For multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, we use a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenues to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”); (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”); and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). VSOE generally exists only when we sell the deliverable separately and revenue is the price actually charged by us for that deliverable. Generally, we are not able to determine TPE because our licensing arrangements differ from that of our peers. We have concluded that no VSOE or TPE exists because it is rare that either we or our competitors sell the deliverables on a stand-alone basis. ESPs reflect our best estimate of what the selling prices of the elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. While changes in the allocation of the estimated sales price between the units of accounting will not affect the amount of total revenue recognized for a particular sales arrangement, any material changes in these allocations could impact the timing of revenue recognition, which could affect our results of operations.
In determining ESPs, we apply significant judgment as we weigh a variety of factors, based on the facts and circumstances of the arrangement. The facts and circumstances we may consider include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar offerings, if any, our historical pricing practices as well as the nature and complexity of different technologies being licensed, geographies and the number of uses allowed for a given license.
