Company or with which the Company or a Related Company merges or combines.

Acquisition Price ” means the fair market value of the securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof, receivable upon consummation of a Company Transaction in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock.

Award ” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award, Restricted Stock, Stock Unit or cash-based award or other incentive payable in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock, as may be designated by the Plan Administrator from time to time.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause ,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing an Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means dishonesty, fraud, serious or willful misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conduct prohibited by law (except minor violations), in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Class A Common Stock ” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Company ” means Zillow, Inc., a Washington corporation.

Company Transaction ,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means consummation of:

(a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company or other entity;

(b) a statutory share exchange pursuant to which the Company’s outstanding shares are acquired or a sale in one transaction or a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose of all of the Company’s outstanding voting securities; or

(c) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions undertaken with a common purpose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

   


Where a series of transactions undertaken with a common purpose is deemed to be a Company Transaction, the date of such Company Transaction shall be the date on which the last of such transactions is consummated.

Disability ,” unless otherwise defined by the Plan Administrator or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means a mental or physical impairment of the Participant that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more and that causes the Participant to be unable to perform his or her material duties for the Company or a Related Company and to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity, in each case as determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, in the case of directors and executive officers, the Board, each of whose determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.

Eligible Person ” means any person eligible to receive an Award as set forth in Section 5.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Fair Market Value ” means the per share fair market value of the Class A Common Stock as established in good faith by the Plan Administrator or, if the Class A Common Stock is publicly traded, the average of the high and low trading prices for the Class A Common Stock on any given date during regular trading, or if not trading on that date, such price on the last preceding date on which the Class A Common Stock was traded, unless determined otherwise by the Plan Administrator using such methods or procedures as it may establish.

Grant Date ” means the later of (a) the date on which the Plan Administrator completes the corporate action authorizing the grant of an Award or such later date specified by the Plan Administrator or (b) the date on which all conditions precedent to an Award have been satisfied, provided that conditions to the exercisability or vesting of Awards shall not defer the Grant Date.

Immediate Family ” means the Participant’s spouse, parents, children or grandchildren (including adopted children, step-children and step-grandchildren).

Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option granted with the intention that it qualify as an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.

Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.

Option ” means a right to purchase Class A Common Stock granted under Section 7.

Option Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.

 

  -2-  


Option Term ” means the maximum term of an Option as set forth in Section 7.3.

Participant ” means any Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.

Plan ” means the Zillow, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

Plan Administrator ” means the Board.

Related Company ” means any entity that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

Related Party Transaction ” means (a) a merger or consolidation of the Company, or a statutory share exchange pursuant to which the Company’s outstanding shares are acquired, in which the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Successor Company immediately after the merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange; (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to a majority-owned subsidiary company; or (c) a transaction undertaken for the principal purpose of restructuring the capital of the Company, including, but not limited to, reincorporating the Company in a different jurisdiction, converting the Company to a limited liability company or creating a holding company.

Restricted Stock ” means an Award of shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are subject to restrictions prescribed by the Plan Administrator.

Retirement ,” unless otherwise defined in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Related Company, means “retirement” as defined for purposes of the Plan by the Plan Administrator or the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means Termination of Service on or after the date the Participant reaches “normal retirement age,” as that term is defined in Section 411(a)(8) of the Code.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means a right granted under Section 9.1 to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock over the grant price.

Stock Award ” means an Award of shares of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10, the rights of ownership of which are not subject to restrictions prescribed by the Plan Administrator.

Stock Unit ” means an Award denominated in units of Class A Common Stock granted under Section 10.

 

  -3-  


Substitute Awards ” means Awards granted or shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company in substitution or exchange for awards previously granted by an Acquired Entity.

Successor Company ” means the surviving company, the successor company, the acquiring company or its parent, as applicable, in connection with a Company Transaction.

Termination of Service ” means a termination of employment or service relationship with the Company or a Related Company for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, including by reason of death, Disability or Retirement. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Service for the purposes of an Award and the cause of such Termination of Service shall be determined by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, with respect to directors and executive officers, by the Board, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding. Transfer of a Participant’s employment or service relationship between the Company and any Related Company shall not be considered a Termination of Service for purposes of an Award. Unless the Board determines otherwise, a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur if the Participant’s employment or service relationship is with an entity that has ceased to be a Related Company. A Participant’s change in status from an employee of the Company or a Related Company to a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company, or a change in status from a nonemployee director, consultant, advisor or independent contractor of the Company or a Related Company to an employee of the Company or a Related Company, shall not be considered a Termination of Service.

Vesting Commencement Date ” means the Grant Date or such other date selected by the Plan Administrator as the date from which an Award begins to vest.

 

  -4-  


APPENDIX B

TO THE ZILLOW, INC.

2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(For California Residents Only)

This Appendix to the Zillow, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan ) shall have application only to Participants who are residents of the State of California. Capitalized terms contained herein shall have the same meanings given to them in the Plan, unless otherwise provided in this Appendix. Notwithstanding any provision contained in the Plan to the contrary and to the extent required by applicable law, the following terms and conditions shall apply to all Awards granted to residents of the State of California, until such time as the Class A Common Stock becomes a “listed security” under the Securities Act:

1. Options shall have a term of not more than ten years from the Grant Date.

2. Awards shall be nontransferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may permit transfer of an Award to a revocable trust or as otherwise permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act.

3. Unless employment or services are terminated for Cause, the right to exercise an Option in the event of Termination of Service, to the extent that the Participant is otherwise entitled to exercise an Option on the date of Termination of Service, shall be

a. at least six months from the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination was caused by death or Disability; and

b. at least 30 days from the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service if termination of employment was caused by other than death or Disability;

c. but in no event later than the Option Expiration Date.

4. No Award may be granted to a resident of California more than ten years after the earlier of the date of adoption of the Plan and the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders.

5. Shareholders of the Company must approve the Plan by the later of (a) within 12 months before or after the Plan is adopted by the Board and (b) prior to or within 12 months of the grant of an Option under the Plan to a resident of the State of California, except that shareholders must approve the Plan prior to issuance of any securities under the Plan (other than Options) distributed or sold to Participants who are residents of the State of California. Any Option exercised by a California resident or shares issued under an Award to a California resident shall be rescinded if shareholder approval is not obtained in the foregoing manner. Shares subject to such Awards shall not be counted in determining whether such approval is obtained.

 

   


6. To the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall provide annual financial statements of the Company to each California resident holding an outstanding Award under the Plan. Such financial statements need not be audited and need not be issued to key persons whose duties at the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

 

   

Exhibit 10.11

[***] Indicates confidential material that has been omitted pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Request filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A complete copy of this agreement has been separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EXECUTION COPY

YRI – YAHOO, INC. – ZILLOW

LISTINGS AND SALES AGREEMENT

This Listings and Sales Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 2, 2010 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and among Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware corporation, with offices at 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, 94089 (“ Yahoo ”), Yahoo! Realty Inc., a California corporation, with offices at 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (“ YRI ”), and Zillow Inc., a Washington corporation with offices at 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600, Seattle WA 98104 (“Zillow”). Yahoo, YRI and Zillow collectively are referred to as the “ Parties ” and each, individually, as a “ Party .”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Yahoo is an Internet media company that offers a network of branded programming that serves millions of users of the Internet daily;

WHEREAS, YRI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yahoo, is a licensed real estate brokerage in the state of California, USA;

WHEREAS, Zillow provides Internet based residential property listings and home related content throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement so that (i) Zillow can display the residential real estate property listings and other mutually-agreed advertisements which appear on the Zillow Site on Yahoo! Real Estate and other Yahoo Properties and (ii) Yahoo and YRI will provide contacts generated by such display to Zillow’s advertisers.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS

“Activity Data” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit B .

“Affiliates” means any company or any other entity world-wide, including, without limitation, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies, in which Yahoo or Zillow, as the case may be, directly or indirectly owns at least a fifty-one percent (51%) ownership, equity, or financial interest and which operate under the “Yahoo” or related brand or the “Zillow” or related brand, or which either directly or indirectly, owns more than fifty-one percent (51%) of Yahoo or Zillow, as the case may be. Additionally, in the case of Yahoo, Affiliates includes Yahoo’s joint ventures in China, Japan and Australia regardless of Yahoo’s percentage ownership in such ventures.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

“API Specifications” is defined in Section 2.2.1(a).

“Change of Control Event” is defined in Section 14.6.

“COGS” means Cost of Goods Sold which includes: (i) credit card or other payment processing fees, (ii) bad debt, (iii) chargebacks, (iv) disputes, and (v) taxes. COGS is set at [***]% of Gross Revenue for the first quarter of the Term. After the first quarter (post Launch Date) is reconciled and for each quarter thereafter (which shall be reconciled no later than 21 days following the end of the previous quarter), Zillow will report the actual COGS. If the actual COGS is lower than [***]%, then such actual lower rate will be applied in the next quarter. If actual COGS is higher, but below [***]%, than the actual rate will be applied in the next quarter. If actual COGS is [***]% or higher, then COGS rate of [***]% will be applied in the following quarter. For example: [***]% applied at Launch Date; then if the COGS for Q1 is actually [***]%, then the COGS rate of [***]% will be applied in Q2. If COGS in Q1 is actually [***]%, then COGS rate of [***]% will be applied in Q2. If the COGS rate for Q2 is actually [***]%, then the COGS rate of [***]% will be applied in Q3. If Q2 COGS rate is actually [***]%, then the COGS rate of [***]% will be applied in Q3. If Q2 COGS rate is actually [***]%, then COGS rate of [***]% (the maximum allowable rate) will be applied in Q3.

“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 13.2(a).

“Display Ads” means the Yahoo Class One guaranteed (300 x 250 in size) ad units displayed on the Homes for Sale Section and/or New Homes Section of YRE, and any other YRE display ad inventory of which Yahoo notifies Zillow pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(vi). As used in this Agreement, “Yahoo Class One” does not include Run of Network advertising or ads that are behavior targeted.

“Existing Specification” is defined in Section 2.2.1(a).

“Featured Listing” means a paid real estate listing for a Property which is displayed in a manner that is distinctive from other listings. Featured Listings are further described in Exhibit H .

“Gross Revenue” means the revenue recognized by Zillow (including any cancellation fees) with respect to any advertiser for: (a) Real Estate Ad Products that include distribution on the Yahoo Properties; or (b) for Display Ads sold by Zillow.

“Home” means residential real estate being offered for sale and included in the Listings.

“Homes for Sale Section” means that area of YRE dedicated to the resale of existing home inventory.

“Intellectual Property Rights” means all rights in and to trade secrets, patents, patentable inventions, copyrights, trademarks, know-how, moral rights and similar rights of any type under the laws of any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, and rights in and to all applications, registrations, and renewals of any of the foregoing.

“Internet” means the worldwide collection of computers, networks, infrastructure, connections and devices, whether now know or later developed, that can access, connect to,

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   2

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

communicate with, or transfer data to, from, through or by way of the worldwide collection of networks (including without limitation telephone, wireless and third party networks) that is in fact the Internet and/or that is commonly referred to as the “Internet” regardless of whether the display is through a computer, connected device, proprietary platform, PDA, or television.

“Launch Date” means the mutually agreed upon date on which the Zillow Listings are first made publicly available on the YRE property, which is expected to be on or about six (6) months after the Effective Date.

“Law” means all applicable legal requirements, including, without limitation, all administrative, local, state, and federal laws and regulations, any valid order, verdict, judgment, consent decree, or injunction governing or regulating any Party to this Agreement.

“Leads” means the email (or phone, if applicable under Section 2.2.1(e)) leads generated by [***] (unless otherwise mutually agreed in the API Specifications, including as they may be updated during the Term). Leads may be generated for [***], or as specified in Section 2.2.1(d).

“Listings API” means an API that provides access to Zillow Listings.

“Market Data Content” means the Zillow content described in Section 2.2.3(a).

“New Homes Section” means that portion of Yahoo Real Estate dedicated to providing listings of new homes hosted by Yahoo and operated by YRI.

“Net Revenue” means Gross Revenue, [***] and if applicable as set forth in Section [***].

“Page” means any World Wide Web page (or, for online media other than Web sites, the equivalent unit of the relevant protocol).

“Property” means a parcel of residential real estate, including new or existing homes and/or land, offered for sale and included in the listings provided by the Zillow Site.

“Real Estate Ad Products” are paid programs designed to generate Leads that are sold to residential real estate brokers and agents (or their marketing representatives), real estate franchisors, or homeowners. Real Estate Ad Products may include by way of example Featured Listings, enhanced realtor profiles in a realtor directory, and Paid Manual Listings (FSBO & FSBA) products. Real Estate Ad Products are further described in Exhibit H .

“Search Results Page” means the Pages of Yahoo Real Estate that provide Listings to a User, based on the User’s entry of search criteria for Homes for Sale.

“Teaser Content” means any excerpt of the Zillow Content that Yahoo creates for placement on YRE and/or other Yahoo Properties in order to promote the features and functionality of applicable pages or sites in support of Lead-generating activities contemplated by this Agreement, subject to the express terms of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 4.1).

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   3

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

“Term” is defined in Section 10.1.

“User” means a user of the Yahoo Properties.

“User Data” means any personally identifiable data relating to a User’s use of the Yahoo Properties, including data that Yahoo or its Affiliates, or Zillow or its Affiliates collects from a User of YRE, or that a User provides to Yahoo or Zillow in connection with the Zillow Content, including Zillow Listings. User Data includes, but is not limited to, name, email address, phone number, password, credit card or other identifying information, internet protocol address, and information provided during User registration.

“Yahoo Brand Features” means those trademarks, service marks, logos and other distinctive brand features of Yahoo and its Affiliates that are used in or relate to a Yahoo Property and that are described in Exhibit D , including the Yahoo “look and feel,” as updated by Yahoo from time to time in its sole discretion.

“Yahoo Properties” means any or all of Yahoo’s or its Affiliates’ worldwide properties, software, products, services, sites and pages, including, without limitation, those accessible in whole or in part through the Internet, whether presently existing or later developed, that are developed in whole or in part by or for Yahoo or its Affiliates.

“Yahoo Real Estate” or “YRE” means YRI’s U.S. targeted real estate related property currently located at http://realestate.yahoo.com (including but not limited to the Yahoo Real Estate Property Page) and hosted by Yahoo, including any successor(s) or extension(s) of such property operated by or on behalf of Yahoo or YRI.

“Yahoo Real Estate Property Page” means the top Page of Yahoo Real Estate operated and fully controlled by YRI, which may include functionality that provides the User an opportunity to search generally for residential real estate listed for sale or rent based on a specific area, price range, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms, among other things.

[*** ] means the [***], in a given calendar month.

“Yahoo-Only Packages” is defined in Section 3.2.2.

“Zillow Brand Features” means those trademarks, service marks, logos, and other distinctive brand features of Zillow and its Affiliates that are used in or relate to a Zillow Site and that are described in Exhibit E , including the Zillow “look and feel,” as updated by Zillow from time to time in its sole discretion.

“Zillow Content” means the Zillow Listings, Market Data Content, advice content, pro directory content, article content, and any other mutually-agreed content provided or made available by Zillow to Yahoo or YRI in accordance with this Agreement, and any updates, improvements or modifications made to, or derivative works of any of the foregoing, created from, provided to or made available to Users, YRI or Yahoo (or its Affiliates) pursuant to this Agreement.

“Zillow Listings” means the entire list and description of Resale Homes and FSBO Homes (which may include third party trademarks or brand features) listed with or licensed to Zillow

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   4

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

or with vendors of Zillow that collect or aggregate Property listings data that Zillow has permission to license to YRI and Yahoo for use under the terms of this Agreement, and any new homes data that Zillow may elect to make available via the Listings API (subject to the terms of Section 2.2.2).

“Zillow Network” means the collection of publisher sites for which Zillow has agreements to collect Leads from any Real Estate Ad Products.

“Zillow Site(s)” means the website(s) operated by Zillow that is/are dedicated, among other things, to the promotion of real estate and located as of the Effective Date at or in http://www.zillow.com , or any successor or replacement to such site(s).

“Zillow-Yahoo Package” is defined in Section 3.2.

SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

2.1 YRI’s Responsibilities.

(a) YRI as Executive Producer .

(i) YRI, including through Yahoo, creates and hosts a website called Yahoo Real Estate. YRI and Yahoo are the executive producers of YRE and are solely responsible for the selection of content, design, layout, posting, and maintenance of Yahoo Real Estate. YRI and Yahoo reserve the right, at any time, to redesign or modify the organization, structure, specifications, “look and feel,” navigation, guidelines and other elements of Yahoo Real Estate Pages and/or any other Yahoo Property. Additionally, YRI and Yahoo shall have the right to supplement and amend all content and listings on YRE with third party content and data and User generated content, determine all parameters regarding the display of Featured Listings and any other Real Estate Ad Products, and determine whether to offer additional premium paid services for any service offered by YRE. Yahoo reserves the right to not post any Zillow Content if the Zillow Content is deemed reasonably unacceptable by Yahoo for any reason. Nothing in this Section 2.1(a)(i) will be deemed to supersede or modify Sections 2.1(a)(iii), 2.1(b), 2.2.1(d), 2.2.2, 2.2.3(b), 2.2.3(c)(ii), 2.6(a), 3.1, 4.1, 4.3, 12.2 (with respect to the link to Zillow’s privacy policy) and 13, or Exhibit H of this Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein.

(ii) YRI may include notices on sections of Yahoo Real Estate on which Users are providing User Data to YRI for use by Zillow that clarify to the User that Yahoo and YRI are not providing any brokerage services to the User, and are not responsible for the aggregation of any Zillow Content. In addition, YRI and Yahoo will comply with the terms of Section 12.2 with respect to including notices regarding the applicability of Zillow’s privacy policy to the collection and use of certain User Data.

(iii) YRE shall provide Zillow with attribution in accordance with YRE marketing and brand standards on Search Result Pages and Property Detail Pages of YRE where Zillow Listings are displayed. In cases where a Zillow logo does not fit

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   5

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

due to page design or device size or format, text attribution will be provided. On Pages of YRE where other Zillow Content is the primary content on the page Zillow will receive text or logo attribution, or such attribution as is otherwise specified in this Agreement (e.g., in Section 2.2.3(d)).

(iv) During the Term, Yahoo will continue to maintain the YRE property at the web address http://realestate.yahoo.com or a substantially similar successor address. During the Term, YRE will maintain a unique user monthly count, as measured by ComScore Media Metrics panel measurement, above [***]. If ComScore Media Metrics materially changes its methodology during the Term or YRE implements a different ComScore Media Metrics methodology, both Parties will mutually agree on a new metric or number of unique monthly users for calculation of this provision. If during the first 12 months of the Agreement Yahoo does not maintain this number of unique users for any [***] period, then Zillow is released from its exclusivity obligations stated in Section 3.5.

(b) Yahoo Real Estate Pages and Services.

(i) Search Query Page . During the Term, YRI, through Yahoo, will provide search input functionality that provides, among other things, the ability to enter search criteria for Homes for Sale on the Yahoo Real Estate Home Page, the Search Results Page and such other locations of the Yahoo Properties and in such form as determined by YRI and Yahoo, subject to applicable rules and regulations.

(ii) Search Results Page . After each search which includes Resale Homes and/or FSBO Homes listings, based on the criteria provided by the User, YRI, through Yahoo, will display the Zillow Listings. In accordance with and subject to Section 2.1(a), the Search Results Page can be modified at the discretion of YRI and Yahoo.

(iii) Details Pages. On the Search Results Page, Users will be provided links to property details pages related to each Zillow Listing, hosted by YRI, through Yahoo, which will provide further information about a Home for Sale (each a “ Details Page ”). In accordance with and subject to Section 2.1(a) the Details Page can be modified at the discretion of YRI and Yahoo, except that at all times YRE will display data as delivered by Zillow for a minimum, common set of data attributes as defined in the Listing Detail section of the Listings API Specification attached as Exhibit A . YRE reserves the right to augment the listings with data from third parties, including Users, as it sees fit, so long as such augmented data is identified as being from a different source and is presented in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.1(b).

(iv) Listing Results Order . YRI will use Zillow’s default sort order as specified in the Listings API for Zillow Listings on all Search Results Pages. Such default sort order will first prioritize Featured Listings above basic Zillow Listings. Except with respect to such first priority default sort order, Zillow has the right to revise the listings sort methodology in the Listings API, so long as the same listings sort methodology is applied on Zillow’s Site and to every other partner in the Zillow Network. If a user re-sorts the search results in any way, the user’s sort preference

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   6

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

shall take precedence. If a user refines the search results in any way, YRI will use the default sort order specified in the Listings API. If YRI launches a product with a unique functionality, and subject to the conditions that such product does not cause modifications to the default sort order for Search Results Pages and does not require Zillow to modify the Listings API, YRI may make Listing API calls and display Listings in such new product based on other parameters being first in priority, and Zillow shall return the appropriate listings in a manner that identifies any Featured Listings, which Featured Listings YRI shall visually distinguish in its product implementation. For example, if the foregoing conditions are met, in a mobile application, YRI may pull listings based on user geographic location as the primary sort criteria (i.e. listings closest to user) and for “most recent update” modules, YRI may pull listings based on recency. If a Zillow licensor opts out of syndication on YRE, any listings from such advertiser will not be included in the Zillow Listings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, YRI reserves the right to co-mingle any Zillow Listings with listings from other real estate listing categories, including new homes and foreclosures, provided that the Zillow Featured Listings are sorted first in accordance with Zillow’s Listings API default sort order without co-mingling and are presented in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For clarity, if a user re-sorts a co-mingled set of listings, the user’s sort preference shall take precedence.

(v) Activity Data and Reporting . The Parties have agreed to the terms set forth in Exhibit B with respect to Zillow’s collection of Activity Data (as defined therein) through the beacon described in the beacon specifications set forth in Exhibit A . Zillow also agrees that it will comply with the obligations and restrictions set forth in Exhibit K .

(vi) Inventory Updates. Yahoo will notify Zillow (email will suffice) of any material changes to the Real Estate Ad Products (e.g., material changes in position or format, subject to Exhibit H ) and display advertising units on YRE no less than 60 days prior to their going live on YRE.

2.2 Zillow Listings and Other Content

2.2.1 Zillow Listings . Zillow will provide the Zillow Listings at the Launch Date and thereafter throughout the Term in accordance with the following:

(a) Data Access Requirements. During the Term, Zillow will provide YRI and Yahoo with access to APIs (or, for the listings described in Section 2.2.3(f), a data feed) in compliance with the Listings API Specifications set forth on Exhibit A . Throughout the Term, Zillow shall maintain a For Sale By Owner service that will enable homeowners to post their homes for sale on both Zillow and Yahoo, which service shall be made available to Yahoo users according to the SLA set forth in Exhibit A .

(b) Additional Data Requirements . Zillow will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and retain the necessary approvals from its vendors and licensors to permit Zillow to license to Yahoo and YRI, as Zillow Listings as set forth in Section 4.1, all of the Resale Homes and FSBO Homes listings on the Zillow Site(s) and any other Zillow Listings provided under this Agreement. Zillow will make Zillow Listings (including pricing changes) available to Yahoo as described in Exhibit A (Alerts API section).

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   7

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

(c) Product Enhancements by Zillow . For any products or features offered by Zillow that generate Leads, both Parties shall have equal access to such products or features. If a new website-based Lead generation product or feature is introduced on the Zillow Site, Yahoo will have up to 90 days to implement a similar product or feature before any Leads generated by such product or feature on the Zillow Site and other properties in the Zillow Network count towards the Total Leads. Such a 90 day period begins on the date Zillow makes available a fully functioning API or other tools necessary to create such similar product or feature on YRE. Yahoo shall receive access to such APIs or other tools no later than access is provided to any other member of the Zillow Network. After 90 days or upon launch of the product or feature on YRE, whichever comes first, any Leads generated by such product or feature on the Zillow Site and other properties in the Zillow Network shall count fully towards the Total Leads. It shall be Zillow’s responsibility to accurately track which ad products or features are contributing toward “countable” Leads, including from other partners in the Zillow Network, and to accurately report Lead counts to YRE as part of the regular reporting process described in Section 3.7.

(d) Lead Capture Enhancements by Yahoo . Yahoo may create new Lead capture implementations on YRE and other Yahoo Properties, provided such implementations are reasonably anticipated to generate Leads and they meet the following requirements: (i) they use contextually relevant placements; (ii) they generate Leads that satisfy the minimum user data requirements of a Lead as established and applied by Zillow to the Zillow Site(s) and Zillow Network from time to time; and (iii) Yahoo or YRI promptly takes down such Lead capture implementation if Zillow so requests based on reasonable concern about disruptions to Zillow’s licenses or business relationships with applicable providers of Zillow Content (including Zillow Listings) or Zillow advertisers. Yahoo agrees to notify Zillow no later than 90 days before a new Lead capture implementation goes live on any Yahoo Properties and Zillow agrees to track, report and include Leads from such implementations in the calculation of Total Leads, provided such implementations and Leads comply with this paragraph. Yahoo agrees not to restrict Zillow from implementing similar lead capture techniques as those used on Yahoo Real Estate on the Zillow Sites.

(e) Phone Lead Product . If a phone Lead product offering is introduced on the Zillow Site at any time during the Term, such a product offering will also be made available to YRE for implementation. If YRE chooses to add such an offering, YRE phone Leads shall be [***]. Any phone Leads shall count equal to email Leads unless specific advertisers are charged different prices for email and phone Leads. Zillow will notify Yahoo in writing of any such pricing differences prior to the launch of a phone number for any such advertiser.

(f) Real Estate Ad Products . The Parties agree to the additional terms set forth in Exhibit H with respect to Real Estate Ad Products.

2.2.2 Exclusivity . Zillow will be the exclusive provider of listings for Resale Homes and FSBO Homes on the YRE site. YRE acknowledges that some new homes may be available via the Listings API, but YRE is under no obligation to re-classify those homes or make efforts to have those listings appear in the New Homes section of YRE. Zillow will use best efforts to minimize new home listings available via the Listings API.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   8

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

2.2.3 Other Zillow Content

 

  (a) Market Data Content . At the Launch Date, Zillow shall provide YRI with an API providing access to the following sets of Zillow market data content (on a Zip Code/City/State/National basis): (i) number of homes for sale; (ii) median price of homes for sale; (iii) month-over-month percentage change in median price of homes for sale; and (iv) year-over-year market value percentage change in median price of homes for sale (clauses (i) through (iv), the “ Market Data Content ”). If Yahoo commits to deploying an expanded set of Zillow market data, then on a mutually agreed timeline, Zillow will provide YRI an API providing access to such other Zillow local, regional and national home value market data, including local home values and sales history data and trends similar to what’s found here: http://www.zillow.com/local-info/CA-San-Francisco/Glen-Park-home-value/r_268177/ , subject to availability of and applicable terms regarding such data for syndication under Zillow’s licensing agreements, provided that thereafter if such availability changes during the Term, Zillow will provide Yahoo with 90 days prior written notice (email will suffice) or, if this is not possible, as much prior written notice as is possible before making any changes that would affect YRE.

 

  (b) Zillow Advice Content. On a mutually agreed timeline (anticipated to be [***]) including an agreed deadline for Yahoo to deploy such content on YRE, Zillow will make available to YRI an API in a mutually agreed upon format providing full access to Zillow advice content (i.e., any questions, answers and comments posed by users or experts on the Zillow Site(s)). Yahoo shall link out to Zillow in order to provide users access to account registration, editing and updating of submitted questions and answers. It shall be at YRI’s discretion to determine where such content is made available on the YRE site, though it shall appear in contextually relevant placements. If Yahoo commits to a deployment date then Zillow will provide the requisite API functionality and following integration using such API, any questions posed by YRE users and any resulting answers and comments shall be available for posting on both YRE and Zillow, and such a subset of Zillow advice content will be jointly owned by both YRI and Zillow in perpetuity.

 

  (c) Pro Directory.

(i) At the Launch Date, Zillow will provide YRI with an API providing access to individual professional profiles linked to listings in Zillow’s pro directory and related Real Estate Ad Products such as featured pro directory listings (together, “ Pro Directory Data ”). On a mutually agreed timeline (anticipated to be [***]), Zillow will provide YRI an API in a mutually agreed upon format, providing access to a searchable form of its pro directory data. Such API shall include Pro Directory Data pertaining to all professionals, including agents, lenders and home improvement pros, similar to the pro directory currently available to users on the Zillow Site ( http://www.zillow.com/directory/ .) Zillow shall include the right to syndicate Pro Directory Data to YRE in its terms of service. YRI acknowledges that some sources of directory data, such as broker’s listings feeds, may be subject to other terms and not available for syndication. If any additional non-Lead based ad products are offered by Zillow in the pro directory (e.g. Display Ads, etc.), such products shall also

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   9

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

be made available to YRI for implementation on the Yahoo Properties if YRI so chooses and if both Parties mutually agree upon economic compensation for any revenues from YRE-related ad packages. Any Leads from paying agents or brokers generated by users from the pro directory on Yahoo Properties or on the Zillow Site shall be included in the Total Leads. Except for search-related products that Yahoo or YRI have sold to data sources across multiple Yahoo Properties as of the Effective Date of this Agreement and renewals of such agreements, Zillow will be the exclusive provider of pro directory data to the YRE site.

(ii) YRI will use Zillow’s default sort order, as specified in the API for the searchable form of the Pro Directory Data (when it becomes available), for Pro Directory Data listings on all Pro Directory search results pages. Such default sort order will first prioritize featured Pro Directory Data above basic Pro Directory Data. Except with respect to such first priority default sort order, Zillow has the right to revise the listings sort methodology in the Pro Directory API, so long as the same listings sort methodology is applied on the Zillow Site and every other partner in the Zillow Network. If a user re-sorts the search results in any way, the user’s sort preference will take precedence. If a user refines the search results in any way, YRI will use the default sort order specified in the Pro Directory Data API. Notwithstanding the foregoing, YRE reserves the right to co-mingle Pro Directory Data from Zillow with data from Yahoo search-related products permitted under Section 2.2.3(c), provided that the featured Pro Directory Data are sorted first in accordance with Zillow’s Pro Directory API default sort order without co-mingling and are presented in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For clarity, if a user re-sorts a co-mingled set of data, the user’s sort preference shall take precedence.

 

  (d) Article Content. Upon request by Yahoo but no sooner than three (3) months after the Launch Date, Zillow will share with YRI access to its database of article content related to the home buying and selling process. YRE will provide at least one (1) link back to the Zillow Site from this content, free from “no follow” tags. Zillow will provide to YRI and Yahoo all URLs, URL formats (as applicable), content, and other materials necessary for YRI and Yahoo to provide this link to the Zillow Site.

 

  (e) Homes for Rent Listings. If Zillow chooses, it may deliver an XML feed of homes for rent listings, whose format will be set by YRE and will be similar to the standard spec for rental listings on YRE. All homes for rent listings provided by Zillow shall be designated as basic listings in the rentals section of YRE. Zillow may also cease delivery such an XML feed of homes for rent listings (if it has engaged in such delivery) at any time in its discretion, after providing 10 business days written notice.

 

  (f) Data for YRE’s Use in Recommendations . The YRE Property Detail Pages support a recommendations module that displays listings that are similar to the property a User is viewing. Following the Launch Date, and for as long as YRE is displaying such recommendations module, Zillow will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to YRE, on a daily basis, a file that includes the following data from all then-current Zillow Listings: id, zip, city, state, beds, baths, sq. ft and price. The list may include additional mutually agreed fields for use by YRE’s similarity engine.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   10

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

2.3 Performance . Zillow agrees to comply with the Service Levels set forth on Exhibit A . Zillow will have redundant production servers for Zillow Listings, for Market Data Content (at Launch, and for an expanded set of Zillow market data content following Launch, provided that YRI commits to use such content), Pro directory content, and Real Estate Ad Product content at two geographically dispersed locations with adequate failover capabilities, and a BCP in place 45 days prior to the Launch Date that satisfies Yahoo’s reasonable infrastructure requirements. Such infrastructure and plans shall be made available to Yahoo at any time upon request. If, during the Term, any material changes to such infrastructure occur, Zillow will make YRE aware of such changes in a timely manner. Zillow and YRE will meet regularly to discuss technical improvements to the APIs provided by Zillow under this Agreement. Mutual written agreement (which will not be unreasonably withheld) of the Parties will be required in order to modify the API Specifications during the Term except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement.

2.4 Security . Each Party agrees to comply with its obligations set forth in the Security Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit G .

2.5 Compliance

(a) Compliance with Rules, Regulations and Laws. The Parties agree that at all times the Parties shall undertake their obligations pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local Laws and ordinances. To the extent such Laws require a Party to operate during the Term in a manner materially inconsistent with, or in violation of, the terms of this Agreement, the requirement of any applicable Law shall take precedence over the terms of this Agreement and the Parties’ compliance with any applicable Laws shall not be a violation or breach of this Agreement, and the Parties shall comply with Section 2.5(b).

(b) Modification of Agreement. Any Party seeking a material modification of any right or obligation in this Agreement based on applicability of Section 2.5(a) will provide prompt written notice to the other Parties. The Parties will confer and attempt in good faith to agree upon appropriate modifications to this Agreement so that the Parties carry out their duties and responsibilities under this Agreement in compliance with the Laws giving rise to the application of Section 2.5(a). If the Parties are unable to reach an agreement on any such material modification within thirty (30) calendar days of the written notice, then any Party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.2(d).

2.6 Marketing

(a) YRE will direct any owners, agents, brokers (including franchisors), MLSs, franchisors, aggregators or other marketing representatives wishing to submit listings for homes for sale on YRE to a process managed by Zillow. Zillow will provide any resulting listings to YRE through the Listings API. If YRE sends a new advertiser to Zillow and, in the initial phone sales call or online self-serve purchase session, Zillow sells the new advertiser real estate advertisement services outside the scope of the Agreement, Zillow agrees to pay to Yahoo a revenue share equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of [***] less [***]. YRE will not, and will not authorize any third party other

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   11

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

than bona fide residential real estate consumer customers to: (x) directly or indirectly activate Zillow-provided Display Ads or Real Estate Ad Products (including without limitation through any action intended to generate Leads or other queries, actions, impressions of or clicks on advertising units through any automated, deceptive, fraudulent or other invalid means (including, but not limited to, click spam or macro programs)), or (y) make contact(s) with Zillow advertisers; and Yahoo will not place or authorize any third party to place any Real Estate Ad Products in any location or manner that is not contextually relevant. In addition, Yahoo will not use or authorize any third party to use any methods that are manipulative, deceptive, malicious or fraudulent in order to increase the number of Leads generated on YRE at any time. YRE will reasonably cooperate with Zillow in policing any such unauthorized activities.

(b) For any marketing materials produced by Zillow that contain mention of Yahoo, YRI or YRE, Zillow shall provide such materials to YRE for review and written approval prior to distribution.

(c) Zillow and YRE will promote this ad sales and listings aggregation partnership through a press release (subject to the terms of Section 13 of this Agreement, and to each Party’s corporate guidelines and approval), blog posts, targeted marketing efforts at industry trade shows, in email (subject to applicable SPAM regulations and each Party’s email marketing guidelines), on both web sites and through advertising placements in appropriate industry media. Zillow shall have the right to reference YRE marks in sales promotion materials. Each Party will bear its own marketing expenses, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

(d) Within 3 months of the Launch Date, Zillow will send mass marketing communications to all existing customers who have agreed to receive such communications from Zillow, with a goal of making them aware of the Zillow-Yahoo partnership and the opportunity to purchase Real Estate Ad Products that include distribution on Yahoo Properties. Such a communication shall include a phone number and other means for prospective advertisers to contact Zillow directly to initiate a purchase. Zillow is obligated to follow up with all prospective advertisers who submit such a lead.

2.7 Launch-Related Milestones. The Parties will endeavor promptly to reach mutual agreement on any open points regarding the API Specifications that are not resolved before the Effective Date and undertake their respective integration and other implementation activities. The Parties have established a series of interim development and integration Milestones, as specified in Exhibit I , that they will each endeavor to achieve after the Effective Date. If a Party does not timely meet such a Milestone, either Party may escalate review of related technical or schedule concerns with a goal of enabling the Parties to cooperate in resolving such concerns and continuing work toward the Launch Date-related Milestones. Neither Party will be liable for material breach of this Agreement based on failing to achieve one or more Milestones on a timely basis in accordance with the schedule shown in Exhibit I or any mutually agreed revised schedule.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   12

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

SECTION 3: ADVERTISING SALES

3.1 Exclusive Appointment for Certain Advertising Products . During the Term, Yahoo appoints Zillow as its exclusive representative for the sale of Real Estate Ad Products and graphical display advertising on YRE to agents, brokers (including franchisors) and their marketing representatives in the New Homes Section and Homes for Sale Section of YRE, except for the following:

(a) For the [***] of the Term, Yahoo will have the right to sell, on its own behalf or through its partners (for example, Yahoo’s Newspaper Consortium), graphical display advertising that utilizes behavioral and/or category targeting capabilities, to agents, brokers (including franchisors) and their marketing representatives, for display in the New Homes and Homes for Sale sections of YRE, provided that such advertising is not specifically targeted to YRE.

(b) Throughout the Term, such exclusivity shall be waived for any advertising that delivers through Yahoo’s remnant display inventory systems, currently known as the Right Media Exchange, or through Yahoo’s paid search products or services inventory, provided that such advertising is not specifically targeted to YRE.

3.2 Packaging. The following guidelines shall apply for the packaging of Real Estate Ad Products:

 

  3.2.1 Beginning on the Launch Date, Zillow will offer distribution of Real Estate Ad Products on both Zillow and YRE (“ Zillow-Yahoo Package(s) ”) as the only packaging option to all new customers who are buying unsold advertising positions and all existing customers who are adding incremental slots (“ Slots ”). For clarity, there shall be no sales after the Launch Date (month-to-month autorenewing contracts not being considered “sales” for this purpose) that include Zillow-only packages subject to 3.2.4.

 

  3.2.2 Beginning on the Launch Date, for all Slots that are sold out on Zillow but Yahoo has comparable Slots available, Zillow shall make commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to offer existing customers similar Real Estate Ad Products based on distribution on Yahoo only (“ Yahoo-Only Package(s) ”) using the sales focus described in this paragraph. For any such customer, Zillow must offer a Yahoo-Only Package length that is co-terminus with the existing, comparable Zillow-only package. When a Yahoo-Only Package and Zillow only-package targeted at similar Slots expire at the same time, Zillow shall offer customers a Zillow-Yahoo Package. If a Zillow-only customer chooses to renew on a month-to-month basis, the Yahoo-only customer shall also be offered the option to renew on a month-to- month basis. Zillow shall focus its efforts on existing customers, as determined by Zillow, in the top 30 MSAs, utilizing a combination of highest revenue opportunity and highest customer demand to pick its targets. Zillow will provide YRI a list of the top 30 MSAs prior to Launch.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   13

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

  3.2.3 Beginning on the Launch Date, Zillow shall contact existing Zillow-only customers who are in month-to-month auto renewing contracts and offer a Zillow-Yahoo Package when Zillow believes it has a reasonable opportunity for success in creating additional revenue opportunities for Yahoo. Nothing shall obligate such customers to accept a Zillow-Yahoo Package, but within 6 months after the Launch Date, Zillow will use commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to transition all such customers over to a Zillow-Yahoo Package.

 

  3.2.4 During the Term, brokers and agents that are subject to Zillow’s commitments above may [***]. For any broker or agent that [***].

 

  3.2.5 Zillow agrees to compensate its sales team for the sale of [***] under terms that are [***].

3.3 Display Advertising . Yahoo may also allocate YRE inventory of Display Ads to Zillow to sell to new home builders, real estate brokers (including franchisors), or real estate agents and Yahoo will keep Zillow informed of such inventory as described in Section 2.1(b)(vi). Zillow will be limited to selling display advertising in the Homes for Sale Section and New Homes Section of YRE unless the Parties mutually agree otherwise. At the Launch Date, Zillow will become the exclusive Yahoo reseller of graphical display ads to any new home builder advertisers, except the following: [***]. Yahoo and Zillow will work together to develop, no later than thirty (30) days before the Launch Date, and execute a transition plan for any existing Yahoo display advertising accounts. For clarity, Zillow may not sell display inventory to any advertisers whose primary business is [***]. In connection with the sale of Display Ads on YRE, and as a condition of displaying on YRE the Display Ads sold by Zillow following the Launch Date, the Parties shall enter into a written agreement (the “ APT Service Agreement ”), the terms of which are anticipated to be based on the sample agreement set forth in Exhibit J ) setting forth the terms and conditions on which Publisher shall use Yahoo!’s current Display Ad platform and any successor platform (“ APT ”) as Publisher’s exclusive adserver platform for display of Display Ads on YRE, it being understood that Publisher may not use APT for any other purpose, unless the parties agree in writing to the applicable terms and conditions of such additional uses of APT, including any additional compensation to be received by Yahoo!. Zillow agrees to book Display Ads inventory on YRE (“ Yahoo Available Inventory ”) in accordance with the procedures specified by Yahoo from time to time.

3.4 Advertising Terms and Conditions and Related Policies . With respect to the sale of advertising on the Yahoo Properties, Zillow will comply with Yahoo’s then-current advertising policies located at http://adspecs.yahoo.com/ including, without limitation, those policies located at http://adspecs.yahoo.com/policies.php and any other guidelines Yahoo provides to Zillow provided that such guidelines apply to all third party sellers of Display Ads on the Yahoo network. In addition, Zillow agrees to use the minimum terms and conditions from the Yahoo Display Ad Agreement (as such minimum terms are set forth on Exhibit C , the “ Minimum Display Ad Terms ”) in its sales of Display Ads on YRE, except that where an agency or advertiser requires, Zillow may instead use the IAB/AAAA Standard Terms and Conditions for Internet Advertising for Media Buys One Year or Less or other terms consistent with industry practices. Zillow agrees to directly employ at least the equivalent of one (1) fulltime sales person dedicated solely to selling advertising to new

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   14

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

home builders. In no event may any page on the Zillow Site to which Users click through from any Zillow Content on the Yahoo Properties contain any “pop-up” or “pop-under” advertisements. Yahoo will not modify any Display Ad content or appearance.

3.5 Pricing & Inventory . Zillow will set pricing of all Real Estate Ad Products based on the guidelines contained herein. Zillow agrees to provide YRI a rate card for Real Estate Ad Products, (including without limitation Zillow-Yahoo Packages) before the Launch Date. Yahoo-Only Packages will be priced using the same methodology used to price Zillow-only and Zillow-Yahoo Packages, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. Zillow agrees to give Yahoo notice prior to any changes in such methodology. Zillow agrees to launch the Yahoo-Only Packages with the same pricing as comparable Zillow-only packages and will only alter Yahoo-Only Package pricing after [***] of Yahoo Lead volume data is available to assess the average number of Leads from Yahoo. At no time shall Yahoo-Only Package pricing be greater than [***]% below the Zillow-only pricing for comparable Slots without mutual agreement of the parties. If cancellation rates for Yahoo-Only Packages are greater than [***]% above the cancellation rates in same counties for Zillow-only packages and pricing is suspected, then the parties shall discuss adjusting the pricing floor. Yahoo will set floor pricing for Display Ads sold by Zillow in Yahoo’s sole discretion and shall from time to time make changes after giving reasonable advance notice. Zillow may set pricing for Display Ads [***], but at no time shall Zillow set [***]. Yahoo shall provide Zillow estimates of available impressions in the Homes for Sale and New Homes sections at the DMA level on a quarterly basis.

3.6 Sales Exclusivity. Zillow agrees that YRE is the only website not owned by Zillow for which Zillow will sell Real Estate Ad Products for [***] following the Launch Date. After [***], Zillow may enter into agreements for the sale of Real Estate Ad Products on other websites, provided that Zillow provides [***] written notice to Yahoo and YRI before any third party partnership for the sale of such listing advertising becomes active, including the name of the partner, and 30 days written notice to Yahoo and YRI prior to the end of any such partnership.

3.7 Reporting to Yahoo .

(a) Within 15 days after the end of any month, Zillow will provide detailed reporting of all ad sales related to Yahoo and Zillow Packages, including but not limited to Zillow Yahoo Packages sold and cancelled, Display Ad impressions booked and delivered; the quantities of Leads generated by YRE, Zillow, and Total Leads; and Gross and Net Revenue. Zillow will present all information broken out by ad product type and advertiser type, clearly separating all data and revenue for YRE-Only Packages should they exist. If Lead scoring or other Lead/referral performance metrics are gathered by Zillow during the Term, such data will also be collected for the Yahoo referrals and Leads and such Yahoo referral and Lead-related information shall be shared with Yahoo on a regular basis.

(b) Zillow will apply to Leads provided by Yahoo hereunder the same rules for recognition of valid Leads that Zillow applies to Leads from the Zillow Site. Such rules of recognition will be designed to exclude communications that appear to be generated based on any manipulative, deceptive, malicious or fraudulent lead generation activity, or

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   15

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

any activity that indicates end users are contacting advertisers for reasons that are not consistent with an interest in residential real estate opportunities (e.g., attempts to gather personal information from advertisers). By way of background, as of the Effective Date, Zillow uses the following rules of recognition for Leads from the Zillow Site:

 

   

All required fields must be present.

 

   

All filled out fields must have correctly structured data (e.g., phone number fields can’t contain letters; obviously invalid area codes or exchanges such as 555 are rejected).

 

   

Free-form text fields (e.g., message section) are scanned for profanity and other objectionable content.

 

   

Rate limits apply to how many contacts a user can make within a session, including a limit on the number of contacts for a particular home.

 

   

Review of whether the user making the contact has recently viewed the home/agent that the contact is for.

(c) Once per week during the Term, Zillow shall provide basic reporting to YRI that allows YRI to gauge its ongoing performance and monetization. Such reporting shall include: total Leads generated by YRI and the Yahoo Properties, Zillow and the Zillow network, and Gross Revenue generated during the time period. Both parties will mutually agree on any other data that shall be shared.

3.8 Reporting to Advertisers. If an advertiser requests, [***].

SECTION 4: LICENSES

4.1 Zillow Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Zillow hereby grants to Yahoo and its Affiliates during the Term, the following:

 

  4.1.1

Zillow Content. A non-exclusive, worldwide, revocable, limited, fully paid up, royalty free license to use, copy, encode, store, distribute, transmit, modify and create derivative works of (solely to the extent expressly permitted by the next sentence), and publicly perform and publicly display the Zillow Content via the Internet on YRE and, subject to Section 4.2.2, other Yahoo Properties, provided that Yahoo may publicly perform and publicly display only Zillow Listings which Yahoo has obtained via the Listings API within 24 hours before such public performance or public display. Yahoo’s and its Affiliates’ license to modify and create derivative works of the Zillow Content is limited solely to (a) modifying the Zillow Content as necessary to fit the format and “look and feel” of Yahoo Real Estate or other Yahoo Properties on which the Zillow Content is displayed, as revised and changed from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (b) modifying the Zillow Content to create Teaser Content. Yahoo’s and its Affiliates’ license to distribute, transmit and publicly perform and display Teaser Content is limited to placements on Yahoo Properties that use the Teaser Content in a contextually relevant manner and location in order to promote features and functionality of YRE or other real estate-related content and services

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   16

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

 

that can reasonably be anticipated to generate Leads. Yahoo will provide prior written notice (email will suffice) to Zillow of any new programmatic use of Zillow Listings as Teaser Content on any Yahoo Property(ies) other than YRE. Yahoo is not authorized to and will not use any Teaser Content to promote any content, products or services on the Yahoo Properties that compete with Lead-generating content, products or services. Further, Yahoo’s license rights in Teaser Content are subject to the condition that Yahoo will cease any exercise of rights in specific Teaser Content if Zillow so requests based on reasonable concern about disruptions to Zillow’s licenses or business relationships with providers of applicable Zillow Content (including Zillow Listings).

 

  4.1.2 Integration with Additional Yahoo Services. Yahoo and its Affiliates may exercise their rights in the Zillow Content (as set forth in Section 4.1.1) in order to integrate Zillow Content into any products, services, functionality or tools of the Yahoo Properties (other than YRE, which is subject to the licenses set forth in Section 4.1.1), and of third parties as hosted and used on the Yahoo Properties, provided that (i) Yahoo notifies Zillow in writing in advance of such integration; and (ii) upon written requests by Zillow based on reasonable concern about disruptions to Zillow’s licenses or business relationships with providers of applicable Zillow Content (including Zillow Listings),Yahoo will not undertake, or will promptly cease, any exercise of rights in Zillow Content under this Section 4.1.2. Subject to the foregoing, and by way of example and not limitation, Yahoo may (a) plot and display Zillow Content on aerial, satellite, street level and hybrid maps imagery within the Yahoo Properties; (b) include Zillow Content in widgets, badges, display and Yahoo smart advertisements; (c) integrate Zillow Content into third party applications, tools and content within YRE, such as mapping, neighborhoods, and schools; and (d) aggregate Zillow Content to provide monthly metrics ( e.g. , top cities, hot markets) for display on the Yahoo Real Estate Home Page and other locations in the Yahoo Properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Yahoo agrees that Zestimates and other data derived from recently sold homes data may not be made available by Yahoo or YRI via any mobile device.

 

  4.1.3 Zillow Brand Features. A non-exclusive, revocable, worldwide, fully paid up, royalty free right and license to use, copy, encode, store, and publicly display the Zillow Brand Features: (1) as expressly permitted under this Agreement in connection with the presentation of the Zillow Content on Yahoo Properties targeted to U.S.-based audiences; and (2) as expressly permitted under this Agreement in connection with the marketing and promotion of Yahoo Real Estate to U.S.-based audiences. Zillow agrees that Zillow Brand Features, as provided by Zillow, may be used in accordance with the terms of this Agreement on the Search Results Pages and Details Pages that display Zillow Listings and on the Yahoo Real Estate partners page. Any use of the Zillow Brand Features will be in compliance with the Zillow Brand Features Guidelines, attached here to as Exhibit F . If Zillow objects to Yahoo’s use of the Zillow Brand Features, Yahoo will promptly comply with Zillow’s reasonable requests for changes or removal, and Yahoo will promptly replace any removed use with a corrected one where necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement. Zillow does not grant Yahoo any right, title, or other property interest in the Zillow Brand Features.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   17

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

  4.1.4 Right to Sublicense. The right to sublicense, solely as applied to Zillow Listings, the rights and licenses set forth in Sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 for use, in accordance with all terms of this Agreement, (i) in connection with any mirror site controlled by Yahoo or Affiliate of Yahoo and (ii) in a distribution or syndication arrangement in which Yahoo operates a co-branded or private label version of substantially all of YRE as part of a co-branded or private label version of Yahoo’s Internet portal (e.g., sites currently operated by Yahoo for AT&T or British Telecom). All sublicenses granted under this Section 4.1.4 will be subject to the same restrictions that apply to Yahoo and YRI with respect to the use of the applicable Zillow Content and Zillow Brand Features.

4.2 Yahoo Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Yahoo hereby grants to Zillow during the Term, a non-exclusive, revocable, limited, worldwide, fully paid up license to use, copy, encode, store, and publicly display the Yahoo Brand Features as expressly permitted under this Agreement, and in marketing and sales materials related to this Agreement, subject to Yahoo’s prior written approval in each instance. Any use of the Yahoo Brand Features will be in compliance with the Yahoo Brand Features Guidelines, attached here to as Exhibit E and will be subject to Yahoo’s approval as described in Exhibit E . If Yahoo objects to Zillow’s use of the Yahoo Brand Features, Zillow will promptly comply with Yahoo’s reasonable requests for changes or removal. Yahoo does not grant Zillow any right, title, or other property interest in the Yahoo Brand Features.

4.3 Trademarks. Each Party will comply with the trademark guidelines provided by the other party with respect to the use of any of such Party’s brand features and no Party will alter or impair any acknowledgment of copyright or other Intellectual Property Rights of the other. Each Party retains the right to inspect and approve any use of its brand features to ensure that such usage is consistent with its trademark standards. Each Party agrees that its use of the other Party’s brand features will inure solely to the benefit of the owner. Each Party recognizes the goodwill attached to the other Party’s brand features and acknowledges and agrees not to adopt or use any names, logos or trademarks, which include or may be confusingly similar to the other Party’s brand features, nor shall it engage in or allow others under its control or direction (including independent contractors, employees and agents) to engage in any practice or other activity that is or is likely to be detrimental to the goodwill associated with the other Party’s brand features.

4.4 No Other Rights. Except as expressly set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 above, neither Party grants to the other Party any other rights to the Zillow Content, the Zillow Brand Features, or the Yahoo Brand Features, as the case may be. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

SECTION 5: COMPENSATION

5.1 Real Estate Ad Products Revenue Share. During the Term, Zillow will pay to YRE a Revenue Share equal to [***] percent
([***]%) of [***] received times the [***] (except for [***], for which Zillow will pay to Yahoo [***] percent ([***]%) of [***], applying no [***]).

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   18

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

  5.1.1 [***] as Zillow Network Expands. After [***] following the Launch Date, if Zillow sells listings-based advertising for any new members of the Zillow Network, the number of Leads that Zillow advertisers receive from the new partner(s) shall be included in the number of Total Leads for purposes of calculating the [***] as follows: In the first month that the new partner Leads are included, only [***] of the corresponding actual Leads will be used in the calculation of Total Leads. In the second month, the new partner Leads shall be added to the Total Leads at the rate of [***] of actual Leads. This calculation of adding an additional [***] each month of actual Leads to the [***] shall continue throughout [***]. In month [***], the new partner’s Leads shall be added to the Total Leads at the rate of [***]% of the corresponding actual Leads.

 

  5.1.2 Display Ad Revenue Share. Zillow will pay Yahoo [***] ([***]%) of [***] recognized by Zillow from the sale of Display Ads. Yahoo will be entitled to retain [***] and otherwise on the [***] in accordance with Sections [***] (i.e., [***]).

 

  5.1.3 Homes for Rent Compensation. The revenue structure for such an implementation shall be mutually agreed upon in writing before any Zillow feeds shall be accepted by YRE.

5.2 Payment Terms. All fees due under this Section 5 are due within thirty (30) days of Zillow’s receipt of invoice from Yahoo. Any payments not paid on such due date and that are not subject to good faith dispute will bear interest commencing on the due date at the lesser of (x) one percent per month or (y) the maximum amount allowed by Law. Any failure by Zillow to make payments as required hereunder or disputed in good faith will constitute a material breach of this Agreement, subject to a right to cure per Section 10.2(a).

5.3 Right to Audit Compliance with Payment and Data Provisions.  No more than once each year during the Term and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, Yahoo, through an independent nationally recognized third-party representative and upon thirty days prior written notice, may conduct an audit of Zillow’s relevant financial books and records (including electronic records), processes and systems to review Zillow’s compliance with the payment provisions set forth in Section 5.1 . Prior to any audit, Yahoo will obtain from the auditor a signed confidentiality agreement, the provisions of which shall be no less restrictive than the obligations referenced in Section 13 (Confidential Information and Publicity). Yahoo shall pay the costs and expenses of any such audit; provided, however that if an audit reveals an underpayment of five percent (5%) or more for the audited period, Zillow shall pay for the costs and expenses of such audit within 45 days of such finding, in addition to the amount of any shortfall.

SECTION 6: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6.1 General. YRI, Yahoo and Zillow each represent, warrant and covenant to each other that, as regards to itself:

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   19

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

  (a) their negotiation, entry and performance of this Agreement will not violate, conflict with, interfere with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under any other agreement to which they are a party or any applicable Law;

 

  (b) they own or have the right to use all brand features (including trademarks and logos) that they authorize the other Parties to reproduce and display pursuant to this Agreement and any exercise of rights in brand features granted under this Agreement, will, to the best of their knowledge, not infringe third party rights; and

 

  (c) they have all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and to carry out their obligations hereunder.

6.2 By Zillow. Zillow represents, warrants and covenants to YRI and Yahoo that:

(a) Zillow has acquired or will acquire permission, prior to distribution of the Zillow Listings to YRI, from the third parties providing the Zillow Content, for YRI and Yahoo to use the Zillow Listings as provided in this Agreement.

SECTION 7: LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS.

7.1 Limitations of Liability and Remedies. EXCEPT PURSUANT TO THE INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS OF SECTION 9, OR FOR A MATERIAL BREACH OF A PARTY’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTIONS 12 OR 13, OR FOR INFRINGEMENT OR MISUSE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF A PARTY HEREUNDER, (A) NO PARTY, NOR ITS AFFILIATES NOR EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES NOR AGENTS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, COSTS, OR LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF CLAIM AND EVEN IF THAT PARTY OR AFFILIATE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF REVENUE OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR LOST BUSINESS; AND (B) DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH CLAIMS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO ($1,000,000) ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

7.2 Disclaimers.

(a) EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL YRI OR YAHOO PAGES, YAHOO PROPERTIES, ZILLOW SITE(S), ZILLOW CONTENT, ZILLOW LISTINGS, AND ANY APIs, FEEDS, DATA, CONTENT OR MATERIALS PROVIDED BY EITHER PARTY (OR ITS AFFILIATES) TO THE OTHER PARTY (OR ITS AFFILIATES) IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT (COLLECTIVELY AND INTERCHANGEABLY, THE “ COVERED SUBJECT MATTER ”) ARE PROVIDED “AS IS.” THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN SECTION 6 ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, ASSURANCES, OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED,

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   20

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, AND EACH PARTY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND AS TO THE SUFFICIENCY OF ANY REVENUES ANY OTHER PARTY MAY RECEIVE IN CONNECTION WITH ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing disclaimers do not modify either Party’s obligations under the terms of the Service Level Agreement set forth in Exhibit A .

SECTION 8: SUBCONTRACTORS USED BY THE PARTIES

Each Party will be responsible for all acts and omissions of that Party’s employees, independent contractors, and other persons or entities performing any part of that Party’s responsibilities under this Agreement for or on behalf of that Party and any of its independent contractors. Any breach of this Agreement by any of these persons or entities will be deemed a breach of this Agreement by that Party.

SECTION 9: INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 By Zillow. Zillow, at its own expense, will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Yahoo, its Affiliates and their respective employees, representatives and agents (“ Yahoo Indemnified Parties ”), against any claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against Yahoo Indemnified Parties by an unrelated third party based on or arising from a claim (a) that if true would constitute a breach of Zillow’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 above; (b) that if true would constitute a breach by Zillow of Section 12 (“User Data and Privacy”) of this Agreement; (c) that the Zillow Content or Zillow Brand Features used as expressly authorized under this Agreement infringe in any manner any copyright, trademark, trade secret or any other non-patent Intellectual Property Right or other right of such third party, defame any third party, or infringe any third party patent right (provided that this clause (c) does not apply to any third party patent infringement claim that requires software, services, products, technology or other materials not provided by Zillow hereunder) ; and provided further that Zillow’s total cumulative liability with respect to this subsection (c) shall not exceed Three Million Dollars, (d) that Zillow or a Zillow Affiliate has provided products and services in violation of Law or an agreement with any third party (each, a “ Zillow Indemnified Claim ”), provided, however, that: (x) YRI or Yahoo provides Zillow with prompt notice of any such Zillow Indemnified Claim; (y) YRI and Yahoo permits Zillow to assume and control the defense of such Zillow Indemnified Claim, with counsel chosen by Zillow (who will be reasonably acceptable to YRI and Yahoo), and reasonably cooperates with Zillow, at Zillow’s sole expense, in the defense of such Zillow Indemnified Claim; and (z) Zillow’s indemnity obligations will not apply to any damages incurred by Yahoo based on Yahoo’s continued use of any Zillow Content following a written take-down notice (email will suffice) by Zillow to Yahoo in which Zillow requests that Yahoo cease using (or using in a specified manner) certain Zillow Content because of a potential third party claim to which Zillow’s indemnity obligations would otherwise apply. Zillow will not enter into any settlement or compromise of any such Zillow Indemnified Claim that would impose any obligations on YRI or Yahoo without Yahoo’s prior written

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   21

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Subject to the terms of this paragraph, Zillow will pay any and all costs, damages, and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs awarded against or otherwise incurred (in accordance with this Section 9.1) by a Yahoo Indemnified Party in connection with or arising from any Zillow Indemnified Claim.

9.2 By YRI and Yahoo. Yahoo and, at Yahoo’s and YRI’s discretion, YRI, shall, at their own expense, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Zillow, its Affiliates, and their respective employees, representatives and agents (“ Zillow Indemnified Parties ”), against any claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against Zillow Indemnified Parties by an unrelated third party based on or arising from a claim (a) that the Yahoo Brand Features used as expressly authorized under this Agreement infringe in any manner any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or any other Intellectual Property Right of such third party; (b) that if true would constitute a breach by YRI or Yahoo of any of their representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 above; or (c) that Yahoo has failed to provide a makegood for advertising that was sold on YRE in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for which a makegood is owed under the Minimum Terms set forth on Exhibit C (each, a “ Yahoo Indemnified Claim ”); provided, however, that: (x) Zillow provides YRI and Yahoo with prompt notice of any such Yahoo Indemnified Claim; (y) Zillow permits YRI and Yahoo to assume and control the defense of such claim, with counsel chosen by YRI and Yahoo (who will be reasonably acceptable to Zillow), and reasonably cooperates with YRI and Yahoo, at Yahoo’s or YRI’s sole expense, in the defense of such Yahoo Indemnified Claim. Yahoo or an Affiliate will not enter into any settlement or compromise of any such Yahoo Indemnified Claim that would impose any obligations on Zillow without Zillow’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. YRI or Yahoo will pay any and all costs, damages, and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs awarded against or otherwise incurred (in accordance with this Section 9.2) by a Zillow Indemnified Party in connection with or arising from any such claim.

9.3 Obligations. Each party’s obligation to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the other party hereunder shall be mitigated and reduced to the extent that such party has been prejudiced by a failure of the indemnified party(ies) to provide prompt notice of any and all such claim to the indemnifying party or to provide reasonable cooperation in the defense and/or settlement of such claims.

SECTION 10: TERM AND TERMINATION.

10.1 Term. This Agreement will commence upon the Effective Date and, unless terminated as provided herein, will remain in effect for a period of 30 months from the Launch Date (“ Initial Term ”). Following the Initial Term, this Agreement will automatically renew for an additional period of 12 months unless one Party provides the other Party with written notice of non-renewal at least 180 days prior to the end of the Initial Term. Zillow shall ensure that any advertising contracts it signs with new home builders are terminable by Zillow with respect to Display Ads no later than the end of the Term.

10.2 Termination Rights.

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   22

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

(a) This Agreement may be terminated by any Party immediately upon notice if the other Party (v) has not cured a trademark guidelines conflict under Section 4.1.2, 4.1.3 or 4.2, as applicable, within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of such conflict; (w) becomes insolvent; (x) files a petition in bankruptcy or is otherwise the subject of such a filing that is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the filing date; (y) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (z) materially breaches any of its representations and warranties or any of its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice to such Party.

(b) YRE may terminate this Agreement if for any period of two consecutive calendar months the average number of listings provided by Zillow falls below 70% of the average existing home inventory for sale in the United States over the same period, as calculated from data reported by the National Association of Realtors (“ NAR ”), and Zillow does not cure such shortfall by the end of the next two consecutive calendar month period that follows any notice by YRE to Zillow of such a shortfall (with determination of such cure to be based on NAR data for such subsequent two month period). If NAR ceases to publish such data, YRE may terminate the agreement if for any period of two consecutive calendar months the number of listings provided by Zillow falls below 70% of the lowest monthly number of NAR listings in the previous 12 months, and Zillow does not cure such shortfall by the end of the next two consecutive calendar month period that follows any notice by YRE to Zillow of such a shortfall (with determination of such cure to be based on the same lowest monthly number of NAR listings as used in the previous calculation). YRE may not pursue any other remedies (whether based on any implied obligations of Zillow or otherwise) with respect to any listings shortfall giving rise to a right of termination by YRE under this Section 10.2, and such a listings shortfall will not be deemed to breach this Agreement.

(c) If a Party invokes its right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.5 or 14.9, then such termination will be effective fifteen (15) calendar days from written notice of termination by the terminating Party to the non-terminating Parties.

(d) Termination by Yahoo for Financial Reasons. Yahoo may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days notice if Zillow’s cash position, taking into consideration all cash equivalents, short term investments and marketable securities on the balance sheet as recorded in accordance with GAAP, at any time falls below Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000). Zillow will notify Yahoo in writing in the event such a cash position event occurs. Zillow will provide a confidential report to Yahoo on a quarterly basis, certified by its CFO, that details Zillow’s cash position and rate of cash burn during the prior quarter.

10.3 Effect of Termination. Terminating this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.2 will not impose any liability or obligation on the terminating party. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, a ninety (90) day wind-down period (the “ Transition Period ”) will occur during which the Parties’ rights and obligations under this Agreement will remain in effect, except that Zillow will cease to sell Real Estate Ad Products or Display Ads as of the effective date of termination (i.e., prior to the start of such Transition Period) and the exclusivity provisions of this Agreement will no longer apply to either Party. Upon any termination of this Agreement, Zillow shall have no further obligation to make any payments

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   23

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

under Section 5 after the effective date of any such termination, other than any with respect to any payments that became due prior to the effective date of termination or during the Transition Period. The rights afforded the parties under this Section 10 will not be deemed to be exclusive, and are in addition to any rights or remedies provided by Law, but subject to all limitations of remedies expressly set forth in this Agreement. Additionally, the provisions of Sections 1, 5 but only with respect to payments thereunder that have been earned and remain unpaid as of the date of termination and 6 through 14 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

SECTION 11: OWNERSHIP

11.1 Zillow Ownership: As between Zillow and its Affiliates on the one hand, and Yahoo and its Affiliates on the other, Zillow and its Affiliates own all right, title and interest in the Zillow Content, Zillow Listings, Zillow Site(s), Zillow Brand Features and all APIs, data feeds and other functionality or materials made available by Zillow under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will confer in Yahoo or an Affiliate any license or right of ownership in any of the foregoing except as expressly stated. In addition, all User Data submitted directly by a User to Zillow or its Affiliates is, as between the Parties, owned solely by Zillow and its Affiliates.

11.2 Yahoo Ownership: As between Zillow and its Affiliates on the one hand, and Yahoo and its Affiliates on the other, Yahoo or its Affiliates own all right, title and interest in the Yahoo Properties and the Yahoo Brand Features. Nothing in this Agreement will confer in Zillow and its Affiliates any license or right of ownership in the Yahoo Properties or Yahoo Brand Features except as expressly stated.

11.3 No Joint Works: The Parties do not intend that any joint works under U.S. copyright law be made in connection with this Agreement. On termination of this Agreement (subject to the Transition Period referenced in Section 10.3) each Party shall destroy any copyrighted works as to which the contributions of the Parties are inextricably combined, but may retain any separable contributions thereto as it owns. The Parties do not intend to jointly develop or invent any joint invention; however if any invention is inextricably a joint invention, then the Parties will in good faith cooperate in the preparation of pertinent patent applications. All rights, title, and interests in Intellectual Property Rights not expressly granted herein are reserved to their respective owners.

11.4 User Data Ownership (Yahoo Properties). All User Data provided to Yahoo by Users of the Yahoo Properties or otherwise collected by Yahoo relating to User activity on the Yahoo Properties shall be owned solely by Yahoo. All User Data collected by Zillow directly from users of the Zillow Content shall be solely owned by Zillow. Yahoo grants to Zillow, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, a perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, limited license to reproduce, store, display, disclose, distribute and otherwise use the User Data as provided by Yahoo to Zillow solely for the purposes of (1) confirming and fulfilling Leads and other requests submitted by Users, including without limitation by transmitting and disclosing User Data to residential real estate brokers and agents (and their marketing representatives), real estate franchisors, and homeowners consistent with the applicable Lead generation product or feature, (2) providing follow-ups on Leads and other requests by Users, (3) complying with Law, (4) investigating or taking

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   24

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

action against fraudulent or illegal activity, (5) protecting the safety of Users, and (6) any other purpose for which Yahoo provides prior written approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Zillow’s license shall be limited to those uses disclosed in Zillow’s privacy policy. Except as specifically authorized by this Agreement, Zillow agrees it will not sell, lease, license, sublicense or otherwise distribute to any third parties any User Data licensed to it by Yahoo.

SECTION 12: PRIVACY

12.1 Zillow will continuously comply with all applicable privacy and consumer protection Laws within the United States (including the CAN-Spam Act of 2003) in its conduct of activities under this Agreement, including its collection and use of User Data through Yahoo Real Estate and the Yahoo Properties. During the Term, Zillow will have a published privacy policy in compliance with applicable Law and consistent with this Agreement, Zillow will comply with its published policy, and will provide a link to its privacy policy on any page or listing or link through which User Data is collected by Zillow. Users will receive clear disclosure at those times through written privacy policies as to how, by whom, and for what purpose the User Data will be used. Yahoo and Zillow will work together to transmit any User Data as required under this Agreement in HTTPS or other secure means. Yahoo agrees it will comply with its published privacy policy with respect to any data collected in locations of YRE where both Yahoo and Zillow’s respective privacy policies are linked to or posted.

12.2 On all sections of Yahoo Real Estate and any other Yahoo Properties (or mirror sites or other syndication or distribution arrangement authorized by Section 4.1.4) on which Users are providing User Data to YRI for transmittal to Zillow in accordance with this Agreement, YRI or Yahoo will include notices to Users that User Data will be provided to Zillow and that such User Data is subject to Zillow’s privacy policy. Each such notice will include a link to Zillow’s privacy policy.

12.3 During the Term and thereafter:

(a) User Data collected by each Party will be distributed to, shared with, or otherwise made available to any other third party, whether directly or indirectly, subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement and only as permitted by such Party’s privacy policy or otherwise required by Law;

(b) Zillow will not use User Data for the transmission of “junk mail”, “spam”, or any other unsolicited mass distribution of information or otherwise in violation of Law; and

(c) Zillow will not include in any ongoing electronic or internet correspondence to a User an internet standard “opt-out” provision or hypertext link that allows a User to elect to not receive any further communication

SECTION 13: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY

Information and material disclosed in connection with this Agreement or any of the Parties’ activities hereunder are subject to the terms of the Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement between Yahoo and Zillow dated November 18, 2005 (the “ NDA ”). The Parties’ obligations of confidentiality under such NDA will remain in effect as described in the previous sentence for the Term of this Agreement and a period of two (2) years thereafter, regardless of any

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   25

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

termination or expiration of the NDA. Without limiting the terms of the NDA, the terms and conditions of this Agreement will be considered confidential and will not be disclosed to any third parties except to a Party’s accountants, attorneys, employees with a need to know, institutional investors conducting due diligence and their attorneys, or other parties who agree are subject to a duty of confidentiality. No Party will make any public announcement regarding the existence of this Agreement without the other Parties’ prior written approval and consent. Zillow and/or Yahoo and YRI may release a press release on or after the date this Agreement is executed, provided the Parties mutually approve of the text in writing prior to its release. Any and all publicity relating to this Agreement and performance thereunder and the method of its release will be approved in advance of the release by both Parties.

SECTION 14: GENERAL PROVISIONS

14.1 Third Party Beneficiaries. There are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

14.2 No Agency. The Parties are, and will be deemed to be, independent contractors with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed or construed in any manner whatsoever as creating any partnership, joint venture, employment, agency, fiduciary or other similar relationship between the Parties.

14.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all Exhibits, represents the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and will supersede all prior agreements and communications of the Parties, oral or written.

14.4 Waiver. No amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and signed by all Parties. The waiver by any Party of any breach or default will not constitute a waiver of any different or subsequent breach or default.

14.5 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution. This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. Any litigation related to this Agreement will be brought in the state or federal courts located in the county of the principal place of business, as reflected first above, of the defending Party, and the Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for such purpose, all without waiving any right to remove to federal court in the same county. No Party will make a motion to dismiss or transfer any case filed in accordance with this subsection on the basis of improper venue, personal jurisdiction, or for the convenience of any Party or witness. If a Party employs attorneys to enforce any rights arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the substantially prevailing Party will be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and other expenses.

14.6 Assignment. This Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit of each Party’s permitted successors and assigns. Neither party may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the other Party’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Yahoo may assign this Agreement in its entirety to YRI, provided that (i) such assignment shall not have the effect of causing a reduction in the level of performance of Agreement; and (ii) Yahoo guarantees YRI’s performance under the Agreement. Furthermore, either Party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of other Party in connection with any merger, consolidation, any sale of all or substantially all of its assets or any other transaction in which more than

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   26

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

fifty percent (50%) of its voting securities are transferred (each such event hereinafter referred to as a “ Change of Control Event ”); provided that: (a) in the event of a Change of Control Event for Zillow, Yahoo will have the right to terminate the Agreement upon sixty days written notice to Zillow; and (b) in the event of a Change of Control Event for Yahoo, Zillow or its controlling entity will have the right to terminate the Agreement upon three hundred sixty-five (365) days written notice to Yahoo. Any attempt to assign this Agreement other than in accordance with this provision shall be null and void.

14.7 Force Majeure. No Party will be liable for failure to perform or delay in performing any obligation (other than the payment of money) under this Agreement if such failure or delay is due to fire, flood, earthquake, strike, war (declared or undeclared), embargo, blockade, legal prohibition, shortage, strike, failure of environmental controls, failure of Internet-mediated transmissions, terrorist attack, governmental action, riot, insurrection, damage, destruction or any other similar cause beyond the control of such Party (“force majeure”), provided that the putative force majeure was not reasonably avoidable by the defaulting party. A Party may terminate this Agreement if the force majeure continues to materially impair performance of the other Party for more than forty-five (45) days.

14.8 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications called for by this Agreement will be deemed to have been given immediately if made by facsimile (confirmed by concurrent written notice sent via overnight courier for delivery by the next business day), if to Yahoo at the address first written above, Greg Hintz, Head of Listings, e-mail:ghintz@yahoo-inc.com with a copy to its General Counsel Mike Callahan (e-mail: callahan@yahoo-inc.com), if to YRI at the address first written above, Fax: (408) 349-7966, (with a copy to Yahoo’s General Counsel Mike Callahan (e-mail: callahan@yahoo-inc.com), and if to Zillow: Zillow, Inc., 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600, Seattle WA 98104, Attn.: President, with a copy to Zillow Legal Department at the same address, Fax: 206.470.7002 Attn. President with a copy to Zillow Legal Department or such other addresses as one Party will specify to the other.

14.9 Severability. Except as set forth in the next sentence, if any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the Parties, and the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any provision of this Agreement providing for exclusivity is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, the Party benefitting from such exclusivity provision will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the other Party.

14.10 Approvals. Whenever a provision of this Agreement affords a Party with a right to consent or approve the actions of another Party, or provides that the Parties shall mutually agree upon a course of action, the Parties agree that any such approval, consent, or mutual agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by any Party, unless expressly provided to the contrary in the Section of this Agreement in which such approval, consent or mutual agreement rights are conferred.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   27

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

14.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or three counterparts, all of which taken together will constitute a single instrument. Execution and delivery of this Agreement may be evidenced by facsimile transmission.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the Effective Date.

 

YAHOO! INC.:
By:  

/s/ Raymond Stern

Title:  

SVP, BD & Partnerships, North America

Printed Name:  

Raymond Stern

Date:  

7/7/10

 

YAHOO! REALTY INC.:     ZILLOW, INC.
By:  

/s/ Aman Kothari

    By:  

/s/ Spencer Rascoff

Title:  

VP, CAO

    Title:  

COO

Printed Name:  

Aman Kothari

    Printed Name:  

Spencer Rascoff

Date:  

7/8/10

    Date:  

7/6/2010

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   28

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT A

API SPECIFICATIONS

Exhibit A

Functional Specification Document

 

Homes for Sale Partnership

Yahoo! Real Estate & Zillow.com

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   29

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

¯ Table of Contents

 

1

   Introduction      33   
   1.1    Purpose and Scope      33   
   1.2    Intended Audience      33   
   1.3    Product Release Identification      33   
   1.4    Revision History      33   
   1.5    References—To be done      33   
   1.6    Glossary      33   
   1.7    Assumptions—To be done      33   

2

   Listings API Specifications      34   
   [***]   

3

   Ad Products API Specifications      57   
   [***]   

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   30

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

4

  Recommendations Module / Vibes      69   

5

  Beacon      70   
  [***]   

6

      Address Resolution Logic      71   

7

  Image Specification      72   

8

      Service Level Agreement      73   
   

8.1

  Definitions      73   
   

8.1.1

  Zillow Availability      73   
   

8.1.2

  Yahoo! Availability      73   
   

8.1.3

  Production System      73   
   

8.1.4

  Results Set      73   
   

8.1.5

  Internal Zillow Response Time      73   
   

8.1.6

  Minor Problem      73   
   

8.1.7

  Moderate Problem      74   
   

8.1.8

  Severe Problem      74   
   

8.1.9

  Catastrophic Problem      74   
   

8.1.10

  Problem Resolution      74   
   

8.1.11

  Unresolved Catastrophic Problem.      74   
   

8.1.12

  Scheduled Maintenance      74   
   

8.1.13

  Temporary Workaround      74   
   

8.1.14

  Timeouts      75   
   

8.1.15

  Aggregate Response Time      75   
   

8.1.16

  Critical Threshold      75   
   

8.2

  Contact Information      75   
   

8.2.1

  Yahoo! Support Personnel—To be done      75   
   

8.2.2

  Zillow Support Personnel      75   
   

8.3

  Support Procedures      76   
   

8.3.1

  Support Procedures.      76   
   

8.3.2

  Zillow Response      76   
   

8.3.2.1

  Support Table      76   
   

8.3.3

  Zillow Notification and Escalation Process—To be done      76   
   

8.4

  Operational Metrics      77   
   

8.4.1

  Availability      77   
   

8.4.1.1

  Zillow Availability      77   
   

8.4.2

  Capacity      78   
   

8.4.3

  Query Response Time      78   
   

8.4.4

  Aggregate Response Time      79   
   

8.4.5

  Site monitoring      79   
   

8.4.6

  Maintenance Requirements      79   
   

8.4.7

  Reporting      79   
   

8.4.8

  Image Serving      80   
   

8.4.9

  Business Continuity Planning      80   
   

8.4.10

  Sole and exclusive Remedy      80   

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   31

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

9

   Failover Requirements      81   

10

   Reviewers      82   

 

Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com   32

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Introduction

 

Purpose and Scope

This document describes the requirements and functional design for Homes for Sale Partnership.

Intended Audience

The primary audience for this document is Yahoo! Real Estate and Zillow.

Product Release Identification

 

Title    Yahoo! Real Estate - Homes For Sale Partnership
Version    1.0
Customer    Yahoo! Inc. and Zillow.com

Revision History

 

Version #

  

Date

  

Revised By

  

Revision Description

1.0    7/1/10    Yahoo! Inc.    Base version.

References– To be done

This document shall be used in conjunction with the following publications:

 

Document/Book

 

Author(s)

Design Document

  Development

Test Plan

  QA

Glossary

This document references the following terms, acronyms and abbreviations:

 

Term/Expression

  

Definition

  
  
  

Assumptions – To be done

 

   

To be done.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

33


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Listings API Specifications

 

This document describes the API that is required to display listing data and publish alerts on Yahoo! Real Estate and as further described in the Listing and Sales Agreement to which this document is an Exhibit.

[***] [ Portions of page 34 and pages 35 to 56 have been omitted ]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

34


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Ad Products API Specifications

 

This document describes API to display showcase ads, contact modules on Yahoo! Real Estate. This document also provides the API to submit the contacts through Zillow Ad Server.

[***] [ Portions of page 57 and pages 58 to 62 have been omitted ]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

 

57


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Form Type

Short form

LOGO

With broker logo

 

LOGO

When an agent sends a message, we will show the success message over the “Contact button” It will look like this:

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

63


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

LOGO

Contact Type

Direct Contact

LOGO

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

64


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Leader board

LOGO

E-mail Content

This includes filling in the purpose of the visit, the address of the home etc.

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

65


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

        [***]

Paid Listing Agent

Showcase advertiser or manual paid for sale listings. Phone number [***]

LOGO

Broker Match – for sale

[***]

LOGO

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

66


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Dormant Agent

LOGO

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

67


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Active listing agent

LOGO

For Sale by Owner

LOGO

Contact Information

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

68


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Recommendations Module / Vibes

 

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

69


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Beacon

 

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

70


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Address Resolution Logic

 

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

71


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Image Specification

 

[***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

72


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Service Level Agreement

 

The purpose of this Service Level Agreement (the “SLA”) is to describe the service level commitments that Zillow is obligated to deliver under the Agreement. Zillow acknowledges and agrees that failure to remedy non-compliance with the SLA will be deemed a material breach of the Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined here have the same meaning as in API Spec.

In addition to the below service level agreements, the Parties intend to agree on SLAs around completeness/data-quality of the listings – address normalization, geo-coding, neighborhood support etc.

SLA on listing update/addition/deletion – information should be available to Yahoo! [***] from broker submit 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are proposals pending additional review and mutual agreement.

Definitions

Zillow Availability

The percentage of the total Queries for which Zillow responds (either with a “Resource Not Found” response, where that would be a correct response for the Query, or a response in the form of properly formatted Results Sets, within the Critical Threshold (defined below)).

Yahoo! Availability

The percentage of the total web requests for which Yahoo! Real Estate responds [***].

Production System

Delivery systems used for providing services to Yahoo! Real Estate. These services include but not limited Listing Search, Listing Details, Listing Images, data returned from API calls and any other data provided by Zillow.

Results Set

A Results Set will consist of the requested Home listings and/or Related Content, or a “Resource Not Found” notification if applicable. Results Set is properly formatted in a mutually agreed XML format.

Internal Zillow Response Time

The period of time beginning at the time of Zillow’s receipt of an API call to the completion of sending the results set. Maximum of this value will be mutually agreed upon prior to Launch.

Minor Problem

A Minor Problem is (a) a cosmetic display issue that allows the major elements of Results Sets to display in a legible format, but causes textual irregularities (e.g., an umlaut not displaying properly), (b) minor issues that do not have widespread impact to end-users, (c) minor issues with non-Production Systems, or (d) other similar problems under the direct control of Zillow which do not need immediate resolution. Once a Minor Problem has been outstanding for [***], either party may escalate the issue for resolution through the Support

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

73


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Personnel table, with notice to the other party. For clarity, an error that causes Results to fail to work, fail to display completely, or fail to be completely legible will be considered a Moderate Problem, Severe Problem, or Catastrophic Problem, not a Minor Problem. This is otherwise known as “P3”.

Moderate Problem

An issue with a Service which has widespread impact to end users but which (a) does not make the Service unusable for a large percentage of queries or operations, and (b) is an SLA violation which causes [***] Zillow’s queries to exceed the Critical Threshold within a day’s time. Once a Moderate Problem has been outstanding for [***], either party may, using reasonable judgment, upgrade the issue to a Severe Problem. This is otherwise known as “P2”.

Severe Problem

An error, bug, incompatibility or malfunction, which causes Zillow’s API and Image Services not to operate substantially as designed, and/or renders the Results Sets substantially unavailable to or substantially unusable by Yahoo! (and which lasts for [***]), including issues which cause [***] of Queries to exceed the Critical Threshold [***]. Problems may also include security risks as identified by Yahoo. Once a Severe Problem has been outstanding [***], either party may, using reasonable judgment, upgrade the issue to a Catastrophic Problem. This is otherwise known as “P1”.

Catastrophic Problem

An issue which causes Zillow’s APIs as detailed in API Spec to become largely unavailable or cease to function substantially correctly and that persists for a period of [***] that is not due to Scheduled Maintenance or needed to effect a Problem Resolution. Yahoo! can also identify catastrophic problems and may include security issues. This is otherwise known as “P0”.

Problem Resolution

A correction, patch, fix, alteration or Temporary Workaround that minimizes the effect of a Minor Problem, Moderate Problem, Severe Problem, or Catastrophic Problem restoring the system to the levels set forth in this SLA.

Unresolved Catastrophic Problem

A Catastrophic Problem that does not have a Problem Resolution within a total period of one hour or more.

Scheduled Maintenance

A planned service maintenance or update to the service required to keep Zillow’s back-end systems functioning (e.g., hardware or software upgrades, architecture changes, etc.) that will affect the operation of systems relied upon by Yahoo Real Estate for Listing Services.

Temporary Workaround

A temporary technical solution that restores the system to, or substantially to the levels set forth in this SLA, although there may be ongoing or additional measures until a permanent solution can be implemented.

Timeouts

An action taken by a Yahoo! production server when Result Sets are not received within the

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

74


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Aggregate Response Time.

Aggregate Response Time

The Internal Zillow Response Time plus a mutually agreed upon worst case acceptable delay due to network latency in the USA.

Critical Threshold

The value that exceeds the Aggregate Response Time.

Contact Information

Both parties shall maintain and communicate to the other party updates to the following contact list, which shall be used to communicate and coordinate regarding technical problems that may be encountered with the Real Estate Listing Services.

Yahoo! Support Personnel

 

Name

   Role/Responsibility    Email Address    Office Phone
[***]    Primary Systems
Contact
   [***]   
[***]    Product Contact    [***]   
[***]    Program Contact    [***]   
[***]    Real Estate Operations
Primary Contact
   [***]   
[***]    Product Contact    [***]   
[***]    Yahoo Network

Operations Center

24X7 Support

   [***]    [***]

Zillow Support Personnel

 

Name

   Role/Responsibility    Email Address    Office Phone
[***]    Primary Systems
Contact
   [***]    [***]
[***]    Product Contact    [***]    [***]
[***]    Program Contact    [***]    [***]
[***]    Zillow Operations
Primary Contact
   [***]    [***]
[***]    Zillow Operations
Secondary Contact
   [***]    [***]
[***]    Network Engineer    [***]    [***]
[***]    Zillow Network

Operations Center

24X7 Support

   [***]    [***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

75


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Support Procedures

Support Procedures.

Zillow will provide Yahoo! with 24 x 365 support in the English language with respect to all Real Estate Listing Services as set forth herein.

All Moderate Problems, Severe Problems, and Catastrophic Problems reported by either party must be submitted to the other party, as appropriate, via the technical support telephone number and via e-mail to the contact information set forth in the Support Table, and each such Moderate Problem, Severe Problem and Catastrophic Problem will be given a unique reference number by the receiving party.

The responsible party shall inform the other party’s technical support personnel of ongoing efforts to provide a Problem Resolution concerning Severe Problems, and Catastrophic Problems within the response times set forth in the Support Table below.

Zillow Response

If notice of a problem is received from Yahoo!, Yahoo! will identify whether the problem is a Minor Problem, a Moderate Problem, a Severe Problem, or a Catastrophic Problem or none of the above according to the definitions set forth above. Zillow will respond to the request within the response times set forth in the Support Table and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the Minor Problem, Moderate Problem, Severe Problem or Catastrophic Problem as rapidly as possible, and in accordance with this SLA. If the parties agree that a Minor Problem, Moderate Problem, Severe Problem, or Catastrophic Problem is not Zillow’s responsibility, then Zillow shall reasonably cooperate with Yahoo! to assist in finding a Problem Resolution.

Support Table

 

Priority Description

   Initial
Response
Target
  Status
Updates
  Target for
Workaround
or Fix

Catastrophic Problem “P0”

   [***]   [***]   [***]

Severe Problem “P1”

   [***]   [***]   [***]

Moderate Problem “P2”

   [***]   [***]   [***]

Minor Problem “P3”

   [***]   [***]   [***]

Zillow Notification and Escalation Process

Zillow will notify Yahoo! according to the response times set forth in the Support Table above.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

76


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

If a Severe Problem or Catastrophic Problem remains unresolved for an extended period, Yahoo! and Zillow will make available any necessary personnel to discuss the issue and to effect a resolution, with an immediate conference call according to the following schedule, with the call to happen as soon as practical after the trigger time below:

 

Time Problem Outstanding

   Yahoo! Contact      Zillow Contact  
[***]      

Operational Metrics

Availability

Zillow Availability

Inclusive of scheduled maintenance of the Zillow API, Zillow will maintain [***] daily availability, as measured by Yahoo’s internal monitoring tools, verified by Gomez Inc. agents, or other mutually agreed means of third party verification, with [***] intervals and [***]. In the event of discrepancies between Zillow’s availability and Yahoo!’s production query logs, the parties will work together to determine the root cause of such discrepancies. If the discrepancy resolution determines that Zillow’s availability falls below the specified level, Zillow will effect a Problem Resolution. Incase of temporary unavailability of one of Zillow’s datacenter, Zillow will [***]. A single Zillow datacenter is capable of handling the complete Yahoo Real Estate Traffic including Peak Request Rate Traffic. It will be classified as a Severe Problem “P1” and all communications need to be followed as per the Support Table. Zillow will have no more than 2 catastrophic problems per quarter.

 

API

   Availability   Internal
Zillow
Response
Time

Listing Search API

   [***]   [***]

Listing Detail API

   [***]   [***]

Listing Concise API

   [***]   [***]

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

77


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Market Snapshot API

   [***]   [***]

Contact Agent API

   [***]   [***]

Listings Ad

   [***]   [***]
Agent Profile API    [***]   [***]

 

Page / Service

   Availability   User
Page
Render
time

FSBO Zillow landing page and Service

   [***]   [***]

The Image Serving system should adhere to the service levels described below. The availability and response times should be respected under peak load scenarios noted under Capacity section below.

Zillow and Yahoo will work to reach a mutually agreeable Image Service SLA.

Capacity

Zillow must maintain sufficient server capacity per datacenter such that Zillow will be able to support peak loads for all the following services simultaneously within defined SLA

 

API

   Peak
Request
Rate

Listing Search API

   [***]

Listing Detail API

   [***]

Listing Concise API

   [***]

Market Snapshot API

   [***]

Contact Agent API

   [***]

Listings Ad

   [***]

Agent Profile API

   [***]

Page

   Peak
Image
Request
Rate

Listing Search Results Page

   [***]

Listing Detail Page

   [***]

Page / Service

   Peak
Request
Rate

FSBO Zillow landing page and Service

   [***]

If peak traffic projections for above mentioned services increases beyond above-mentioned numbers, then Zillow needs to expand their capacity in a mutually agreed upon timeframe to cater to additional peak traffic.

Query Response Time

With respect to services provided by Zillow, Zillow will comply with the following maximum Internal Zillow Response

 

API

   Internal
Zillow
Response
Time

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

78


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Listing Search API

   [***]

Listing Detail API

   [***]

Listing Concise API

   [***]

Market Snapshot API

   [***]

Contact Agent API

   [***]

Listings Ad

   [***]

Agent Profile API

   [***]

Exceptions to these are the following queries, which will have a maximum Internal Zillow Response time [***].

 

  1. Listing Search API call with [***].

 

  2. Listing Search API call with [***].

 

  3. Listing Search API call with [***].

 

  4. Listing Concise API with [***].

 

  5. Listing Details API call for MLS [***].

 

  6. Listing Search API call with [***].

 

  7. Listing Search API call with [***].

Listing Search API call with [***].

Aggregate Response Time

The Aggregate Response Time for each service above, from each Yahoo! data center performing that Query type, shall not exceed the Internal Zillow Response Time plus a mutually agreed upon worst case acceptable delay due to network latency in the USA (the “Critical Threshold”). The parties agree that they will work together in good faith to establish appropriate Aggregate Response Times for additional countries and/or regions not listed in the preceding are added to the term. Both parties will continually monitor the Aggregate Response Time between each Yahoo! data center requesting queries and the appropriate Zillow data center which is responding to those queries, and in the event that Aggregate Response Time exceeds the above numbers, the parties will consider it a Severe Problem.

Site monitoring

Zillow will monitor the performance of its obligations under the Agreement using automated tools/utilities developed and/or configured by Zillow, or contracted with external third parties, to validate the Availability and Query Response Times. If Zillow detects fault, it will respond as specified in this SLA agreement. Zillow will share the results of any such monitoring and tests with Yahoo! on a daily basis. The level of detail and thoroughness of the site monitoring (and the reporting of the monitored data) shall be sufficient for both parties to ensure that the SLAs are being met.

Maintenance Requirements

Zillow will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify Yahoo! [***] before any Scheduled Maintenance is performed on its systems if (a) the maintenance is reasonably expected to cause any service degradation or service availability problem for Yahoo!, or (b) if the proposed maintenance would occur during a Yahoo! change-embargo period (such list of embargo periods to be provided in writing to Zillow by Yahoo!), in which case Yahoo! Must agree to the maintenance and to the timing of said maintenance. Scheduled Maintenance should not impact the overall availability specified above in any calendar month without prior written agreement from Yahoo!.

Reporting

Zillow will provide [***] to Yahoo! in a mutually agreed upon format as measured by Zillow’s Internal Monitoring Tool. These Zillow reports will be verified against the reports generated by Gomez Inc. agents or any other mutually agreed means of third party verification. In the event that there are material discrepancies between the numbers calculated by either of the parties and the other party, then the parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to work together to determine the reason for the discrepancies and to correct for such

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

79


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

discrepancies going forward.

Image Serving

Yahoo! reserves the right to manage and host the Zillow images if Zillow’s image serving response times are unsatisfactory as determined by Yahoo!. Zillow agrees to assist Yahoo! in its efforts to setup and manage such an image serving solution as designed by Yahoo!

Business Continuity Planning

Zillow shall have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place by Launch Date with respect to the services provided to Yahoo! under the Agreement. An integral part of the BCP is a High Availability (HA) requirement for all systems that provide Real Estate Listing Services. Zillow acknowledges and agrees to provide architecture diagram (with data flow) and detailed documentation of the failover procedure that shall be reviewed by Yahoo BCP team. The failover procedure shall include the time it takes for failover, DNS-TTL procedure for scheduled downtime, and detailed monitoring of Zillow API servers.

Sole and exclusive Remedy

Yahoo’s sole and exclusive remedy for Zillow’s breach of this Exhibit A shall be Sections 10 (Term and Termination) and 9 (Indemnification) of this Agreement.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

80


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Failover Requirements

 

The APIs should be able to recover from an outage or failure ranging from equipment failure, network failure, or total loss of a data center. This requires APIs to be hosted in at least two geographically different datacenters. Both set of servers should be operational (hot-hot) and the users of the API should be switched-over to the other datacenter in a transparent manner in case of datacenter failure.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

81


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Reviewers

 

 

Name

 

Title/Role

         
         

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

82


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT B

Zillow Activity Data

Yahoo agrees to allow Zillow to collect the user activity that occurs on YRE listed in Table 1 under “Measure,” (referred to as “Activity Data” in this Agreement). Such Activity Data will be captured via the API. [***]

Table 1

 

[***]

        

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

83


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT C

MINIMUM DISPLAY AD TERMS

1. License Grant . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Advertiser grants to Zillow and Yahoo a limited, non-exclusive and non-transferable license (without the right to sublicense) to use, reproduce and display the creative or content (Creative”) contained in the advertisements provided by Advertiser and the Advertiser’s name, logo, trademarks or service marks “collectively, “Trademarks”) solely as necessary to perform the obligations set forth in this Agreement.

2. Right to Reject Advertising. Advertiser agrees that Yahoo! may reject a creative for any reasonable basis. Without limiting Yahoo!’s rights under the preceding sentence, it is agreed that Yahoo! may reject or remove any Display Ad provided by Publisher (a) that it reasonably determines fails to meet all or any requirements in this Agreement or any policies of Yahoo!, (b) if Yahoo receives one or more regulatory inquiries with respect to such advertisement or it determines such advertisement may expose Yahoo! to liability under applicable law or regulation, (c) that is inconsistent with Yahoo!’s public image, goodwill, or reputation; or (d) that promotes a Yahoo! Named Company. “ Yahoo! Named Companies ” means About.com, Amazon.com, AmericanGreetings.com, AOL Time Warner (including, without limitation, AOL, CNN, ICQ, Mapquest, Moviephone, Netscape), CBS Network (including, without limitation, CBS Marketwatch, CBS Sportsline), Bluemountainarts.com, CNet, eBay, Earthlink, Fox Network, Google, Hollywood.com, Homestead.com, Hotwire.com, Disney Internet Group (including, without limitation, ABC Network, ESPN, Go.com Network), Infospace, InterActiveCorp (including, without limitation, Ask.com, Citysearch.com, Evite.com, Expedia.com, Match.com, Ticketmaster.com), Intuit (including, without limitation, Quicken.com, MyTurbotax.com), Iwon.com, LookSmart, Microsoft Corporation (including, without limitation, MSN), Monster.com, MSNBC, MTV Networks, NBC Network (including, without limitation, NBCi.com), News Corporation, Northern Light, Ofoto.com, Priceline.com, Real Networks, Teoma, Terra Lycos, Ticketmaster, Webshots.com, and any of their Affiliates, as well as other companies with businesses substantially similar to all or a portion of Yahoo!’s business.

3. Indemnification. Advertiser at its own expense, will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Yahoo!, its Affiliates, and Yahoo!’s and its Affiliates’ employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing (“ Yahoo! Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any loss, liability, judgment, penalty, damage or expense (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred or suffered by any Yahoo! Indemnified Party resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with or otherwise with respect to any third-party claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against any Yahoo! Indemnified Party based on, arising from or relating to (a) claims that a Display Ad distributed by Advertiser on the Yahoo! Properties (i) infringes any Intellectual Property Rights in the License Territory of any Person, (ii) breaches any duty toward, or rights of, any Person, including rights of publicity and/or privacy, or (iii) is false, deceptive, misleading, unethical, defamatory, libelous, or threatening; or (b) claims that any Trademark infringes any Trademark of any person or entity.

4. NO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES . TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YAHOO WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

84


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING FOR THE INDIRECT LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE OR CONTENT) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, HOWEVER CAUSED, AND UNDER WHATEVER CAUSE OF ACTION OR THEORY OF LIABILITY BROUGHT (INCLUDING UNDER ANY CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORT THEORY OF LIABILITY) EVEN IF YAHOO HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YAHOOS AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO ANY PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO $1,000,000.

6. EXCEPTIONS . THE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT APPLY TO: (I) A PARTY’S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS; AND (II) A PARTY’S DEFENSE OR INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, RESPECTIVELY, OR ANY AMOUNTS PAID OR PAYABLE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

7. Makegoods. If APT fails to deliver, in a specific month, the minimum guaranteed number of Impressions of Display Ads committed to an Advertiser for such month or the impressions are delivered in the wrong location, then Advertiser’s sole and exclusive remedy is limited, at Publisher’s election, to (i) cancellation of the order for any undelivered Impressions or (ii) requiring Yahoo!’s delivery of the Impressions at a later time.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

85


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT D

Brand Features/Attribution

Yahoo Brand Features:

Subject to the Yahoo Brand Guidelines, attached as Exhibit E , “Yahoo” and the following Yahoo and YRI logos:

http://realestate.yahoo.com/ LOGO

LOGO

Zillow Brand Features:

Subject to the Zillow Brand Guidelines, attached as Exhibit F, “Zillow Real Estate” and the following logos:

LOGO

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

86


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT E

YAHOO BRAND FEATURES GUIDELINES

 

1. General. All Yahoo! trademarks, logos, service marks, trade dress, slogans, copyrighted designs or other brand features (collectively “Brand Features”) will be used only as explicitly licensed by Yahoo!, and only under the terms and conditions and for the purposes described in such License. The other party to the License granted by Yahoo! is referred to as the “Licensee”. To the extent they may differ with the general terms below, the specific terms of the License govern all use of the Brand Features by the Licensee.

 

2. Approval. All specific uses of any Yahoo! Brand Features must be approved in advance by Yahoo! Brand Marketing. You may request approval by completing the Request for Approval Form attached as an Exhibit to the License and/or which may be found at http://docs.yahoo.com/info/permissions/permissions.html , and forwarding it to Permissions Agent at fax no. (408) 349-5310 or c/o Yahoo! Inc., 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. You must also include complete samples of each proposed use. Yahoo!’s brand marketing department will typically review the request and respond within ten (10) business days, but is under no obligation to respond. You may not use Brand Features unless and until Yahoo! has granted its specific approval and any and all conditions of such approval have been fulfilled by the Licensee.

 

3. Appearance of Logos. The Licensee will ensure that the presentation of the Yahoo! Brand Features will be consistent with Yahoo!’s own use of the Yahoo! Brand Features in comparable media. From time to time during the term of the License, Yahoo! may provide to Licensee written guidelines as to the size, typeface, colors, and other graphic characteristics of the Yahoo! Brand Features, which upon delivery to the Licensee shall be deemed to be incorporated into the License and into these Guidelines.

 

4. Notices. All trademarks and service marks included in the Yahoo! Brand Features will be designated with “SM”, “TM” or “®”, in the manner directed by Yahoo!.

 

5. Restrictions upon Use. The Yahoo! Brand Features will not be presented or used: a) in a manner that suggests that editorial content has been authored by, or represents the views or opinions of, Yahoo! or any Yahoo! personnel or affiliate; b) in a manner that is misleading, defamatory, libelous, obscene, infringing or otherwise objectionable; c) in connection with any material that infringes the trademark, copyright or any other rights of any third party; d) as part of a name of a product or service of a company other than Yahoo!; or e) in a manner that infringes, derogates, dilutes, or impairs the rights of Yahoo! in the Brand Features. Yahoo! shall have complete discretion to evaluate Licensee’s use and to decide whether that use violates any of the foregoing restrictions.

 

6. Use for Yahoo!’s Benefit. Any use of the Yahoo! Brand Features shall inure to the benefit of Yahoo! By using the Brand Features pursuant to Yahoo!’s approval, Licensee acknowledges Yahoo!’s ownership of all Brand Features and warrants that it will not take any action which is inconsistent with Yahoo!’s ownership.

 

7. Nonexclusive Remedy. The Licensee will make any changes to its use of the Yahoo! Brand Features as are requested by Yahoo! This remedy is in addition to any other legal remedies to which Yahoo! may be entitled in relation to Licensee’s use of Yahoo! Brand Features.

 

8. Revisions & Further Info. These Guidelines may be modified at any time by Yahoo! upon written notice to the Licensee.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

87


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT F

ZILLOW BRAND FEATURES GUIDELINES

Zillow® Logo and Trademark Usage Guidelines

Primary Usage

Use the Zillow.com two-color logo on white or light backgrounds only. Use the logo with tagline where possible, when space allows. If the logo is so small that the tagline becomes illegible, use the logo without tagline.

LOGO

Secondary Usage

Use the Zillow.com one-color logo in black when full-color is not an option, or against brightly colored backgrounds. For darker backgrounds, use the one-color logo in white.

LOGO

Vertical Usage

Use these logo versions to optimize the logo size in a space that is more vertical than horizontal. For example:

LOGO

LOGO

Color

LOGO

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

88


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

LOGO

Do not use colors other than the corporate colors for any part of the logo or its elements, except in one-color applications.

LOGO

Do not use the 2-color logo on dark or bright-colored backgrounds. Instead, use the one-color white logo or the 2-color logo on the white rectangular background.

LOGO

If the background is lightly-colored (with a gray value of no more than 20%), the standard 2-color logo can be used.

LOGO

Space and Size

LOGO

Keep 1/2 of the width of the house for space between the logo and other text or graphical elements. This ensures clarity of communication and keeps the mark from being lost or crowded. If using the logo near the edge of a page, maintain at least the width of the house for space between the logo and

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

89


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

the edge. The space between the right tip of the house’s roof should be spaced a distance of 1/6th the width of the house from the left edge of the wordmark. Never overlap the house and wordmark. Do not size the logo so small that the tagline is unreadable. If a small logo is required, use a version without the tagline.

Logo Elements Do not change the shape, size, proportion or font of any of the logo elements (house, wordmark, or tagline). Do not cut off or crop out any part of the logo.

In general, do not separate the logo elements. The house, tagline or wordmark should not be used as separate graphical elements in isolation.

LOGO

Never put the wordmark in front of the house.

LOGO

Do not replace the wordmark with any other phrase.

LOGO

Zillow Sub-brands

Zillow sub-brands, such as Zillow EZ Ads and Zillow Blog, use the following logo style:

LOGO

The sub-brands should not appear with the Zillow.com house icon.

LOGO

Trademark Usage

You may use Zillow trademarks to refer to our products and services, so long as the references are truthful, fair and not misleading. Use the appropriate trademark symbol and acknowledgement of Zillow’s ownership of the marks (e.g., Zestimate ® is a trademark of Zillow, Inc.). Use the trademark as an adjective, not as a noun or verb, and never in the plural or possessive form. Use a generic term after the mark as follows:

Zillow.com ® real estate service

Zillow ® real estate service

Zestimate ® value

Zindex ® home value index

Make Me Move ® price

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

90


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Virtual Sold Sign ® program

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

91


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT G

SECURITY PROVISIONS

INFORMATION SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Information Security Agreement (“Security Agreement”) is entered into and is effective as of              (“Effective Date”) by and between Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices at 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (“Yahoo”), and Zillow Inc., a Washington corporation with its principal place of business at 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600, Seattle WA 98104 (“Partner”) (Also individually known as “Party” or collectively as “Parties”).

WHEREAS , Partner and Yahoo are parties to that certain Service and Promotion Agreement entered into contemporaneously with this Security Agreement (the “Business Agreement”); and

WHEREAS , Protecting the security of information made available and/or collected and otherwise stored by The System (as defined below) pursuant to the Business Agreement is a principal condition of Yahoo’s business relationship with Partner, without which Yahoo would not have entered into the Business Agreement;

NOW THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, Partner and Yahoo agree as follows:

1. Definitions

Defined terms in the Business Agreement are fully incorporated herein by reference; however, notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of construing this Security Agreement only, and without modifying the Business Agreement, terms expressly defined herein supersede those set forth in the Business Agreement to the extent of a conflict. Without limiting the foregoing, where terms are not defined in this Security Agreement but are defined in the Business Agreement, those definitions apply to this Security Agreement.

Contaminant : Any instrument that is suspected or known by either Party to modify, damage, destroy, record, misuse, distribute, or transmit information to, from, or within The System without intention or permission of the Parties. Contaminant includes, but is not limited to, viruses or worms that may be self-replicating or self-propagating and may be designed to (a) contaminate other components of The System, (b) consume resources, (c) modify, destroy, record, or transmit data, or (d) in some other fashion alter the operation of The System.

Permitted Use: The following specific use(s) of User Data (as defined in the Business Agreement) or aggregated and anonymous data related thereto that Partner is hereby authorized to perform (and such ancillary activities as are strictly and necessarily related to such use(s)), and no other use are, including without limitation, (a) for User Data, providing User Data to listings providers or advertisers and engaging in related communications with User(s) in furtherance of activities contemplated by the Business Agreement; and (b) for aggregated and anonymous data related thereto, collection of aggregated and anonymous Real Estate Ad Product-related data for reporting to advertisers, and marketing lead count, impression count and click count data in a geographic region to potential advertisers (only in a manner where Yahoo data will be combined with Zillow data), analytics optimization of the Yahoo site experience, and contact optimization on the Yahoo Properties (e.g., Leaderboard optimizations), and detection and scrubbing of fraudulent pageviews and clicks and Leads on listings pages, and, (c) for all data described herein, any other activities the Parties may expressly agree upon under the Business Agreement specifically in Section 11.4

Security Issue : (i) Any known or suspected condition in or affecting The System that could compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of Yahoo Data or The System or impair Yahoo’s ability to meet legal obligations; or (ii) Any unauthorized disclosure or unauthorized use of Yahoo Data in the possession or under the control or direction of Partner.

Security Review : Examination of The System or information related to the security of The System requiring the assistance of or coordination with Partner that can identify and/or diagnose, or are intended to identify and/or diagnose, Security Issues.

Security Testing : Examination of The System, directly or indirectly through interfaces to which Yahoo, its agents, and/or Yahoo Affiliates have access without the need for Partner coordination, by manual interaction with or automated test cases that can identify and/or diagnose, or are intended to identify and/or diagnose, Security Issues.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

92


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

The System : Any and all components owned, operated, or provided by Partner or on behalf of Partner, that are involved in receiving, delivering or storing data required to perform Partner’s obligations under the Business Agreement, including, but not limited to, the applicable networks, databases, software, computer systems, backups, devices, processes, documentation, data, and physical premises.

Yahoo Affiliate: Any partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or other entity that, directly or indirectly though one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Yahoo or in which Yahoo! owns an ownership interest of twenty percent (20%) or more.

Yahoo Data : For the purposes of this Security Agreement, Yahoo Data means User Data owned by Yahoo as defined in the Business Agreement, including any personally identifying information (Personal Data) included in such User Data, and any copies, reproductions, duplications, and onsite or offsite backups thereof, whether in whole or in part.

Yahoo ID: A user-specific identifier issued or authorized by Yahoo which, when combined with a password, provides credentialed access to Yahoo or Yahoo Affiliate services.

Partner ID: A user specific identifier provided to the Partner by Yahoo for the purpose of identifying a user.

2. The System Security.

A. Operational Requirements:

i. Partner will ensure that The System, excluding physical premises, is at all times securely configured, including, but not limited to, (a) disabling all unnecessary services or features, and (b) closing all known and all published security deficiencies therein, including updates and subsequently identified publications thereof.

ii. Partner will apply all applicable security patches for The System as soon as possible after any such patch become available, but in no event more than thirty (30) calendar days after the release of any such patches, with the exception that such thirty (30) day timeline will not apply to low risk patches (as reasonably identified by Partner), which shall be applied as soon as is commercially reasonable.

iii. Partner will continuously maintain industry-standard firewall protection for The System. Partner will test its perimeter router and firewall devices no less than quarterly for unsafe configurations and vulnerabilities. Unless an alternate method is mutually agreed upon by Yahoo and Partner, in a signed written agreement, tests shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the PCI DSS Security Scanning Procedures, provided however, Partner may perform the tests in lieu of using a third party.

iv. Partner will make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that The System components are free of known or suspected Contaminants. Such efforts will include, but are not limited to, running anti-virus software on all Windows systems, updating signatures no less than daily, conducting at least biweekly Contaminant sweeps of The System and purging all Contaminants found. Partner will use commercially reasonable efforts to not transmit or distribute Contaminants. Any transmission or distribution of Contaminants is a Security Issue.

B. Design Requirements:

i. Throughout the term of this Security Agreement, Partner will ensure that The System is not and remains not vulnerable to any issue listed in OWASP Top Ten, found at: http://www.owasp.org , as updated from time to time. If the OWASP Top Ten ceases to exist or becomes obsolete, Yahoo may designate a successor or replacement list thereafter, and Partner will use that list in place of the OWASP Top Ten in performing Partner’s obligations under this section.

ii. Partner will ensure that warnings are not generated by The System on A-grade browsers according to Yahoo’s Graded Browser Support (currently found here and incorporated by reference: http://developer.yahoo.com/yui/articles/gbs/ ), as such list and associated URL may be

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

93


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

independently updated by Yahoo from time to time.

iii. Encryption:

a. Where data must be encrypted under the terms of this Security Agreement, the Business Agreement, or applicable law, Partner will sign and encrypt using a Yahoo-approved algorithm.

1. The following algorithms are pre-approved by Yahoo:

a) 3DES

b) AES

c) RSA-1024bit+

d) HMAC-SHA-1

e) The MD5-based signature scheme used for Yahoo APIs as described on http://developer.yahoo.com , as such scheme may be independently updated by Yahoo from time to time

2. Other algorithms must be specifically approved by Yahoo’s security team in writing prior to use and will be subject to any limitations prescribed by Yahoo in its approval.

b. Partner will store and distribute cryptographic keys, shared secrets, and passwords (collectively “Secrets”) in encrypted form. Secrets used by automated processes may only be stored in an unencrypted file when the file:

1. can only be accessed by the automated process;

2. cannot be accessed by the automated process after initialization;

3. is only available to servers running the automated process;

4. is not backed up in unencrypted form; and

5. is not stored on a shared file system.

c. Components of The System that verify a password must only store a salted, cryptographically secure hash of the password for verification.

C. Access Control:

i. Partner will permit access to The System only to authorized persons on a need-to-know-basis.

ii. The System, excluding physical premises, must at all times be protected by an authentication system that complies with the following requirements: (i) passwords must be reasonably complex; (ii) use of privileged accounts must be minimized; (iii) authentication credentials must not be shared; (iv) authentication credentials must be kept confidential; (v) individuals must authenticate using their own account and not a shared account (vi) when an authorized individual no longer needs access to The System, Partner will ensure his or her authentication credentials and access to The System are terminated immediately; and (vii) authorized individuals must log out of The System at the end of each work day.

iii. Partner must at all times protect physical premises of The System using physical security methods commensurate with the type of data being handled. At a minimum, such methods must include (i) visitor sign-ins, (ii) standard keyed or card keyed locks, (iii) limited access to server rooms and archival backup storage, and (iv) burglar/intrusion alarm systems.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

94


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

D. Logging. Partner will log, including time and date, all attempted accesses to its servers involved in performing obligations to or for Yahoo or otherwise conducted pursuant to this Security Agreement and the Business Agreement, and the result of such attempts, successful or unsuccessful. In order to enable a complete audit trail of activities, Partner must log, including time and date, all commands that require additional privileges, including all failed attempts to execute privileged commands. Partner must protect the logs from tampering. Partner will retain all such log entries for at least six months.

3. Security Issue Management, Incident Handling, and Security Review

A. Notification Contact.

Each Party has designated Notification Contacts as set forth below. Notifications pursuant to this Security Agreement will take place via a telephone call and/or email by one Party to the other’s Notification Contact. Notification Contacts will be available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Notification Contact information and communication protocol is as follows:

Yahoo Notification Contacts.

Yahoo! Network Operations Contact

[***]

Partner Notification Contacts.

Zillow NOC

[***]

Each Party may update or modify its Notification Contact information by providing written notice to the other’s Notification Contact.

B. Security Contact.

Partner will provide Yahoo with access to knowledgeable personnel, who can be reached with and respond to security questions or security concerns (“Security Contact”). Security Contact must have a deep, current knowledge about the architecture and operation of The System. Partner Security Contact will be available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by telephone and email, or through Partner’s Notification Contact.

C. Security Issue Management:

i. Classification. If Yahoo believes an issue has not been properly classified as a Security Issue, Yahoo may require that Partner’s Notification Contact escalate review of the issue to an applicable Partner manager. [***]

ii. Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Partner will treat every Security Issue with high priority and commence working on each Security Issue immediately with sufficient numbers of competent personnel to meet the requirements of this Security Agreement.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

95


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

In some cases, unscheduled updates, modifications to legacy code, working during non-business hours, removing Yahoo Branding, and disabling portions of The System, excluding physical premises, may be required to limit harm. Disabling portions of the System or making other revisions to address Security Issues will not constitute a breach of the Business Agreement by either Party.

iii. Monitoring. Partner will actively monitor The System and public reports for Security Issues.

iv. Actions. At a minimum, Partner will take the following steps in the event of a Security Issue:

[***]

v. Confidentiality : Unless otherwise required by applicable law, Partner will not disclose to third parties any information about Security Issues without prior written and express permission from Yahoo for each disclosure. If Partner is required to disclose pursuant to applicable law, Partner must notify Yahoo as soon possible. Partner may disclose to the following parties without obtaining such permission:

 

  a. Partner’s agents who are working on the issue, have a need-to-know, and have a Non-disclosure Agreement that is no less restrictive than that between Parties.

 

  b. Others who are similarly affected and with whom Partner has an obligation to notify. In such cases, Partner shall not disclose any information about Yahoo or Yahoo’s involvement.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

96


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

D. Rights to Review:

i. Security Testing

a. Yahoo, its agents, and/or Yahoo Affiliates, in its sole discretion, has the right at any time to perform remote Security Testing of The System, excluding physical premises. Such Security Testing does not include actions (e.g., penetration testing) that could reasonably be anticipated to cause material harm or damage to The System or materially impair its performance. Security Testing may result in the identification of Security Issues.

b. Upon Yahoo’s request, Partner will promptly white list IP addresses provided by Yahoo to allow accurate Security Testing to occur.

c. Partner will not impede Yahoo, its agents, and/or Yahoo Affiliates from performing Security Testing; provided, however, that if Partner reasonably believes the Security Testing will cause material harm or damage to The System or materially impair its performance, Partner will (a) take the minimum action necessary to prevent or mitigate such harm or damage; (b) if applicable, contact Yahoo immediately and explain the nature of the harm or damage that occurred; and (c) work with Yahoo so that Security Testing can occur without inflicting material harm or damage to The System or its performance.

ii. Security Review

Upon the conditions set forth below, Yahoo, directly or through a Yahoo Affiliate designated by Yahoo, will have the right, at its own expense, to conduct Security Reviews, and/or to have an independent third party subject to a Partner-approved confidentiality agreement conduct Security Reviews. In the case that Yahoo uses an independent third party, the third party will be selected by Yahoo subject to approval by Partner, and such approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Partner will provide sufficient access to its facilities, personnel, and records as required for the Security Review during Partner’s regular business hours, and will otherwise support and cooperate with the Security Review. Security Reviews may result in the identification of Security Issues.

a. Yahoo will have the right to conduct a Security Review: 1) prior to The System being available or in production, 2) when there is or is planned to be a material change to The System, 3) when Yahoo suspects there may be a Security Issue in The System, 4) upon termination of this Security Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing. Yahoo will not conduct a Security Review more than once during any consecutive twelve (12) month period unless a Security Issue has been confirmed to have occurred, in which case Yahoo may conduct a Security Review after each Security Issue has been resolved.

b. Security Reviews will be subject to the following conditions: 1) Yahoo must provide reasonable notice to Partner before such Security Reviews, which notice must be at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the proposed review; 2) Security Reviews must be conducted during regular business hours in a manner that does not interfere with normal business activities.

4. Data Handling and Restrictions on Use

A. Data Handling . Partner will ensure Yahoo Data is handled subject to each of the following guidelines, except to the extent otherwise specifically permitted by the Business Agreement:

i. Partner must not commingle Yahoo Data with Partner data or data that is proprietary to any third party partner of Partner; provided that data that is separately tagged but stored in a common database will not be considered to be commingled hereunder.

ii. Prior to first handling Yahoo Data, Partner must resolve all identified Security Issues with The System, unless otherwise

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

97


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

expressly specified by Yahoo in writing.

iii. Partner must not store or prompt for Yahoo ID and password pairs.

iv. Partner must always use Partner ID as the identifier when storing and retrieving user specific data made available by Yahoo.

v. After the termination of the Business Agreement, Partner must return or securely destroy Yahoo Data, unless otherwise expressly permitted by Yahoo in writing. Prior to destroying Yahoo Data, Partner must give Yahoo advance written notification specifying the means of destruction, and such method must be approved by Yahoo in writing. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not apply to aggregated and anonymous data collected as part of the Permitted Use.

vi. Partner must not transmit or store in unencrypted form payment instruments, banking information, authentication credentials, or government issued identifiers.

B. Restrictions on Use. Partner represents, warrants, and covenants to use Yahoo Data solely for the Permitted Use specified in Section 1. Except as otherwise permitted in the Business Agreement, Partner specifically warrants that it shall not do any of the following without obtaining prior written authorization from Yahoo:

i. Disclose Yahoo Data in any manner for any purpose to any third party;

ii. Sell, resell, rent, lease or license personal data in any manner for any purpose; or

iii. Export or use Personal Data outside of the United States.

The foregoing restrictions do not extend to Partner’s use of any information that Partner can demonstrate was in Partner’s possession or under its control prior to the effective date of the Business Agreement or obtained by Partner independent of the Business Agreement or this Security Agreement.

5. Personnel

A. Confidentiality Agreements; Use of Contractors and Subcontractors. All those who perform services related to Partner’s obligations to Yahoo on behalf of Partner and who have access to Yahoo Confidential Information (as defined in the Business Agreement) will be bound by confidentiality agreements or obligations that provide provisions substantially similar to those confidentiality obligations of Partner set forth in the Business Agreement or any applicable non-disclosure agreement between the Parties. Partner will not enter into any agreement with a contractor or subcontractor that would prevent Yahoo or Partner from conducting the Security Reviews as set forth in Section (3)(D)(ii) of this Security Agreement. Partner will contractually require those who perform services related to Partner’s obligations to Yahoo on behalf of Partner to comply with all the terms and conditions of this Security Agreement as if they were the Partner.

B. Suitable Personnel. Partner will only involve personnel that are competent to perform Partner’s obligation to Yahoo. Partner will use the results of competently performed and reasonably inclusive background checks, along with any other pertinent information, in making this determination.

C . Education and Awareness. Partner must provide reasonably frequent training and awareness in information security, in the protection of information resources, and in the requirements of this Agreement to its employees, agents, and contractors who access or use Yahoo Data. Such training and awareness will be mandatory for all personnel involved in performing Partner’s obligations to Yahoo and will include, but is not limited to, identifying social engineering attempts, and good security practices.

6. Injunctive Relief. The Parties agree that breach of this Security Agreement will cause Yahoo irreparable harm and that Yahoo is therefore entitled to injunctive relief to enforce its provisions, without the requirement of posting a bond therefore, in addition to such other legal and equitable relief as to which Yahoo may also be entitled.

7. Term and Termination . This Security Agreement remains in force after the termination, in whole or in part, of the Business

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

98


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Agreement so long as Partner retains or has access to Yahoo Data. The preceding does not constitute authorization to retain or access data that was covered by this Security Agreement that was not authorized by the Business Agreement.

8. Intentionally Deleted.

9 . Representations and Warranties . Partner represents, warrants, and covenants: (a) that it, and the signatory who executes this agreement on Partner’s behalf, has the power and the right to enter into this Security Agreement on Partner’s behalf, that Partner has the power and the right to grant all rights conveyed hereby, and to perform its obligations under this Security Agreement without breach of any agreements with third parties to which Partner is a party or by which it is otherwise bound; (b) Partner has not entered into, and will not enter into during the Term, any other contracts which materially interfere with Partner’s performance of its obligations under this Security Agreement or which frustrate the purposes of this Security Agreement; (c) Partner has not assigned, delegated, sold, or otherwise transferred any intellectual property or other rights required to perform its obligations under this Security Agreement and will not do so during the Term, except as expressly provided herein; and (d) in the performance of its obligations and in satisfaction of any deliverables to Yahoo solely under the provisions of this Security Agreement, Partner will comply with all applicable laws, licenses, regulations and rules of any governmental agency.

10. Indemnification. Without limitation of any indemnity in the Business Agreement, Partner must, at its own expense and subject to all conditions and procedural terms regarding indemnity that are set forth in the Business Agreement (e.g., and without limitation, Yahoo’s obligation to give prompt notice of any claims and provide reasonable cooperation in its defense and/or settlement), indemnify, defend and hold harmless Yahoo and Yahoo Affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, representatives, licensees, and agents from and against and in respect of (a) any and all third party claims, liabilities, allegations, suits, actions, investigations, judgments, deficiencies, settlements, inquiries, demands or other proceedings of whatever nature or kind, whether formal or informal, brought against Yahoo or Yahoo Affiliates, or their officers, directors, employees, representatives, licensees, or agents, and (b) in respect of any and all resulting damages, liabilities, losses, claims, costs, charges, fees and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses, as and when incurred that (for either (a) or (b) directly result from a material breach by Partner of any terms or conditions in this Security Agreement.

11. Limitation of Liability. Except for Partner’s indemnification obligations in Section 10, or Yahoo’s breach of the limitations on its Security Testing under this Security Agreement, under no circumstances will Partner or Yahoo be liable to each other under this Security Agreement for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising from or in connection with a breach of this Security Agreement, even if that party has been advised of the possibility of such damages, such as, but not limited to, loss of revenue or anticipated profits or lost business. Except for Partner’s indemnification obligations in Section 10, in no event will Yahoo’s or Partner’s total liability under this Security Agreement and/or the Business Agreement exceed $1,000,000.00. The parties agree that the foregoing represents a fair allocation of risk hereunder.

12. Statement of Compliance . Upon request by Yahoo, but no more than once in any twelve (12) consecutive month period, Partner’s Director of IT Operations will provide a signed written statement on Partner’s compliance with this Security Agreement to Yahoo!.

 

13. Miscellaneous.

A . Severability : If any provision or part of a provision in this Security Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable by a court or other decision making authority of competent jurisdiction, then that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intention of the Parties, and the validity and enforceability of all other provisions in this Security Agreement will not be affected or impaired.

B. No General Waiver : Waiver of any one default will not waive subsequent defaults of the same or different kind, and no failure or delay of either Party to exercise or enforce any of its rights under this Security Agreement will act as a waiver of those rights.

C. Amendments : This Security Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by authorized representatives of both Parties.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

99


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

D. Counterparts : This Security Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Execution and delivery of this Security Agreement may be evidenced by facsimile; however, the Parties will deliver original execution copies of this Security Agreement to one another as soon as practicable following execution.

E. Interpretation of this Security Agreement : The Parties desire that this Security Agreement be construed fairly, according to their terms, in plain English, without constructive presumptions against the drafting Party, and without reference to the section headings, which are for reference only. References to the singular include the plural and vice versa. Governing law and venue, notices, assignment, and relationship of the Parties will be as set forth in the Business Agreement.

F. Entire Agreement : This Security Agreement, the Business Agreement, and any non-disclosure agreement, with respect to its subject matter and exempting any non-contrary provisions of the non-disclosure agreement and this Security Agreement constitute the full agreement between Partner and Yahoo as to their subject matter and supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements on such subject matter.

WHEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing terms and conditions, the undersigned representatives of the Parties cause this Security Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.

 

YAHOO! INC.     [Partner Name]

 

Name

   

 

Name

 

Signature

   

 

Signature

 

Title

   

 

Title

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

100


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

Exhibit H

Real Estate Ad Product Descriptions and Related Terms

The Real Estate Ad Products include:

 

  1. Showcase ads are zip code targeted ads which advertisers can customize by uploading a single image and customized text (which can include links within or outside of YRE phone numbers and email addresses). The content of the ad unit is at the advertisers’ discretion assuming compliance with Zillow’s then current advertising policies. Ads are currently sold in slots of 25% share of voice though this selling unit may change from time to time. The units will be static units of approximately 300 pixels by 100 pixels.

 

  2. Featured Listings: Featured Listings are search results which prioritize the order of certain Properties within the result set to be shown on Search Result Pages. All Properties must match the user’s search criteria in order to appear in the result set, and once featured are sorted to the top of the result set. Included in the Featured Listing package is an optimized contact module on all property detail pages. Featured Listings are sold through many Zillow sales channels and are subject to Section 5.1 of this Agreement. Featured Listings on a Search Results Page must include the following properties: the word “Featured”, and a logo (if available) no larger than 90 pixels x 30 pixels.

 

  3. Agent power lists: will appear on Search Result Pages and property detail pages. The powerlists which appear on property detail pages are a list of four real estate agents (two of whom are premier agents and one who is the listing agent when the listing agent has activated their profile and a fourth who in the area and selected by Zillow). The power list which runs on the search result page currently includes 3 real estate agents, two of whom may be premier agents and one who is a top local agent. Attached to the powerlists is a lead capture form and links to the agent profile. For clarity the details of the list including the number of agents, the position of the agents, the information captured in the attached lead capture form, the specific content in the list and which geography the list runs in will change from time to time to optimize the volume of Leads which are produced.

Information on Zillow Selling Packages

Premier agent program: Is the selling package which Zillow uses to market the Real Estate Ad Products to customers. The package currently includes Showcase ads, agent power lists and Featured Listings (including pro directory Featured Listings) (for all customers who meet a minimum monthly spend).

MATCH: is the selling package which Zillow uses to market the Real Estate Ad Products to brokerage firms. The package includes Featured Listings on the Search Result Page and Zillow.com home page. For clarity, Yahoo shall also be under no obligation to put Featured Listings on its YRE home page.

Yahoo will present Real Estate Ad Products on YRE and in any other location authorized by this Agreement in a manner that uses without material modification to the data and content provided by Zillow for each individual unit of a Real Estate Ad Product (as further described above), except as expressly authorized by this Agreement with respect to Teaser Content.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

101


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

The Real Estate Ad Products specifications and functionality may change from time to time, provided that Zillow will provide Yahoo with 90 days notice of any such changes, and the Parties’ mutual agreement will be required, and will not be unreasonably withheld, with respect to any related changes to applicable APIs (as further described in Section 2.3).

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

102


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT I

Launch Related Milestones

Subject to Section 2.7 of the Agreement, the following development and integration Milestones are agreed upon.

 

Milestone

   Timeline From Effective Date      Deliverable owner  
[***]      

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

103


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

EXHIBIT J

APT FROM YAHOO! ® SERVICE AGREEMENT

Zillow, Inc., a              corporation (“You” or “Zillow”) and Yahoo! Inc. (“Yahoo!”) hereby enter into this APT From Yahoo! Service Agreement (this “Agreement”) effective on the date when signed by the last party (“Effective Date”) in conjunction with the Display Ad Sales Agreement entered between Yahoo! and You and signed concurrently herewith (the “Display Ad Sales Agreement”). The parties agree to be bound by this Cover Page, the attached Terms and Conditions and the policies either posted by Yahoo! for all participants on APT and/or otherwise made available to You (“APT Policies”), as updated from time to time (collectively, the “APT Service Agreement” or the “Agreement”). In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Cover Page, the attached Terms and Conditions and the APT Policies, the order of precedence shall be as follows: (1) the attached Terms and Conditions; (2) this Cover Page; (3) the APT Policies attached as Appendix I to this Agreement. Except as specifically provided in the Display Ad Sales Agreement or this Agreement, in the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Display Ad Sales Agreement, priority shall be given to the conflicting terms of this Agreement.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

Your Company:    Zillow, Inc.    Primary Contact:   
Address:       Phone:   
Address 2:       Email:   
Address 3:       Fax:   
      Billing Contact:   
Website(s):    Online media inventory You own, control (including the right and ability to place advertising on such inventory and to authorize others to do so), manage or, if You are an Ad Network, have the contractual right to place advertising on.   

Phone:

Email:

  
FEES:         
Custom Arrangements - Monthly Service Fees   

Monthly Service Fee: $0

Minimum Monthly Service Fee: $0

Custom Arrangements – Other    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights granted to you under this Agreement are specifically limited in scope as set forth in Section 1.2(a) of the Display Ad Sales Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, You will not be permitted to buy or sell (or otherwise transact business through the Service with respect to) any online media inventory that is not Yahoo! Available Inventory as defined in the Display Ad Sales Agreement (i.e., You may not to use the Service to “link” to any party other than Yahoo!) unless and until the parties have executed an amendment to this Agreement with mutually agreed terms, including, without limitation, with respect to fees for impressions on such inventory.

The undersigned, duly authorized representatives of their respective companies who are empowered to enter into this binding agreement on their behalf, hereby execute this mutual agreement by and between those companies as of the Effective Date.

 

YAHOO! INC.     ZILLOW, INC.
Signature:         Signature:    
Printed Name:  

 

    Printed Name:  

 

Title:  

 

    Title:  

 

Date Signed:  

 

     Date Signed:  

 

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

104


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

APT FROM YAHOO ® SERVICE AGREEMENT

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Definitions. “Ad Banner”, “Ad” or “Advertising” shall mean a promotional message (including any code embedded therein) that may consist of text, graphics, audio and/or video or any combination thereof and that is displayed on online media inventory for the purpose of publicizing an Advertiser’s products or services. “Ad Network” means an entity or person that represents or works with a group of Media Buyers and/or Media Sellers. An Ad Network may act as a Media Buyer or a Media Seller, as applicable, hereunder. “Affiliate” of a party means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such party, where “control” means the power to direct the management and policies of such party or ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of such party. “APT from Yahoo! ® ” or “APT” means the online ad serving platform and virtual marketplace where Media Buyers and Media Sellers may establish relationships with one another, and where Media Buyers may, with respect to Guaranteed Ads, purchase or, with respect to Non-Guaranteed Ads, bid on, the online media inventory of Media Sellers using Yahoo!’s proprietary platform or similar platform that may be made available to You. “Media Buyer” means any entity or person that buys online media inventory for the placement of Advertising. “Media Seller” means any entity or person that wishes to sell online media inventory on its Website(s) to Media Buyers. “Guaranteed Ads” are Ads for which a Media Buyer has paid for placement of guaranteed delivery based on duration and/or number of Impressions. “Non-Guaranteed Ads” are Ads that are displayed on a space-available basis and are not guaranteed for delivery based on duration and/or number of impressions. “Service” means Yahoo!’s proprietary service that (i) helps facilitate pricing optimization of online media inventory; and (ii) serves Ad Banners. “Impression” means each instance that a single Ad Banner is rendered for display on a web page as measured by Yahoo!.

2. Yahoo! System. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Yahoo! grants to You the non-exclusive, non-sublicenseable and non-transferable right to access and use Yahoo!’s proprietary web-based technology (“System”), which System You can access and use only in accordance with the APT Policies or other System documentation, only via Yahoo!’s web servers by means of a unique password issued by Yahoo! (which is to be kept confidential and the use of which is subject to Your compliance with this Agreement) and only for the purposes of: (i) uploading and storing Ad Banners; (ii) selecting Ad Banners and designating the criteria for the serving of those Ad Banners onto online media inventory; (iii) receiving reports of Ad Banner Impressions and other data related to Your use of the Service related to the serving of Ad Banners by the Service; and (iv) linking to other Media Buyers and Media Sellers on APT; provided that all such access and use is expressly limited by the terms set forth under the “Custom Arrangements – Other” section of the Cover Page. You acknowledge that Yahoo! and its Affiliates are not liable for or in connection with (a) transactions executed by the System as a result of errors made in entering information into the System by or for You, for example, incorrectly entering pricing, targeting or budgeting information; or (b) linking arrangements or other agreements You enter into on or through APT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties agree they will link to each other on the System and that for such linking each party will be bound by the terms set forth in Attachment 1.

3. Your Obligations. You are solely responsible for soliciting all Media Buyers, trafficking of Ad Banners (i.e., the number and timing of impressions desired by the Advertiser), and handling all inquiries of any type related to Your use of the Service. You will obtain all necessary rights, waivers and permissions from Media Buyers to allow Yahoo! to store and serve their Advertising onto online media inventory. To the extent You collect any information about or from end users who click or convert on the Advertising (i.e., are transferred to an Zillow owned and/or operated website or other distribution channel) , You will (i) obtain from such end users all rights, waivers, and necessary permissions required by law and (ii) conspicuously post on the respective Zillow owned and/or operated websites and distribution channels a privacy policy that complies with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. You will not collect information from end users who simply view the Advertisements. You and Yahoo! acknowledge that neither the Display Ad Agreement nor this Agreement authorize You to use any targeting features in the System other than as set forth in the Display Ad Agreement and that any other use by You of targeting features available on the System will require an amendment to this Agreement. However, if and when You utilize any targeting features that are available in the System other than as authorized by the Display Ad Agreement, You will provide an appropriate choice mechanism (e.g., an “opt-out”) to end users and take necessary measures to ensure that such choice mechanism is properly effectuated on the System, including, but not limited to, implementing all necessary technological mechanisms to so ensure. You agree that You will not communicate to Yahoo! through the System or the Service any personally-identifiable information about any individual. You further agree that (a) You will not, directly or indirectly, introduce viruses, spyware or other malicious code into APT; and (b) You will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that you do not violate the APT Policies. You will not use the Services or the System in a manner that is deceptive, misleading, harmful, obscene, defamatory, unethical, or in a manner that knowingly infringes or violates any third party’s right. In connection with 3(a) above, You will promptly notify Yahoo! upon becoming aware of any such incident and reasonably cooperate with Yahoo! in addressing the same. Given the complexity of the Service and System, You will not permit Your employees or permitted contractors, as applicable, to access or use the System or Service unless they have been trained in their use, whether by You or Yahoo!. You agree that You will be responsible for any acts or omissions of any of Your employees or contractors in connection with their use of the System or Service (other than as permitted in this Agreement), and You will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure such employees and contractors

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

105


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

comply with the terms of this Agreement. If You periodically provide Yahoo! with feedback regarding Your use of the Service and System, You hereby grant to Yahoo! a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, fully paid up license in and to any such feedback or suggestions for any and all purposes.

4. Yahoo!’s Obligations. Yahoo!’s obligations hereunder are to (i) provide You with access to the System, as long as You are complying with this Agreement; (ii) serve Ad Banners through the Service according to the trafficking criteria selected by You using the System; (iii) make support available during Yahoo!’s normal business hours, which, as of the Effective Date, are 9am -6pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday (except for holidays); and (iv) provide one web-based training session for up to six of Your employees, explaining the proper use of the Service and System. The cost for such training sessions is included in the Monthly Service Fee. If You require additional training or request training on Your premises, Yahoo! will provide such training to You at Yahoo!’s standard published rates for such training. For training on Your premises, You agree to reimburse Yahoo! for actual travel, food and lodging expenses. Given the complexity of the Service and System, You will not permit Your employees, agents or permitted subcontractors, as applicable, to access or use the System or Service unless they have been trained in their use, whether by You or Yahoo!. You agree that You will be responsible for any acts or omissions of any of Your agents or permitted subcontractors, and that You will ensure such agents and permitted subcontractors comply with the terms of this Agreement and are not competitors of Yahoo! or any of its Affiliates. You also agree that You will be responsible for any acts or omissions of any of Your managed advertisers (with respect to Banner Ads that You submit for display using the System) and managed publishers, if any.

5. Fees. In consideration for the use of the System and Services, You will pay Yahoo! the Revenue Sharing Percentage specified in Section 3.1 of the Display Ad Sales Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the parties in writing, no other fees or charges will be due to Yahoo! under this Agreement.

6. Proprietary Rights and Restrictions. As between the parties, You agree that Yahoo! owns and retains all right, title and interest in and to the Service, the System, all software, databases and other aspects and technologies related to the Service and System, any enhancements, modifications or derivative works thereto, any materials made accessible to You by Yahoo! through the System, such as through the Knowledge Base, or otherwise and all intellectual property and proprietary rights in and to all of the foregoing. You will not use the System or Service except as expressly provided for in this Agreement. You will use the System only in accordance with the training provided by Yahoo!, the reference materials supplied by Yahoo!, and Yahoo!’s standard security procedures, as may be posted on the Yahoo! web site from time to time or otherwise made available to You. You will not reverse engineer, disassemble, reconstruct, decompile or copy the System or any aspect or portion thereof or alter or remove any identification, trademark, copyright or other notice from the System, neither will You authorize, permit or cause others to do so.

You hereby grant Yahoo! a limited, non-exclusive and non-transferable (except as set forth in Section 16) license (without the right to sublicense) to use, reproduce and display Your trademarks in any Advertisement submitted by You to Yahoo! for publication through the System. You retain all right, title and interest (including all intellectual property rights) in and to Your trademarks. Yahoo!’s rights in and to Your trademarks are limited solely to those rights granted expressly herein.

Each party reserves any rights not expressly granted in this Agreement and disclaims all implied licenses, including, without limitation, implied licenses to trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents.

7. Data. As between the parties, You own and retain all right, title and interest in and to all data derived from Your use of the Service; provided, however, that You hereby grant Yahoo! the right to use and disclose data derived from Your use of the Service solely (i) as part of its business operations, to disclose aggregate statistics about the Service in a manner that prevents individual identification of You or Your information; (ii) to the extent necessary to (a) perform its obligations under this Agreement; (b) operate, manage, test, maintain and enhance the System; and/or (c) protect the System from what, in Yahoo!’s reasonable determination, is a threat to the Service, System and/or APT; (iii) if required by court order or law or required or requested by any governmental agency, so long as prior to such disclosure, to the extent reasonably practicable, Yahoo! provides You with sufficient notice (if permissible by law) to permit You the opportunity to seek a protective order, and in the absence of a protective order, Yahoo! discloses only that portion of Your Information that is legally required to be disclosed; and/or (iv) as otherwise expressly authorized by You. You agree that subsection 7 (ii)(a) allows Yahoo! to pass information included in Your ad call to third party partners participating in APT auctions to help enable such partners to further optimize their bids for Non-Guaranteed Ads.

8. Term. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with the termination rights set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement will expire upon termination of the Display Ad Sales Agreement (“Initial Term”); provided, however, that this Agreement will continue on a month-to-month basis in the event that You continue to use the Service following the expiration of the Initial Term (the Initial Term and any month-to-month period, collectively, the “Term”). Following the Initial Term, Yahoo! may levy additional fees or raise the fees charged to You upon thirty (30) days written notice.

9. Termination/Suspension. Either party may terminate this Agreement if the other party has materially breached this Agreement or the Display Ad Sales Agreement and the breaching party fails to cure such breach within thirty days after receipt of written notice thereof Without limiting Yahoo!’s other termination or suspension rights under this Agreement, such as under Section 5, Yahoo! reserves the right to immediately suspend Your use of the Service if, in Yahoo!’s sole determination, You are, directly or indirectly, using the Service or System in a manner that could reasonably be expected to damage or cause injury to the Service, System, APT or otherwise reflect unfavorably on the reputation of Yahoo! or any of its Affiliates (“Suspension Event”). Yahoo! will notify You in writing upon the occurrence of a Suspension Event. If within five (5) business days of such

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

106


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

notification, You have not eliminated or otherwise addressed the Suspension Event to Yahoo!’s satisfaction, Yahoo! reserves the right to immediately terminate this Agreement without further notice to You. Upon expiration or termination for any reason (a) Your right to use the Service and the System will immediately terminate; and (b) Sections 6, 7, 10, 12-15, and 17-18, together with this sentence and any payment obligations existing as of the effective date of such termination, will survive.

10. Indemnification. You agree to defend, indemnify and hold Yahoo!, its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (each, a “Yahoo! Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any third party claims or actions and pay any finally awarded losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with (i) Your breach of any representations, warranties or obligations set forth in this Agreement; and (ii) Your (including Your agents’ and permitted subcontractors’) use of the Service, System or APT other than as permitted herein. Yahoo! agrees to defend, indemnify and hold You, Your Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents of each (each, a “Network Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any third party claims or actions and pay any finally awarded losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with the breach of any of Yahoo!’s representations, warranties or obligations set forth in this Agreement.

The indemnification obligations in this Section 10 are contingent upon the indemnified party (a) promptly notifying the indemnifying party of the third party claim or action , provided however that the indemnifying party will not be relieved of its indemnification obligations except to the extent that failure to provide such notice materially prejudices the indemnifying party’s rights with respect to such claim ; (b) reasonably cooperating with the indemnifying party in the defense and any related settlement negotiations; and (c) allowing the indemnifying party to control the defense and any related settlement negotiations. The indemnified party may, at its option and expense, participate in the defense of the claim. The indemnifying party may not settle a claim without the indemnified party’s consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

11. WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMER. Yahoo! represents and warrants that the System was developed by Yahoo! without infringement of a third party’s copyrights or trademarks or misappropriation of a third party’s trade secrets. You represent and warrant that You will not use the Service or the System in a way or for any purpose that infringes or misappropriates any third party’s intellectual property or personal rights and that Your trademarks do not infringe any intellectual property right of any third party. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR COVENANTS OF ANY KIND TO ANY PERSON WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE, THE SYSTEM OR ANY AD BANNER OR OTHER DATA SUPPLIED THEREBY, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. YAHOO! DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE BENEFIT YOU WILL OBTAIN FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, YAHOO! DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SYSTEM OR SERVICE WILL BE ERROR-FREE, ALWAYS AVAILABLE OR OPERATE WITHOUT LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA OR TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION.

12. Limitation and Exclusion of Liability. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NO PARTY WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING FOR THE INDIRECT LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE OR CONTENT) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, HOWEVER CAUSED, AND UNDER WHATEVER CAUSE OF ACTION OR THEORY OF LIABILITY BROUGHT (INCLUDING UNDER ANY CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORT THEORY OF LIABILITY) EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO THE OTHER PARTY, FOR ANY DAMAGES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE DISPLAY AD AGREEMENT (CUMULATIVELY), INCLUDING SECTION 10 OF THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE LIMITED TO $1,000,000. THE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12 WILL NOT APPLY TO A PARTY’S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS.

13. Confidentiality. During the Term, one party (“Disclosing Party”) may disclose non-public, confidential and proprietary information (“Confidential Information”) to the other party (“Receiving Party”) . Confidential Information may include, without limitation, information and data about the Service, System and APT and other information the parties disclose to one another, provided such information is marked or identified as “confidential” or should reasonably be understood to be confidential to the Disclosing Party given the circumstances surrounding the disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement (including pricing terms) and the System will be deemed to be Confidential Information of Yahoo!. Receiving Party agrees that for the Term and for three (3) years thereafter, Receiving Party will neither disclose the Confidential Information to any third party nor use the Confidential Information other than to perform its obligations under this Agreement or as otherwise permitted in this Agreement (e.g., Section 7); provided, however, that Receiving Party shall be permitted to disclose the Confidential Information of Disclosing Party only to those of its employees, representatives, Affiliates and agents who have a reasonable need to know such information, and who are bound to keep such information confidential in a manner consistent with the terms of this Section 13. Receiving Party shall exercise at least the same degree of care to safeguard the confidentiality of Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information that it exercises to safeguard the confidentiality of its own confidential information (but no less than reasonable care). The nondisclosure obligations set forth in this Section will not apply to information that Receiving Party can document is generally available to the public (other than through breach of this Agreement) or was already lawfully in Receiving Party’s possession without obligation of confidentiality at the time of receipt of the Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) You agree that Yahoo! may identify You, based on Your System profile, as a suitable linking partner to other APT members; and (ii) Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information in response to a valid order by a court or other governmental body, as required by law or as necessary to establish the rights of either party under this Agreement (“Regulatory Requirements”), so long as prior to such disclosure, Receiving Party

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

107


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

provides Disclosing Party with sufficient notice (if permissible by law) to permit Disclosing Party the opportunity to seek a protective order, and in the absence of a protective order, Receiving Party discloses only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. Receiving Party may also disclose Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party with the Disclosing Party’s prior written (including email) consent. Disclosing Party provides the Confidential Information hereunder without warranties or representations of any kind. Within five (5) days following a request by Disclosing Party, Receiving Party shall (a) return or destroy, as specified by Disclosing Party, all Confidential Information furnished by Disclosing Party; and (b) destroy all written material, memoranda, notes and other writings or recordings whatsoever prepared by it or its Representatives based upon, containing or otherwise reflecting the Confidential Information (the “Materials” ) unless Receiving Party is required by law to retain such Materials.

14. Independent Contractor Status; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties acknowledge and agree that they are dealing with each other as independent contractors. Neither this Agreement nor any terms and conditions contained in this Agreement may be construed to: (a) give any Party the power to direct and control the day to day activities of any of the other; (b) create or constitute a partnership, joint venture, franchise, employment or agency relationship between or among the Parties; or (c) allow any Party to create or assume any obligation on behalf of the other Party for any purpose whatsoever. No Party owes the other Party or any third party any compensation for performing the actions contemplated by the Agreement except as expressly set forth in the Agreement. This Agreement is made for the benefit of the Parties only, and except as set forth herein, this Agreement is not for the benefit of, and was not created for the benefit of, any third parties.

15. Modifications and Waivers. This Agreement sets forth the entire Agreement between the parties with regard to its subject matter, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings, statements, representations or promises. No failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any departure by the parties from the terms of this Agreement, will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both parties, unless otherwise provided herein.

16. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned, transferred, delegated, sold or otherwise disposed of other than as expressly set forth in this Section 16 and subject to the limitations set forth herein. This Agreement may be assigned transferred, delegated, sold or otherwise disposed of: (a) in whole or in part by either Party with the prior written consent of the other Party; (b) in whole or in part by either Party to any of its Affiliates; and (c) in its entirety by either Party in connection with a Change of Ownership (as defined in the “Display Ad Sales Agreement”). This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of a Party’s permitted successors and assigns. In addition, Yahoo!’s Affiliates may fulfill Yahoo!’s obligations set forth in this Agreement. Any purported assignment prohibited hereunder should be null and void.

17. Applicable Law. This Agreement and all controversies arising from or relating to performance hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without giving effect to its conflict of laws principles. The parties hereby (i) agree that any action arising out of this Agreement will be brought in the state or federal courts located in New York, New York; and (ii) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

18. General. You represent and warrant that You and the signatory hereto have the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the minimum extent necessary without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provisions. No failure or omission by a party in the performance of any obligation under this Agreement will be deemed a breach of this Agreement or create any liability if it arises from a cause or causes beyond the reasonable control of such party, including, but not limited to, the following: acts of god, acts or omissions of any government or any rules, regulations or orders of any governmental authority or any officer, department, agency or instrument thereof, fire, storm, flood, earthquake, accident, acts of the public enemy, war, rebellion, Internet brown out, insurrection, riot, invasion, strikes or lockouts. You will not use the Service or System to, directly or indirectly, conduct, promote or facilitate business or target users in countries subject to U.S. embargo or trade sanctions. All notices, demands and other communications provided for or permitted under this Agreement will be made in writing to the parties at the addresses on the Cover Page with a copy to each party’s General Counsel and will be sent by registered or certified first-class mail, return receipt requested, email (delivery receipt requested), facsimile, courier or overnight service or personal delivery and will be deemed received upon delivery, or, in the case of email, upon receipt of a delivery receipt. This Agreement does not create any right or cause of action for any third party. If Yahoo! integrates the System with another system or adds new features and/or functionality to the System, that new system may be made available to You under additional terms and conditions. This Agreement may be executed: (i) in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which taken together will constitute but one and the same instrument; and (ii) by facsimile and such facsimile execution will have the same force and effect as an original document with original signatures. Neither party will issue any press releases or make any other public disclosures regarding this Agreement (except in connection with Regulatory Requirements) without the other party’s prior written consent, provided however, that each party may publicly disclose the fact that You are a participating member of APT.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

108


Homes for Sale Partnership

 

19. Prohibited Acts. Except as permitted in the Display Ad Sales Agreement, unless You receive Yahoo!’s prior approval in writing, You agree that You will not use the System or Service in any way to sell, access or target any of Yahoo!’s behaviorally targeted segments (“Yahoo! BT Segments”), which are currently referred to as “Yahoo! Premium Behavioral” or “Yahoo! Standard Behavioral” within the System. You also agree that Yahoo! will have administrative access for full approval rights for each and every purchase or sale of online media inventory on the System and that You will not alter the System in any way to limit Yahoo!’s full approval rights.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

109


LOGO

 

APPENDIX I

TO

APT FROM YAHOO ® SERVICE AGREEMENT

APT Policies

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Last updated on: June 24, 2009

Prohibited Content Policy

APT from Yahoo! members are solely responsible for ensuring that any content they seek to introduce on the Platform complies with all applicable agreements, laws, policies and standards of conduct, and that they have correctly classified and properly disclosed that content on the Platform.

“Content” includes advertisements, their associated landing pages, websites, web pages or any other online media inventory, including any advertising contained on those pages, whether in image or text form.

Yahoo! reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to limit or refuse any content on the Platform, whether on the basis of this Policy or for any other reason.

The following are examples of content that is barred from the Platform, and which members of the Platform are prohibited from introducing into the marketplace under this Policy:

 

 

Explicit Sexual Conduct/Pornography: Graphic depiction of sexual acts, including any visual representation of sexual intercourse with anyone or anything, depiction of foreplay, sadomasochism, sexualized violence and/or bondage, auto-eroticism, masturbation, incest, bestiality, genital piercing and sexualized depiction of bodily fluids or other similar content that is otherwise objectionable.

 

 

Child Pornography: Any image or other representation or depiction of sexual conduct involving or including a real or simulated minor (someone who is or appears to be under the age of 18) in any way. This includes actual or simulated sexual intercourse, any contact with or display of a minor’s genitals, including any focus on a minor’s genital area, whether clothed or not. This also includes non-suggestive images of clothed children designed for the purpose of sexual gratification and/or viewing by adult users, such as images of clothed children who are being spanked or punished, or images which focus on children’s bodies for sexual gratification purposes, such as child foot fetishes.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

110


LOGO

 

 

Sexual Assault: Simulated rape or sexual assault, including imagery depicting sexually violent contexts, where it is indicated that a person is being forced into a sexual act against their will.

 

 

Graphic Violence/Death: Depictions of murder or “snuff” imagery, including representations or actual images of torture, death, murder or graphic violence, whether or not affiliated or associated with a sexual context.

 

 

Necrophilia: Depictions of a sexual act, as described above, involving a dead or seemingly dead body.

 

 

Prostitution: Prostitution or any other images indicating or suggesting illegal conduct.

 

 

Hate Speech: Hate speech and the promotion of discriminatory hatred, including racial, ethnic or gender hatred.

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT from Yahoo! participants of any of their Platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

111


LOGO

 

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Last updated on: June 24, 2009

 

 

Illegal Drugs: Content that promotes the sale or use of illegal substances, substances of questionable legality or the “off label” use of substances (e.g., the promotion of a prescription substance for the primary purpose of recreational mind alteration).

 

 

Promotion of Illegal/Criminal Activity: Content that appears to promote illegal/criminal activity, such as hacking, unauthorized use or reproduction of material that is covered by copyright law, the sale of products and ways to illegally evade financial charges (traffic tickets, taxes, etc.), drug tests and the like.

 

 

Fake/Bootleg/Counterfeit Items: Content that appears to relate to the distribution, sale, use or manufacture of counterfeit essays, term papers, dissertations, government IDs, diplomas, education transcripts, computer programs, movies, music, apparel, accessories and the like.

 

 

Embargoed Products: Content that offers the sale of products and services subject to US Trade sanctions or embargoes, including the sale of products to or from any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

 

 

Firearms and Explosives: Content promoting the sale of firearms, ammunition or explosives.

In addition to the foregoing categories of prohibited content, the following methods of advertising also qualify as Prohibited Content under this Policy:

 

 

Ad Content That Does Not Match Ad Landing Page: Products or services offered on the landing page that differ significantly from products or services offered on the creative.

 

 

Creatives That Mimic System Messages/Alerts/Functionality and/or Mimic or Include Web Content or Functionality: A creative that mimics system messages/alerts/functionality and/or mimics or includes web content or functionality is prohibited under this Policy if it includes mechanisms to decline the offer or exit the ad unit in the creative that do not function as expected. This would include creatives that depict images of facsimiles of operating system buttons such as expand, minimize or close buttons or contain a “No, thanks” button which simulates interactivity where no such interactivity exists.

 

 

Creatives That Mimic System Messages/Alerts/Functionality: A creative that mimics system messages/alerts/functionality is prohibited under this Policy if, either on the creative or the landing page, it advertises “Free” products or services or claims that a user has been selected for a prize or gift with no action or payment required.

This list is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all prohibited content. Yahoo! may modify this Policy at any time without notice.

Yahoo! may, in its sole discretion, exercise any and all available remedies for violation of its Policies, including any attempt by members to misclassify content sought to be introduced onto the Platform. Members who are, in our view, responsible for seeking to introduce any child pornography or other illegal content onto the Platform are subject to immediate termination and other remedies that may include referral to legal authorities.

Yahoo! Confidential

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

112


LOGO

 

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT from Yahoo! participants of any of their Platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

113


LOGO

 

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Desktop Software Policy

Approach of the APT Platform

Because the terms “spyware”, “adware” and “malware” have no uniform definitions, Yahoo! has developed its own classification system for desktop software into which ads might be served on the Platform. We created our classification system based upon objective software criteria and it is our opinion that our approach will enable us to provide greater transparency and safety for our members and end users. Platform members are responsible for correctly categorizing all inventory introduced onto the Platform, including desktop software, in accordance with this and other Platform policies.

1. Approved Desktop Software . Yahoo! considers programs with the below characteristics to be “Approved Desktop Software”.

 

a) The software program fully discloses: (i) the provider’s identity and/or brand when the program is downloaded and while the application is displaying an ad; and (ii) any and all other software programs that may come bundled with the program.

 

b) The program provides meaningful notice and obtains consent prior to the completion of the installation process.

 

c) The provider fully discloses the type and extent of information collected and its intended use.

 

d) A user can easily find and use an uninstaller to remove the software.

 

e) The software program does not load an excessive number of ads per hour as determined by the Platform.

 

f) Ads are served within the program application window only and cannot expand beyond the borders of that window or trigger a pop up or pop under ad from it.

If a program has been certified through TRUSTe’s Trusted Download Program, we will treat that program as Approved Desktop Software. However, we reserve the right to request evidence of an updated certificate from time to time.

2. Other Permissible Desktop Software with Pops. Programs that contain the characteristics below should be categorized as “Other Permissible Desktop Software.”

 

a) The software program fully discloses: (i) the provider’s identity and/or brand when the program is downloaded and while the application is displaying an ad; and (ii) any and all other software programs that may come bundled with the program.

 

b) The program provides meaningful notice and obtains consent prior to the completion of the installation process.

 

c) The provider fully discloses the type and extent of information collected and its intended use.

 

d) A user can easily find and use an uninstaller to remove the software.

 

e) The software program does not load an excessive number of ads or pops per hour as determined by Yahoo!

3. Prohibited Desktop Software . It is our opinion that programs with the below characteristics are not beneficial to the Platform, its members or end users and are prohibited from the Platform.

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT participants of any of their platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

114


LOGO

 

a) The software program provider’s identity and/or brand, or identification of the other software programs that may be bundled with the program, are not fully disclosed .

 

b) The provider does not provide meaningful notice and/or obtain consent prior to program download and/or the download of its upgrades.

 

c) The provider does not fully disclose the type and extent of information collected and/or its intended use.

 

d) A user cannot easily find and/or use an uninstaller to remove the software.

 

e) The program serves an excessive number of ads per hour as determined by Yahoo!.

 

f) The program injects ads into a webpage without the webpage owner’s authorization and/or overlays an ad that was legitimately served into the page.

 

g) The program utilizes full-page pop up ads, full-page pop under ads, or spawns additional pops .

 

h) A program that carries “trojans”, keystroke loggers, remote controls, hijacks browsers or other activities determined by Yahoo! as malicious or not beneficial to the Platform.

Programs that have any of the above characteristics are not allowed on the Platform. If we detect programs with these characteristics, we will flag them and ban them from the Platform. Yahoo! will post the Prohibited Program List and may notify Platform members that the program is not allowed to be used on the Platform.

If you believe that a program has been added to the Prohibited Program list in error, please submit evidence to desktopsoftware@rmxsupport.com that substantiates your belief that the program should be re-classified as Approved Desktop Software or Other Permissible Desktop Software. If, after our review, we share your opinion, we may re-classify the program.

We encourage members and other interested parties to submit both suspect and seemingly appropriate programs for addition to one of the above three categories. When doing so, please make sure that you provide the executable program (.exe) and all other information necessary for our support team to make a determination to desktopsoftware@rmxsupport.com .

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT participants of any of their platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

115


LOGO

 

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Policy on Gambling Ads

It is the responsibility of every member of the Platform to ensure that any content that is introduced on the Platform is correctly classified.

The Platform does not accept advertising targeted to U.S. Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for online casinos, gambling “portals”, sports betting sites or online gambling educational sites which are primarily advertising supported vehicles or “gateways” for online casinos.

Gambling sites are those with online gambling as their central theme. Among such sites are those that accept wagers or require payment in exchange for the chance to win prizes, as well as sites that offer both information and links related primarily to the promotion of online gambling.

If it comes to our attention that an ad has been misclassified or includes content that solicits users to participate in online gambling, we reserve the right to impose any applicable penalties for violating this Platform policy.

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT participants of any of their platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

116


LOGO

 

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Behavior of 3rd Party Ad tags

Ad tags are a very important component in the ad serving transaction; as such we have a set of minimum expectations concerning the behavior of 3rd party ad tags.

The tag:

 

 

Must not act or behave in a malicious or harmful manner (e.g. contains EXE, virus. Active X).

 

 

Must not load content that is in violation of any other Platform guideline or policy (e.g. prohibited content, online gambling ads, etc.).

 

 

Must load promptly and include content that is correctly classified.

 

 

Must not contain personally-identifiable information.

 

 

Should not load encrypted content.

 

 

Should not load content that can be considered illegal, deceptive, misleading, harmful, obscene, defamatory, unethical, infringing or violative of any third party right.

 

 

Should behave in a consistent manner in all geographical locations as well as across time.

If the behavior of a 3rd party ad tag, in our opinion, is in conflict with our guidelines or Policies, we reserve the right to impose any applicable penalties for violating Platform Policies, including, but not limited to, immediately and without prior notification, disabling or deactivating the tag.

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT participants of any of their platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

117


YAHOO! CONTRACT #[                      ]

Effective Date: October 1, 2008

Penalties for violating APT Platform Policies

If it comes to our attention that a Platform member has violated a Policy, in addition to any other penalties that may be applicable, depending on the severity or the nature of the violation and on whether the member has previously violated any Platform Policies, we reserve the right to take any or all of the following actions:

 

1. Immediately terminate that member’s access to the Platform, and/or

 

2. Add the member to our Banned Entities List available to all Platform members unless and until that member provides us with evidence sufficient for us to conclude that the member has taken appropriate steps to prevent further violations of our Policies or guidelines; and/or

 

3. Notify legal authorities and provide them with information related to the violation.

Yahoo! Confidential

Yahoo!’s provision of any system features, such as automated or manual review of online media, does not in any way relieve APT participants of any of their platform-related responsibilities, including, but not limited to, full compliance with all APT Policies.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

   118    YAHOO! and ZILLOW CONFIDENTIAL


YAHOO! CONTRACT #[                      ]

 

Exhibit K

Activity Data Use and Restrictions.

 

1. Zillow may collect and use Yahoo user Activity Data only to

a. report user actions to agents, brokers, franchisors, builders, and their respective marketing representatives, as permitted under this Agreement,

b. detect or defend against fraudulent activity and in order to ensure proper reporting to agents, brokers, franchisors, builders, and their respective marketing representatives, and to assess lead validity in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement regarding lead recognition, and

c. optimize a User’s experience on Yahoo Properties.

 

2. Zillow may collect all data outlined in the [***] contained in Exhibit A, including the [***], provided that Zillow

 

  a. [***] (e.g., [*** ]) that is [***] in accordance with this Agreement and to obtain Activity Data from Users under this Agreement and for no other users or Zillow partners,

 

  b. [***] other than the one specified in the preceding sub-section on [***] at any time. For clarity, this provision does not apply to [***] with respect to end users using Zillow.com or other properties in the Zillow Network;

 

  c. only uses the [***] to detect fraud and defend system integrity and [***] in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement regarding [***],

 

  d. does not mix, integrate, or otherwise logically combine the [***] data with [***] or any other [***], and

 

  e. deletes unique identifiers from [***] according to the restrictions outlined in Section (3) below.

 

3. Data Retention:

 

  a. Zillow must [***] from [***] within [***] of that [***]. Zillow may retain [***] in [***] for up to [***] under the following limited conditions:

 

  1. Zillow may use the data in the [***] to detect or defend against financial fraud.

 

  2. Zillow needs to use the data in the [***] to detect or defend against intrusions.

 

  3. Yahoo! provides written notice to Zillow that it has a legal obligation to retain specified data [***].

 

  4. Zillow has restricted access to the identifiable data held beyond [***] to just those employees who have a need to know the data.

 

  5. Zillow deletes all unique identifiers in such Activity Data within [***] of collection of that Activity Data.

 

  b. For purposes of illustration, examples of [***] include, but are not be limited to, [***].

 

  c. Yahoo! may, in its commercially reasonable discretion, modify the obligations contained in this section [***] notice to Zillow.

[***] Certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

   119    YAHOO! and ZILLOW CONFIDENTIAL

Exhibit 10.17

STOCK OPTION GRANT PROGRAM

FOR

NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS UNDER THE

ZILLOW, INC. 2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

The following provisions set forth the terms of the stock option grant program (the “ Program ”) for nonemployee directors of Zillow, Inc. (the “ Company ”) under the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms contained herein and in the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms that are not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

1. Eligibility

Each director of the Company elected or appointed to the Board who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Company or of any Related Company (an “ Eligible Director ”) shall be eligible to receive Options under the Plan, as described below.

2. Annual Option Grants

(a) Beginning on March 1, 2012 and on each anniversary thereafter (the “ Grant Date ”), each individual who was an Eligible Director during the twelve months preceding the Grant Date shall automatically receive a Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase that number of shares of Class A Common Stock with a Black-Scholes-Merton value (or such other valuation method then being used by the Company to value its stock options for financial reporting purposes) equal to $100,000, with any fractional share rounded to the nearest whole share (0.5 to be rounded up) (each, an “ Annual Option Grant ”).

(b) In the event of an Eligible Director’s initial election or appointment to the Board during the twelve-month period prior to a Grant Date, such Eligible Director shall automatically receive a prorated Annual Option Grant on the first Grant Date after initial election or appointment to the Board, based on the number of full calendar months that have elapsed between the date of the Eligible Director’s initial election or appointment to the Board and the Grant Date.

3. Option Vesting

Annual Option Grants shall be fully vested and exercisable on the Grant Date.

4. Option Exercise Price

The per share exercise price of an Annual Option Grant shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Grant Date.


5. Payment of Exercise Price

Options granted under the Program shall be exercised by giving notice to the Company (or a brokerage firm designated or approved by the Company) in such form as required by the Company, stating the number of shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised, accompanied by payment in full for such Class A Common Stock, which payment may be made, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, in whole or in part:

(a) by cash, check or wire transfer;

(b) if and so long as the Class A Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act, by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a broker, to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds to pay the exercise price, all in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board; or

(c) by such other consideration as the Compensation Committee may permit.

6. Term of Options

Each Option shall expire seven years from the Grant Date thereof (the “ Option Expiration Date ”), but shall be subject to earlier termination as follows:

(a) General Rule. In the event of an Eligible Director’s Termination of Service for any reason other than death, Disability or for Cause, the Option may be exercised by the Eligible Director only until the earlier of (i) three months after the Eligible Director’s Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date;

(b) Death or Disability . In the event of an Eligible Director’s Termination of Service by reason of death or Disability, the Option may be exercised only until the earlier of (i) the one-year anniversary of the date of the Eligible Director’s Termination of Service and (ii) the Option Expiration Date. If an Eligible Director dies after his or her Termination of Service but while the Option is still exercisable, the Option may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the one-year anniversary of the date of death and (y) the Option Expiration Date; and

(c) Cause . In the event of an Eligible Director’s Termination of Service for Cause, the Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

7. Amendment

The Board or the Compensation Committee may amend the provisions contained herein in such respects as it deems advisable. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, any such amendment shall not, without the consent of the Eligible Director, materially adversely affect any rights of an Eligible Director under an Option.

Provisions of the Plan (including any amendments thereto) that are not discussed herein, to the extent applicable to Eligible Directors, shall continue to govern the terms and conditions of Options granted to Eligible Directors.

 

-2-


8. Effective Date

The Program shall become effective on the Effective Date of the Plan and, unless sooner terminated by the Board or the Compensation Committee, shall remain effective during the term of the Plan.

 

-3-

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated April 18, 2011, except Note 15 as to which the date is June 17, 2011, in Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-173570) and related Prospectus of Zillow, Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Seattle, Washington

June 17, 2011