8-K Legal Proceedings
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 11, 2015
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | 001-33156 (Commission File Number) | | 20-4623678 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
350 West Washington Street
Suite 600
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(602) 414-9300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events
Legal Proceedings— Class Action
Set forth below is a supplement to the description of the class action lawsuit contained in Note 12. “Commitments and Contingencies” under the heading “Legal Proceedings — Class Action” of the condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by First Solar, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2015.
On March 15, 2012, a purported class action lawsuit titled Smilovits v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00555-DGC, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (the “Court”) against the Company and certain of our current and former directors and officers (the “Defendants”). The complaint was filed on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s publicly traded securities between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012 (the “Class Action”). The complaint generally alleges that the Defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for damages, including interest, and an award of reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees to the putative class.
On August 11, 2015, the Court issued an order (the “Order”) in the Class Action. In the Order, the Court denied in part and granted in part the Defendants’ motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment. In addition, the Court certified one issue (relating to loss causation) for immediate interlocutory appeal by the parties. The Court, in its Order, stated as follows:
“The Court finds two competing lines of cases in the Ninth Circuit on loss causation. Because one line would result in complete summary judgment for Defendants and the other (which the Court chooses to follow) will result largely in denial of summary judgment and a lengthy and expensive trial, the Court will certify this issue for immediate appeal….”
The Company intends to file a petition for such immediate appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Upon such timely filing, further proceedings in the Class Action will be stayed until the Ninth Circuit decides whether to take the appeal, and, if it does, the stay will remain in effect until the appeal is decided.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| FIRST SOLAR, INC. |
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Dated: August 12, 2015 | By: | | /s/ PAUL KALETA |
| Name: | | Paul Kaleta |
| Title: | | Executive Vice President and General Counsel |