

Committee Charters:

Audit Committee Charter

Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee

Compensation Committee Charter

Governance Documents:

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

SRS Labs' SEC Filings (NASDAQ.com) |
 |
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Download
PDF Version (39k)
Set forth herein is the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by
SRS Labs, Inc. This Code summarizes basic guiding principles and standards
of conduct to guide all employees, directors and officers of the Company
in our goal to achieve the highest business and personal ethical standards
as well as compliance with the laws and regulations that apply to our
business. This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures,
but it does not address every applicable law or respond to every question
or concern that may arise. All of our employees, directors and officers
must conduct themselves accordingly in every aspect of our business and
seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. Our standard has
been, and will continue to be, to advance the highest standards of ethical
conduct. We expect the Company’s agents, consultants, contractors,
suppliers and representatives to be guided by the principles and standards
set forth in this Code.
This Code does not supercede, change or alter the existing Company policies
and procedures already in place as stated in the Human Resources Manual
and various other manuals of the Company. If employees have questions
regarding any of the goals, principles, or standards discussed or policies
or procedures referred to in this Code or are in doubt about the best
course of action to take in a particular situation, the employee should
contact the Legal Department or follow the procedures set forth in Section
14 of this Code.
Every director, officer and employee has a duty to adhere to this Code
and those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary
action. If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead
to a violation of this Code, follow the guidelines described in Section
14 of this Code.
- Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation
on which this Company’s ethical standards are built. All employees,
directors and officers must respect and obey the laws of the cities,
states and countries in which we operate. Although not all employees
are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know
enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or
other appropriate personnel.
Compliance with law does not obviate the need to act with the highest
ethical standards.
The Company holds information and training sessions to promote compliance
with laws, rules and regulations, including insider-trading laws.
- Conflicts of Interest
A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private
interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A
conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes
actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or
her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest
may also arise when an employee, officer or director, or members of
his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of
his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations
of, employees, officers, directors and their family members may create
conflicts of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee, director
or officer to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier.
You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board
member. The best policy is to avoid any direct or indirect business
connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our
behalf.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy,
except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Conflicts
of interest may not always be clear-cut, if questions arise, you should
consult with the Legal Department. The Chief Executive Officer and directors
must report any such circumstance to and obtain approval from the Audit
Committee.
Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or
a potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor,
manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the procedures described
in Section 14 of this Code.
- Insider Trading
Employees, officers and directors who have access to confidential
information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock
trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our
business. All non-public information about the Company should be considered
confidential information. To use non-public information for personal
financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment
decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but
also illegal. Refer to the Company’s Insider Trading Policy for
more information regarding the Company’s policies and procedures
with respect to trading in the Company’s securities. If you have
any questions, please consult the Legal Department.
This guidance also applies to the trading in securities of other companies
for which you receive information in the course of your employment with
the Company.
- Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking
for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through
the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent
of the Board of Directors. No employee, officer or director may use
corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain,
and no employee may compete with the Company directly or indirectly.
Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance
its legitimate interest when the opportunity to do so arises.
- Competition and Fair Dealing
We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly.
We seek competitive advantages through superior performance, never through
unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information,
possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s
consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of
other companies is prohibited. Each employee, director and officer should
endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s
customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee, director
or officer should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation,
concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material
facts, or any other intentional unfair-dealing practice.
The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting
is to create good will and sound working relationships, not to gain
unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever
be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee, officer,
director, family member of any of the foregoing or agent unless it:
- is not a cash gift,
- is consistent with customary business practices,
- is not excessive in value,
- cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff and
- does not violate any laws or regulations.
Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts which
you are not certain are appropriate.
- Discrimination and Harassment
The diversity of the Company’s employees is a tremendous
asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all
aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination
or harassment of any kind – especially involving race, color,
religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and veteran or marital
status. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic
characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances.
All of our employees deserve a work environment where they will be respected
and we are committed to providing an environment that supports honesty,
integrity, respect, trust and responsibility. All of our employees should
contribute to the creation and maintenance of such an environment and
our executive officers and management and supervisory personnel should
take a leadership role in achieving a work environment that meets our
diversity standards and is free from the fear of retribution.
- Health and Safety
The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and
healthful work environment. Each employee has a responsibility for maintaining
a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and
health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe
equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees should
report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence
of illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace
will not be tolerated.
- Record-Keeping
The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting
of information in order to make responsible business decisions.
Many employees, officers and directors regularly use business expense
accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. No one should
rationalize or even consider misrepresenting facts or falsifying records.
If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your
supervisor or the Legal Department.
All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements
must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect
the Company’s transactions and must conform both to applicable
legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls
and generally accepted accounting practices and principles. Unrecorded
or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained
unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public, and we should
avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate
characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood.
This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports.
Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s
record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the
event of litigation or governmental investigation please consult the
Legal Department.
- Confidentiality
Employees, directors and officers must maintain the confidentiality
of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company or its
customers, except when disclosure is authorized by the Legal Department
or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes
all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful
to the Company or its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information
that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The obligation to
preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends.
- Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
All employees, directors and officers should endeavor to protect
the Company’s property, electronic communications systems, information
resources, facilities and equipment and ensure their efficient use.
Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s
profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately
reported for investigation pursuant to Section 14 of this Code. Company
assets should not be used for non-Company business, although we recognize
that incidental personal use may be permitted without adversely affecting
the interests of the Company. Personal use of company assets must always
be in accordance with Company policy. You should consult your supervisor
for appropriate guidance and permission.
The obligation of employees, directors and officers to protect the Company’s
assets includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information
includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks
and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering
and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information
and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or
distribution of this information would violate Company policy. It could
also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties.
- Payments to Government Personnel
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything
of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments
or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business.
It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials
of any country.
In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations
regarding business gratuities which may be accepted by U.S. government
personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee
of the U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation
of these rules would not only violate Company policy but could also
be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign
governments, may have similar rules. Our Legal Department can provide
guidance to you in this area.
- Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors
may be made only by the Board or a Board committee and will be promptly
disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
- Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior
Employees, directors and officers are encouraged to talk to
supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed
or suspected illegal or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the
best course of action in a particular situation. It is the policy of
the Company not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others
made in good faith by employees. Employees, directors and officers are
expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
- Compliance Procedures
We must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against
violations of this Code. However, in some situations it is difficult
to know right from wrong. Since we cannot anticipate every situation
that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new
question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
(a) Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions,
we must be as fully informed as possible.
(b) Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it
seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific
question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your
judgment and common sense; if something seems unethical or improper,
it probably is.
(c) Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there
is shared responsibility. Are your colleagues informed? It may help
to get others involved and discuss the problem.
(d) Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is the basic guidance
for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable
about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making
process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility
to help solve problems.
(e) Seek help from Company resources. In the case where it may not be
appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor, or where you do
not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question,
discuss it locally with your office manager or your Human Resources
manager. If that also is not appropriate, you may write to the Company’s
anonymous post office box. Depending upon your location, you should
address your concerns to the following post office box address:
For United States Employees:
SRS Labs, Inc.
Ethics Compliance Services
Post Office Box 30304
Santa Ana, California 92705
For International Employees:
SRS Labs, Inc.
Ethics Compliance Services
Post Office Box No. 69401
Kwun Tong Post Office
Kowloon
Hong Kong SAR
(f) You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear
of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept
secret, your anonymity will be protected. The Company does not permit
retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of
ethical violations.
(g) Always ask first, act later: If you are unsure of what to do in
any situation, seek guidance before you act.
|
 |
|