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a. Mouse LLP



 

CROWELL MORING LLP

Gregory D. Call (CSB No. 120483, gcall@erowcll.com)
233436, kmadigan@erowcll.com)

Kristin J. Madigan (CSB No.
3 Embarcadero Center, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Telephone: 415.986.2800
Facsimile: 415.986.2827

Emily T. Kuwahara (CSB No
515 S. Flower SL, 40Lh Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Telephone: 213.622.4750
Facsimile: 213.622.2690

Attorneys for Defendant and Cross-Complainant

MOZILLA CORPORATION

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA - UNLIMITED JURISDICTION

YAHOO HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation; OATH (EMEA) LTD., an
Ireland company; and 
SINGAPORE DIGITAL MARKETING
PTE. a Singapore company,

Plaintiffs,

V.

MOZILLA CORPORATION,
21 California corporation,

Defendant.

W1

I

. 252411, ekuwahara@erowelLeom) 

 

MOZILLA CORPORATION,
a California corporation,

Cross-Complainant,

V.

YAHOO HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation; OATH (EMEA) LTD., an
Ireland company; and 
SINGAPORE DIGITAL MARKETING
PTE. LTD., a Singapore company,

Cross-Defendants.

 

 






- DEC 2017

 

5" 

Case No. l7-CV?3l9921
DEFENDANT MOZILLA
CROSS-COMPLAINT
AGAINST PLAINTIFFS:

(I) DECLARATORY RELIEF

2 BREACH OF CONTRACT RE
PAYMENTS

(3) BREACH or CONTRACT RE SEARCH
PERFORMANCE

Judge: Hon. Maureen Folun
Dept: 8

MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD

 

 

.I

CROSS-COMPLAIN r; CASE No. 1 73511335. 

 

Scanned by CamScanner

1

Cross-Complainant and Defendant Mozilla Corporation ("Mozilla") alleges upon

2

knowledge as to itself and its own actions, and upon information and belief as to all other matters,

3

against Yahoo Holdings, Inc. ("Yahoo Holdings"), as well as Oath (EMEA) Ltd. (formerly

4

known as Yahoo! EMEA Ltd.), and Yahoo! Singapore Digital Marketing Pte. Ltd. (successor in

5

interest to Yahoo! Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.) (collectively, "Yahoo") , as follows:

1

6

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF CLAIMS
1.

7

Mozilla brings this action to obtain the

8

payments of

and additional revenue payments owed following
under a 2014 contract it entered into with Yahoo (the "Strategic

9
10

Agreement") (Attached as Exhibit A, with amendments Exhibits B & C). Under the Strategic

11

Agreement, Yahoo was made the default search engine for the Mozilla Firefox web browser

12

("Firefox") in the U.S. market.

2

13

14

15
16

17
18
2.

19

Mozilla originally developed Firefox to bring users the web experience they want

20

and to create competition in the browser space. A web browser is software that permits users to

21

access, browse, interact with, and search webpages on the Internet. Some key features of a web

22

browser are the speed at which it can access and display webpages, perform functions of the

23

webpages (e.g., streaming video, play music, etc.), the security and privacy it provides for users

24

interacting with those webpages, and that it enables a user to search the web. From the user

25

1

26
27

Yahoo! Inc. later assigned the Strategic Agreement to Yahoo Holdings, and references to Yahoo
prior to the assignment include Yahoo! Inc.
2

Yahoo was also made the default search engine for Hong Kong and Taiwan after the Strategic
Agreement was entered.

28
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perspective, search is integral to the browser experience. Thus, the key attributes of search are

2

attributed to the browser. Those key features of search are organic search (i.e., search results that

3

result from the search algorithm rather than advertisers), trigger information (i.e., information

4

displayed based on geographic location of the user, or by otherwise anticipating what the user

5

may be looking for), and links from advertisers.

6

3.

The search engine is the software or service that a web browser uses to conduct

7

searches across the web and display the search results. Making a particular search engine the

8

default on Firefox means that if a user makes no change to the settings, when Firefox is used to

9

search the web, the default search engine will be used.

10

4.

In this action, Mozilla seeks injunctive relief to force Yahoo and the company that

11

acquired it earlier this year to make the payments required under the Strategic Agreement.

12

Mozilla terminated its use of Yahoo as the default search engine for Firefox on November 10,

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

5.

The payments owed by Yahoo are significant to Mozilla for a number of reasons.

21

The payments owed by Yahoo are key to financing Mozilla's efforts to launch the new version of

22

its flagship product, Firefox. Indeed, the parties anticipated that

23
24

key elements of the negotiated deal to provide stability to Mozilla and to offset the high risk that

25

Mozilla was taking by choosing Yahoo Search as the default search provider. The official launch

26

of the new version, dubbed Firefox Quantum, began on November 14, 2017. The payments are

27

also key to financing Mozilla's mission of ensuring that the Internet is a global public resource,

28

open to all. Mozilla faces a critical time in advancing its mission of an open Internet, as key

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2

Internet principles, such as net neutrality are under attack.
6.

Mozilla also seeks to recover the damages it suffered as a result of Yahoo's breach

3
4

5
6

7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Had Yahoo not breached the Strategic Agreement, the search functionality in

14

Firefox would have been used more and the Firefox product itself would have more users,

15

Mozilla would have been able to enter into a deal with a higher price following the termination of

16

the Strategic Agreement, and there would have been relevant search alternatives in the

17

marketplace, including Yahoo. The users and the revenue would have to be able to sustain and

18

increase both Mozilla's mission-oriented activities as well as its browser and Internet technology

19

related product development. The breach defeated the

20
21

22

7.

To understand this situation, it is necessary to go back and understand the position

23

of the parties in 2014 when the contract was signed. Mozilla Corporation is a wholly owned

24

subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation, a not-for profit organization that is guided by a Mozilla

25

Mission "to ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all."

26

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/mission/. Exhibit D (Mozilla Mission). Mozilla is a leading

27

advocate for a safe and open Internet, dedicated to ensuring the Internet remains a global public

28

resource available to everyone. Mozilla's flagship product is Firefox.
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8.

In 2014, Mozilla's Firefox browser competed against Google's Chrome browser,

2

Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, and Apple's Safari browser. To succeed in such

3

competition, Mozilla had to offer a superior or unique user experience to persuade users to elect

4

to use and download Firefox instead of the Microsoft, Google, and Apple browsers that were

5

frequently installed as default browsers on computers, tablets, and mobile phones, or associated

6

with other web-based software services. Mozilla sought to differentiate itself through a superior

7

user experience that put users first, prioritizing privacy and security, and cultivating trust in the

8

Mozilla brand. Search is a critical part of the user experience for a browser.

9

9.

In 2014, Marissa Mayer was at the helm of Yahoo as its CEO, and Yahoo was

10

attempting to reinvigorate itself. While Yahoo had focused its energies on providing content

11

online, Yahoo's share of Internet advertising had fallen, and Yahoo had also fallen behind in

12

Internet search, which is the key vehicle for advertising. CEO Mayer's vision for the future of

13

Yahoo, along with her reputation as a talented technology executive and innovator in search

14

product design, suggested a comeback was possible.

15

10.

As Mozilla and Yahoo discussed the potential for entering into a contract under

16

which Yahoo would become the default search provider for the Mozilla Firefox browser, Mozilla

17

understood that it was taking a big risk in relying on Yahoo to be its default search provider,

18

given that Yahoo had fallen behind the market and would require significant focus and

19

investment by Yahoo to achieve its stated ambitions. Mozilla nonetheless pursued the

20

opportunity-selecting Yahoo because it aligned with Mozilla's larger goal of creating

21

meaningful choice in the market for search, and new CEO, Marissa Mayer, had a sterling

22

reputation and well-known expertise in search product design. Mozilla sought to create a new

23

strategy around search globally by ending the practice of having a single global default search

24

provider but instead adopting a more local and flexible approach to increase choice and

25

innovation on the web, with new and expanded search providers by country. CEO Mayer

26

presented a compelling vision for the future of Yahoo Search and was directly involved in

27

contract discussions with Mozilla. Yahoo assured Mozilla that

28
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Yahoo also provided
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assurances and shared its plans to invest significantly in Yahoo Search to deliver a competitive

2

and innovative search experience. Exhibit F (Oct. 9, 2014 Email).

3

11.

But CEO Mayer's reputation and Yahoo's assurances alone were not enough to

4

persuade Mozilla to enter a deal with Yahoo given the risk. In exchange for taking this risk,

5

Mozilla sought and obtained contractual protections.

6
7
8

9
10
11

12
13

12.

Among those protections, Mozilla sought and obtained:
a.

14
15
16

b.

17
18
19

c.

20
21
22
23
24
25

26

d.

27
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e.

2
3

4
5

6
7

Mozilla realized that if it had to replace Yahoo

8

especially in a situation where it had lost market share while using Yahoo

9
10

Search, Mozilla would likely

11

that would materially impact Mozilla's ability to perform its mission. Yahoo agreed to these

12

protections.

13

13.

and

Yahoo issued a blog post at the time of the deal written by CEO Mayer again

14

providing assurances that Yahoo would prioritize search and pledging that search was not only

15

"an area of investment and opportunity" but also a "key growth area" for Yahoo. Exhibit G

16

(Yahoo blog post). According to the blog post, the deal helped Yahoo "to expand [its] reach in

17

search" and gave Yahoo "an opportunity to work even more closely with Mozilla to find ways to

18

innovate in search, communications, and digital content." Id. CEO Mayer ultimately was unable

19

to execute her vision for the future of Yahoo, as the company's turnaround efforts stalled and

20

search was no longer treated as a key growth area or innovation opportunity.

21
22

14.

Despite Yahoo's representations and contractual obligations under the Strategic

Agreement, Yahoo failed to deliver what it promised. Yahoo Search did not meet the contractual

23

&

24

Mozilla pointed Yahoo to its contractual obligations, and Yahoo

25

acknowledged its obligations and promised to perform. But Yahoo still did not meet its

26

contractual obligations

27

was one of the significant factors that contributed to the decline of Firefox usage. Mozilla's

28

revenue from Yahoo never met expectations. Yahoo did continue to make its

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ATTORNEYS AT LAW

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-6CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

payments as required under the contract until

2

filed a complaint against Mozilla instead of continuing to pay its guaranteed payments.

3

15.

and on December 1, 2017, Yahoo

In July 2016, Yahoo announced its intention to sell its operating business,

4

including Yahoo Search and other assets. In June 201 7, a sale was completed with Verizon

5

Communications, Inc. ("Verizon"). On information and belief, in connection with that

6

transaction, Yahoo! Inc. had transferred and assigned its assets and liabilities related to its

7

operating business, including its rights and obligations under the Strategic Agreement, to an entity

8

called Yahoo Holdings and then sold the outstanding shares of Yahoo Holdings to Verizon. After

9

the sale, the payments continued until October 31, 2017.

10

16.

The sale to Verizon triggered the change of control provisions under the Strategic

17.

After the triggering of the change of control provisions, Mozilla began a process to

11

12
13

14
15
16
17
18
19

evaluate whether it should exercise its change of control rights. As part of that process, Mozilla

20

analyzed the impact of the Yahoo brand and possible future branding based on entities owned by

21

Verizon. Mozilla also considered the prospects for improvement of the Yahoo Search product

22

and how the new parent (the "Yahoo Acquirer," which includes Verizon Communications, Inc.

23

("Verizon") and its subsidiary Oath Inc. ("Oath")) intended to operate Yahoo's Operating

24

Business. Mozilla raised its concerns with Yahoo Holdings and related entities, including Yahoo

25

Acquirer's leadership team, regarding anticipated harm to Mozilla's brand and the quality of the

26
27

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performance issues, the Yahoo Acquirer told Mozilla to explore other search providers.

4

18.

Yahoo Acquirer's response to Mozilla's concerns was in stark contrast to Yahoo's

5

assurances from CEO Mayer at the time the Strategic Agreement was entered into. Yahoo

6

Acquirer's leadership provided no vision, no structured, documented and vetted strategic path

7

forward, and no assurances as to a commitment of the resources necessary to improve Yahoo

8

Search such that it would meet

9
10
11

19.

On November 10, 2017, Mozilla notified the Yahoo Acquirer that Mozilla was

exercising its right to terminate the Strategic Agreement

12
13

15

November 14, 2017, to make Google the default search provider in the countries where Yahoo

16

was the default search provider (United States, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) when Mozilla launched

17

its new version of its browser.

18

Despite the clear contract language requiring Yahoo to make the

19
20
21
22
23
24
25

21.

Mozilla brings this action to enjoin Yahoo and related entities to continue to make

26

the

27

access to the money needed to continue to develop and market the new major upgrade version of

28

the Mozilla Firefox browser, and to fund the work that Mozilla is undertaking during this critical

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so that Mozilla will have

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period of policy development to keep the Internet a global public resource, open and accessible to

2

all.

3
4

22.

Mozilla also seeks damages for Yahoo's failure to meet its contractual obligations

under the Strategic Agreement.

5

PARTIES

6

23.

Cross-Complainant and Defendant Mozilla Corporation is, and at all relevant times

7

was, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of California with its principal

8

offices in San Francisco, California and Mountain View, California.
24.

9

Cross-Defendant and Plaintiff Yahoo Holdings, Inc. is, and at all relevant times

10

was, a corporation duty organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place

11

of business in Sunnyvale, California.
25.

12

Cross-Defendant and Plaintiff Oath (EMEA) Ltd. (formerly known as Yahoo!

13

EMEA Ltd.) is, and at all relevant times was, a corporation duly organized under the laws of the

14

Country of Ireland with its principal place of business in Dublin, Ireland.

15

26.

Cross-Defendant and Plaintiff Yahoo! Singapore Digital Marketing Pte. Ltd.

16

(successor in interest to Yahoo! Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.) is, and at all relevant times was, a

17

corporation duly organized under the laws of the Country of Singapore with its principal place of

18

business in Singapore.

19

20
21

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

I.

The Mozilla Corporation ("Mozilla") is the Owner of Firefox, a Leading Internet
Browser.

22

A.

Mozilla Was Started in August 2005, As a Subsidiary to the Mozilla
Foundation, Which Advocates for a Safe and Open Internet.

23

27.

Mozilla is an Internet company and is a leading advocate for a safe and open

24

Internet, with a mission to ensure that the Internet is a global public resource open and accessible

25

to all. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/mission/. Exhibit D (Mozilla Mission). Mozilla's vision

26

is "An Internet that truly puts people first, where individuals can shape their own experience and

27

are empowered, safe and independent." https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/mission/. The Mozilla

28
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Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation (the "Foundation"), was started as an open source

2

community project of volunteers to support the Mozilla Mission. At the time, Microsoft had

3

around 96% of the browser market share with its Internet Explorer product which was tied to its

4

Windows operating system. In 2004, Mozilla created Firefox to offer a product that helped give

5

users the web experience they wanted as well as create competition in the browser market.

6

Mozilla was established in August 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Foundation. By

7

2010, by some measures, Firefox had captured roughly 30% of global desktop browser market

8

share.

9

28.

The Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla are guided by the Mozilla Manifesto, a list of

10

principles that guides the Foundation's mission to promote openness, innovation, and opportunity

11

on the web. Exhibit E (Mozilla Manifesto). Mozilla and the Foundation believe that the Internet

12

is a global and public resource that must remain open and accessible to all. Individuals must have

13

the ability to shape the Internet and their own experiences on it, but a user's security and privacy

14

are fundamental and must not be treated as optional. To support and promote the Internet as a

15

public resource, Mozilla and the Foundation are committed to free and open source software that

16

reflects the values of the Mozilla Manifesto. Mozilla has identified the following key issues that

17

are critical to build the open Internet: (1) privacy and security, (2) open innovation,

18

(3) decentralization, (4) web literacy, and (5) digital inclusion.

19

29.

Mozilla works with a worldwide community to create open source products like

20

the web browser Firefox, used by an estimated half billion people worldwide. Mozilla also

21

actively collaborates with other organizations around the world to develop core technology and

22

interoperability standards that power the Internet and the World Wide Web.

23

30.

In support of its mission, Mozilla's work extends far beyond the development of

24

Firefox. Mozilla uses the revenues from Firefox to fund policy activities related to the Mozilla

25

Mission. For example, Mozilla has been and continues to be a leading policy advocate for user

26

privacy and net neutrality rules, both of which are under threat in today's broader environment.

27

Mozilla regularly files comments with judicial, regulatory and legislative bodies globally to

28

advocate for an open and secure Internet.

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31.

Mozilla also uses the market share it captures through the users of Firefox to have

2

a major influence on the outcome of the development of browsers and core Internet technologies

3

(including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WebRTC, web standards bodies like the W3C,

4

WebAssembly, and WebVR) and in furtherance of its mission of user privacy, security and

5

control in their online lives. Mozilla has pioneered features like Tracking Protection that help

6

users gain control over their online lives and has influenced other major browser manufacturers to

7

do the same. Mozilla engineers help guide the development of key Internet security standards

8

and technologies, including helping to improve the underlying security layer of the web itself.

9

The size of Mozilla's market share with respect to Firefox impacts the influence that Mozilla is

10
11

able to exert on the development of these technologies.
32.

The future of the Internet and the web, as it relates to issues such as net neutrality,

12

user privacy, and cybersecurity are being decided now, and this is a critical time for Mozilla and

13

its mission. For example, in the summer of 2017, the Federal Communications Commission

14

threatened to take back regulations that protect net neutrality. Mozilla has been actively working

15

to persuade the FCC to refrain from doing so when it votes later this month.

16

33.

Mozilla undertakes a variety of activities to promote the Mozilla Mission. Those

17

activities include a myriad of projects such as grants, educational activities, and art. Mozilla also

18

uses its revenue to regularly make grants to groups and individuals making an impact aligned

19

with the Mozilla Mission that may not share Mozilla's ability to generate revenues.

20

B.

Mozilla's Key Product Offering is a Web Browser, Firefox, Which Accesses
Third Party Search Providers to Search the Internet.

34.

Firefox is the key product at the center of Mozilla's efforts to promote a safe and

21
22

open Internet. A web browser is the software or service on a computer system or mobile device
23
that allows users to access, browse, interact with, and search webpages on the Internet. In order
24
to access a specific webpage, a user types a destination into the address bar and the browser takes
25
the user to the requested webpage. Some key features of a browser are the speed at which it can

26
access and display webpages, perform functions of the webpages (e.g., streaming video, play
27
music, etc.), the security it provides for users interacting with those webpages, and that it enables
28
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a user to search the web. Firefox reflects Mozilla's core values with a commitment to open

2

source software and transparency while championing user privacy and security with tools like

3

private browsing and tracking protection.

4

Unlike its major competitors, because Mozilla does not create a device or

35.

5

operating system, users who opt to use Firefox must independently download the browser from

6

Mozilla or obtain it from one of its distribution partners. To persuade users to elect to use and

7

download Firefox instead of the Microsoft, Google, and Apple browsers that are frequently

8

installed as defaults in computers, tablets, and mobile phones or associated with other web-based

9

software services, Mozilla sought to differentiate itself through a superior user experience that put

10

users first, prioritizing privacy and security, and cultivating trust in the Mozilla brand. Search is

11

also a critical part of the user experience. Thus, the key attributes of search are attributed to the

12

browser.

36.

13

Firefox opens to a default home page, (i.e., the first webpage that appears when the

14

browser is opened for use), that presents a search field for users to input search terms to begin a

15

web search. (See below for screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox Start Page, in the version prior to

16

Quantum.)

17

•

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27
28
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37.

Firefox also provides a search bar, a unified search bar (called the "Awesome

2

Bar"), and other search access points from where users can input their search terms into a search

3

engine and search the web. (See below for screenshot of the Mozilla Firefox search bar, with red

4

highlighting, in the version prior to Quantum.)

5

6

7

---------------------.........
'"
...

8
9
10
11

12
13
14

38.

When a user types search terms into the search field, the search engine generates a

15

suggested list of possible webpage destinations called search results. Search engines themselves

16

are web services that enable users to search the Internet, and the results are displayed within the

17

web browser. Thus, when a user types into the search access point, such as Mozilla's Awesome

18

Bar, search bar, or Mozilla start page, the user is actually accessing another party's search

19

functionality.

20

39.

Even if provided by a third party such as Yahoo, users closely associate the search

21

functionality with the web browser they are using. Thus, the quality of the search experience is

22

part of the user experience of Firefox.

23

40.

To provide this Internet search functionality, Mozilla teams with search providers

24

that conduct the search, return results, and produce a webpage presenting the results,

25

advertisements, and other information. In recognition of user behavior, where users tend not to

26

switch from the defaults provided, for search providers the default search engine setting is the

27
28
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most valuable. Thus, search providers are willing to pay Mozilla or other browser owners for the

2

default position within the browser.

3

41.

From December 1, 2014 to November 10, 2017, the default search provider for

4

Firefox in the United States was set to Yahoo under the Strategic Agreement. This means that

5

when a user opened Firefox, if the user had not made any changes to the browser's settings, the

6

search provider was Yahoo during this time. Starting November 14, 2017, the default search

7

provider for Mozilla in the United States was set to Google, as part of the launch of the major

8

upgrade version of Firefox, following the termination of Mozilla's Strategic Agreement with

9

Yahoo.

10

42.

As with many other popular search engines, conducting a search on Yahoo or

11

Google results in links to webpages related to the search, as well as paid links from advertisers

12

that are related to the search terms. Search providers can differentiate their services by the quality

13

of their organic search results, the way they display information, the number of advertising links

14

that appear, and what other information they display related to the user's query, such as trigger

15

information (i.e., information displayed based on geographic location of the user, or by

16

anticipating what the user may be looking for).

17

II.

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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Yahoo Was a Leading Internet Brand, But by 2014, Had Fallen Behind Industry
Leaders and Needed a Comeback.

A.

Yahoo Was Founded in 1994 and Became a Leading Internet Brand.

43.

yahoo was founded in 1994 as a web directory and then grew to become a leading

Internet brand. Since its founding and over time, Yahoo became a place to undertake
transactions, form groups, read news, and also conduct searches of the Internet. Yahoo went
public in 1996 and quickly became one of the best known brands in the burgeoning Internet
market. Throughout the 1990s, Yahoo continued to increase its user base and expand
internationally, targeting Asian and South American markets for growth.
44.

By the early 2000s, Yahoo looked to expand its revenue streams. Yahoo

strengthened its Yahoo! Mail platform and expanded its Corporate Yahoo! and Yahoo! Broadcast
Services brands to provide better business and enterprise services. Yahoo also expanded its brand
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to include more content-based initiatives, including personal finance and investing, commerce,

2

and digital entertainment.

3

B.

Yahoo! Invests Heavily in Content.

4

45.

By the late 2000s, Yahoo's brand in the technology world had faded. In 2001,

5

Yahoo tried to regain market share by making a heavy investment in the Internet content portion

6

of Yahoo's business. But the gamble on content failed to pay off. By 2007, news outlets reported

7

that Yahoo had fallen behind to Google and was "struggling." See, e.g., Semel Out as Yahoo!

8

CEO, June 18, 2007, http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/18/news/companies/yahoo_semel/. From

9

2007 to 2012, Yahoo continued to struggle. Once a dominant company in display advertising

10

revenue, Yahoo had fallen behind both Google and Facebook by 2012. News outlets reported

11

that Yahoo "ha[ d] struggled to stay relevant" after missing two major Internet trends, social

12

networking and the move to mobile devices. See, e.g., Mayer Hopes to Brighten User Experience

13

at Yahoo, July 16, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/17/technology/marissa-mayer-hopes-

14

to-brighten-user-experience-at-yahoo .html.

15

c.

Yahoo Attempts to Right Its Ship .Under Marissa Mayer.

16

46.

In 2012, Marissa Mayer became the CEO of Yahoo, the fourth in four

17

years. Google's Marissa Mayer Named Yahoo! CEO, July 17, 2012,

18

http://mciney.cnn.com/2012/07/16/technology/yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayer/index.htm. At the time,

19

the perception was that Yahoo was a "fading Web icon", id., and that Yahoo was "trying to

20

remain relevant." A Yahoo Search Calls Up a Chief from Google, July 16, 2012,

21

https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/googles-marissa-mayer-tapped-as-yahoos-chief/. It

22

was widely reported that CEO Mayer would attempt to tum Yahoo around. Yahoo's own press

23

release touted that her appointment "signals a renewed focus on product innovation to drive user

24

experience and advertising revenue for one of the world's largest consumer Internet brands,

25

whose leading properties include Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Mobile, Yahoo! Mail,

26

and Yahoo! Search." Yahoo! Appoints Marissa Mayer Chief Executive Officer

27

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120716006348/en/Yahoo%21-Appoints-Marissa-

28

Mayer-Chief-Executive-Officer.

CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

47.

With CEO Mayer at the helm, Yahoo refocused on search. In Yahoo's 2013

2

annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Yahoo stated that "For Yahoo,

3

Search remains one of our biggest areas of focus, and in 2013 we enhanced Search to create a

4

better, more user-centered experience."

5

48.

In 2013, Yahoo, Inc. ' s main source ofrevenue was from display and search

6

advertising, and search revenue was $1.74 billion and 37% of its business. Yahoo's search

7

revenue is generated when users click on text-based links to advertisers' websites that appear

8

primarily on search results pages. Yahoo generates revenue via "paid clicks," where a user clicks

9

on a sponsored listing on a Yahoo-affiliated website, for which an advertiser pays on a per-click

10

basis. Thus, for Yahoo to generate search revenue, users must use Yahoo's search engine.

11

49.

In 2013, Google was the market leader in search. In 2013, Google's advertising

12

revenue was over $50.5 billion. Google continues to be the dominant leader in search advertising.

13

III.

14
15

In November 2014, Mozilla and Yahoo Entered Into a Contract That Made Yahoo
the Default Search Engine for the Firefox Web Browser.

A.

In 2014, Mozilla Sought to Increase Competition in the Search Market with a
Different Search Provider and Received Assurances from Yahoo About
Yahoo's Vision for Search.

50.

In 2014, Mozilla's contract with Google to be the default search provider for

16

17
Mozilla was expiring. Mozilla spoke with Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other search providers
18
about becoming Mozilla's default search provider. Mozilla was concerned with the quality of the
19
search experience that each search provider could provide and desired to meaningfully increase
20
choice in the search marketplace.
21
51.

Mozilla entered negotiations with Yahoo. Mozilla had concerns about the quality

22
of Yahoo's search product and raised those concerns with Yahoo.
23
24
25

26
27
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CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
A TTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

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Yahoo repeatedly represented to Mozilla that Yahoo was committed to search and had a multi-

2

year plan designed to improve and enhance the Firefox search experience over time.

3
4

52.

CEO Mayer was personally involved in the negotiations with Mozilla. She

presented a compelling vision for the future of Yahoo Search.

5
6

7

53.

Mozilla considered a number of strategic factors during negotiations with Yahoo.

8

One consideration was the future of the market for search in three to five years, after any deal

9

concluded. Another consideration was the impact of a deal on Firefox market share. Mozilla had

10

a unique opportunity in 2014 to create an impact on and increase domestic market share, based in

11

part on a major overhaul of the Firefox user interface. Yahoo presented the opportunity to create

12

a new voice in search that was significant enough to grow market share with Mozilla. Based on

13

Yahoo's reassurances regarding alignment of interests with Mozilla and Yahoo's commitment to

14

search, as well as protections that Mozilla negotiated for, Mozilla entered into a multi-year

15

agreement with Yahoo to replace Google with Yahoo Search as the default in the Firefox.

16

B.

The Strategic A~eement Was Intended to Develo a
for Yahoo and a

54.

On or about November 15, 2014, Yahoo and Mozilla entered into the Strategic

17

18
19
20

Agreement, providing for Yahoo's search engine to become the default search engine in the
United States for Mozilla's browser, Firefox, in exchange for payments by Yahoo to Mozilla.

21
22

23
24
25

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27
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ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

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integrated Yahoo Search, and the parties promoted Mozilla's browsers

3
4

5

6

56.

On November 19, 2014, Yahoo and Mozilla each publicly announced that they had

7

entered into the strategic five-year contract to make Yahoo the "default search experience" for

8

Fire~ox

9

posts). In Yahoo's blog post announcing the contract, Yahoo's CEO Marissa Mayer, wrote that

in the United States on mobile and desktop. Exhibits G & H (Yahoo and Mozilla blog

10

search was "an area of investment and opportunity for [Yahoo]" and a "key growth area."

11

Exhibit G (Yahoo blog post). Yahoo stated that the contract would help expand its reach in

12

search and would give Yahoo and Mozilla the opportunity to work closely to find ways to

13

innovate in search, communications, and digital content generally. Yahoo also stated that the

14

interactive and integrated experience better leveraged its content and personalization

15

technologies.

16

57.

By some measures, Firefox market share fell by approximately 25% from the first

17

year of the Strategic Agreement to the last year the Strategic Agreement was in effect. One such

18

widely cited measure is Statcounter, which estimates that Firefox U.S. desktop market share went

19

from averaging 16.05% for the months of December 2014 to November 2015, to 12.24% for the

20

months of December 2016 to November 2017.

21

58.

Mozilla considered search to be a core part of the online experience for everyone.

22

Mozilla chief executive officer Chris Beard stated in Mozilla's announcement of the contract that

23

"[Mozilla's] new search strategy doubles down on [its] commitment to make Firefox a browser

24

for everyone ... with more choice and opportunity to innovate." Exhibit H (Mozilla blog post).

25

In evaluating search options, Mr. Beard noted that Mozilla's "primary consideration was to

26

ensure [its] strategy aligned with [its] values of choice and independence, and position[ ] us to

27

innovate and advance our mission in ways that best serve our users and the Web."

28
CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 1

2
3
4

5
6

c.

The Terms of the Strategic Agreement Provided Contractual Protections
That Mozilla Would Benefit From Taking the Risk of Signing with Yahoo.

59.

Given Yahoo's history, both Yahoo and Mozilla understood that Mozilla would be

taking a risk by selecting Yahoo as its search provider, and that Yahoo was committing to rapid
which

change and innovation

was necessary for Mozilla to compete with the other major browsers. The Strategic Agreement
included numerous protections for Mozilla, through contractual performance standards and

7

8
9
10
11

12
13

1.

14

Yahoo Was Required to Meet Certain

60.

15
16
17

18

a.

19

20

b.

21

22
23
24
25

26
27

e.
f.

28
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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

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2
3
4

5
6
7

2.

8

9

10
11
12

13
Prior to the execution of the Strategic Agreement in
14
November 2014, Google search was the Search Market Leader with a dominant share for each of
15
the preceding twelve months.
16

3.

17
63.

Yahoo Was Required to Pay

Each year, Yahoo was required to pay Mozilla in exchange for making Yahoo

18
Search the default search engine on Firefox and other Mozilla browsers.
19
20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27
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& MORIN G LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

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2
3
4
5
6

7
8
9
10
11

12
13

14

15
16
17
18
19
20

21

22
23
24
25

26
27

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3
4
5
6

7
8

9
10
11
12
13

14
15
16

17
18
19
20

21

22
23
24

25

26
27

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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

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3
4

5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13

14
15
16

17
18
19

20
21

22
23

IV.

After Signing the Contract, Yahoo Failed to Meet Standards Set Forth in the
Contract and the Assurances Made to Mozilla, and Mozilla Suffered as a Result.

24
25

A.

Yahoo Failed to Meet -

Standards

The Strategic Agreement took effect

26
After signing the contract, Yahoo
27
failed to meet its obligations.
28
CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

73.

Yahoo Search consistently failed to retain users and search volume over time,

2

reducing the potential revenue under the Strategic Agreement. Rather than focus on improving

3

the quality of its search product, as Yahoo assured Mozilla it would prior to entering into the deal

4

, Yahoo continually focused on short-term

5

monetization and special events such as the Olympics and the election, at the expense of product

6

quality. Yahoo also sought to use alternative branding in an effort to avoid the negative impact of

7

its own brand, but because there was no improvement in the product quality, tests demonstrated

8

that users continued to switch away from Yahoo Search, whether branded Yahoo or not.

9

74.

These issues began early in the relationship. As early as January 2015, Mozilla

10

began discussions with Yahoo on the shortcomings of the quality of the search product. For

11

example, in a January 6, 2015 email to Yahoo with the subject line, "Yahoo Search Discussion,"

12

Mozilla's product team outlined issues with the search product since launch, including search

13

engine results page and ad relevancy results, video results, and technical development queries.

14

Mozilla determined in January 2015 that the user experience Yahoo Search provided was sub-par

16

February 2015 Mozilla identified "five areas I'd like to push Yahoo! on of the next few weeks"

17

that "come up time and again, and are the kinds of things that drive users away." In no particular

18

order, these issues affecting search quality

19

served on users, aggressive autocorrect, sub-par relevancy results, the content of answers, and the

20

basis for triggering particular content.

21

75.

included the relevancy of advertisements

Mozilla continued these types of discussions with Yahoo in March 2015,

22

reiterating that Mozilla "wants

23

the "current experience is causing users to move." Again, at the July 15, 2015, quarterly business

24

review with Yahoo and Mozilla, the parties had a "[d]iscussion around the retention and

25

increasingly negative user experience by changing UI to drive monetization" and Mozilla asked

26

who it "need[ed] to talk to for Yahoo to recommit to our agreement and users."

27
28
CROWELL

improvement for both parties to grow marketshare," but

76.
through 2016.
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& MORING LLP
ATTORN EYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 2

the term of the Strategic Agreement, Mozilla communicated, escalated and documented the

3

deficiencies in the Yahoo product at

5

77.

In addition to the deficiencies in search, it is well-known that Yahoo experienced

6

massive data breaches in 2013 and 2014 that are estimated to have compromised as many as three

7

billion accounts, and are the subject of ongoing lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages

8

and government inquiries including hearings before the Senate Commerce Committee, including

9

subpoenaed testimony by Yahoo's former CEO, Marissa Mayer. The breach impacted Yahoo's

10

brand exactly as it had predicted in its own 2013 SEC filing describing risks:

11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

If our security measures are breached, our products and services may be
perceived as not being secure, users and customers may curtail or stop using our
products and services, and we may incur significant legal and financial exposure.
Any breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial
exposure, increased remediation and other costs, damage to our reputation and a
loss of confidence in the security of our products, services and networks that could
potentially have an adverse effect on our business . ... If an actual or perceived
breach of our security occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our
security measures could be harmed and we could lose users and customers.
The extent and severity of this data breach was not made known to the public or to Mozilla for
years, further denigrating the public's trust in the Yahoo brand.

B.

Mozilla's Business Suffered As a Result of Yahoo's Failure to Meet the
Agreed Upon Standards.

78.

Due to Yahoo ' s failure to meet the

standards set forth under the contract,

Mozilla suffered as a result. By mid-2016, Mozilla relayed to Yahoo that only 23% of users
opted to keep Yahoo Search as the default search engine in Firefox for the U.S. market, from a
high of 90% prior to entering into the Strategic Agreement. Mozilla believed that the user's
switch away from Yahoo being the default search provider was driven by the quality of Yahoo
Search. Under the Strategic Agreement, the only way for Mozilla to increase its revenue is for
users to continue to use Yahoo search.

28
CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
ATTORN EVS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

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2

79.

Moreover, Mozilla believed that the use of Yahoo Search negatively impacted the

retention of Firefox users.

3

Under the Strategic Agreement, Mozilla and Yahoo had

4

6

agreed-upon territories, once the product quality was sufficient to ensure a successful rollout, but

7

that it could not place Yahoo in those non-U.S. territories unless Yahoo improved its search

8

As a result, Mozilla spent sixteen months without a

9

10
11

Mozilla ultimately entered into a deal with Google for certain
of those territories outside of the U.S., with Yahoo's knowledge.

12
13

14
15
16
17

82.

in part, so that Yahoo would

Mozilla agreed to reduce

18

have more resources available to it to improve its search product.

19

v.

In 2017, Yahoo Was Sold, Triggering the Change of Control Provisions.

20

A.

As the Situation at Yahoo Worsened, Yahoo Was Put Up for Sale.

21

83.

By 2016, Yahoo had not been able to stage the comeback that it had hoped for.

22

Despite having more users than any other site other than Google and Facebook, it was reported

23

that Yahoo had ceded a large volume of search traffic and advertising .revenue to both

24

competitors. See, e.g., Why Yahoo Sold Its Internet Business, June 13, 2017,

25

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/technology/yahoo-sale.html. Attempts to recommit

26

Yahoo to innovation in the search market and commission original video and print content failed

27

to increase revenue or profit. See, e.g., Yahoo's Sale to Verizon Ends an Era for a Web Pioneer,

28

July 24, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/25/business/yahoo-sale.html.
-26-

CROWELL

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

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84.

By July 2016, Yahoo entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Verizon.

2

Before the deal closed, news of the massive data breach at Yahoo became public. Verizon

3

recognized the major harm to the Yahoo brand caused by the data breaches, and proceeded to

4

renegotiate the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement in 2017 and reduce the purchase price by

5

$350 million.

6

B.

The Sale to Verizon Completed in June 2017 Triggered the Change of Control
Provisions in the Strategic Agreement.

85.

The Stock Purchase Agreement between Yahoo and Verizon provided for Yahoo

7
8
to sell to Verizon for cash all of the outstanding shares of a newly-formed, wholly-owned
9
subsidiary of Yahoo called Yahoo Holdings. The same day, Yahoo entered into a Reorganization
10
Agreement with its subsidiary, Yahoo Holdings, under which Yahoo agreed to transfer "all of its
11

assets and liabilities relating to the operating business of Yahoo ... other than specific excluded
12
assets and retained liabilities, to Yahoo Holdings."
13
86.

On June 13, 2017, the transaction closed, with Verizon acquiring Yahoo Holdings,

14
and with it, Yahoo's Operating Business.
15
16
17
18
19
87.

On information and belief, Verizon has combined its Yahoo assets with its existing

20
AOL business, under a new subsidiary, Oath. According to Verizon, its new subsidiary Oath is
21
"a diverse house of more than 50 media and technology brands that engages more than a billion
22
people around the world." http://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-completes-yahoo23
acquisition-creating-diverse-house-5 0-brands-under-new-oath-subsidiary.
24
25
26
27
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&

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LLP

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 2

Mozilla Terminated the Strategic Agreement Based on the Change of Control
Provisions Because It Reasonably Believed That Mozilla Would Be Harmed By
Continuing the Relationship.

3

A.

Beginning Prior to the Close of the Verizon/Yahoo Transaction, Mozilla
Sought Assurances Concerning Yahoo Acquirer's Identity and Business
Practices.

88.

Beginning in the spring of2017 and through November 2017, Mozilla sought

1

VI.

4

5

6

assurances from the Yahoo Acquirer concerning the Yahoo Acquirer and Yahoo Holdings'

7

identity and business practices as they relate to Mozilla and its brand.

8

9

89.

Throughout those discussions, Mozilla reiterated its philosophy and the reasons

why Mozilla entered into a contract with Yahoo: Mozilla is committed to supporting and

1o

promoting the Internet as a global public resource. Mozilla entered into the contract with Yahoo

11

to help meet Mozilla's mission of making the web more accessible to all, and to create a

12

differentiated experience and increase competition. Specifically, Mozilla sought to create

13

meaningful choice in search, while also providing an opportunity to differentiate Firefox. The

14

contract with Yahoo, however, had yet to live up to expectations or to the joint press statements

15

made at the commencement of the contract.

16

90.

Even before the change of control occurred, Mozilla raised its concerns with the

17

Yahoo Acquirer regarding the quality of Yahoo Search and the need for major improvements

18

under the Strategic Agreement. For example, in Spring 2017, Mozilla requested a meeting with

19

the Yahoo Acquirer. In late March 2017, Tim Lemmon (formerly of AOL and now Chief

20

Operating Officer of Oath) confirmed a meeting for April 6, 2017, to be held at Mozilla's San

21

Francisco office. At the April 6, 2017 meeting, Mozilla made a presentation to the Yahoo

22

Acquirer regarding the state of the relationship and Mozilla's concerns regarding the Yahoo

23

Search product. Exhibit I (Mozilla presentation). Mozilla specifically asked the Yahoo Acquirer

24

for information regarding their plans for improvement and to address Mozilla's concerns. The

25

Yahoo Acquirer told Mozilla they could not talk about any plans for the future until after the

26

close of the Verizon/Yahoo transaction. At the time, the Yahoo Acquirer did not present a plan

27

for moving forward or remedying any quality concerns in Yahoo Search. On June 13, 2017, the

28

transaction closed.

CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 1

91.

The day after the transaction closed, Mozilla sent an email to the Yahoo Acquirer

2

search team, requesting a meeting in order to understand the Yahoo Acquirer's intentions and

3

business plans for the search product,

4

5
6
7
In the determination of our next steps, we'd like to hear from
Verizon/AOL as to how it plans to run the Yahoo business,
including the search business, and how it intends to meet its
obligations under the A reement. I know we are meeting later this
~art of
- - - and we would also like to schedule some separate time
to address our concerns and our questions regarding your plans.

8
9
10
11

Exhibit J (June 14, 2017 Email).
12
92.

In early August 2017, Mozilla, Yahoo and the Yahoo Acquirer held the first post-

13
acquisition

meeting. Prior to that meeting, a Mozilla executive sent to a

14
Yahoo Acquirer executive an email laying out that Mozilla was "hopeful that Oath will begin to
15
lay out a product plan that meets the strategic intent of our agreement" and provided a list of
16
questions for the Yahoo Acquirer. Exhibit K (July 18, 2017 Email). During that meeting,
17
Mozilla again raised its concerns to Yahoo and the Yahoo Acquirer "about the quality of your
18
product and the need for major improvements

" Exhibit L (Meeting

19
minutes). Those concerns included "the ongoing failure for Yahoo to reach
20
as well as the need to improve certain areas
21
' During the same meeting Mozilla raised its concerns about "the ongoing negative
22
impact this and [Yahoo's] product's overall quality has on Firefox and [its] business." Another
23
issue raised was "the need to make changes and see progress quickly given where we are in the
24
25
26
27
28
CROWELL
& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

-29CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. I 7-CV-319921

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2
3
4

5
6

7

8
9

10

94.

On September 18, 2017, in response to a prior invitation, Mozilla sent to

11

leadership of the Yahoo Acquirer an email making clear that Mozilla had concerns about staying

12

in the Strategic Agreement. Exhibit M (Sept. 18, 2017 Email). Among other things, Mozilla told

13

the leadership team that "Mozilla [was] faced with making a decision regarding the Oath-Mozilla

14

relationship in the next few months" and had the following concerns:

15
16
17
18
19
20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27
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CROWELL

The quality of the search product used as default in Firefox has significant
implications to our users, the success of our Firefox product and our
company. The importance of search is reflected explicitly in the Strategic
Agreement that we entered into with Yahoo in 2014. Regrettably, Yahoo Search
has failed and continues to fail to meet the basic requirements in the
agreement. And now, we find ourselves in a tough spot. We are focused on a
November Firefox launch that promises to be an even stronger competitor in the
market across many key measurements. While we are excited about that future,
we continue to be deeply concerned about the quality of the Yahoo search product.
We have concerns that staying in the Strategic Agreement would harm our brand,
the Firefox product and our users, and we have not yet received adequate
reassurances otherwise. We would like to meet with you to ensure that Mozilla
has all of the information prior to any decisions.
Exhibit M (Sept. 18, 2017 Email).
95.

The Yahoo Acquirer's new search team did not address Mozilla's request for

assurances that the new team would put its efforts into improving Yahoo Search and the user
The quality of the search experience in

experience
Firefox is key to Mozilla's success.
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& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

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2
3
4

5

6
7

9

company with no history of search experience beyond the experience that the Yahoo team

10

brought with the acquisition. When Verizon acquired Yahoo, CEO Mayer resigned, and Yahoo

11

no longer had access to her search expertise.

12
13
14
15

97.

Mozilla also had concerns that continuing a contract with Yahoo Holdings and its

16

related entities would harm the Mozilla brand, particularly with respect to user privacy, in light of

17

the data breaches at Yahoo. User privacy is a major differentiator for Mozilla to attract and retain

18

users who might otherwise use competing browsers tied to operating systems or other Internet

19

services.

20

98.

In addition, Verizon poses significant brand issues for Mozilla and its reputation

21

for protecting user privacy. Unlike Mozilla, Verizon has been subject to public government

22

investigations and enforcement actions for failing to comply with privacy protections for its

23

users. For example, in September 2014, Verizon agreed to pay $7.4 million to settle a Federal

24

Communications Commission (FCC) investigation over claims that the company used personal

25

information from subscribers to serve targeted advertising without their consent. According to

26

the FCC, at the time this was the largest-ever payment in a telephone customer privacy case.

27

Verizon's policy positions are also diametrically opposed to Mozilla's positions on core issues

28

such as net neutrality and cybersecurity.

CROWELL
& MORING LLP
ATTORNEY S AT LAW

-31CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 B.

1

2

Mozilla Ultimately Concluded that the Yahoo Acquirer Was Likely to Harm
Mozilla's Brand and the Quality of Web Search and Terminated the
Contract.

3
4
5

7

Mozilla to explore other search providers.
100.

8
9
10
11

On November 10, 2017, Mozilla provided notice that it was terminating the

Strategic Agreement. Exhibit N (Notice of Termination). In an email sent the same day to the
leadership at the Yahoo Acquirer, Mozilla provided a few of the reasons for its decision:
•

Yahoo Holdings' and related parties' brands (especially in regard to user privacy and

12

security) continue to be highly problematic. This has been underscored by the continuing

13

issues with respect to the Yahoo security breaches and publicity around those breaches.

14

•

Tests conducted by and for Mozilla demonstrate that the brand and quality of the search

15

product have had negative impacts and continue to have negative impacts on the user

16

views of the Mozilla browser.

17

•

Mozilla has sought assurances that Yahoo Holdings and related parties will comply with

18

the terms of the contract regarding

19

discussions we have asked several times for a clear path to meeting the requirements in

20

the Agreement, a product plan to address the deficiencies in the product, a plan for

21

improving the brand, and a commitment in terms of the number of people to address the

22

concerns. We haven't received sufficient assurances.

23

101.

In our

In light of these and other facts, Mozilla concluded that the Yahoo Acquirer's

24

identity and business practices and the way that the Yahoo Acquirer intends to operate the Yahoo

25

business will harm the Mozilla brand and the quality of the search product offered to Mozilla and

26

Firefox users.

27
has entered into an

28
CROWELL

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& MORING LLP
A TTO RNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

agreement with Google to be the default search provider in the United States, Hong Kong and

2

Taiwan,

3

November 14, 2017.

4

VII.

5

made effective on

After Mozilla Terminated the Strategic Agreement, Yahoo Holdings Failed to Make
Payment
the Required 103.

On November 10, 2017, Mozilla terminated the Strategic Agreement

6

and provided notice to Yahoo Holdings
7

and Verizon Communications, Inc. in writing. Exhibit N (Notice of Termination).
8
9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
106.

After Mozilla terminated the Strategic Agreement, Mozilla received a letter from

17
the general counsel of Oath, indicating Oath's position that the termination of the Strategic
18
Agreement itself was a material breach of the Strategic Agreement, and purporting to put Mozilla
19
on notice of Mozilla's other material breaches of the now terminated Strategic Agreement.
20
On December 1, 2017, instead of paying
21
22
23
24
25

26
27

28
CROWELL

-33-

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1
2
3
4

8
9

10
11

12

Payment, Mozilla Will Suffer

A.

The Launch of the Upgrade Version of Mozilla's Browser, Firefox Quantum,
Provides a Unique and Limited Opportunity to Bring Users to Firefox.

110.

Mozilla's web browser, Firefox, is unique in the web browser market as it is a

13

standalone browser not tied to any particular operating system or search provider, in contrast to

14

Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and Google Chrome. Users must affirmatively choose to

15

download Firefox onto their computer, laptop, or mobile device. These devices typically already

16

have a preinstalled default web browser, which are each provided by Microsoft, Apple, and

17

Google, depending on the device. As a result, it is more difficult for Mozilla to gain new users of

18

Firefox, and the time following the launch of the new version of Firefox is a critical time for

19

Mozilla to gain users.

20

111.

Mozilla launched the newly redesigned major upgrade version of its browser on

21

November 14, 2017. This launch is a rare opportunity for Mozilla to expand its market share to

22

reach both new customers and former customers who have switched browsers. This update to

23

Firefox, called Quantum, almost doubles the speed of previous versions, while maintaining

24

Mozilla's commitment to open source technology and user privacy. It also balances memory

25

usage, using less memory than market competitors. The browser utilizes a completely redesigned

26

user interface, optimized to be faster and more modem. Mozilla plans to continue to roll out new

27

features and heavily market the newly redesigned version of Firefox to attract a greater share of

28

the Internet browser market.

CROWELL
& MORING LLP
AnoRrns AT

VIII. As a Result of the Failure to Make the Irreparable Injury

LAW

-34CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 112.

1

In order for Firefox Quantum and subsequent versions of Firefox rollout to achieve

2

success, Mozilla must use its resources to build and market a wide slate of new features and

3

products and is relying on the revenue stability under the Strategic Agreement to achieve its

4

goals.

5

Mozilla Faces a Critical Time in Advancing Its Mission of the Open Internet,
as Key Internet Principles Such as Net Neutrality Are Under Attack.

6

113.

In support of its mission, Mozilla's work extends far beyond the development of

7
Firefox. Mozilla uses the revenues from Firefox to fund policy activities related to the Mozilla

8
Mission. For example, Mozilla has been and continues to be a leading policy advocate for user

9
privacy and net neutrality rules, both of which are under threat in today's broader environment.

10
Mozilla regularly files comments with judicial, regulatory and legislative bodies globally to
11

advocate for an open and secure Internet.
12
114.

Mozilla also uses the market share it captures through the users of Firefox to have

13
a major influence on the outcome of the development of browsers and of core Internet
14
technologies (including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WebRTC, web standards bodies like the W3C,
15
WebAssembly, and WebVR) and in furtherance of its mission of user privacy, security and
16
control in their online lives. Mozilla has pioneered features like Tracking Protection that help
17
users gain control over their online lives and has influenced other major browser manufacturers to
18
do the same. Mozilla engineers help guide the development of key Internet security standards

19
and technologies, including helping to improve the underlying security layer of the web itself.
20
The size of Mozilla's market share with respect to Firefox impacts the influence that Mozilla is
21
able to exert on the development of these technologies.
22
115.

The future of the Internet and the web, as it relates to issues such as net neutrality,

23
user privacy, and cybersecurity are being decided now, and this is a critical time for Mozilla and
24
its mission. For example, in the summer of 2017, the Federal Communications Commission
25
threatened to take back regulations that protect net neutrality. Mozilla has been actively working

26
to persuade the FCC to refrain from doing so when it votes later this month.
27

28
CROWELL

-35-

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

c.

The Payments Represents A Substantial Portion of Mozilla
Revenues, and Without These Payments and the Revenue Stability, Mozilla
Will Not Be Able to Take Advantage of This Unique Competitive
Opportuni and the Ur ent Need to Protect Key Internet Principles.

116.

Because the

2
3
4
5

6

7

8
9
10
11
12

13
14
15
16
17
18

19
20
21

22
23
24
25
26
27

paid by Yahoo represents a substantial

portion of Mozilla's total revenues, Yahoo's failure to make the payments as required by the
Strategic Agreement will significantly reduce Mozilla's available resources. See Mozilla
Foundation's Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and
2016, available at
https://assets.mozilla.net/annualreport/2016/2016_Mozilla_Audited_Financial_Statement.pdf.
117.

With the roll out of Firefox Quantum, Mozilla will begin to lead the market in

speed with certain key features in Firefox. Due to the immense resources of competitors such as
Google, Apple, and Microsoft, it is expected that a competitor will attempt to and may succeed in
overtaking Firefox in speed. Thus, the time during which Mozilla has a market competitive
product is a critical time during which Mozilla can get users to switch their browsers.
Additionally, Mozilla will begin to push on differentiating other key features, including in privacy
and security, to further solidify the user value proposition that would cause users to switch from
their other browser products. Without further investment into the product and marketing, Mozilla
will have no opportunity to sustain this lead and compete. Creating and pushing updated versions
of a browser is expensive and requires highly specialized talent.
118.

Yahoo's refusal to pay the

payment as required under the

Strategic Agreement would cause irreparable injury to Mozilla. The payments are key to
financing the new upgraded version of Firefox, any disruption of which will cause lost market
share and lost business goodwill. The payments are also key to financing Mozilla's mission of
ensuring that the Internet is global public resource, open and accessible to all. Mozilla faces a
critical time in advancing its mission of the open Internet, as core Internet principles such as net
neutrality are under attack. This loss cannot not be remedied with any amount of monetary
damages. Attempting to compensate Mozilla at a later date for the withheld
payments would not adequately account for this loss.

28
CROWELL

-36-

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1
2

119.

Yahoo's revenues may also dwindle. Thus, without the immediate receipt of the
payments, Mozilla may never receive its required

3
4
5

Moreover, should Yahoo Search and Yahoo's brand name continue to decline,

payments under

the Strategic Agreement.

D.

6

May Prevent the Recovery of Indirect
Damages Regarding the Loss of This Unique Opportunity to Win Back
Market Share.

7

8
9
10
11

12
13

14
15
16
17

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (DECLARATORY RELIEF)
121.

Mozilla alleges and incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation

contained in paragraphs 1through120 above as though set forth herein in full.
122.

An actual controversy has arisen and now exists relating to the rights and duties of

18

the parties herein in that Yahoo contends that it did not have to make a

19

payment to Mozilla

20
21
22
23
24
25
26

27
28
&

CROWELL
MORING LLP

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

-37CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. l 7-CV-319921

 1

2
3
4

124.

A judicial declaration is necessary and appropriate at this time under the

circumstances in order that Mozilla may ascertain its rights
Without such a determination, Yahoo will continue to assert

5
6

7

that it is not required to make further payments under the Strategic Agreement.
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION (BREACH OF CONTRACT RE
PAYMENTS)

8
125.

Mozilla alleges and incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation

9
contained in paragraphs 1 through 124 above as though set forth herein in full.
10
126.

On or about November 15, 2014, Mozilla and Yahoo entered into a contract, the

11

Strategic Agreement, effective as of December 1, 2014. The consideration for the Strategic
12
Agreement was valid and appropriate.
13

127.

On information and belief, on or about July 23, 2016, Yahoo Holdings assumed

14
the rights and obligations of the Strategic Agreement pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement,
15
dated as of July 23, 2016, as amended as of February 20, 2017, between Yahoo and Yahoo
16
Holdings.
17
128.

Mozilla and Yahoo have mutual obligations under the Strategic Agreement.

129.

Mozilla has performed all conditions covenants and promises required to be

18
19
performed by it in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Strategic Agreement.
20
130.

On November 10, 2017, Mozilla terminated the Strategic Agreement

132.

On information and belief, Yahoo intends to continue to breach the terms and

21

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
CROWELL

&

MORING

-38-

LLP

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1

conditions of the Strategic Agreement by failing to make the

2
3
4
5

6
7
8
9
10
11

13 3.

If Yahoo continues to fail to make

payments, Mozilla will suffer irreparable injury, such that a preliminary and permanent
injunction ordering Yahoo to pay Mozilla the remaining

payments is

necessary and proper.
134.

As a direct and proximate result of Yahoo's breach and intended future breaches,

12

Mozilla has and will continue to suffer substantial damages in excess of the jurisdictional

13

minimum of this and in an amount to be proven at trial.

14

THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION (BREACH OF CONTRACT RE SEARCH
PERFORMANCE)

15
135.

Mozilla alleges and incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation

16
contained in paragraphs 1 through 134 above as though set forth herein in full.
17
Yahoo breached the terms and conditions of the Strategic Agreement
18
19
20
21

22
23
137.

As a direct and proximate result of Cross-Defendants' breaches, Mozilla has and

24
will continue to suffer substantial damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum of this and in
25

an amount to be proven at trial.
26
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
27
WHEREFORE, Mozilla prays for itself against Yahoo:
28
CROWELL

& MORIN G LLP
ATT ORNEYS AT LAW

-39CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 1.

A preliminary and permanent injunction ordering Yahoo to pay Mozilla the

15

3.

Judgment of breach of the Strategic Agreement;

16

4.

General, specific, and compensatory damages according to proof and that may be

1

2
3
4

5
6

7

8
9
10
11

12
13

14

17

appropriate;

18

5.

Costs of the proceedings herein; and

19

6.

All such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

20
21

CROWE L & MORING LLP

Dated: December 5, 2017

22
23
24
25

Gregory D. Call
Emily T. Kuwahara
Kristin J. Madigan
Attorneys for Defendant and Cross-Complainant
MOZILLA CORPORATION

26
27

28
CROWELL

-40-

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

CROSS-COMPLAINT; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

 EXHIBIT A

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
SUBJECT TO MOTION TO SEAL

EXHIBIT 

 

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
SUBJECT TO MOTION TO SEAL

EXHIBIT 

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
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12/3/2017, 12:18 PM

 EXHIBIT 

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
SUBJECT TO MOTION TO SEAL

EXHIBIT 

Yahoo and Mozilla Partner to Bring Yahoo Sear' '· to Firefox I Yahoo

Search Yahoo

https://yahoo .tumblr.com/1313

Follow yahoo

Yahoo and Mozilla
Partner to Bring Yahoo
Search to Firefox

Mail
Search
Tumblr
News
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Finance

By: Marissa Mayer, Yahoo CEO

Lifestyle
Corporate

v

Yahoo

Today, I'm thrilled to announce that we've entered into a five-year
partnership with Mozilla to make Yahoo the default search
experience on Firefox across mobile and desktop. Mozilla is an

Accessibility/UX

inspirational industry leader who puts users first and focuses on

Advertising

building forward-leaning, compelling experiences. This is the most

Life@Yahoo

significant partnership for Yahoo in five years and we're so proud
that Mozilla has chosen us as their long-term partner in search.

Policy
Research

At Yahoo, we believe deeply in search - it's an area of investment
and opportunity for us. It's also a key growth area for us - we've now

Security

seen 11 consecutive quarters of growth in our search revenue on an

About

ex-TAC basis. This partnership helps to expand our reach in search
and gives us an opportunity to work even more closely with Mozilla

I of 2

12/3/2017, 11:48 AM

 Yahoo and Mozilla Partner to Bring Yahoo Searr'· 'o Firefox I Yahoo

Press Center

https ://yahoo .tumblr.com/ l 313

to find ways to innovate in search, communications, and digital
content. I'm also excited about the long-term framework we
developed with Mozilla for future product integrations and expansion
into international markets.
Our teams worked closely with Mozilla to build a clean, modern, and
immersive search experience that will launch first to Firefox's U.S.
users in December and then to all Yahoo users in early 2015. The
interactive and integrated experience also better leverages our
world-class content and personalization technologies.
Search inspires us because we think it's something that will change
and improve dramatically, and because fundamentally, search is
about human curiosity -

and that is something that will never be

finished .

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New Search Strategy for
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Innovation
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19, 2014

C"':len years ago, we built Firefox to keep the

I.I Internet in each of our hands -

to create choice and put people in
control of their lives online. Our focus has been on building products that drive
the competition, energy and innovation we all need to keep the Web open,

everywhere and independent. And last week. '.!".ll.P!.lldgccl to _9._Q _'!!Qf.!!.

Firefox Be Web Search
Search is a core part of the onllna expenence (or everyone -· fU'efox user.i a.lone seal' ch the Web more
lhan 100 bilhon LimBfi per y.ar.

With Firefox. we popularized th~ integration of search in th~ brOW!'ler. We partnered with Internet
compa.rues includmg Google. Yahoo and others to prov1de a.n 1mproved ~arch experience a..ud genente
revenuir lo edv1moe Mozlll11'R llUD!ituu.

When we imliluted e delault. &e;;uch oplkm, we broke from the 1ndu!ltry standard by re(u!lmg 001nmarc1ul

terms that demanded exclusivity. And throughout the la&t 10 years, we have 11lways provided pre-instaUed.
alternatives. and easy ways for our usen to change, add or remove 5earch engines.
Google has been lhe Firefox: global 58Brch default since 2004 Out agreement came up (or renewal th as

year, 11nd we took this as an opportunity to review our competitive strategy and explore our options.
rn evaluating our sel'rch partnerships, our primary conaidenation was to ensure our str111tegy aligned with
our values of cboice and Uldepenclence, and po.5it1on:1 U9 t.o ULnovate and advnnce our mHsjon m ways that
bB!it !lerYll cur users and the Web. In the end, each of the partnon;lup opt1ans available to u!l had slrnng,

improved aconomtc OOrms raflocting the significant valuo that Firefox brings to the ~cosyntem . But one
strategy stood out from the rMt.

Promoting Choice and Innovation
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practiefl o( h.avmg a Bingle global default s earch prnVJder. We arie edaptmg A more Joe.al and flex1hle

approach to mcrease choice e.nd innovation on the Web, with new and expanded search partnerships by
country:

United States
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search u:perience Cor Fuefox m the U.S

• Starting in December, Plrefox u&ers will be mtroduced to" new enha.TlGfld Yahoo Sf!larch experience
that features a clean. modern Interface that brings the be5t of the Web front and center.

• Under this parbm•hip, Yahoo will aloo support ()<}_ 101 Tu k (O@ In Firefox.
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alternal.e search options.

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12/3/2017, 12:09 PM

 EXHIBIT I

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
SUBJECT 0 MOTION TO SEAL

EXHIBIT 

PUBLIC-REDACTED MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD

From: Timothy Lemmon
Date: June 14, 2017 at 2 15 57 AM HST
To: Denelle Dixon-Thayer
Cc: Jeff Bonforte
Subject: Re: close of Yahoo deal

Hi Denelle!
+Jeff who is running search overall
Thank you for your note. It is an exciting day, after a very long process. Wow.
As I underlined when we met earlier in the year, we remain fully committed to the success of our relationship with
Mozilla and really look forward to pursuing that together.
Oath and Mozilla have a unique partnership opportunity, with the increased breadth of our capabilities through the
Aol-Yahoo combination, our shared vision of open/partner-driven business models and highly talented teams.
We look forward to getting together on this soon once the dust of the next couple of weeks settles.
Rest assured that Mozilla/growth is a top strategic priority for us and the team is energized here.
Very best regards,
Tim Lemmon

On Jun 14, 2017, at 4:22 AM, Denelle Dixon-Thayer

wrote:

TimCongratulations on the close ofVerizon's acquisition of Yahoo. I'm sure it felt like a long time coming.
As you know, under the Agreement, dated December 1, 2014, Mozilla has certain rights

In the determination of our next steps, we'd like to hear from Verizon/AOL as to how it plans to run the Yahoo business,
including the search business, and how it intends to meet its obligations under the Agreement. I know we
are meeting later this month as part of the
and we would
also like to schedule some separate time to address our concerns and our questions regarding your plans
I'm sure you have lots going on with respect to the integration - but please let me know when we could schedule a call or
meeting in the next few weeks.
All the best, and thank you -

 denelle

EXHIBIT 

 

PUBLIC-REDACTED MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD

----------Forwarded message --------From Denelle Dixon Thaye
Date: Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 5:56 PM
Subject: Hello and
To: <tim.lemmon

Tim rm looking forward to seeing you again on August 1 will be great to engage with the new
team And, thanks for making the trip over to our offices
I know there is a lot of focus on getting the meeting pulled together
and I thought it might be helpful ifl sent along some thoughts and
expectations for that meeting. I'm happy to hear the same from you.
When you visited us in May we discussed how we have not made progress on
our collective goal to change the dynamics of the search market - one of
the main reasons that we entered into this arrangement to begin with because of issues with the Yahoo product and brand. As we enter into
this new phase of our relationship, I'm hopeful that Oath will begin to
lay out a product plan that meets the strategic intent of our
agreement. You may remember that we ended the presentation in May with
a few questions that I thought I would highlight here as these are areas
we would like to understand so that we can get comfortable with our
alignment:
How will Oath meet the requirements in the agreement?

What is the investment profile that allows Oath to meet the
product plan?
What is roadmap for the search product?
Are there things that Oath is doing to address the negative brand
impact for Yahoo's search product?
If there is anyway that we can line up some of these topics for
inclusion in o u r - eeting, I would greatly appreciate it.

I hope you are surviving the summer weather in NYC. I was out there a
few weeks ago - despite the stifling heat from time to time it is a city
that I never tire of.
Best regards,
Dene lie

 EXHIBIT 

PUBLIC-REDACTED MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD

From: Susan Chen [ma ilt

Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2

Hi Dinesh,

Thanks for this. Your notes are missing a few things that were important for us in our conversation .

1

 The first is our discussion about the quality of your product and the need for major improvem ents per the Search
Agreement. In particular, we talked about the ongoing failure for Yahoo to
as
well as the need to improve certain areas including
We also spoke about the ongoing
negative impact this and your product's overall quality has on Firefox and our business. Finally, we chatted about the
need to make changes and see progress quickly given where we are in the Agreement.

We look forward to productive product brainstorm ing sessions in the coming weeks.

Thanks,
Susan

From: Dinesh de Silva mail to

Sent: Wednesday, August 9, 2

Hello All,

Thank you to everyone for a very open and productive• meeting last week. Notes from the meeting
are below and the deck is attached. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Attendees
•
•

Mozilla: Denelle Dixon, Mark Mayo, Mark Crandon, Susan Chen, Winston Bowden, Greg Carter,
Joanne Nagel, and Nate Weiner
Oath: Tim Lemmon, Jeff Bonforte, Josh Cobb, Andre Vanier, Kevin Wandryk, Dariusz Paczuski,
Oriana Behroozi, Kristina Rudinskas, Himanshu Bafna, Param Krishnamoorthy, Dennis
Ferrell, Dinesh de Silva, and Luke Salmon

2

 Mozilla Philosophy
•
•
•

Mozilla is a for-profit corporation with licensed rights from the non-profit Mozilla Foundation and
hence must stay aligned with the foundation 's mission
Mission is related to a free and independent internet for all
Recently acquired Pocket to help the internet stay open

Why Mozilla Entered into a Partnership with Yahoo
•
•
•

Help meet mission of making the web more accessible to developers and creators
To create a differentiated experience and increase competition
Deal has yet to live up to expectations or move marketshare (or to the joint PR statement made at
the commencement of the partnership)

Firefox Product Strategy and Roadmap
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Firefox is Mozilla's flagship product and is the last major independent browser
Needs to be the best. Speed of load and product delivery is critical.
Content discovery also very important
Mobile browsers in their current form need to be re-examined. They need to be different than
desktop browsers and better render web pages.
Latest desktop version is 100% faster than previous release.
Mozilla has spent significant effort to reduce their tech debt. Now wants to focus on differentiation .
Integrating Pocket into their November release
Key 2017 Firefox OKRs- increase mobile users by lOM and grow desktop marketshare by 2%

•

Reasons why disruption occurs :
o

o
o

Structural change in the marketplace and user behavior (e.g., the migration to mobile)
Government restrictions
Smaller players are able to innovate in ways larger incumbents can't

•

•

•
Marketing :
•

Mozilla not seein g sufficient value from the purple spend campaigns to be willing at this point to
commit to
Wants to target more conscious choosers. Currently
most users are 35+ .
3

 •
•

Teams from both companies are excited to start testing across other Oath properties. This is
covered under terms of the current agreement.
Mozilla ok testing

General Comments:
•
•
•

•
•
•

Mozilla in agreement that we need to disrupt/flank the current marketplace
Denelle needs to be able to go her founder and convincingly explain why Mozilla should stay in this
partnership.
Mozilla isn't comfortable launching with the current state of the Firefox Branded Search product as
a distribution vehicle for acquiring new volume. But Mozilla is committed to cooperating
through "tiger team" collaboration between the two companies over the next 2-4 weeks to jointly
determine what the roadmap should be to build the Firefox Branded Search product to that state.
Both companies need to better collaborate and build that disruptive search experience. Focus
should be on values such as transparency, crowdsourcing, and discovery.
Need to determine why only
is dropping when according to Mozilla volume is
stable and other search partners
are also stable
Search experience needs to understand the Mozilla user base and speak to their users

Next Steps:
•

Schedule a series of "tiger team" meetings between Mozilla and Yahoo, in person and focused on
ideation and developing a roadmap for Firefox Branded Search

•
•

Re-align marketing campaigns to better meet the objectives of both parties

•
•

Determ ine why
experiencing stable metrics

is declining if other search providers- are

Thanks,
Dinesh

Brian Smith
Product & Commercial Counsel
Mozilla Corporation
2 Harrison St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Mobile: · · · ·

4

 EXHIBIT 

PUBLIC-REDACTED MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD

----- --- Foiwarded message ---------From: Denelle Dixon-Thayer
Date: Mon, Sep 18, 2017at 12:45 PM
Subject: Re uest for a meeting
To: t

TimA late congratulations to you on the completion of the Yahoo! acquisition and the creation of the Oath brand. It
seems like a very exciting time.
I'm following up on the note you sent to Chris Beard a few months back suggesting we get together.
We have spent a lot of time with the Yahoo team over the last few years, and most recently time with the new
Oath team. The individual team members are thoughtful, creative and engaged. However, there is a lot of
work that needs to be done to "right the ship" so to speak.
I am writing to you now because as you undoubtedly know, Mozilla is faced with making a decision regarding
the Oath-Mozilla relationship in the next few months. And while the product teams have spent time together, I
would like for Chris and I to sit down with you to discuss where we are.
The quality of the search product used as default in Firefox has significant implications to our users, the
success of our Firefox product and our company. The importance of search is reflected explicitly in the
Strategic Agreement that we entered into with Yahoo in 2014. Regrettably, Yahoo Search has failed and
continues to fail to meet the basic requirements in the agreement And now, we find ourselves in a tough
spot. We are focused on a November Firefox launch that promises to be an even stronger competitor in the
market across many key measurements. While we are excited about that future, we continue to be deeply
concerned about the quality of the Yahoo search product.
We have concerns that staying in the Strategic Agreement would harm our brand, the Firefox product and our
users, and we have not yet received adequate reassurances otherwise. We would like to meet with you to
ensure that Mozilla has all of the information prior to any decisions.
We would be happy to meet in New York, or wherever else is convenient for you - hopefully within the next few
weeks. Please let us know your thoughts.
I look forward to meeting.
Best,
denelle
1

 Denelle Dixon
Chief Business and Legal Of?cer
Mozilla

EXHIBIT 

CONDITIONALLY FILED UNDER SEAL
SUBJECT TO MOTION TO SEAL

1

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PROOF OF SERVICE
I, Tessie Spagna, state:
My business address is 3 Embarcadero Center, 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111. I
am over the age of eighteen years and not a party to this action.
On the date set forth below, I served the foregoing document(s) described as:

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DEFENDANT MOZILLA CORPORATION'S CROSSCOMPLAINT AGAINST PLAINTIFFS: (1)
DECLARATORY RELIEF; (2) BREACH OF CONTRACT
RE
PAYMENTS (3) BREACH OF
CONTRACT RE SEARCH PERFORMANCE
[PUBLIC-REDACTS MATERIALS FROM
CONDITIONALLY SEALED RECORD]

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on the following person( s) in this action:
Dennis L. Wilson
Kollin J. Zimmermann
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
9720 Wilshire Boulevard, Penthouse Suite
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2018
Telephone: (310) 248-3830
Facsimile: (310) 860-0363
Email: dwilson@kil patricktownsend. com;
kzimmermann@kilpatricktownsend.com

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BY MESSENGER ERV1CE: I caused to be served the document(s) identified
above by placing them in an envelope or package addressed to the person(s) listed
above and providing them to a professional messenger service for service.

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BY OVERNIGHT DE LIVE RY: I enclosed the docwnent() identified above in a
sealed envelope or package addressed to the person(s) listed above in an envelope
or package designated by the overnight delivery carrier with delivery fees paid or
provided for. I placed the envelope or package for collection and overnight
delivery at an office or a regularly utilized drop box of the overnight de.livery
carrier, or by delivering to a courier or driver authorized by the overnight delivery
carrier to receive documents.

D

BY FACSIMILE: Based on an agreement of the parties to accept service by
facsimile transmission, I faxed the document(s) identified above to the person(s) at
the fax nwnber(s) listed above. The transmission was reported complete and

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BY FIR T CLA MAIL: I am employed in the City and County of San
Francisco where the mailing occurred. I enclosed the document(s) identified
above in a sealed envelope or package addressed to the person(s) listed abov
with postage fully paid. [placed the envelope or package for collection and
mailing following 01.ir ordinary busines practice. Tam readily famjliar with this
firm s practice for collecting and processing corre pondence for mailing. On the
same day that correspondence is placed for collection and mailing, it is deposited
in the ordinary course of business with the United States Postal Service.

CROWELL

& MORING LLP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

PROOF OF SERVICE; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921
SF ACTI VE-904668290.1

 without error. I have attached a copy of the transmission report that was issued by
the facsimile machine.

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BY ELECTRONIC MAIL: Based on a court order or an agreement of the parties
to accept service by electronic mail, I caused the document(s) identified above to
be h·ansmiHed electronically to the person(s) at the e-mai l add res (es) listed above.
I did not receive, within a reasonabl time after the transmi sion any electronic
message or other indication that the transmission was unsuccessful.

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I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States and the State of
California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on December 5, 2017, at San Francisco, California.

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CROWELL
MORING LLP

PROOF OF SERVICE; CASE NO. 17-CV-319921

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

SFACTIVE-904668290.1