ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORP

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Alliance is currently involved in, and may in the future be involved in, legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations in the ordinary course of business. These include proceedings, claims, and investigations relating to, among other things, regulatory matters, commercial matters, intellectual property, competition, tax, employment, pricing, discrimination, consumer rights, personal injury, and property rights.

Depending on the nature of the proceeding, claim, or investigation, the Company may be subject to monetary damage awards, fines, penalties, or injunctive orders. Furthermore, the outcome of these matters could materially adversely affect Alliance’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. The outcomes of legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant judgment to determine the likelihood and amount of loss related to such matters.

On March 31, 2023, a class action complaint, titled Matthew McKnight v. Alliance Entertainment Holding Corp. f/k/a Adara Acquisition Corp., Adara Sponsor LLC, Thomas Finke, Paul G. Porter, Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff, W. Tom Donaldson III, Dylan Glenn, and Frank Quintero, was filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery against our pre-Business Combination board of directors and executive officers and Adara Sponsor LLC, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by purportedly failing to disclose certain information in connection with the Business Combination and by approving the Business Combination. On August 26, 2024, the parties executed a Stipulation of Settlement which contemplates payment by the Company of $511,000 in exchange for the dismissal of all claims against the Company and the other defendants, which is pending court approval. On or about September 19, 2024, the Court issued an order requiring certain modifications to the previously submitted Stipulation of Settlement. On January 17, 2025, the parties submitted a revised Stipulation of Settlement and related documents to the Court. The Company has accrued $511,000 as of December 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, respectively, based on the expected loss.

On June 6, 2024, Office Create Corporation filed a complaint against COKeM International Ltd. (“COKeM”) in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota alleging contributory trademark infringement, contributory false designation of origin and unjust enrichment relating to COKeM’s [alleged] distribution of a specific video game, Cooking Mama: Cookstar. The plaintiff is seeking damages of no less than $20,913,200, plus interest of 9% accruing from October 3, 2022. On August 29, 2024, COKeM filed a response denying all allegations. COKeM intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit. Once pleadings are closed, the Court will likely require a mediation. On September 12, 2024, COKeM filed a Third-Party Complaint against Planet Entertainment LLC and Steven Grossman asserting claims for indemnification and contribution. At this time, we are unable to estimate potential losses, if any, related to this lawsuit.

On August 8, 2024, a class action complaint, Feller v. Alliance Entertainment, LLC and DirectToU, LLC, was filed under the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”). The complaint alleges that the Company violated the VPPA by disclosing users’ personally identifiable information, as well as information regarding videos they viewed on the Company’s website, to Facebook through the use of Facebook Pixel. The Company is evaluating the claims and intends to defend against the allegations vigorously. At this time, the potential outcome or range of financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated.

Ledworks, LLC and Ledworks, s.r.l. v. COKeM: On June 26, 2024, Alliance received a demand letter from Ledworks’ Minnesota counsel citing claims for outstanding interest for invoices dating back to calendar year 2022. Over the last 18 months, COKeM was attempting to resolve a reconciliation/return of products to Ledworks for an over-purchase made in 2022. The parties exchanged reconciliation schedules, and prior to removing all products from the Cokem’s Minnesota warehouse, the product was shipped to Ledworks for credit against the account payable. The parties are in discussion to attempt to reach agreement on one outstanding invoice (invoice amount $79k). COKeM has an outstanding Return Authorization request to return $100,000 of additional product that Ledworks has failed to authorize. Ledworks is claiming interest due under Minnesota statutory in excess of $500,000 which Alliance disputes.

Jonathan Hoang To v. DirectToU, LLC, United States District Court for the Northern District of California; Case No. 3:24-cv-06447; Douglas Feller, Jeffry Haise, and Joseph Mull v. Alliance Entertainment, LLC and DirectToU, LLC, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Case No. 0:24-cv-61444; and Vivek Shah v. DirectToU, LLC, JAMS Arbitration, No. 5220006749.- Jonathan Hoang To, who allegedly used the website www.deepdiscount.com; Douglas Feller and Jeffry Haise, who allegedly used the website www.ccvideo.com; Joseph Mull and Vivek Shah, who allegedly used the website www.moviesunlimited.com. The lawsuits also put at issue any other website owned or operated by Alliance Entertainment, LLC (“Alliance”) or one of its corporate affiliates, including the websites www.ccmusic.com and wowhd.co.uk. The lawsuits bring claims against DirectToU, LLC (“DirectToU”) and/or Alliance, alleging a violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”) related to the alleged collection of, and alleged disclosure to Meta and other third parties, including data brokers, of alleged private information and user data regarding a user’s account information and video viewing/purchasing history from the respective Websites. Plaintiff Hoang To also alleges violations of California’s state VPPA equivalent, as well as violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. DirectToU and Alliance dispute the allegations and will defend the lawsuits vigorously. The parties in the Hoang To matter have reached a settlement with respect to all potential class members. The settlement agreement has been submitted to the court for approval on December 15, 2024. An approved settlement would cover the class members covered by the Feller matter, rendering such litigation moot. A motion to stay the Feller matter pending court approval of the settlement in Hoang To has been filed and granted. Counsel for the Feller parties filed a motion to intervene and stay the settlement in Hoang, which motions were rejected. The parties await final settlement approval.

Balabbo v Abysse America, Inc., Target Corporation, DirectToU, LLC (Prop 65): On or about December 11, 2024, DirectToU received a tender of defense from Target Corporation citing a possible violation of California Proposition 65 for a product sold by DirectToU allegedly containing lead. The product in question was supplied to Alliance by Abysse America. Alliance/DTU have tendered defense to Abysse. Abysse has engaged counsel to respond to the Prop 65 Violation Notice. At this time, Alliance/DTU have discontinued the product, but have documentation supplied by Abysse showing that the product was properly tested and was within allowable thresholds for lead and other substances.

McConigle v Alliance/DirectToU, LLC: On December 29, 2024, McConigle filed a class action suit against Alliance in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case 0:24-cv-62443-DSL), alleging violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227 (“TCPA”). Alliance is still evaluating the factual allegations of violation against internal records regarding solicitation/advertising to the phone number at issue. Alliance intends to defend this matter vigorously and denies all allegations.