DEF 14A

DEF 14A 1 d208714ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:


☐		Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒		Definitive Proxy Statement

☐		Definitive Additional Materials

☐		Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

REALNETWORKS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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☐	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

☐	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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LOGO

1501 First Avenue South

Seattle, Washington 98134

October 29, 2021

Dear Shareholder:

I cordially invite you to attend the RealNetworks, Inc. 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 on the sixth floor of our corporate headquarters building at 1501 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134.

Detailed information as to the business to be transacted and matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting is contained in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. These proxy materials were mailed to you and all of our other stockholders on or about October 29, 2021, contain instructions for voting online or by telephone, and include our fiscal 2020 annual report to shareholders. I encourage you to review these proxy materials before you vote.

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please take the time to vote. You may vote over the internet, as well as by telephone, or by mailing a proxy or voting instruction card. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even though you have previously submitted your vote.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your support of RealNetworks. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Sincerely,

LOGO

ROBERT GLASER

Founder, Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer

REALNETWORKS , INC.

1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600

Seattle, Washington 98134

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON

November 30, 2021

at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time

To the Shareholders of RealNetworks, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of RealNetworks, Inc., a Washington corporation, will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on the sixth floor of our corporate headquarters building at 1501 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134 for the following purposes, each of which is more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:

To elect Robert Glaser and Bruce A. Jaffe as Class 3 directors each to serve for a three-year term;

To conduct an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

To ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021; and

To transact any other business properly presented at the meeting.

You are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on October 22, 2021. A list of shareholders as of that date will be available at the meeting and for ten days prior to the meeting at our principal executive offices located at 1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600, Seattle, Washington 98134.

We encourage you to join us and participate in the meeting. If you are unable to do so, however, you have the option to vote in one of three ways:

Online at www.envisionreports.com/RNWK, as described in the accompanying proxy statement;

Call the toll-free telephone number shown on your proxy card; or

Mail your signed proxy card as soon as possible in the envelope provided.

If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or other holder of record, follow the instructions that you receive from that holder of record in order to properly vote your shares.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

LOGO

MICHAEL PARHAM

Senior Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

Seattle, Washington

October 29, 2021

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of

Shareholders to Be Held on November 30, 2021

Our proxy statement is attached. Financial and other information concerning RealNetworks is contained in our annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which has also been mailed to you. The proxy statement and our fiscal 2020 annual report to shareholders are available online at www.envisionreports.com/RNWK.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING			1
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS			6
• Nominees for Director			6
• Continuing Directors — Not Standing for Election This Year			7
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & GOVERNANCE MATTERS			10
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS			16
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS			17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS			19
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT			31
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES			32
• Summary Compensation Table			32
• Grants of Plan-Based Awards			34
• Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End			35
• Option Exercises and Stock Vested			36
• Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change-in-Control			36
COMPENSATION OF NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS			40
PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			43
PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			44
• Fees Billed by KPMG LLP and BDO USA, LLP			45
• Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures			46
• Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors			46
OTHER BUSINESS			47


DIRECTIONS TO REALNETWORKS			inside back cover

REALNETWORKS, INC.

1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600

Seattle, Washington 98134

(206) 674-2700

2021 PROXY STATEMENT

For the Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Be Held November 30, 2021

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT

THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

What is a proxy?

A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote the stock you own. The person you designate is your “proxy,” and you give the proxy authority to vote your shares by submitting the proxy card. We have designated the following persons to serve as proxies for the annual meeting:

— Robert Glaser, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board; and

— Michael Parham, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

Why am I receiving these materials?

The Board of Directors of RealNetworks, Inc. is soliciting proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time, and for any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held on the sixth floor of our corporate headquarters building at 1501 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134.

As a shareholder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the items of business described in this proxy statement. These proxy solicitation materials and RealNetworks’ Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, including financial statements, were mailed on or about October 29, 2021, to all shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

What proposals will be voted at the Annual Meeting?

Three proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting:

•

The election of two Class 3 directors, Robert Glaser and Bruce Jaffe, to serve for terms of three years, each until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, subject to earlier resignation or removal;

•

A non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020; and

•

The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

What are the recommendations of the board of directors?

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote:

•

“FOR” election of the nominated Class 3 directors (Proposal 1);

•

“FOR” the proposal regarding an advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2); and

•

“FOR” ratification of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our current fiscal year (Proposal 3).

Will there be any other items of business on the agenda?

We do not expect any other items of business because the deadline for shareholder proposals and nominations has already passed. Nonetheless, in case there is an unforeseen need, the accompanying proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named on the proxy with respect to any other matters that might be brought before the Annual Meeting. Those persons intend to vote that proxy in accordance with their best judgment. If for any reason any of the nominees are not available as candidates for director, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates as may be nominated by the board of directors.

What constitutes a quorum?

As of the close of business on October 22, 2021, the record date, there were an estimated 47,130,385 shares of our common stock outstanding. The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. Both abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur when a broker indicates on a proxy card that it is not voting on a matter) are considered as shares present at the Annual Meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum.

Who is entitled to vote?

Shareholders holding shares of our common stock at the close of business on the record date may vote at the Annual Meeting. You may vote all shares owned by you as of the record date, including (i) shares held directly in your name as the shareholder of record and (ii) shares held for you as the beneficial owner in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held as of the record date.

What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

Shareholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the “shareholder of record.” A shareholder of record is also referred to as a registered shareholder.

Beneficial Owner. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name. Your broker, bank or nominee is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares. On anything other than routine matters (such as a proposal to ratify an independent registered public accounting firm), your broker will not be able to vote your shares unless you give your broker specific voting instructions. As such, you must give your broker voting instructions in order for your vote to be counted on the proposal to elect directors (Proposal 1) and the proposal regarding an advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2). We strongly encourage you to vote.

How do I vote?

Shareholders of record can vote by telephone, by the internet or by mail, as described below. If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to your proxy card or the information forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record to see what options are available to you.

Registered shareholders may cast their vote using any of the following methods:

(1)

Voting online by following the internet voting instructions at www.envisionreports.com/RNWK;

(2)

Calling 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) and voting by following the instructions provided on the phone line; or

(3)

Signing, dating and promptly mailing your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope;

(4)

In person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions by telephone, internet, or mail so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.

How are votes counted?

In the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees. With respect to the advisory vote on executive compensation, and the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year, you may vote “FOR,” vote “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” If you “ABSTAIN,” the abstention has no effect on the voting results, although abstentions are considered votes cast for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. If you provide specific instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct.

If you sign your proxy card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors (“FOR” the nominees to the board of directors, “FOR” the advisory vote on executive compensation, and “FOR” ratification of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year, and in the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matters that properly come before the Annual Meeting). If you are a beneficial holder and do not return a voting instruction form, your broker, bank or nominee may only vote on the ratification of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.

What vote is required to approve each item?

In the election of directors (Proposal 1), the two candidates for director who receive the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected if a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. In the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2), and the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (Proposal 3), such proposals will be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of such proposal exceeds the number of votes cast against such proposal and a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.

What are broker non-votes and what effect do they have on the proposals?

Generally, broker non-votes occur when a broker (i) has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner with respect to a particular proposal and (ii) lacks discretionary voting power to vote those shares with respect to that particular proposal. In tabulating the voting results for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered votes cast on that proposal. Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but only “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes are counted for purposes of determining the votes received in connection with each proposal.

A broker is entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on “routine” matters, such as the ratification of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (Proposal 3), without instructions from the beneficial owner of those shares. On the other hand, absent instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares, a broker is not entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on certain “non-routine” matters, such as the uncontested election of our directors (Proposal 1) and the advisory vote on

executive compensation (Proposal 2). Thus, if you do not give your broker specific voting instructions, your shares may not be voted on these “non-routine” matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval.

Can I change or revoke my proxy?

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its use by delivering to the Corporate Secretary of RealNetworks at our principal offices as set forth above in the Notice of Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?

No. Neither our charter nor our bylaws permit cumulative voting at any election of directors.

How are proxies solicited?

The costs and expenses of soliciting the proxies accompanying this proxy statement from shareholders will be borne by RealNetworks. Our employees, officers and directors may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by electronic communication. None of these individuals will receive any additional or special compensation for doing this, but they may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation material to the beneficial owners of common stock. Your cooperation in promptly voting your shares and submitting your proxy by telephone, internet or by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card will help to avoid additional expense.

Who will serve as inspector of elections?

Our officers are authorized to designate an inspector of elections for the meeting. It is anticipated that the inspector of elections will be a representative from Computershare.

When is our fiscal year end?

Our fiscal year ends on December 31. This proxy statement provides information about the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and additional information about us and our executive officers and directors. Some of the information is provided as of the end of our most recently completed fiscal year and some information is provided as of a more current date.

How can shareholders make a proposal for next year’s annual meeting?

An eligible shareholder who desires to have a qualified proposal considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy prepared in connection with our 2022 annual meeting of shareholders must deliver a copy of the proposal to our Corporate Secretary, at our principal offices, not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that this proxy statement was released to our shareholders, or, if the date of our 2022 annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of our 2021 annual meeting, then no later than a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials. To be eligible to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement, a shareholder must have continually been a record or beneficial owner of shares of common stock having a market value of at least $2,000 (or representing at least 1% of the shares entitled to vote on the proposal), for a period of at least one year prior to submitting the proposal, and the shareholder must continue to hold the shares through the date on which the meeting is held.

A shareholder of record who intends to submit a proposal at the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders that is not eligible or not intended for inclusion in our proxy statement must provide us with written notice, addressed to

the Corporate Secretary at our principal offices, not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that this proxy statement was released to our shareholders, or, if the date of our 2022 annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of our 2021 annual meeting, then no later than a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials. The notice must also satisfy certain additional requirements specified in our bylaws, a copy of which will be sent to any shareholder upon written request to our Corporate Secretary.

I share an address with another shareholder, and we received only one paper copy of the proxy materials. How may I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?

If you share an address with another shareholder, each shareholder may not receive a separate copy of our Annual Report, proxy materials or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Shareholders who do not receive a separate copy of our Annual Report, proxy materials or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, but would like to receive a separate copy or additional copies, may request these materials by calling 1-206-892-6320 or writing to: Investor Relations, RealNetworks, Inc., 1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600, Seattle, Washington 98134.

Shareholders who share an address and receive multiple copies of our Annual Report, proxy materials or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials may also request to receive a single copy by following the instructions above. Current and prospective investors can also access our Form 10-K, proxy statement and other financial information on the “Financial Information” section of our website at http://investor.realnetworks.com.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for a Board of Directors that consists of not less than two and no more than nine members. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that when the Board of Directors consists of four or more members, the directors will be divided into three classes (each class being as nearly equal in number as possible), with directors serving for staggered, three-year terms. The authorized number of directors is currently set at seven, with no current vacancies.

Our Class 3 directors, whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting, are Robert Glaser and Bruce A. Jaffe. Accordingly, the Board of Directors’ nominees for election by the shareholders are the Class 3 directors, Mr. Glaser and Mr. Jaffe. If elected, Mr. Glaser and Mr. Jaffe will serve as directors until our annual meeting of shareholders in 2024, each until their respective successors are elected and qualified, subject to earlier resignation or removal.

Messrs. Glaser and Jaffe have been nominated by the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised of independent directors, and recommended to the shareholders by the Board of Directors for election at the Annual Meeting.

The accompanying proxy will be voted FOR the election of Messrs. Glaser and Jaffe to the Board of Directors, except where authority to so vote is withheld. Proxies may not be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. The nominees have consented to serve as members of our Board if elected. If at the time of the Annual Meeting a nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director, the discretionary authority provided in the enclosed proxy will be exercised to vote for a substitute candidate designated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that either of the nominees will be unable, or will decline, to serve as a director.

The Board has determined that Mr. Jaffe is independent under the Nasdaq listing standards. Mr. Glaser, who serves as our Chief Executive Officer and is a significant shareholder of RealNetworks, is not deemed to be independent.

The name, age and certain background information regarding each member of our Board of Directors is set forth below. There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers. In addition to the information presented below regarding each director’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Board of Directors to conclude that he or she is qualified to serve as a director, each of our directors has demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment to RealNetworks and our Board.

Nominees for Director


	Biographical Information	Specific Experience, Qualifications, and Skills Considered by our Board

Robert Glaser, Age 59, Director since 1994 — *Class* *3 Director*	Mr. Glaser, founder of RealNetworks, currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of RealNetworks since its inception in 1994 and served as Chief Executive Officer of RealNetworks from 1994 through January 2010, returning as interim CEO in July of 2012 and becoming permanent CEO in July 2014. Mr. Glaser has served as a venture partner at Accel Partners, a venture capital firm, since May 2010. Mr. Glaser’s professional experience also includes ten years of employment with Microsoft Corporation where he focused on the development of new businesses related to the convergence of the computer, consumer electronics and media industries. Mr. Glaser holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Computer Science from Yale University.	Experience with technology companies through service as a founder, investor, executive, and director Extensive historical knowledge of RealNetworks and the industries in which it operates Management advisory experience


	Biographical Information	Specific Experience, Qualifications, and Skills Considered by our Board

Bruce A. Jaffe, Age 57, Director since 2015 — *Class* *3 Director*	Mr. Jaffe is a consultant and investor with Three Point Group, LLC, which he founded in 2008 and which focuses on early stage and growth technology companies. Mr. Jaffe previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Donuts Inc., a privately held registry operator of top-level domain names, from January 2017 through its sale to a private equity firm in November 2018. Mr. Jaffe served as Chief Financial Officer and EVP Corporate Development of Glam Media, a privately held media company, from May 2010 to December 2011. From June 1995 through February 2008, Mr. Jaffe held various positions at Microsoft Corporation, most recently serving as its Corporate Vice President, Corporate Development, where he managed M&A, investments, and strategic transactions. Mr. Jaffe serves as a director of several privately held companies. Mr. Jaffe holds a B.S. degree from UC Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.	Senior leadership experience, in the U.S. and Europe Business strategy and management advisory experience Extensive experience, expertise, and background with business, accounting, and financial matters Executive-level experience with global technology companies, including companies focused on networking, mobile, and wireless communications

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1.

Continuing Directors — Not Standing for Election This Year

The remaining members of our Board are Class 1 directors whose terms continue until 2022, and Class 2 directors whose terms continue until 2023:


Christopher R. Jones, Age 52, Director since 2016 — *Class* *1 Director*	Mr. Jones serves as SVP of Product for Amperity, Inc., a privately held company providing the world’s first intelligent customer data platform. Prior to joining Amperity, Mr. Jones spent over 25 years at Microsoft Corporation in leadership roles in product management and product development. As Engineering Director for Microsoft, a position he held from October 2015 to May 2018, he co-created Microsoft Healthcare NExT, an incubator created to accelerate healthcare innovation through artificial intelligence and cloud computing. From February 2000 to October 2015, he served as a Corporate Vice President in various business divisions at Microsoft, including OneDrive & SharePoint, Windows Services, and Windows, where he led the engineering teams for several Microsoft products, such as OneDrive and OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server, Outlook.com and other consumer services, and Windows XP. Mr. Jones joined Microsoft in August 1991. Mr. Jones holds a B.S. degree in mathematical and computational sciences from Stanford University.	Senior leadership experience Extensive experience in software engineering and development

Dawn G. Lepore, Age 67, Director since 2013 — *Class* *1 Director*	Ms. Lepore served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Marketplace, Inc., a privately held peer-to-peer lending marketplace, from March 2012 to January 2013. She served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of drugstore.com, inc., a leading online provider of health, beauty, vision, and pharmacy solutions, from October 2004 until its sale to Walgreen Co. in June 2011. Prior to joining drugstore.com, Ms. Lepore spent 21 years at the Charles Schwab Corporation and Charles Schwab & Co, Inc., a financial holding company, holding several leadership positions, most notably Vice Chairman of Technology, Active Trader, Operations, Business Strategy,	Executive leadership experience Business strategy experience Experience with business and financial matters


	and Administration, and Chief Information Officer. She also served as a member of Schwab’s executive committee and as a trustee of SchwabFunds. Since July 2019, Ms. Lepore serves on the board of directors of publicly traded Accolade, Inc., a provider of personalized health and benefits solutions; and since May 2015, she serves on the board of directors of publicly traded loanDepot, Inc., a retail mortgage lender. Ms. Lepore previously served on the boards of directors of Quotient Technology Inc. from February 2012 to November 2017, AOL Inc. from October 2012 until its sale to Verizon Communications Inc. in July 2015, The TJX Companies, Inc. from June 2013 to June 2014, eBay Inc. from December 1999 to January 2013, and The New York Times Company from April 2008 to June 2011. She also currently serves, and in the past has served, on the boards of several privately held companies. Ms. Lepore holds a B.A. degree from Smith College.	Extensive experience as a director of public and private companies

Erik E. Prusch, Age 53, Director since 2019 — *Class* *1 Director*	Mr. Prusch was chief executive officer at Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., a provider of integrated payment solutions and integrated marketing services, a position he held from January 2019 through March 2019. Previously, Mr. Prusch served as chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Outerwall Inc. (formerly, Coinstar, Inc.), a provider of automated retail solutions, from July 2015 until its sale to a private equity firm in September 2016. Mr. Prusch also served as interim president, Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Outerwall, beginning December 2015. Previously, Mr. Prusch served as chief executive officer of NetMotion Wireless, Inc. from January 2014 to November 2014 and of Lumension Security, Inc. from May 2014 to November 2014, both providers of mobile and enterprise security products and services. He also served as an advisor to Clearlake Capital, a private equity fund, from January 2014 to November 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Prusch served as chief executive officer and president of Clearwire Corporation, a provider of 4G wireless broadband services, from August 2011 until July 2013, as its chief operating officer from March 2011 to August 2011, and as its chief financial officer from August 2009 to March 2011; he served as a member of the board of directors of Clearwire from February 2012 to July 2013. Before that, Mr. Prusch served as president and chief executive officer of Borland Software Corporation, a provider of enterprise software tools and solutions, from December 2008 to July 2009 and as its chief financial officer from November 2006 to December 2008. Previous to Borland, Mr. Prusch served in various finance roles at Intuit Inc., a provider of business and financial management solutions software; Identix Incorporated, a provider of identification and authentication platforms and solutions; and Gateway Computers, a computer hardware company. He began his career at Touche Ross, an accounting firm, and PepsiCo, a food and beverage processing company. Mr. Prusch holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the NYU’s Stern School of Business.	Executive leadership experience Business strategy experience Extensive experience, expertise, and background with business, accounting, and financial matters Significant experience as a director of public companies

Michael B. Slade, Age 64, Director since 2011 — *Class* *2 Director*	Mr. Slade is a co-founder of Second Avenue Partners, a provider of management, strategy and capital for early stage companies, where he has served as a partner since 2000. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Slade served as a strategic advisor for RealNetworks. From 2002 to May 2007, Mr. Slade served as a director of aQuantive, Inc., a publicly traded digital marketing service and technology company that was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2007. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Slade served as a consultant and member of the executive team at Apple Inc. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Slade was chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Starwave Corp., a Paul Allen-funded startup that was sold to The Walt Disney Corp. From 1983 to 1992, Mr. Slade held various executive and leadership positions with technology companies including Microsoft Corporation, Central Point Software, NeXT Computer, Inc. and Asymetrix Corp. Mr. Slade holds a B.A. in Economics from Colorado College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.	Executive leadership experience Business strategy and management advisory experience Executive-level experience with technology companies Experience as a director of public and private companies

Tim M. Wan,

Age 50,

Director since 2019 — Class 2 Director

Mr. Wan is the Chief Financial Officer at Asana, Inc., a publicly traded company that develops and offers a SaaS-based work management platform. Previously, Mr. Wan served as Chief Financial Officer of Apigee Corporation, a cloud-based API management and predictive analytics software provider, from March 2015 until its sale to Google, Inc. in November 2016. From 2000 to February 2015, Mr. Wan held various positions at RealNetworks, most recently serving as its Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer beginning April 2012. Mr. Wan holds a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.

Executive leadership experience

Business strategy experience

Executive-level experience with technology companies

Extensive experience, expertise, and background with business, accounting, and financial matters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Our business is managed under the direction of a Board of Directors, which has responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and for the overall performance of RealNetworks. It is not, however, involved in operating details on a day-to-day basis.

Board Leadership Structure

Effective July 28, 2014, Mr. Glaser, the Chairman of our Board, was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer. He had previously served as interim CEO from July 2012 to July 2014 and as CEO from the founding of RealNetworks in February 1994 until January 2010. In maintaining Mr. Glaser’s position as Chairman, the Board has recognized the value of leveraging Mr. Glaser’s longtime leadership and knowledge of RealNetworks. In appointing Mr. Glaser as Chief Executive Officer, among other things, the Board determined that Mr. Glaser is best positioned to effectively identify and execute on our strategic priorities.

Since October 2012, our Board of Directors has named an independent member of our Board to serve as our lead independent director. Bruce Jaffe has held this role since October 31, 2019. As lead independent director, Mr. Jaffe is responsible for presiding over executive sessions of the independent directors, advising as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from management necessary for independent directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties, coordinating the activities of the other independent directors, and acting as principal liaison between independent directors and management.

Our Board believes that its leadership structure consisting of a joint chairman and chief executive officer and a separate lead independent director gives the Board flexibility to meet varying business, personnel and organizational needs, and demonstrates its commitment to good corporate governance.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has determined that all of our directors other than Mr. Glaser are independent under the Nasdaq listing standards and the applicable rules promulgated by the SEC. Applying these same rules, our Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent.

Arrangements Regarding Director Selection

Pursuant to the terms of an agreement entered into in September 1997 between RealNetworks and Mr. Glaser, RealNetworks has agreed to use its best efforts to nominate, elect and not remove Mr. Glaser from the Board of Directors so long as Mr. Glaser owns a specified number of shares of our common stock.

Meetings of the Board and Committees

The Board meets on a regularly scheduled basis during the year to review significant developments affecting RealNetworks and to act on matters requiring Board approval. It also holds special meetings when an important matter requires Board action between regularly scheduled meetings. The Board of Directors met eight times during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and took action by unanimous written consent on seven occasions. The independent members of the Board of Directors regularly met in executive session without management present. No incumbent member attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during the period for which he or she has been a director. No incumbent member attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of any Board committees on which he or she served during the periods that he or she served during the fiscal year, except that Mr. Jones attended 56% of the Audit Committee meetings in 2020.

Committees of the Board

The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, the Board has in the past and may in the future create special committees from time to time. Applying the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the SEC, the Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are “independent.” Committee membership of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as of September 30, 2021 was as follows:


Audit Committee	Compensation Committee	Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Erik Prusch (Chair)	Bruce Jaffe (Chair)	Dawn Lepore (Chair)

Michael Slade	Dawn Lepore	Bruce Jaffe

Tim Wan		Chris Jones

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee provides oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes and financial statement audits, reviews our internal accounting procedures and consults with and reviews the services provided by our independent auditors. All of the members of our Audit Committee are financially literate pursuant to Nasdaq rules, and our Board has designated Mr. Prusch as an Audit Committee Financial Expert, as defined by the SEC and applicable listing standards. For 2020, Mr. Prusch served as Chair from April 17 through the end of the year, with Mr. Jaffe serving as Chair prior to that. Mr. Jones and Mr. Slade served on the Audit Committee for the entire year; Mr. Prusch and Mr. Wan served from March 9 through the end of the year. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee which can be found on our corporate website at http://investor.realnetworks.com under the caption “Corporate Governance.” The Audit Committee met nine times and acted by written consent two times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee establishes, reviews and recommends to the Board the compensation and benefits to be provided to RealNetworks’ executive officers and reviews general policy matters relating to employee compensation and benefits. For 2020, Mr. Jaffe served as Chair from April 17 through the end of the year, with former director Janice Roberts serving as Chair prior to that. Ms. Lepore served on the Compensation Committee for the entire year. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee which can be found on our corporate website at http://investor.realnetworks.com under the caption “Corporate Governance.” The Compensation Committee met six times and acted by written consent three times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain a compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of executive compensation and has the authority to approve the consultant’s fees and retention terms. In 2020, the Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. as its independent compensation consultant to provide analyses and make recommendations concerning executive and non-management director compensation.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee searches for and recommends to the Board potential nominees for Board positions, makes recommendations to the Board regarding size and composition of the Board, and develops and recommends to the Board the governance principles applicable to RealNetworks. For 2020, Ms. Lepore served as Chair for the entire year. Former director Ms. Roberts served on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from January 1 to April 17, and Mr. Jaffe served on the committee from April 17 through the end of the year. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee which can be found on our corporate website at http://investor.realnetworks.com under the caption “Corporate Governance.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times and acted by written consent two times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2020, the Compensation Committee was composed of Mr. Jaffe, Ms. Lepore, and Ms. Roberts. In 2020, no executive officer of RealNetworks served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of RealNetworks’ Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. In addition, no interlocking relationship existed between any member of our Compensation Committee and any member of the compensation committee of any other company.

Board Oversight of Risk

Our management team is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks faced by RealNetworks, while the Board of Directors oversees our risk management, both as a full Board of Directors and through its committees. The Board obtains information and insight on risk management from our senior executives who attend Board meetings and are available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board on risk management-related and any other matters. The Board also gains information from presentations prepared by senior management on strategic and significant operational matters involving our business. The Board of Directors also periodically reviews and approves our strategic plans and initiatives, including the related expected opportunities and challenges facing the business and the execution of those plans.

The Board of Directors has delegated the oversight of certain risk areas to Board committees that assist the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibility. For example, the Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control these risks. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, reviews legal matters that could have a significant financial impact on RealNetworks and oversees the performance of our internal audit function. In addition, the Audit Committee monitors our code of ethics and oversees our procedures for handling employee complaints regarding accounting, accounting controls and auditing matters.

The Audit Committee also reviews the annual comprehensive enterprise risk assessment performed by our internal audit department that encompasses a number of significant areas of risk, including strategic, operational, compliance, investment and financial risks. This assessment process is designed to gather data regarding the most important risks that could impact our ability to achieve objectives and execute strategies and entails reviewing critical policies and strategies as well as monitoring emerging industry trends and issues. The assessment is reviewed by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and presented to the Audit Committee to facilitate discussion of any high-risk areas.

The Board of Directors has also delegated to other committees the oversight of risk within their areas of responsibilities and expertise. The Compensation Committee has primary responsibility for the compensation of our chief executive officer and reviews and approves the compensation of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews the relationship of executive compensation to our corporate strategies and business plans and, in connection with these responsibilities, conducts an annual review of our risk assessment of compensation policies and practices for our employees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the risk associated with our corporate governance policies and practices. Each committee of the Board is responsible for reporting its findings and recommendations, as appropriate, to the full Board of Directors.

Policy Regarding Director Attendance at Annual Meetings of Shareholders

We have a policy that at least one member of our Board of Directors will attend each annual meeting of shareholders, and all directors are encouraged to attend shareholder meetings. We reimburse directors for reasonable expenses incurred in attending annual meetings of shareholders. One director attended our annual meeting of shareholders held on November 30, 2020.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is publicly available on our corporate website (http://investor.realnetworks.com under the caption “Corporate Governance”), or can be obtained without charge by written request to our Corporate Secretary at the address of RealNetworks’ principal executive office. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to or waiver from the application of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, and any other applicable accounting and financial employee, by posting such information on our website at http://investor.realnetworks.com under the caption “Corporate Governance.”

Identification, Evaluation and Qualification of Director Nominees

In general, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews director candidates identified by Board members and any third-party search firms engaged by the Committee as part of the director nomination process. The Committee will consider candidates presented, and those candidates that the Committee determines meet the criteria for serving will be interviewed and evaluated by members of the Committee, who will review each nominee’s qualifications and references and such other information as the Committee may deem relevant. The other directors and the third-party search firm, if one is engaged, are also given the opportunity to meet with and interview the candidates. The Committee will then recommend to the full Board the nominees that it has determined best suit the Board’s needs. The Board ultimately makes all nominations for directors to be considered and voted upon at our annual meetings of shareholders.

Qualifications required of individuals who are considered as board nominees will vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to our existing board composition at the time of any vacancy. All directors should possess the background, skills, expertise, and commitment necessary to make a significant contribution to RealNetworks. Relevant qualifications for our directors include: (1) exemplary personal and professional ethics and integrity; (2) the ability to engage in objective, fair and forthright deliberations; (3) operating experience at a policy-making level in business(es) relevant to our current and future plans; (4) independent judgment; (5) adequate time and personal commitment to provide guidance and insight to management; (6) a commitment to provide long-term value to our shareholders; (7) sophisticated business skills to enable rigorous and creative analysis of complex issues; and (8) understanding and experience in relevant markets, technology, operations, finance or marketing in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board as determined from time to time.

While we do not have a formal policy or guidelines regarding diversity of membership of our Board of Directors, the Board recognizes the value of having a broad range of skills, expertise, contacts, industry knowledge, and diversity of opinion on our board. Therefore, the Board gives consideration to obtaining a diversity of experience and perspective within the Board and solicits directors’ views on a variety of topics, including whether directors as a whole have the appropriate mix of characteristics, attributes, business experience and background to effectively serve as one of our directors.

Shareholder Nominations and Recommendations for Director Candidates

Shareholder Nominations for Director

Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Bylaws, shareholders who wish to nominate one or more candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of shareholders must give notice of the proposal to nominate such candidate(s) in writing to our Corporate Secretary not less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date that our proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting, or, if the date of the annual meeting at which the shareholder proposes to make such nomination is more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then the shareholder must give notice in a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials. The notice must satisfy

certain requirements specified in our Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which will be sent to any shareholder upon written request to our Corporate Secretary. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate shareholder nominees using the same standards it uses to evaluate other nominees.

No shareholder has presented a timely notice of a proposal to nominate a director this year. Accordingly, the only directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting are Mr. Glaser and Mr. Jaffe. No other nominations are before, or may be brought at, the Annual Meeting.

Shareholder Recommendations for Director

In addition to the general nomination rights of shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors will consider Board candidates recommended by qualified shareholders in accordance with a written policy adopted by the Committee. To be a qualified shareholder eligible to recommend a candidate to serve on the Board, a shareholder must have continuously held at least 2% of our outstanding securities for at least 12 months prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation.

A qualified shareholder may recommend a Board candidate for evaluation by the Committee by delivering a written notice to the Committee subject to the requirements set forth below. The notice must be received by the Committee not less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date that our proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. If we change the date of our annual meeting by more than 30 days from the date on which the previous year’s annual meeting was held, the notice must be received by the Committee no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the upcoming annual meeting is publicly disclosed.

Any Board candidate recommended by a shareholder must be independent of the recommending shareholder in all respects (e.g., free of material personal, professional, financial or business relationships from the proposing shareholder), as determined by the Committee or applicable law. Any Board candidate recommended by a shareholder must also qualify as an “independent director” under applicable Nasdaq rules.

The notice shall also contain or be accompanied by (i) proof of the required stock ownership (including the required holding period) of the proposing shareholder, (ii) a written statement that the qualified shareholder intends to continue to own the required percentage of shares through the date of the annual meeting with respect to which the Board candidate is proposed to be nominated, (iii) the name or names of each shareholder submitting the proposal, the name of the Board candidate, and the written consent of each such shareholder and the Board candidate to be publicly identified, (iv) the recommending shareholder’s business address and contact information, and (v) all other information that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

With respect to the proposed Board candidate, the following information must be provided:

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name, age, business and residence addresses;

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principal occupation or employment;

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number of shares of RealNetworks’ stock beneficially owned (if any);

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a written resume of personal and professional experiences;

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a statement from the recommending shareholder in support of the candidate, references for the candidate, and an indication of the candidate’s willingness to serve, if elected;

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all other information relating to the proposed Board candidate that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and

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information, documents or affidavits demonstrating to what extent the proposed Board candidate meets the required minimum criteria established by the Committee, and the desirable qualities or skills, described in our policy regarding director nominations.

The notice must also include a written statement that the recommending shareholder and the proposed Board candidate will make available to the Committee all information reasonably requested in furtherance of the Committee’s evaluation as well as the signature of each proposed Board candidate and of each shareholder submitting the recommendation.

The notice must be delivered in writing, by registered or certified, first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Chair, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, RealNetworks, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600, Seattle, Washington 98134.

Communicating with the Board of Directors

Shareholders who wish to communicate with our Board of Directors, or with any individual member of the Board, may do so by sending such communication in writing to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices with a request to forward the same to the intended recipient. Shareholder communications must include confirmation that the sender is our shareholder. All such communications will be reviewed by our Corporate Secretary or Chief Financial Officer in order to create an appropriate record of the communication, to assure director privacy, and to determine whether the communication relates to matters that are appropriate for review by our Board of Directors or by any individual director. Communications will not be forwarded to Board members that (i) are unrelated to our business, (ii) contain improper commercial solicitations, (iii) contain material that is not appropriate for review by the Board of Directors based upon our Bylaws and the established practice and procedure of the Board, or (iv) contain other improper or immaterial information.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Policies and Procedures with Respect to Related Person Transactions

It is the policy of RealNetworks not to enter into any related person transaction unless the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews and approves such transaction in accordance with guidelines set forth in the RealNetworks, Inc. Policy Regarding Related Party Transactions, or the transaction is approved by a majority of RealNetworks’ disinterested directors. In reviewing and approving any related person transaction, the Audit Committee will determine that it has been fully informed as to the related person’s relationship and interest including all material facts of the proposed transaction, and determine that the transaction is fair to RealNetworks.

All related person transactions of which RealNetworks’ management is aware will be disclosed to the Audit Committee. At least annually, management will elicit information from our executive officers and directors as to existing and potential related person transactions, and will seek to obtain such information from 5% shareholders who do not file reports with the SEC on Schedule 13G. An executive officer or director will promptly inform the Chair of the Audit Committee when the officer or director becomes aware of a potential related person transaction in which the officer or director would be a related person.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

In 2019, Mr. Glaser directly invested $0.8 million in one of our subsidiaries in exchange for shares of preferred stock of that entity. The subsidiary is developing a platform that transforms the experience of viewing video entertainment into a social, connected playground. As of December 31, 2020, RealNetworks owned approximately 82% of the subsidiary’s outstanding equity, and the entity was consolidated into RealNetworks’ financial statements.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2021 (the “table date”), information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock by (a) each person known to RealNetworks to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of RealNetworks’ outstanding common stock, (b) each director, (c) our named executive officers, and (d) all of our current executive officers and directors as a group. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 47,114,908 shares outstanding as of the table date. The mailing address for each executive officer and director in the table below is c/o RealNetworks, Inc., 1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600, Seattle, Washington 98134.


Name of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1)		Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding

Robert Glaser(2)		18,545,985		38.5	%

Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr.(3)		3,004,000		6.4	%

Bruce A. Jaffe(4)		276,312		*

Christopher R. Jones(5)		172,250		*

Dawn G. Lepore(6)		219,243		*

Erik E. Prusch(7)		84,623		*

Michael B. Slade(8)		282,566		*

Tim M. Wan(9)		84,623		*

Michael J. Ensing(10)		352,132		*

Christine Chambers(11)		2,278		*

Michael Parham(12)		357,723		*

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)(13)		20,377,735		41.2	%

*	Less than 1%.

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC and includes shares over which the beneficial owner exercises voting or investment power. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the table date, and restricted stock units, or RSUs, that will have vested within 60 days of the table date, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to community property laws where applicable, RealNetworks believes, based on information provided by such persons, that the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

(2)

For Mr. Glaser, includes 459,101 shares of common stock owned by the Glaser Progress Foundation, of which Mr. Glaser is trustee. Mr. Glaser disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. Also includes 1,056,482 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 0 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(3)	Information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021 by Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. reporting that as of December 31, 2020, he beneficially owned an aggregate of 3,004,000 shares of common stock and that his address is 2609 Caldwell Mill Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35243.

(4)	For Mr. Jaffe, includes 118,750 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(5)	For Mr. Jones, includes 78,346 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(6)	For Ms. Lepore, includes 103,750 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(7)	For Mr. Prusch, includes 27,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(8)	For Mr. Slade, includes 169,579 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(9)	For Mr. Wan, includes 27,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 26,108 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(10)	For Mr. Ensing, includes 250,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 0 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(11)	For Ms. Chambers, includes 0 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 0 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(12)	For Mr. Parham, includes 353,598 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 0 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

(13)	For all directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons), includes an aggregate of 2,185,505 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of the table date and 156,648 RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60 days of the table date.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires RealNetworks’ executive officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of RealNetworks’ equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all such reports they file. Specific due dates have been established by the SEC, and we are required to disclose any failure to file by those dates.

Based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us, and on written representations by our executive officers and directors, we believe that during fiscal 2020, all of our executive officers and directors and all of the persons known to us to own more than ten percent of our common stock, complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION —

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This compensation discussion and analysis describes the principles underlying our executive compensation program and discusses how those principles affected our policies and decisions regarding the compensation of our named executive officers.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR 2020

Overview. 2020 was a year of strong achievements for RealNetworks in spite of the unprecedented and widespread challenges associated with the global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn added complexity, uncertainty and risk to the general business environment and to our different businesses in varying ways and to varying degrees. In response, during 2020, we changed certain strategy and product plans in order to address implications of the pandemic to our businesses. We laid off some employees and furloughed some additional employees in the early days of the pandemic; happily, we were able to bring those furloughed employees back to work during the second quarter of 2020. We also reduced some other expenditures. Due in large part to our quick response to the pandemic environment and related strategic pivot, our 2020 financial results were positive, with higher revenue from two of our key growth initiatives - SAFR and free-to-play mobile games - and expenses were lower due to our cost reduction efforts and the reallocation of resources.

We ended 2020 with a much stronger balance sheet. On December 30, 2020, RealNetworks sold its 84% interest in Rhapsody International, Inc., operating under the Napster brand, to MelodyVR Group, plc, a UK-based AIM-listed company. At the closing, MelodyVR assumed approximately $44 million of Napster’s assets and liabilities, primarily relating to music licensing. RealNetworks received $10.6 million in MelodyVR stock and $6.7 million in cash as debt repayment and liquidation preference plus $3.0 million of cash to be held in an 18-month indemnity escrow. Approximately $4.8 million of these proceeds are payable to a third party in satisfaction of a contingent consideration obligation associated with our purchase of their stake in Rhapsody.

During 2020 Rob Glaser consistently led all company efforts as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This consistent leadership helped attenuate the impact of changes to the senior leadership team. Specifically, during the first quarter of 2020 Judd Lee was hired as Chief Financial Officer following the departure of Cary Baker, and during the third quarter Michael Ensing was hired as President and Chief Operating Officer following the departure of Max Pellegrini. Michael Parham continued to serve as General Counsel throughout the year. Mr. Lee recently left RealNetworks and Christine Chambers was named Chief Financial Officer in March 2021.

Our compensation program is substantially performance-based and aims to encourage the performance necessary to drive growth and profitability for RealNetworks. Our compensation philosophy and program for 2020 were consistent with prior years.

Financial Results. Overall, our 2020 financial results reflect efforts to advance key growth initiatives, enhance profitability, and improve cost structure. Consolidated revenue from continuing operations increased by 3% from 2019 when calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Note that, for accounting purposes, Napster’s financial results were reported as discontinued operations, thus not included in our consolidated results from continuing operations for 2020 or 2019. The increase in revenue reflected a $3.1 million increase in revenue from our Games segment, but slight decreases in our Consumer Media and Mobile Services segments. Operating expenses decreased 25% year over year, although, after normalizing for certain one-time and non-cash items including a reduction in the contingent consideration liability, the decrease was 14%. Net loss from continuing operations attributable to RealNetworks improved significantly from a loss of $15.1 million in 2019 to a loss of $4.8 million in 2020; the 2020 loss included a one-time gain of $8.6 million and the 2019 loss included a one-time gain of $12.3 million, both recognized in connection with transactions involving our interest in Napster. Adjusted EBITDA also significantly improved

from a loss of $19.9 million in 2019 to a loss of $8.6 million in 2020, as we invested in our key growth initiatives and improved overall efficiencies. Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 consisted of GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations including noncontrolling interests, excluding interest income (expense); income tax expense; (gain) loss on equity and other investments, net; foreign currency (gain) loss; acquisitions-related intangible asset amortization; depreciation and amortization; fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability; restructuring and other charges; and stock-based compensation.

Our incentive bonus program for 2020 was based on achievement against financial goals related to contribution margin, with a revenue achievement requirement, as well as achievement of strategic objectives largely focused on driving our key growth initiatives. The program paid out to Mr. Glaser at a higher level than 2019 due to successful execution of strategic goals and financial achievement, but also due to the fact that Mr. Glaser decided to forgo a 2019 bonus payout due to uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. Mr. Ensing’s bonus payout was guaranteed based on negotiations surrounding his recruitment to join the company in August 2020, and Mr. Parham’s 2020 bonus payout was the same as his 2019 bonus payout based on achievement of strategic goals and falling short of financial goals (which, unlike Mr. Glaser’s did not include the performance of the Napster business).

Management Team. The executive compensation program is designed to aggressively drive company performance by encouraging successful execution of our growth and strategic initiatives.

Our named executive officers for 2020 include the following executive officers:


Robert Glaser		Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Ensing		President & Chief Operating Officer (joined RealNetworks on August 17, 2020)

Michael Parham		SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

As a smaller reporting company, we have three named executive officers for fiscal year 2020.

Pay for Performance. Our Compensation Committee supports a pay-for-performance philosophy, with the goal of having a substantial part of our executive compensation program consisting of performance-based compensation. This is reflected in our annual performance-based incentive bonus plan, which we also refer to as our Executive Bonus Plan, which provides eligible executives the opportunity to earn a bonus upon achieving pre-established performance objectives, all of which are weighted toward financial and strategic objectives of our businesses. In 2020, all of our named executive officers participated in the Executive Bonus Plan.

Due to the company’s pay-for-performance philosophy, actual compensation paid to our named executive officers varies with the company’s performance in achieving financial and strategic objectives and the executive’s individual performance. We believe that our emphasis on pay for performance provides appropriate incentive to our executives to achieve important business objectives of the company and better aligns the interests of our executives with that of our shareholders.

Please note that for 2020 we defined “contribution margin by reportable segment” as operating income (loss) including other income (expense) net, but excluding the impact of the following: depreciation and amortization; acquisitions-related intangible asset amortization; fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability; stock-based compensation; restructuring and other charges; and foreign currency (gain) loss.

2020 Compensation Highlights.

Highlights relating to our named executive officers, generally:

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Two of our three 2020 named executive officers were also named executive officers in 2019; the third 2020 named executive officer is new to RealNetworks.

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Neither of our continuing executive officers received any increase to annual base salary during 2020.

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2020 incentive bonus payout for Mr. Glaser was at target and not comparable to the prior year as he chose to forgo any 2019 incentive bonus payout due to the onset of the pandemic, for Mr. Ensing was a guaranteed amount that had been competitively negotiated at the time of his hiring, and for Mr. Parham was below target and equal to his 2019 payout. Mr. Glaser’s financial objectives included Napster results, whereas Mr. Parham’s did not.

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Having forgone a long-term equity award in 2019 due to his then-pending purchase of shares of our preferred stock, Mr. Glaser was granted a long-term equity award in December 2020 as provided for in his 2014 offer letter, as well as a salary replacement option as discussed below; and Mr. Ensing was granted new-hire equity as an inducement to join RealNetworks. Mr. Parham did not receive an equity award in 2020.

Highlights relating to our CEO:

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2020 CEO total compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was below the median of the peer data made available to the Compensation Committee and was also below the 25th percentile.

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Our CEO’s total compensation for 2020 was higher than 2019 because Mr. Glaser did not take his 2019 bonus payment in March 2020 to reflect uncertainty at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the consideration of capital-raising transactions in the fourth quarter of 2019, the lack of a 2019 long-term equity award, and cost reduction measures meant to improve the company’s liquidity and profitability. Mr. Glaser’s 2020 total compensation was on par with years prior to 2019.

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Mr. Glaser’s base salary, which is subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee, remained the same as the prior year and was below the median of our peer group. In the second half of 2019 as the company implemented significant operating expense reductions and in an effort to conserve cash, Mr. Glaser reduced his cash salary by 50% for the remainder of the year; his salary returned to 100% as of January 1, 2020.

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Pursuant to the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, Mr. Glaser was awarded an at-target payout due to achievement of pre-established financial and strategic objectives, 75% of the payout was in the form of fully vested RSUs and 25% was paid out in cash.

•

Although in December 2019 Mr. Glaser and the Board agreed that no long-term equity award would be granted as the company analyzed various capital-raising alternatives, Mr. Glaser was granted a long-term equity award in December 2020. Of the total value from equity awards granted to our CEO in 2020, 80% was a long-term equity award granted as a stock option scheduled to vest over four years; 20% was in the form of a stock option, scheduled to vest over 12 months, granted in lieu of cash salary for 2020, thus making a portion of his annual salary more performance-based and less guaranteed than if his salary had been paid solely in cash. We view both of these options as naturally performance-based as they only provide value to the CEO if our stock price increases above the closing price on the grant date. There was no premium added to the option value when replacing the cash salary (i.e., $75,000 of salary for 2020 was granted as options in 2020). The company does not view the CEO’s salary replacement option as long-term incentive compensation.

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Our CEO’s total direct compensation for 2020 was significantly higher than in 2019 due primarily to voluntary compensation reductions in 2019, but was also far below the median for peer group CEOs.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND ELEMENTS

The overall objectives of our executive compensation program are to provide compensation at competitive levels in order to recruit and retain talented executives, motivate our executives to achieve our strategic and financial objectives, and provide incentives to help align the interests of our executives with the interests of our shareholders.

Our executive compensation program provides the following three primary elements of compensation:

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Base salary. Our named executive officers receive base salary so that we can recognize them for their day-to-day contributions and provide competitive pay that encourages retention and recruitment. Base salaries are subject to annual review by our Compensation Committee.

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Annual performance-based incentive bonus. We establish a performance-based incentive bonus plan on an annual basis, under which our named executive officers each have an opportunity to earn a bonus, typically paid in cash (although 75% of Mr. Glaser’s 2020 bonus payout was made in the form of fully vested restricted stock units granted in the first quarter of 2021), upon achievement of certain performance objectives derived from the internal strategic plan we establish for the company each year. The bonuses are intended to motivate our executives to achieve our financial and strategic objectives. These bonuses are typically not guaranteed, except sometimes in the case of newly hired executives.

•

Long-term equity compensation. We provide equity-based compensation to our named executive officers to better align their interests with the interests of our shareholders as well as to motivate our officers to enhance the long-term performance of RealNetworks. Equity awards also are an important retention tool for us because the awards typically vest over a multi-year period.

These elements provide incentives to encourage our executives to appropriately balance their focus between our short-term and long-term strategic goals.

We believe that there are multiple, dynamic factors that contribute to the success of our businesses and the individuals that lead those businesses. Moreover, we recognize that our business and the industry in which we operate are constantly evolving and highly competitive in nature. Our approach to executive compensation, therefore, has been to avoid adopting a strict, formulaic structure and to instead allow for a more nuanced and customized system. Under our executive compensation program, we consider the needs of our businesses and our company as a whole; design various elements of compensation to drive our executives and their teams to meet or exceed company goals and objectives; and take into account competitive practices in order to achieve our recruiting and retention needs. Consistent with our desire to maintain competitive practices and achieve our recruiting and retention goals, in addition to our three primary elements of compensation, our executive compensation packages also contain certain severance and change in control arrangements; some targeted, one-time bonuses; and retirement and other generally available, broad-based benefits. In general, we provide very limited executive perquisites, and we do not provide our executives with tax gross ups or supplemental retirement plans.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

The Roles of our Board, Compensation Committee and Chief Executive Officer. Our Compensation Committee’s purpose is to discharge the Board of Director’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executive officers and the adoption of policies that govern our compensation and benefit programs, other than with respect to our chief executive officer’s compensation. Our Compensation Committee reviews and recommends the chief executive officer’s compensation, which is subject to the approval of the Board. The Board is able to make any adjustments that it may determine are appropriate with respect to our chief executive officer’s compensation. The Compensation Committee determines all compensation for our other named executive officers. At the invitation of our Compensation Committee, our chief executive officer provides input regarding the performance and appropriate compensation of the other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee gives considerable weight to the chief executive officer’s assessment of the other named executive officers because of his direct knowledge of each executive’s role, performance and contributions. During 2020, our chief executive officer attended all Compensation Committee meetings at the request of the Committee. However, no executive officer was present for the portion of a Compensation Committee meeting during which his own compensation was discussed or determined.

The Role of the Compensation Consultant. Our Compensation Committee has selected and directly retains the services of Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., an independent executive compensation consulting firm. F.W.

Cook does not provide any other services to RealNetworks and works with our management only on matters for which the Compensation Committee is responsible. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of F.W. Cook pursuant to SEC rules and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent F.W. Cook from serving as an independent consultant to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee periodically seeks input from F.W. Cook on a range of external market factors, including evolving compensation trends, appropriate peer companies and market survey data. F.W. Cook also provides general observations on our compensation programs, but it does not determine or recommend the amount or form of compensation for our named executive officers. A representative of F.W. Cook attends Compensation Committee meetings from time to time, when requested by the Compensation Committee.

The Role of Peer Groups and Surveys. In early 2016, with the oversight of our Compensation Committee, F.W. Cook performed an executive compensation review that included identifying a peer group of companies to be used by us for the purpose of comparing our executive compensation to the market. This 2016 market analysis was used by the Compensation Committee to evaluate 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The peer data were updated in 2020 to review CEO compensation, including long-term equity incentive compensation.

The 15 companies in the 2020 Peer Group are publicly traded, U.S.-based software and media content companies. The companies comprising the 2020 Peer Group are:


AutoWeb, Inc.	eGain	Marchex, Inc.
Avid Technology, Inc.	Glu Mobile, Inc.	QuinStreet, Inc.
Blucora, Inc.	Harmonic Inc.	SeaChange International, Inc.
Brightcove Inc.	Leaf Group (fka Demand Media)	TechTarget, Inc.
DHI Group	Limelight Networks, Inc.	Travelzoo Inc.

We consider competitive market data regarding compensation in order to achieve our goals to recruit and retain our executives, but we do not attempt to maintain a certain target percentile within a peer group, nor do we rely solely on such market data. Our management and the Compensation Committee strive to incorporate flexibility into our compensation programs and the assessment process so that we are able to respond to and adjust for the evolving business environment and the value delivered by our named executive officers. In addition to competitive data, we may take into account a variety of other factors, for example, general market conditions, internal equity, an individual’s level of responsibilities, as well as an individual’s recent or future expected contributions.

Consideration of Say-on-Pay Vote Results. We provide our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an annual advisory vote on executive compensation. At our 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, which took place last November, our shareholders approved the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our 2020 proxy statement by a vote of approximately 99% of the votes cast on the proposal. By the time that this vote was conducted, some of the decisions relating to the 2020 compensation of our executive officers had been made, so the 87% support of shareholders at the 2019 annual meeting was also considered. We highly value the input of our shareholders, and, the Compensation Committee, with input from F.W. Cook, has carefully considered the results of the 2020 say-on-pay vote. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the results of the annual say-on-pay vote and specific shareholder input in determining 2021 and future compensation programs for our executive officers.

2020 COMPENSATION

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

Upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee as advised by F.W. Cook and after considering the company’s compensation strategy, internal factors, performance, competitive factors and applicable regulatory requirements, Mr. Glaser’s compensation for 2020 was substantially consistent with the compensation package

structure that he has had since returning to the CEO role in July 2014. For 2020, Mr. Glaser’s compensation package included (i) an annualized base salary of $525,000, which was supplemented with stock options having grant date fair value of $75,000; (ii) an annual incentive bonus opportunity equal to 100% of his annual cash base salary, payable upon the achievement of certain performance objectives set by the Board; (iii) a long-term equity award; (iv) severance arrangements as more fully described below; (v) certain perquisites, which for 2020 included facilities-related costs attributable to his personal assistant; and (vi) generally available employee benefits.

The annualized total compensation value targeted by the Compensation Committee for Mr. Glaser, assuming all bonus goals were achieved, was below the median for peer chief executives in F.W. Cook’s 2020 CEO compensation review, and Mr. Glaser’s actual 2020 compensation was also below the median of the total compensation for chief executive officers in the 2020 Peer Group companies. Mr. Glaser’s 2020 equity compensation is viewed as performance based because it is in stock options, which require the stock price to increase after grant in order to deliver value, with an option award to acquire 138,869 shares that was issued in lieu of $75,000 of cash salary. In March 2021, Mr. Glaser was granted a fully vested RSU award that was paid in lieu of cash pursuant to the 2020 incentive bonus plan and, therefore, which we consider to be part of his total 2020 compensation package.

Cash Salary and Salary Option. Mr. Glaser’s annual base salary was intended to remain consistent with prior years at $600,000, with $525,000 to be paid in cash and $75,000 to be paid in the form of an option.

With regard to the salary replacement option that comprised a portion of his annual base salary, again consistent with prior years, the Compensation Committee determined that part of Mr. Glaser’s base salary would be provided as a stock option because the Compensation Committee believed that a higher proportion of his compensation should be related to the company’s performance. The stock option in lieu of salary for 2020, granted on February 10, 2020, covered 138,869 shares of our common stock with an exercise price equal to $1.33 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, and because these were in lieu of a portion of annual salary, the salary replacement option vested ratably each month over the year until fully vested as of December 31, 2020, subject to Mr. Glaser’s continued employment with us through each such vesting date. This salary replacement option was granted pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2005 Plan.

Annual Performance-Based Incentive Bonus. The Board determined that Mr. Glaser would be eligible to participate in the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, which is discussed in further detail below. His target bonus opportunity was equal to 100% of his cash base salary, based upon achievement of pre-established company revenue and contribution margin goals, and strategic goals, all of which are set forth in the discussion below. At the time of adoption of the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee determined that any bonuses approved pursuant to the plan would be paid to executives in cash or in the form of fully vested RSUs, or some combination thereof. During the first quarter of 2021, the Board approved a bonus for Mr. Glaser, pursuant to the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, equal to $525,000 or 100% of his cash base salary, 25% of which was paid in cash and 75% of which was paid in a number of fully vested RSUs calculated using the closing price of the company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market on March 15, 2021. The incentive bonus payout was higher than in the prior year because, as discussed in more detail below, the financial goals and strategic objectives were achieved, and Mr. Glaser chose to forgo a bonus payout in the prior year due to the economic uncertainty created by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time his bonus would have been paid.

Long-Term Equity Award. On December 28, 2020, the Board, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, granted to Mr. Glaser a long-term option to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price per share equal to $1.45, the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The Compensation Committee viewed this as the “annual” portion of the equity award, with (i) the 2020 salary replacement option and (ii) the fully vested RSUs awarded in lieu of cash as payment of 75% of his 2020 incentive bonus, comprising the rest of his total 2020 equity awards. The 2020 long-term option is scheduled to

vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and 12.5% vesting every six months thereafter, subject to Mr. Glaser’s continued employment with us through each such vesting date. The option is exercisable for up to seven years from the grant date, unless earlier terminated, and was granted pursuant to the 2005 Plan. In December of 2019, as various capital-raising alternatives were being considered, it was determined that no equity award would be granted to Mr. Glaser for 2019.

Stock Ownership Guidelines. While he serves as our chief executive officer, Mr. Glaser is expected to hold shares of our common stock equal to at least ten times his annual base salary. Mr. Glaser continued to meet this stock ownership threshold for fiscal year 2020.

Base Salaries

Base salaries for our named executive officers are determined for each executive based on position, responsibility, experience and competitive market data. Base salaries are adjusted from time to time to recognize various levels of responsibility, promotions, individual performance, market conditions and internal equity issues. Rather than applying a formulaic approach, the Compensation Committee awards base salaries for our named executive officers within the context of our overall merit increase system considering level of responsibility, individual performance, market competitive factors, and the critical role of the executive in our future growth and strategy. The base salaries for our named executive officers were evaluated against data generated by F.W. Cook in its 2016 review. As a result of that assessment and other factors, base salaries for each of our two continuing named executive officers remained unchanged from the prior year, with Mr. Glaser’s total annual base salary remaining at $600,000 and Mr. Parham’s annual base salary remaining at $375,000. Mr. Ensing’s annual base salary, pursuant to his employment agreement, in his role during 2020 as President and Chief Operating Officer was $475,000.

Annual Performance-Based Incentive Bonuses

In June 2020, the Compensation Committee established our 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, which is our performance-based incentive bonus program, in order to motivate and reward an individual’s annual contribution to company performance. The Executive Bonus Plan is administered pursuant to the 2005 Plan. The Executive Bonus Plan pays an annual bonus, historically in the form of cash, to executives based on the achievement of pre-established financial and strategic objectives consistent with our internal strategic plan previously established by the Board in consultation with management.

Payouts approved under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan were paid 100% in cash to our employees and senior executives, except for Mr. Glaser, who received 75% of his bonus payout in the form of fully vested RSUs and 25% in cash. Bonus payouts in each of the past several years have had independent determinations as to the form of payment in cash or stock based on liquidity needs. In 2018, the Compensation Committee determined that the payouts approved under the 2018 Executive Bonus Plan would be paid 100% in the form of fully vested RSUs. In 2017 and 2016, bonuses were paid 50% in cash and 50% in equity, and in 2015 100% of the bonus was paid in equity. Because incentive bonuses have, for the predominant part of the company’s history, been paid only in cash and the primary purpose for payment in equity is cash preservation, the Compensation Committee considers payouts under the incentive bonus program to be part of the cash compensation package for executives. There has been no determination by the Compensation Committee as to what form future payouts under the incentive bonus program will take. Accordingly, for purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the compensation tables that follow, we report bonus payouts, whether in cash or in the form of fully vested equity, in the year in which the bonus is earned rather than the year in which it is paid, and we do not consider these bonus equity grants to be part of an executive’s equity compensation.

Each of our named executive officers was eligible to participate in the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan. Mr. Glaser had a target bonus opportunity equal to 100% of his annual cash base salary, and Mr. Parham had a target bonus opportunity equal to 75% of his annual base salary. The Compensation Committee reviewed the targets

and deemed them appropriate based on internal equity considerations and the desire to emphasize teamwork to achieve the company’s performance objectives. Pursuant to his employment agreement and in order to provide the necessary incentive to join RealNetworks, Mr. Ensing’s 2020 bonus was guaranteed as to 50% of his target bonus opportunity, prorated to reflect the portion of the year beginning in August 2020 during which he was employed with us. Mr. Ensing’s target bonus opportunity was 100% of his annual base salary, prorated for the portion of the year beginning August 2020 during which he was employed with us. Although he was paid the guaranteed bonus, Mr. Ensing’s financial and strategic goals were consistent with Mr. Glaser’s and Mr. Parham’s.

The following elements were applicable to our 2020 Executive Bonus Plan:

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Performance Criteria — The financial performance criterion used to determine the annual bonuses for the participating named executive officers was contribution margin by reportable segment, with a requirement that a threshold revenue target be achieved. The Compensation Committee’s philosophy is to establish performance goals for executives that reflect our strategy of producing financial results that (a) are in the interests of our company and shareholders, (b) have a degree of difficulty that the Compensation Committee considers to be challenging but achievable with significant effort and skill, and (c) require a high level of financial performance in the context of the present state of our business and the annual budget.

Consistent with this strategy, the Compensation Committee established revenue as a requirement for achievement of the financial goal under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, requiring that actual revenue be at least 95% of target before any amounts could be paid under the plan, because it was a key element of our 2020 business plan and we consider revenue to be a key driver of our growth and success. For Mr. Glaser, the revenue goal was based on total company revenue; for Mr. Parham, the revenue goal was based on total company revenue, excluding Napster.

The Compensation Committee also established contribution margin as a performance metric under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, representing 75% of the potential bonus, in order to reward our executives for maintaining fiscal responsibility, continuing our efforts to reduce operating costs, and achieving profitability and therefore, like revenue, aligning the interests of plan participants with those of the company and its shareholders. The 2020 Executive Bonus Plan was structured to be self-funding for the financial goal such that every $1.00 of actual contribution margin over budget was deemed to fund the financial goal of the plan at $0.50. Thus, individual payouts for the contribution margin goal were calculated as the percent funded multiplied by the executive’s bonus target multiplied by the 75% weighting of the financial portion of the plan. Please note that contribution margin by reportable segment is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management, beginning in 2016, in reporting financial results and, for 2020, was defined by the company as operating income (loss) plus other income (expense) net, but excluding depreciation and amortization, acquisitions-related intangible asset amortization, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability, stock-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, and foreign currency (gain) loss.

Performance criteria for our named executive officers also included non-financial strategic goals intended to motivate each executive and the executive team as a whole to accomplish specific goals that would drive our growth and strong financial performance. These strategic goals, representing 25% of the potential bonus, included goals that were shared by the full executive team and goals that were specific to individual executives. The shared goals encompassed, in part, driving revenue growth, implementing successful commercial product launches, and achieving budget goals, and the individual goals generally related to leadership, collaboration and teamwork, and contribution to strategic outcome, with some goals tied directly to achievement of certain key performance indicators.

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Performance Targets and Actual Performance — Target performance goals for the financial criterion were set based on objectives in our internal strategic plan for 2020. The strategic plan for 2020 served as the basis for contribution margin targets, and revenue gates, under the Executive Bonus Plan. The

following table shows the target and actual revenue and contribution margin goals that applied for 2020:


	Target*			2020 Actual
Revenue Goals:
Company Revenue	$	164.24M		$	164.27M
Company Revenue, excluding Napster	$	70.84M		$	68.06M
Contribution Margin Goals:
Company Contribution Margin	$	(5.93M	)	$	(4.77M	)
Company Contribution Margin, excluding Napster	$	(5.70M	)	$	(5.69M	)

Actual performance against the strategic goals set for 2020 was assessed for each executive during the first quarter of 2021. The Compensation Committee determined that for each of Mr. Glaser and Mr. Parham the revenue gate was met and contribution margin achievement funded a full payout for Mr. Glaser on the financial goals and a partial payout for Mr. Parham of the financial goals. In addition, the Compensation Committee determined that strategic goals, which comprised 25% of total bonus opportunity, were fully achieved for Mr. Glaser and Mr. Parham. The bonus payouts for these named executive officers was based upon the achievement level. In connection with Mr. Ensing’s recruitment by the company, his bonus payout was guaranteed as to a minimum of 50% of his target bonus opportunity, prorated to reflect the portion of the year beginning in August 2020 during which he was employed with us.

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Payout Structure — The overall payout structure ensured that there was no ability for participants in the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan to earn an award for contribution margin unless revenue was at least 95% of target, the rationale for which was to emphasize the need for both growth and operational discipline. Additionally, the payout for contribution margin was capped at target.

Notwithstanding the performance and payout targets established under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee reserved the right to adjust performance and payout targets based on acquisitions or dispositions of assets and also decrease or eliminate an executive officer’s award before it was paid. Executive officers were required to be employed on the date award payments were made in order to be eligible to receive payment under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan, except in the case of death or disability

The dollar-equivalent payouts earned for performance under the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan were as follows:


Name	Target % Payout under 2020 Executive Bonus Plan (as a percentage of base salary)			Actual % Payout under 2020 Executive Bonus Plan (as a percentage of base salary)			Actual $ Payout under 2020 Executive Bonus Plan(1)
Rob Glaser(1)		100	%		100	%	$	525,000
Mike Ensing(2)		100	%		n/a		$	88,900
Michael Parham		75	%		37.5	%	$	121,875

(1)

25% of Mr. Glaser’s payout was paid in cash and 75% was paid in the form of fully vested RSUs.

(2)

In connection with his recruitment to RealNetworks, it was agreed that for 2020 Mr. Ensing would receive a guaranteed bonus payout as to a minimum of 50% of his target bonus opportunity, prorated to reflect the portion of the year beginning in August 2020 during which he was employed with us. Mr. Ensing’s 2020 bonus was paid out at the guaranteed amount.

Special Bonus Awards

From time to time, we utilize discretionary signing, promotion, retention or other bonus awards as compensation tools that provide incentives for executives to accept employment offers, to reward outstanding

performance by executives and to retain key executives. We believe that these bonus awards are consistent with our overall executive compensation philosophy to achieve our recruiting and retention objectives as well as to allow discretion to address the needs of our businesses, which operate in a constantly evolving and highly competitive environment.

Signing Bonus. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Ensing was granted RSUs as a signing bonus. The number of shares subject to the RSU award was determined as $200,000 divided by the 30-day average of the closing prices of a share of our common stock ending with the date that Mr. Ensing and we entered into his employment agreement. The RSUs vest in full on the one-year anniversary of the commencement of his employment with the company, subject to his continued full-time employment with us through such date. The Compensation Committee believed that this signing bonus was necessary to recruit Mr. Ensing to the company.

The Role of Long-Term Equity Awards

Because the value of an equity award is dependent on our stock price, our equity compensation program is designed to align executive compensation with the interests of our shareholders and also with the long-term performance of RealNetworks. Equity compensation awards are also an important employee retention tool as they generally vest over a multi-year period, subject to continued service by the award recipient.

Consistent with the past several years, awards of stock options served as our primary equity vehicle for the 2020 executive compensation program. The rationale for this is to motivate executives to focus on increasing shareholder value.

2020 Option Awards. On August 21, 2020 the Compensation Committee granted a time-based stock option to Mr. Ensing, in connection with the commencement of his employment with us, to acquire 1,000,000 shares of common stock with a per share exercise price equal to $1.28, the closing price of a share of our common stock on the grant date. The option is scheduled to vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment, then as to an additional 12.5% at the expiration of each successive six months of continued employment. This award is larger than a typical annual award for the role and includes an inducement portion to attract and align, which is not expected to be continued at the same level in the future. The Compensation Committee believed that the award was appropriate as part of the compensation package necessary to recruit Mr. Ensing to the company.

No options were granted to Mr. Parham in 2020.

See the section entitled, “Chief Executive Officer Compensation” for a discussion of Mr. Glaser’s 2020 option awards. As discussed, Mr. Glaser was granted an option valued at $75,000 in 2020 as a supplement to his cash salary, which was scheduled to vest over the twelve months of fiscal 2020, plus a long-term option that is scheduled to vest over four years. The option granted in December 2020 reflected the “annual” long-term incentive portion of Mr. Glaser’s 2020 compensation.

2020 Restricted Stock Units Awards. On December 28, 2020 the Compensation Committee granted an award of RSUs to Mr. Ensing, pursuant to his employment agreement as an inducement for him to join RealNetworks, covering 1,000,000 shares of common stock. These RSUs have a performance-based component that allows for earlier vesting in the event that pre-established performance criteria are achieved within the specified period. These RSUs are scheduled to vest, based on Mr. Ensing’s continued full-time employment with us through the applicable vesting date, as to 40% on August 17, 2022, an additional 40% on August 17, 2024, and the final 20% on August 17, 2025. However, 50% of the shares originally scheduled to vest on August 17, 2022 instead will vest earlier on August 17, 2021 if both: (i) the Average Price (as defined in the Employment Agreement and subject to adjustments set forth therein) exceeds $2.50 for the 30-calendar-day period ending with August 17, 2021, and (ii) the Average Daily Trading Volume (as defined in the Employment Agreement) for such 30-day period is at least 200,000 shares. 50% of the shares originally scheduled to vest on August 17,

2024 instead will vest earlier on August 17, 2023 if both: (1) the Average Price exceeds $4.00 for the 30-calendar-day period ending with August 17, 2023, and (2) the Average Daily Trading Volume for such 30-day period is at least 200,000 shares. This award is larger than a typical annual award for the role and includes an inducement portion to attract and align, which is not expected to be continued at the same level in the future. Average Price generally refers to the 30-day average of the closing prices of a share of our common stock ending with the applicable vesting date. Average Daily Trading Volume generally refers to the average of the number of shares of our common stock traded each trading day on Nasdaq during the applicable period. The Compensation Committee believed that the award was appropriate as part of the compensation package necessary to recruit Mr. Ensing to the company.

Mr. Ensing was granted another RSU on December 28, 2020 representing a $200,000 signing bonus as described further above under “Special Bonus Awards.”

Benefits, Perquisites, Severance and Certain Benefits in Connection with a Change in Control

Benefits. Benefits are part of a competitive compensation package to attract and retain employees, including executives. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in all of the benefit programs offered to employees in the geographic region in which their customary employment is based. These programs include medical, dental, vision, group life and disability insurance, and a medical reimbursement plan.

Our employees, including our named executive officers, are also eligible to participate in our 401(k) savings plan, a tax-qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which all U.S.-based employees are able to contribute the lesser of up to 50% of their cash compensation (including base salary, bonuses, commissions and overtime pay) or the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service to the plan on a before-tax basis. RealNetworks will match 50% of the first 3% of pay that is contributed to the 401(k) savings plan. All employee contributions to the 401(k) savings plan are fully vested upon contribution. Matching contributions by RealNetworks become fully vested after three years, or earlier upon attainment of retirement age (as defined by the plan) or death or disability while still employed by RealNetworks. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in the benefit programs described above on the same basis as our other employees.

Perquisites. We may offer other benefits to our employees and executive officers from time to time, including relocation packages, which benefits are typically offered to help us compete more effectively to attract or retain an executive officer. When hiring new executives, we may offer relocation benefits that are typically subject to prorated repayment if the executive voluntarily leaves his or her employment with RealNetworks other than for good reason (as defined in the offer letter) within 12 months of his or her start date. In 2020, for Mr. Glaser, we imputed $5,671 in costs associated with the occupancy of office space and parking in our headquarters building by Mr. Glaser’s personal assistant. Pursuant to his employment agreement, $5,779 in legal fees were paid by us on behalf of Mr. Ensing. All of these amounts have been reported as taxable income to the respective executive and reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” that follows this discussion. Relocation benefits are subject to prorated repayment if the executive voluntarily leaves his employment with RealNetworks other than for good reason (as defined in the offer letter) within 12 months of his relocation. There were no other special benefits or perquisites provided to any other named executive officer in 2020.

Severance Benefits. We have entered into arrangements with each of our named executive officers pursuant to which the executive may become entitled to receive severance benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment. Additionally, Mr. Glaser’s arrangements provide that if his employment terminates, but Mr. Glaser remains as Chairman of the Board, then he will remain eligible to participate in our group health plans or we may provide him with an annual cash payment equivalent to our premium cost for his participation in our group health plan. The terms of the severance benefits that each named executive officer is eligible to receive were negotiated with the executive at the time of his hire. The Compensation Committee believes that these severance benefits are appropriate in order to provide competitive compensation and enable the company to recruit and retain talented executives.

Severance and Change in Control Benefits. We entered into a severance agreement with Mr. Glaser pursuant to which he is eligible to receive certain severance benefits upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control. With all of our other named executive officers, we have agreed to “double-trigger” change in control and severance arrangements. These agreements were entered into in order to encourage the retention and commitment of these executives during times of leadership transition and restructuring activities. Each of our executives has entered into an agreement with change-in-control terms in connection with his hire, or promotion. The Compensation Committee may request F.W. Cook to review peer practices and market data with respect to change in control and severance practices. The Compensation Committee last reviewed our change in control severance practices as compared to our peers, including the results of a study of peer practices compiled by F.W. Cook in August 2012 and determined that our practices in this regard were in line with those of our peers.

Our change-in-control terms provide for severance benefits if the employment of the executive is terminated without “cause” or such executive resigns for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the relevant agreements) during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control of the company and ending 12-18 months after the change in control. In addition, under our equity incentive plans, our executive officers may be eligible to receive certain benefits with respect to outstanding awards granted under our equity incentive plans in the event of a change in control of RealNetworks. A change in control of a corporation is often accompanied by changes in the corporate culture and job losses due to redundancy, especially at the executive levels. If a change in control of RealNetworks were under consideration, we expect that our executives could be faced with personal uncertainties and distractions about how the transaction may affect their continued employment with us. By granting awards under our equity incentive plans that include change in control benefits before any such transaction is contemplated, we hope to focus our executive’s full attention and dedication to our shareholders’ best interests in the event of a threatened or pending change in control, and to encourage the executive to remain employed by RealNetworks through the completion of any such transaction.

The severance and change in control arrangements are described in further detail in the section below entitled, “2020 Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment of Change-in-Control.”

Tax and Accounting, and Governance Considerations

Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 generally limits the federal corporate income tax deduction for compensation paid by a public company to its chief executive officer and certain other executive officers to $1 million in the year the compensation becomes taxable to the executive, unless the compensation is “performance-based compensation” or qualifies under certain other exceptions.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), which was enacted on December 22, 2017, includes a number of significant changes to Section 162(m), such as the repeal of the qualified performance-based compensation exemption and the Act broadens the application of the deduction limit to additional executive officers who previously were exempt from such limit. As a result of these changes, except as otherwise provided in the transition relief provisions of the Act, compensation paid to any of our covered executives generally will not be deductible in 2018 or future years, to the extent that it exceeds $1 million.

Our Compensation Committee seeks to balance its objective of ensuring an effective compensation package with the need to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation, and intends to seek to qualify executive compensation for deductibility under Section 162(m) to the extent consistent with the best interests of RealNetworks. However, due to the scope and application of 162(m) under the Act, we cannot guarantee that any compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our covered executives after 2017 will be or will remain exempt from Section 162(m).

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation.

Under the fair value provisions of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award.

Compensation Risk Assessment. Our Compensation Committee has reviewed our compensation policies and believes that our policies do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking and that the level of risk that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company. As part of its assessment, the Compensation Committee considered, among other factors, the allocation of compensation among base salary and short- and long-term compensation, our approach to establishing company-wide and individual financial, divisional and other performance targets, our bonus structure of payouts and the nature of our key performance metrics. We believe these practices encourage our employees to focus on sustained long-term growth, which we believe will ultimately contribute to the creation of shareholder value.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for fiscal year 2020 with RealNetworks’ management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in RealNetworks’ annual report on Form 10-K and proxy statement relating to the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

The Compensation Committee

of the Board of Directors

Bruce A. Jaffe, Chair

Dawn G. Lepore

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2019

The table below sets forth compensation information for the individuals who served as our chief executive officer during 2020 and our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our chief executive officer. We refer to these four individuals throughout this report as our “named executive officers” for 2020.


Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)(1)		Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($)(2)(3)		Option Awards ($)(3)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4)		All Other Compensation ($)(5)		Total ($)

Robert Glaser		2020		525,000		—		—		377,403		525,000		6,770		1,434,173
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		2019		415,625		—		—		75,000		—		8,470		499,095

Michael Ensing		2020		431,143		—		1,691,157		448,000		88,900		10,376		2,669,576
President and Chief Operating Officer

Michael Parham		2020		325,000		—		—		—		121,875		6,694		453,569
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary		2019		325,000		50,000		—		—		121,875		5,619		502,494

(1)

For Mr. Glaser, as discussed in further detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the section entitled “2020 Compensation — Chief Executive Officer Compensation,” beginning in 2018, the Compensation Committee approved a change in allocation of cash salary versus salary replacement option from $450,000 in cash with a salary replacement option valued at $150,000, to $525,000 in cash with a salary replacement option valued at $75,000, but remaining consistent with prior years with total base salary value of $600,000. For Mr. Ensing, the amount includes the salary he received as interim Chief Financial Officer from February to April 2020 in addition to salary as our President and Chief Operating Officer since August 2020, which was $475,000 on an annualized basis.

(2)

The 2020 stock awards reported for Mr. Ensing includes a signing bonus paid in the form of restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $201,157 and negotiated in connection with his recruitment to the company in August 2020. The number of shares subject to the RSU award was determined as $200,000 divided by the 30-day average of the closing prices of a share of our common stock ending with the date that Mr. Ensing and we entered into his employment agreement. The restricted stock units vest in full on the one-year anniversary of the commencement of his employment, with such vesting subject to his continued full-time employment with RealNetworks through such date. As these awards were a significant inducement to Mr. Ensing to join the company, the restricted stock units were granted pursuant to the company’s 2020 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan.

(3)

The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, of awards granted or modified in the year shown pursuant to our 2005 Plan or 2020 Inducement Plan, determined in accordance with financial accounting rules (FASB ASC Topic 718), rather than an amount paid to or realized by the executive officer. For a discussion of valuation assumptions for these awards, see Note 1 and Note 12 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recently completed fiscal year.

(4)

The amounts reported represent incentive bonus compensation that is based on performance in the year shown. This performance-based incentive bonus compensation is discussed in further detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the section entitled “2020 Compensation — Annual Performance-Based Incentive Bonuses.” The bonuses determined to be payable pursuant to the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan were paid in cash in the first quarter of 2021, except that $393,750, or 75%, of Mr. Glaser’s bonus was paid in the form of fully vested restricted stock units covering 66,399 shares.

(5)	All other compensation generally consists of RealNetworks’ 401(k) company match of up to $4,275 and life insurance premiums paid by RealNetworks for the benefit of the named executive officer. For Mr. Glaser,

however, in addition to life insurance premiums, all other compensation includes $5,671 for office space and parking for Mr. Glaser’s personal assistant as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the section entitled “2020 Compensation—Perquisites.” For Mr. Ensing, all other compensation also includes $5,779 in legal fees paid by RealNetworks on Mr. Ensing’s behalf, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement.

CEO Pay Ratio

For 2020:

•

The annual total compensation of the employee identified at the median of our company (other than our CEO), was $77,417; and

•

The annual total compensation of our CEO was $1,434,173.

Based on this information, for 2020, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Glaser, our CEO, to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was estimated to be 18.5 to 1.

Given our status as a smaller reporting company, this pay ratio disclosure is provided on a voluntary basis. This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records and the methodology described below. The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

For 2020, consistent with our approach in 2017, to identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments, and estimates that we used were as follows:

•

We determined that, as of November 30, 2020, our employee population consisted of approximately 336 individuals globally. We selected November 30, which is within the last three months of 2020, as the date upon which we would identify the “median employee,” because it allowed us to make such identification in a reasonably efficient and economical manner given the global scope of our operations.

•

We included all of our full-time, part-time, and temporary employees globally. The compensation of all newly hired permanent employees was annualized based on the compensation received during this period.

•

Earnings of our employees outside the U.S. were converted to U.S. dollars using the currency exchange rates applicable on November 30, 2020. We did not make any cost of living adjustments.

•

To identify the “median employee” from our employee population, we collected total cash compensation for each employee, including annual base salary and bonus paid during the period, as applicable, for 2020.

2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2020. Due to our status as a smaller reporting company, this table is provided on a voluntary basis.


			Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)				Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards			All Other Stock Awards # of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2)		All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)(2)(4)		Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3)(5)
Name	Grant Date		Threshold ($)		Target ($)	Maximum ($)	Threshold (#)	Target (#)	Maximum (#)	All Other Stock Awards # of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2)				Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3)(5)

Rob Glaser		—	$	525,000
		02/10/20											138,863	$	1.33	$	75,000
		12/28/20											500,000	$	1.45	$	302,400

Michael Ensing		—	$	88,900
		08/21/20											1,000,000	$	1.28	$	448,000
		12/23/20									135,005				—	$	201,157
		12/23/20									1,000,000				—	$	1490,000

Michael Parham		—	$	243,750

(1)

The amounts reported in these columns represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts of annual performance-based incentive bonus compensation that might have been paid to each named executive officer for performance during the most recently completed fiscal year. The actual payouts approved for such performance are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the “Summary Compensation Table.” These awards are described in further detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the section entitled “2020 Compensation — Annual Performance-Based Incentive Bonuses.” The bonus payouts approved pursuant to the 2020 Executive Bonus Plan were paid, in cash, during the first quarter of 2021, except that $393,750, or 75%, of Mr. Glaser’s bonus was paid in the form of fully vested restricted stock units.

(2)

The number of securities reported in this column represent restricted stock units or nonqualified stock options granted under the 2005 Plan or the 2020 Inducement Plan and are described in further detail above in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and below in the “Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2020” table. The per share exercise price of the stock options is equal to the closing price of a share of RealNetworks’ common stock on the date of grant.

(3)

The dollar amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, of the awards granted in the most recently completed fiscal year pursuant to the 2005 Plan or the 2020 Inducement Plan, determined in accordance with financial accounting rules (FASB ASC Topic 718) rather than an amount paid to or realized by the executive officer. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 1 and Note 12 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recently completed fiscal year. The option exercise price has not been deducted from the amounts indicated above. Regardless of the value placed on a stock option on the grant date, the actual value of the option will depend on the market value of RealNetworks’ common stock at such date in the future when the option is exercised. The proceeds to be paid to the individual following the exercise of the option do not include the option exercise price.

(4)

The option granted to Mr. Glaser on February 10, 2020, having a grant date fair value of $75,000, represents his annual salary replacement option, which vests monthly over the fiscal year and which is described in more detail in the section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitled “2020 Compensation — Chief Executive Officer Compensation — Salary Options.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End December 31, 2020

The following table provides information regarding the holdings of stock options and RSUs by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2020. The market value of the RSUs is based on the closing price of RealNetworks common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 31, 2020, which was $1.56.


			Option Awards											Stock Awards
Name(1)	Vesting Commence- ment Date(2)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable			Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: # of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)	Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)			Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)	Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)	Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
Robert Glaser		01/17/2014		37,025	(2)		—				7.73		01/17/2021
		07/28/2014		39,173	(3)		—				7.79		07/28/2021
		01/22/2015		45,398	(3)		—				6.78		01/22/2022
		01/26/2016		87,714	(3)						3.68		01/26/2023
		01/26/2017		63,675	(3)		—				5.40		01/26/2024
		12/15/2017		300,000	(6)		100,000	(6)			3.94		12/15/2024
		01/31/2018		54,466	(3)		—				3.10		01/31/2025
		01/31/2018		54,466	(3)		—				3.10		01/31/2025
		12/27/2018		175,000	(6)		175,000	(6)			2.14		12/27/2025
		01/24/2019		58,443	(3)		—				2.98		01/24/2026
		02/10/2020		138,863	(3)		—				1.33		02/10/2027
		12/28/2020		—			500,000	(6)			1.45		12/28/2027
Mike Ensing		08/21/2020		—			1,000,000	(6)			1.28		08/21/2027		1,000,000	(7)
		12/23/2020									1.49		12/23/2027		135,005	(8)
		12/23/2020									1.49		12/23/2027		135,005	(8)
Michael Parham		12/06/2016		121,098	(5)		—				4.73		12/06/2023
		12/06/2016		120,000	(5)		—				4.73		12/06/2023
		07/26/2018		93,750	(4)		56,250	(4)			3.54		07/26/2025

(1)

For better understanding of this table, we have included an additional column showing the date on which the stock option grant commenced vesting, subject to (a) continuation of employment (or service) with the company through the applicable vesting dates and (b) applicable performance conditions, if any, as indicated in footnotes (2) through (8) below.

(2)	The award was vested in full on the grant date.

(3)	Options vested monthly over the fiscal year in which the option is granted, subject to continued employment with the company through the applicable vesting dates, and were fully vested on December 31 of such year.

(4)

Options vest at the rate of 12.5% on the six-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 12.5% every six months thereafter, such that the award becomes fully vested on the four-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date subject to continued employment with the company through the applicable vesting dates.

(5)	Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 shareholder-approved option exchange program, the option is now fully vested.

(6)

Options vest at the rate of 25% on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 12.5% every six months thereafter, subject to the recipient’s continued service to the company through the applicable vesting dates, such that the award becomes fully vested on the four-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date.

(7)

40% of the shares subject to the award shall vest on August 3, 2022; an additional 40% of the shares shall vest on August 3, 2024; and the final 20% of the award shall vest on August 3, 2025, subject in all cases to continued full-time employment with the Company on each vesting date. In the event that certain pre-established trading prices and trading volumes are achieved, then the vesting of 50% of shares

scheduled to vest on the two-year anniversary and 50% of the shares scheduled to vest on the four-year anniversary of August 3, 2020, respectively, will be accelerated by one year.

(8)	Award vests in full on August 17, 2021, subject to continued employment through such vesting date.

2020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding restricted stock unit awards vested for our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. None of our named executive officers exercised any option awards during fiscal year 2020. Due to our status as a smaller reporting company, this table is provided on a voluntary basis.

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)

Value Realized
on Exercise
($)

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)

Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)

Rob Glaser

—

Michael Ensing

—

Michael Parham

—

2020 Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change-in-Control

The following table reflects the amount of compensation that would have been payable to each of our named executive officers in the event of the termination of such executive’s employment under certain circumstances, assuming that (1) the triggering event took place on December 31, 2020, (2) the price per share of our common stock was $1.56, which was the closing market price on December 31, 2020, and (3) that all cash payments are made in a lump sum. Due to our status as a smaller reporting company, the information in the table below qualifying these payments and benefits is provided on a voluntary basis.


		Not in Connection with a Change in Control		In Connection with a Change in Control
Name	Benefit	Termination Without Cause($)		Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason($)		Voluntary Termination($)		Death($)		Disability($)

Rob Glaser	Severance		2,100,000		2,100,000		—		—		—
	Bonus		525,000		525,000		—		—		—
	Equity award vesting acceleration		—		55,000		—		—		—

Michael Ensing	Severance		475,000		712,500		—		—		—
	Bonus		88,900		88,900		—		—		—
	Equity award vesting acceleration		84,400		93,450		—		—		—

Michael Parham	Severance		325,000		406,250		—		—		—
	Bonus		—		304,688		—		121,875		121,875
	Equity award vesting acceleration		—		—		—

Benefits Not In Connection With A Change in Control

Pursuant to his CEO severance agreement, in the event that, other than during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control of the company and ending 12 months after the change in control, either his

employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, Mr. Glaser is eligible to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to 200% of the sum of his then-current annual cash base salary and his then-current target annual bonus, (ii) a payment equal to the amount of bonus that he otherwise would have received pursuant to the bonus plan in which he participated at the time of his termination based on actual performance, had he remained employed through the end of the performance period, and (iii) up to 18 months of COBRA coverage. These severance benefits are subject to Mr. Glaser entering into a separation agreement and release of claims in favor of the company and his compliance with non-disparagement, no-hire, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants for a period of 24 months following the termination of his employment.

Pursuant to his employment agreement, in the event that his employment is terminated without cause (and not due to his death or disability) or he resigns for Good Reason in each case other than in connection with a change in control event, Mr. Ensing is eligible to receive (i) 12 months of salary (payable in accordance with the company’s then-standard payroll practices, and with salary determined based on the higher of salary immediately prior to termination or immediately prior to any reduction pursuant to the “Good Reason” clause); (ii) a lump-sum severance payment equal to the sum of his prorated bonus for any partial incentive period based on actual performance through termination and any unpaid bonus for the last completed bonus period prior to termination; (iii) acceleration of vesting by 12 months of any outstanding unvested non-performance-based stock options and acceleration of vesting of the 1,000,000 RSUs granted on December 23, 2020 by 12 months or, if no time-based vesting date occurs within the next 12 months, then 50% of the next vesting tranche will accelerate vesting; (iv) up to 12 months of company-paid or company-reimbursed COBRA coverage.

Pursuant to his offer letter, Mr. Parham is eligible to receive 12 months of salary plus 12 months of COBRA coverage in the event that his employment is terminated without cause other than in connection with a change in control event.

The above severance benefits are subject to the individual entering into a customary separation agreement and release of claims in favor of the company.

Mr. Glaser’s severance agreement provides that, if his employment terminates but Mr. Glaser remains as Chairman of the Board, then he will remain eligible to participate in our group health plans or we may provide him with an annual cash payment equivalent to our premium cost for his participation in our group health plan.

Benefits In Connection With A Change in Control

The CEO severance agreement provides that if, during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control of the company and ending 12 months after the change in control, Mr. Glaser’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, then he will receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to 200% of the sum of his then-current annual cash base salary and his then-current target annual bonus, (ii) a lump sum payment equal to his then-current target bonus, prorated to reflect his period of employment during the applicable performance period, (iii) full acceleration of the vesting of any unvested, non-performance-based equity awards, and (iv) up to 18 months of COBRA coverage. These severance benefits are subject to Mr. Glaser entering into a release of claims in favor of the company and his compliance with non-disparagement, no-hire, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants for a period of 24 months following the termination of his employment.

Pursuant to Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, if his employment is terminated without cause (and not due to his death or disability) or he resigns for good reason and the termination in either case occurs during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control of the company and ending 18 months after the change in control (the “CIC Period”), then he is entitled to receive (i) a lump-sum severance payment equal to 150% of his base salary (with salary determined based on the highest of salary immediately prior to termination, salary immediately prior to any reduction pursuant to the “Good Reason” clause, or salary immediately prior to the change in control); (ii) a lump-sum severance payment equal to the sum of his prorated target bonus for any partial incentive period through termination and any unpaid bonus for the last completed bonus period prior to

termination; (iii) acceleration of vesting by 12 months of any outstanding unvested time-based equity compensation awards (including performance-based awards with performance deemed achieved at target) and acceleration of vesting of the 1,000,000 RSUs granted on December 23, 2020 by 12 months or, if no time-based vesting date occurs within the next 12 months, then 50% of the next vesting tranche will accelerate vesting; (iv) Mr. Ensing will have 18 months to exercise outstanding vested equity awards, unless they are incentive stock options granted to Mr. Ensing prior to his start date as our President and Chief Operating Officer; and (v) up to 18 months of reimbursement of COBRA coverage.

In the case of Mr. Parham, if his employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason and the termination occurs during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control of the company and ending 12 months after the change in control, then he is entitled to receive 125% of his base salary, 125% of his target bonus or his prorated target bonus for any partial bonus period, full acceleration of equity awards granted after February 1, 2010, extension of post-termination exercisability period of outstanding vested options for up to 12 months, and up to 18 months of reimbursement of COBRA coverage. In the case of performance-based RSUs, the termination without cause or resignation for good reason of a named executive officer would result in full acceleration of such award.

In addition, pursuant to Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, in the event of a transaction pursuant to which we remain a standalone entity but cease to be required to file annual and other periodic reports under the Securities and Exchange Act, Mr. Ensing will receive acceleration of vesting of any outstanding unvested non-performance-based equity awards (including his 1,000,000 RSUs granted on December 23, 2020) by 12 months, except if the transaction occurs within the first 6 months of his commencement of employment as Chief Operating Officer, the number of months would be equal to twice the number of months of consecutive full months of employment he completed as Chief Operating Officer through the transaction date, not to exceed 12 months. If Mr. Ensing is eligible for such vesting acceleration but his 1,000,000 RSUs granted on December 23, 2020, would not vest because the next vesting tranche under the RSUs is more than 12 months after his employment termination, then 50% of the next vesting tranche of such RSUs will accelerate vesting.

These severance benefits are subject to (1) the individual entering into a customary separation agreement and release of claims in favor of the company, (2) a non-disparagement obligation, and (3) non-solicitation and no-hire obligations for a period of 12 months following employment termination for Mr. Parham, 12 months (or 18 months, if employment termination occurs during the CIC Period) following employment termination for Mr. Ensing, and 24 months following employment termination for Mr. Glaser.

Benefits Upon Death and Disability

In the case of Mr. Parham, if his employment had terminated on December 31, 2020 due to death or disability, he or his beneficiary would have been entitled to receive the portion of the performance-based cash incentive or discretionary bonus compensation earned in 2020 but not paid as of December 31, 2020. If his employment terminates due to his death, any stock options or RSUs that are unvested as of the date of his death will fully vest on such date and any options may be exercised by his estate or legal representative for a period of one year following such date, but not later than the expiration date of such stock options. If his employment terminates due to disability, and any of his outstanding stock options or RSUs are not fully vested, the next vesting installment of such stock options or RSUs will vest on a pro rata basis for the portion of the year elapsed since the date on which the vesting of the options or RSUs commenced or the last anniversary thereof, expressed in full months. In the case of performance-based RSUs, the death or disability of a named executive officer would result in full acceleration of such award.

Certain Defined Terms

For purposes of Mr. Glaser’s severance agreement, the term “Cause” generally means conduct by the executive involving one or more of the following: (1) conviction of or plea of no contest to a felony involving moral turpitude resulting in material harm to the company; (2) willful, substantial and continuing failure for a

period of 30 days after written notice to perform the reasonable duties of his position (other than due to illness or incapacity); (3) willful misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, embezzlement, theft, misrepresentation or dishonesty by the executive involving the company or any of its subsidiaries, intended to result in substantial personal enrichment and that results in material harm to the company; or (4) violation of any confidentiality or non-competition agreements with the company or its subsidiaries, resulting in substantial, material harm to the company.

For purposes of Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, the term “Cause” generally means conduct by the executive involving one or more the following: (1) conviction of or plea of no contest to a felony involving moral turpitude; (2) the willful, substantial and continuing failure after written notice to perform the reasonable duties of his position for at least 30 days (other than due to serious illness or incapacity); (3) willful misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, embezzlement, theft, misrepresentation or dishonesty by the executive involving the company or any of its affiliates, in each case that is intended to result in the substantial personal enrichment of the executive; (4) violation of any confidentiality or non-competition agreements or other written agreement or policy with the company or its affiliates, resulting in material harm to the company; (5) a material breach of executive’s fiduciary duty to the company; (vi) executive’s failure to reasonably cooperate in any audit or investigation of the business of financial practices of the company that continues after written notice and at least a 15-day cure period; (vii) executive’s substantially abusing alcohol, drugs, or similar substances, and such abuse in the Board’s judgment has materially affected executive’s ability to conduct the business of the company in a proper and prudent manner.

For purposes of Mr. Parham’s offer letter, the term “Cause” generally means conduct by the executive involving one or more the following: (1) conviction of or plea of no contest to a felony involving moral turpitude resulting in material harm to the company; (2) substantial and continuing failure after written notice to render services to the company in accordance with the terms and requirements of his employment (other than due to illness or incapacity); (3) willful misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, embezzlement, theft, misrepresentation or dishonesty by the executive involving the company or any of its subsidiaries, resulting in material harm to the company; or (4) violation of any confidentiality or non-competition agreements with the company or its subsidiaries, resulting in material harm to the company.

For purposes of the equity award agreements, the term “Cause” generally means conduct by the executive involving one or more of the following: (1) conviction or plea of no contest to a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (2) indictment for a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude under the federal securities laws; (3) substantial and continuing failure after written notice to render services to the company in accordance with the terms or requirements of the executive’s employment for reasons other than illness or incapacity; (4) willful misconduct or gross negligence; (5) fraud, embezzlement, theft, misrepresentation or dishonesty involving the company or any subsidiary, or willful violation of a policy or procedure of the company, resulting in any case in significant harm to the company; or (6) violation of any confidentiality or non-competition agreements with the company or its subsidiaries.

For purposes of Mr. Glaser’s severance agreement and Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, the term “Change in Control” generally means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) during any 24-month period for Mr. Glaser or 12-month period for Mr. Ensing, individuals who, at the beginning of the period constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any directors whose election or nomination for election was approved by a majority vote of the Incumbent Directors will be considered an Incumbent Director (but not any director who was initially elected or nominated as a result of an actual or threatened election contest or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board); or (2) any person (other than Mr. Glaser) is or becomes a beneficial owner of securities of the company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board, excluding any of the following acquisitions: (A) by the Company or any subsidiary, (B) by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the company or any subsidiary, (C) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering

of such securities, or (D) pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in clause (3) below); or (3) a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, reorganization or similar form of corporate transaction involving the company or its subsidiaries that requires the approval of the company’s shareholders, unless immediately following such corporate transaction: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of (x) the surviving corporation resulting from such transaction, or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the surviving corporation, is represented by company voting securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such the corporate transaction (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such company voting securities were converted pursuant to such corporate transaction), and the voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such company voting securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the corporate transaction, (B) no person is or becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the parent corporation or surviving corporation and (C) at least half of the members of the board of directors of the parent corporation or surviving corporation following the corporate transaction were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such corporate transaction (any corporate transaction which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above will be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”); or (4) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the company’s assets which occurs on the date that any person, or group of persons (other than Mr. Glaser) acquires or has acquired during a 12-month period assets from the company with a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the company. Under Mr. Glaser’s severance agreement and Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, the transaction also must constitute a change in control within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A in order to be considered a “Change in Control.” Further under Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, a change in control will not occur as a result of a sale, spin-off, or other divestiture of our Games, RealPlayer, ICM and/or Rhapsody businesses or any other business that constitutes less than 20% of our revenue, and our ceasing to be a publicly held corporation also will not per se trigger any of the termination provisions under his employment agreement.

For purposes of the equity award agreements, the term “Disability” generally means a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

For purposes of Mr. Glaser’s severance agreement and Mr. Ensing’s employment agreement, the term “Good Reason” generally means the executive’s resignation within 30 days (or 60 days, for Mr. Glaser) after the expiration of any company cure period following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without his written consent: (1) a material reduction in the executive’s duties, authorities or responsibilities relative to the executive’s duties, authorities or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (2) a material reduction in the executive’s annual base compensation; (3) a material reduction in the executive’s annual target bonus opportunity; and (4) a material change in the geographic location at which the executive must perform services. The executive must first provide the company with written notice within 90 days of the event that the executive believes constitutes “Good Reason” specifically identifying the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for Good Reason and a reasonable cure period of not less than 30 days following the date of such notice.

COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

In 2020, each director who was not an employee of RealNetworks was paid $8,750 per quarter for his or her services as a director. Non-employee directors were also paid (i) $1,000 for participation in each meeting of the Board, (ii) $1,000 for participation in each meeting of a Board committee, including our standing committees and certain special committees, and (iii) $5,000 per quarter for serving as chairperson of the Audit Committee, $3,125 per quarter for serving as chairperson of the Compensation Committee and $2,500 per quarter for serving as chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, the lead independent director was paid an additional retainer of $5,000 per quarter. Directors were also reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board of Directors or committee meetings.

Pursuant to the RealNetworks, Inc. 2007 Director Compensation Stock Plan, a sub-plan administered under our 2005 Plan, a non-employee director may make an irrevocable election prior to the commencement of each plan year to receive all or a portion of the cash compensation payable to such director for the coming year in shares of our common stock. No director elected to receive shares in lieu of cash compensation for the most recently ended fiscal year. Our 2005 Plan provides that subject to any required adjustments under the terms of the 2005 Plan, during any twelve-month period, a non-employee director may be granted options or stock appreciation rights for up to a maximum of 650,000 shares of RealNetworks common stock, and up to a maximum of an additional 300,000 shares of RealNetworks common stock with respect to restricted stock, performance awards, restricted stock units, and other share-based awards denominated in shares under the 2005 Plan. In addition, a non-employee director may receive up to $1 million during any twelve-month period with respect to performance awards that are denominated in cash under the 2005 Plan.

Non-employee directors receive equity awards under the 2005 Plan on the third business day following each annual meeting of shareholders. The 2020 non-employee director equity awards consisted of (i) nonqualified stock options to purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock that, once vested, will remain exercisable for three years following the director’s separation from the Board or until the option’s earlier expiration, and (ii) RSUs valued at $45,000 on the grant date. These options and RSUs vest monthly in equal increments over a 12-month period following the award’s grant date assuming continued service as a director, with the RSU share distribution date occurring on the first anniversary of the grant date. Non-employee directors may make an annual irrevocable election to defer the RSU share distribution date to a date that is (i) five years following the RSU grant date, or (ii) concurrent with the Director’s separation from the Board. Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines applicable to non-employee directors designed to achieve long-term alignment between non-employee directors and our shareholders. Under these guidelines, each non-employee director is required to own a number of shares of our common stock equal to three times such director’s annual retainer fee within five years of service on the Board.

On December 3, 2020, our non-employee directors were each granted RSUs covering 28,481 shares and an option to purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $1.58 per share, which RSUs and options vest as described above.

In July 2016, our Board approved revisions to the company’s Outside Director Compensation program to provide for compensation, in the form of RealNetworks options and restricted stock units awards, to any nonemployee director of RealNetworks who is appointed by the RealNetworks Board to serve, on behalf of RealNetworks and the Board, on the board of directors of an entity that is an affiliate or investee of RealNetworks. The annual equity awards to be granted as compensation for such RealNetworks-designated service, would be equal to the annual equity awards granted to nonemployee directors of RealNetworks as described above. Pursuant to these revisions, on July 20, 2020, the Board approved equity awards to compensate Mr. Jaffe for his service as a RealNetworks-designated director on the board of Rhapsody International, Inc., d/b/a Napster. As a result of an acquisition in January 2019, RealNetworks owned approximately 84% of the issued and outstanding stock of Rhapsody International and, accordingly, it was considered an affiliate of ours. The equity awards served as compensation to Mr. Jaffe for Rhapsody board service for the one-year period following July 20, 2020, and are reflected in the 2020 Director Compensation Table below and more specifically described in the footnotes that accompany the table. On December 30, 2020, in connection with the sale of Rhapsody to a third party, the vesting of these equity awards was fully accelerated.

In March 2019, our Board approved further revisions to the company’s Outside Director Compensation program to provide for cash compensation to the chair of the Board’s Corporate Development Committee, comprised of Mr. Jaffe as chair, and our CEO and CFO. The role of the Corporate Development Committee is to assist the Board in its design and analysis of potential corporate development opportunities. For services rendered as chair of this committee, Mr. Jaffe was paid $7,500 per month cash compensation throughout 2020, which is reflected in the 2020 Director Compensation Table below and more specifically described in the footnotes that accompany the table.

While Mr. Glaser serves as our Chief Executive Officer, he will not receive compensation as a director. See the “Summary Compensation Table” for Mr. Glaser’s compensation for services provided as Chief Executive Officer in 2020.

2020 Director Compensation Table


Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)		Restricted Stock Unit Awards ($)(1)(2)		Option Awards ($)(1)		All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
Bruce A. Jaffe(3)		176,660		90,000		48,150		—		314,810
Christopher R. Jones(4)		47,364		45,000		23,700		—		116,064
Dawn G. Lepore(5)		60,227		45,000		23,700		—		128,927
Erik E. Prusch(6)		64,391		45,000		23,700		—		133,091
Janice Roberts(7)		28,171		—		—		—		28,171
Michael B. Slade(8)		51,000		45,000		23,700		—		119,700
Tim M. Wan(9)		52,000		45,000		23,700		—		120,700

(1)

The amounts reported in these columns reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures, of awards granted during the fiscal year pursuant to the 2005 Plan, determined in accordance with financial statement reporting rules rather than an amount paid to or realized by the director. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 1 and Note 12 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recently completed fiscal year. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate number of shares of RealNetworks common stock underlying outstanding option awards for each non-employee director was: 120,000 for Mr. Jaffe; 79,596 for Mr. Jones; 105,000 for Ms. Lepore; 28,750 for Mr. Prusch; 170,829 for Mr. Slade; and 28,750 for Mr. Wan. Ms. Roberts was no longer a director as of December 31, 2020.

(2)	As of December 31, 2020, each of our non-employee directors held an outstanding RSU award covering 28,481 shares of RealNetworks common stock.

(3)

Mr. Jaffe served as a Chair of the Audit Committee from January 1 to April 16, as Chair of the Compensation Committee from April 17 to December 31, and as Lead Independent Director for all of 2020. Mr. Jaffe also served as Chair of the Corporate Development Committee and received cash compensation of $7,500 per month throughout 2020 for that role. Also, in connection with his appointment to the Rhapsody International board of directors, on July 20, 2020, Mr. Jaffe was granted an option to purchase 15,000 shares of RealNetworks common stock with a per share exercise price of $1.63 and scheduled to vest monthly in equal increments over a 12-month period following the award’s grant date assuming continued service as a RealNetworks-designated director of Rhapsody, and RSUs covering 27,607 shares of RealNetworks common stock scheduled to vest monthly in equal increments over a 12-month period following the award’s grant date assuming continued service as a RealNetworks-designated director of Rhapsody, with the RSU share distribution date occurring on the first anniversary of the grant date. The vesting of the option and RSUs awarded as compensation for his Rhapsody board service was fully accelerated on December 30, 2020 in connection with the closing of the sale of Rhapsody to a third party.

(4)	Mr. Jones served as a member of the Audit Committee for the entire fiscal year.

(5)	Ms. Lepore served as a member of the Compensation Committee and as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for the entire year.

(6)	Mr. Prusch served as a member of the Audit Committee from March 8 to December 31, and became Chair of the Audit Committee effective April 17.

(7)	Ms. Roberts departed from the Board effective April 17, 2020.

(8)	Mr. Slade served as a member of the Audit Committee for the entire fiscal year.

(9)	Mr. Wan served as a member of the Audit Committee from March 8 to December 31.

PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation as more fully described below.

As described in more detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain executive officers critical to the long-term success of RealNetworks and the creation of shareholder value. Our executive compensation program links competitive levels of compensation to company performance as compared to performance goals to ensure accountability and to motivate executives to achieve a higher level of performance.

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation program and the decisions made by our Compensation Committee regarding 2019 compensation in more detail. The Compensation Committee has implemented practices that it believes are indicative of its executive compensation philosophy and its desire to maintain good corporate governance, including:

•

Establishing executive compensation that is competitive and linked to both company and individual performance;

•

Providing for a substantial portion of executive compensation to be in the form of incentive compensation that is “at risk” and dependent upon RealNetworks’ business results;

•

Providing pay incentives that closely align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of our shareholders;

•

Formalizing an annual process to assess risks associated with our compensation policies and programs; and

•

Hiring independent compensation consultants to assist the Compensation Committee with its compensation decisions.

We request shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules as set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the executive compensation tables and the narrative disclosures that accompany the compensation tables. Accordingly, we ask that you vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of RealNetworks, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in RealNetworks, Inc.’s proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2020 Summary Compensation Table, and the other related tables and disclosure within this proxy statement.”

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on RealNetworks or its Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors and its Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering RealNetworks’ executive compensation program, value the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote on this proposal and will review and consider the results of this vote when making future decisions regarding the compensation of our named executive officers. We currently plan to hold an advisory vote annually, so the next such shareholder advisory vote will occur at our next annual meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.

PROPOSAL 3 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed the firm of BDO USA, LLP, which we also refer to as BDO, as the independent registered public accounting firm for RealNetworks’ fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, and the Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote for the ratification of such appointment. Although ratification by our shareholders is not required by law, RealNetworks has determined that it is desirable to request shareholder approval of this appointment. Notwithstanding its selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such change would be in the best interests of RealNetworks and its shareholders. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of BDO, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection.

Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Our Audit Committee, in accordance with its charter, routinely reviews the performance and retention of our independent registered public accounting firm. On May 26, 2020 and effective on the same date, our Audit Committee approved the dismissal of KPMG LLP, which we refer to as KPMG and which served as our independent registered public accounting firm from 1994 through 2019.

KPMG’s reports on our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that:

•

KPMG’s report on the consolidated financial statements of RealNetworks, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2019, contained separate paragraphs that stated:

“The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and anticipates negative operating cash flows that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.”

“As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases in 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842 — Leases.”

•

KPMG’s report on the consolidated financial statements of RealNetworks, Inc. as of December 31, 2018 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 contained a separate paragraph that stated:

“As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”

During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2020 through May 26, 2020, there were (i) no disagreements within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on the RealNetworks consolidated financial statements for such periods, and (ii) no “reportable events” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

We provided KPMG with a copy of a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we filed with the SEC on May 29, 2020, and requested that KPMG furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether KPMG

agreed with the disclosures in the Form 8-K and, if not, stating the respects in which it did not agree. We received the requested letter from KPMG and a copy of the letter, dated May 29, 2020, was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Form 8-K and such letter is incorporated by reference herein.

On May 26, 2020, our Audit Committee approved, effective immediately, the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as RealNetworks’ new independent registered public accounting firm. During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2020 through May 26, 2020, neither RealNetworks nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with BDO regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or (iii) any “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of .

Fees Billed by KPMG LLP During 2019 and by BDO USA, LLP During 2020

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, for the audit of our annual financial statements for 2019, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP.


	2019
Audit Fees(1)	$	1,445,000
Audit-Related Fees		0
Tax Fees		0
All Other Fees		0

Total Fees	$	1,445,000

(1)

Fees in connection with the audit of RealNetworks’ annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, reviews of the financial statements included in RealNetworks’ quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during the 2019 fiscal year, Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 attestation services and statutory and other audits for subsidiaries of RealNetworks, including Rhapsody International, Inc. after our acquisition of an additional 42% interest on January 18, 2019.

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, for the audit of our annual financial statements for 2020, and fees billed for other services rendered by BDO.


	2020
Audit Fees(1)	$	400,000
Audit-Related Fees		0
Tax Fees		0
All Other Fees		0

Total Fees	$	400,000

(1)	Fees in connection with the audit of RealNetworks’ annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and reviews of the financial statements included in RealNetworks’ quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during fiscal year 2020.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee approves in advance all audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors. As part of its pre-approval procedures, the Audit Committee considers whether the provision of any proposed non-audit services is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. In accordance with its pre-approval procedures, the Audit Committee has pre-approved all specified audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent public accounting firm for up to twelve months from the date of the pre-approval. If there are any additional services to be provided, a request for pre-approval must be submitted by management to the Audit Committee for its consideration. In 2019 and 2020, the Audit Committee approved all services and fees of KPMG and BDO identified in the above table in accordance with SEC requirements.

Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. It is also expected that they will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO USA, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to RealNetworks’ audited financial statements, which include the consolidated balance sheets of RealNetworks as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the notes thereto.

As part of fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2020 with management and has discussed those matters required by Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communications with Audit Committees,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, with BDO USA, LLP. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO USA, LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding BDO USA, LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BDO USA, LLP its independence from RealNetworks.

Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited consolidated financial statements and its discussions with management, the internal audit function and BDO USA, LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2020 be included in the RealNetworks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Erik E. Prusch, Chair

Michael B. Slade

Tim M. Wan

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of Directors does not intend to bring any other business before the meeting, and, so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be brought before the meeting except as specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. However, as to any other business that may properly come before the meeting, it is intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect to those proxies in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.

The information contained above under the captions “Compensation Committee Report” and “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except to the extent that RealNetworks specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES ARE RETURNED PROMPTLY AND THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LOGO

MICHAEL PARHAM

Senior Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

October 29, 2021

Seattle, Washington

A COPY OF REALNETWORKS’ ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE 2020 FISCAL

YEAR, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, IS

AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO:

REALNETWORKS, INC.

ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS

1501 FIRST AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 600

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98134

DIRECTIONS TO THE REALNETWORKS, INC. 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on November 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time at:

Home Plate Center Building

1501 First Avenue South

6^th Floor

Seattle, Washington 98134

From Bellevue/Redmond (Eastside):

•

Take I-90 West

•

Take the 4th Avenue South Exit

•

Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Edgar Martinez Drive South

•

Turn left onto 1st Avenue South—Home Plate Center Building is located to your right

From West Seattle:

•

Head south on California Avenue Southwest toward Southwest Dakota Street

•

Take the 1st left onto SW Dakota St

•

Turn right onto 35th Avenue Southwest

•

Turn left onto West Seattle Bridge

•

Take the 1st Avenue South exit

•

Turn left onto 1st Avenue South—Home Plate Center Building is located to your left

From the North (Everett/Lynwood):

•

Follow signs for Interstate 5 South/Tacoma/Portland

•

Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 4th Avenue South

•

Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Edgar Martinez Drive

•

Turn right onto Edgar Martinez Drive South

•

Turn left onto 1st Avenue South—Home Plate Center Building is located to your right

From the South (Airport/Tacoma):

•

Head North on International Blvd towards 180th Street

•

Slight right onto the Washington 518 East ramp to Interstate 405/Interstate 5/Renton

•

Merge onto WA-518 East

•

Take the Interstate 5 North exit on the left toward Seattle

•

Merge onto I-5 North

•

Take exit 164B for Edgar Martinez Drive South

•

Turn right onto Edgar Martinez Drive South

•

Turn left onto 1st Avenue South—Home Plate Center Building is located to your right

Health and safety protocols will be followed at the annual meeting. Pursuant to state requirements, each attendee must wear a mask or other acceptable face covering in order to gain entry and throughout the duration of the meeting.

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Real Networks, Inc. 000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE SACKPACK MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 MMMMMMMMM ADD 5 ADD 6 Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be received by 1:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on November 30, 2021. Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/RNWK or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/RNWK Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 qIF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees, FOR Proposal 2, and FOR Proposal 3. 1. Election of Directors: + For Withhold 01—Robert Glaser 02—Bruce A. Jaffe For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. To conduct an advisory vote to approve executive compensation. 3. To ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MMMMMM 1UPX 517138 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND +

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Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/RNWK qIF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proxy — Real Networks, Inc. + Notice of 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 1501 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134 Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting – November 30, 2021 Robert Glaser and Michael Parham, or either of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Real Networks, Inc. to be held on November 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. PT or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the shareholder. If no such directions are indicated, the proxies will have authority to vote FOR the election of the nominated directors, FOR Proposal 2, and FOR Proposal 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side.) Health and safety protocols will be followed at the annual meeting. Pursuant to state requirements, each attendee must wear a mask or other acceptable face covering in order to gain entry and throughout the duration of the meeting. C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. +

SEC Form DEF 14A filed by RealNetworks, Inc.