Sohu.com (SOHU)

7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (“VIEs”)

FIN 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities requires a VIE to be consolidated by a company if that company is the primary beneficiary of that VIE.

To satisfy PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts certain advertising, online game, sponsored search, wireless and other businesses in the PRC via its VIEs. These VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang (“Dr. Zhang”), the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a major shareholder, and certain employees of the Company. Capital for the VIEs was funded by the Company through loans provided to Dr. Zhang and those employees, and was initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes against the capital of the VIEs upon consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Company, Dr. Zhang and the other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Company, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Company at any time to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the VIEs are assigned to the Company, and the Company has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the VIEs. Dr. Zhang and the other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs have pledged their shares in the VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of March 31, 2009, the aggregated amount of these loans was $11.9 million.

The following is a summary of VIEs of the Company which are consolidated under FIN 46R:

For Brand Advertising Business

Beijing Sohu Entertainment Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Entertainment”, formerly known as Beijing Hengda Yitong Internet Technology Development Co., Ltd. or “Hengda”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2002 and engages in entertainment and advertising business in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Sohu Entertainment is $1.2 million. Originally, High Century and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Entertainment, respectively. In November 2004, to further comply with PRC regulations, High Century and Wei Li transferred their interests in Sohu Entertainment to Xin Wang (Belinda Wang) and Jianjun Wang, each of whom is an employee of the Company. In July 2007, Jianjun Wang transferred all his interests in Sohu Entertainment to Ye Deng, an employee of the Company. As a result, Xin Wang (Belinda Wang) and Ye Deng own 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Entertainment, respectively.

Beijing Feng Yang Tian Lang Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Feng Yang Tian Lang”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2005 and engages in advertising services in the PRC. The registered capital of Feng Yang Tian Lang is $0.2 million. Sohu Internet and High Century each holds a 50% interest in Feng Yang Tian Lang.

For Online Game Business

Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”) was incorporated in the PRC in August 2007. It holds the licenses and approvals to operate online games in the PRC. The registered capital of Gamease is $1.3 million. Tao Wang, Changyou’s CEO and a Changyou employee own 60% and 40% interests in Gamease, respectively. Gamease’s primary beneficiary is AmazGame, which is an indirect subsidiary of Changyou and Sohu.

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For Sponsored Search, Wireless and Other Services

Beijing Tu Xing Tian Xia Information Consultancy Co., Ltd. (“Tu Xing Tian Xia”) was incorporated in the PRC in 1999 and engages in mapping services in the PRC. The registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia is $0.2 million. In May 2005, in connection with its acquisition of Go2Map, the Company designated High Century and Sohu Internet as its designees to purchase the outstanding registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia. As a result, High Century and Sohu Internet own 56.1% and 43.9% interests in Tu Xing Tian Xia, respectively.

Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Information”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2005 and engages in providing Internet information services in the PRC. The registered capital of Sogou Information is $2.5 million. Jing Zhou and Wei Li, each of whom is an employee of the Company, each owns a 50% interest in Sogou Information.

Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Internet”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2003 and engages in Internet information, wireless and advertising services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The original registered capital was $0.6 million, and High Century and Jinmei He held 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Internet, respectively. In December 2003, Sohu Entertainment made a $0.6 million investment in Sohu Internet. In April 2005, Jinmei He transferred all her interests in Sohu Internet to High Century, and High Century made a $1.2 million additional investment in Sohu Internet. As a result, the registered capital is now $2.4 million, with High Century and Sohu Entertainment holding 75% and 25% interests, respectively.

Beijing GoodFeel Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“GoodFeel”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in value-added telecommunication services in the PRC. The registered capital of GoodFeel is $1.2 million. In May 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet acquired 73% and 27% interests in GoodFeel, respectively. In July 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet invested $0.6 million and $0.5 million in GoodFeel, respectively, so that High Century owned 58.1% interests in GoodFeel with the remaining 41.9% interests owned by Sohu Internet. In October 2004, to further comply with PRC regulations, High Century and Sohu Internet transferred their interests in GoodFeel to Xiufeng Deng and Jing Zhou, each of whom is an employee of Sohu. In August 2007, Xiufeng Deng transferred all his interests in GoodFeel to Guofeng Yue, an employee of Sohu. As a result, Guofeng Yue and Jing Zhou own 58.1% and 41.9% interests in GoodFeel, respectively.

Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (“High Century”) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of High Century is $4.6 million. Dr. Zhang and Wei Li, an employee of the Company, hold 80% and 20% interests in High Century, respectively.

Since Sohu is the primary beneficiary of above VIEs, they have been consolidated in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to FIN 46R. As of March 31, 2009, the above VIEs have aggregate accumulated profits of approximately $29.3 million which have been reflected in Sohu’s consolidated financial statements.

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(a) Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

FASB Interpretation No. 46R “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” requires a VIE to be consolidated by a company if that company is the primary beneficiary of that VIE.

To satisfy PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts its Internet information, wireless, Internet access, e-commerce and certain other businesses in the PRC via its VIEs. These VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang (“Dr. Zhang”), the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu shareholder, and certain employees of the Company. Capital for the VIEs is funded by the Company through loans provided to Dr. Zhang and those employees, and is initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes with the capital of VIEs during consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Company, Dr. Zhang and those Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Company, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Company at any time to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the VIEs are assigned to the Company, and the Company has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the VIEs. Dr. Zhang and the other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs have pledged their shares in the VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of September 30, 2005, the amount of these loans amounted to $7.3 million.

The following is a summary of the VIEs of the Company:

Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services, Ltd. (or Beijing Sohu) was incorporated in the PRC in 2000 and engages in Internet information, wireless and e-commerce services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Beijing Sohu is $242,000. Originally, Dr. Zhang and He Jinmei held 80% and 20% interests in Beijing Sohu, respectively. He Jinmei transferred all her shares in Beijing Sohu to High Century in June 2005. As a result, Dr. Zhang and High Century hold 80% and 20% interests in Beijing Sohu, respectively.

Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (or High Century) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of High Century is $4,595,000. Dr. Zhang and Li Wei, an employee of the Company, hold 80% and 20% interests in High Century, respectively.

Beijing Hengda Yitong Internet Technology Development Co., Ltd. (or Hengda) was incorporated in the PRC in 2002 and engages in Internet access and wireless services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Hengda is $1,210,000. Originally High Century and Li Wei held 80% and 20% interests in Hengda,

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respectively. In November 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Li Wei transferred their interests in Hengda to Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun hold 80% and 20% interests in Hengda, respectively.

Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co. Ltd. (or Sohu Internet) was incorporated in the PRC in 2003. Sohu Internet engages in Internet information, wireless and advertising services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The original registered capital was $605,000, and High Century and He Jinmei held 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Internet, respectively. In December 2003, Hengda made a $605,000 investment in Sohu Internet. In April 2005, He Jinmei transferred all her interests in Sohu Internet to High Century, and High Century made a $1,208,000 additional investment in Sohu Internet. As a result, the registered capital of Sohu Internet is now $2,418,000, with High Century and Hengda holding 75% and 25% interests, respectively.

Beijing Goodfeel Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Goodfeel) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in value added telecommunication services in the PRC. The registered capital of Goodfeel is currently $1,208,000. In May 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet acquired 73% and 27% interests in Goodfeel, respectively. In July 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet invested an additional $613,000 and $473,000 in Goodfeel, respectively, so that High Century owned a 58.1% interest in Goodfeel with the remaining 41.9% interest owned by Sohu Internet. In October 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Sohu Internet transferred their interests in Goodfeel to Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing own 58.1% and 41.9% interests in Goodfeel, respectively.

Beijing Huohu Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (or Huohu) was incorporated in the PRC in 2005. Huohu engages in software and technology development for gaming business. The registered capital of Huohu is $121,000. Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Sohu Era), one of the indirect China-based subsidiaries of the Company, and an employee of Huohu, hold 75% and 25% interest in Huohu, respectively. The Company provided the employee with a non-interest bearing loan of $31,000 to finance his capital contribution to Huohu. The loan is repayable upon demand by the Company at any time or upon termination of the employment of the employee and can only be repaid through transfer of the employee’s shares in Huohu to Sohu Era. Based on the arrangement between the Sohu Era and the employee, Sohu Era is the sole and primary beneficiary of Houhu. Accordingly, Huohu is 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the Company.

Tu Xing Tian Xia was incorporated in the PRC in 1999 and engaged in mapping services in the PRC. The registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia is $248,000. In May 2005, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Go2Map, the Company designated High Century and Sohu Internet as its designees to purchase the outstanding registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia. As a result, High Century and Sohu Internet own 56.1% and 43.9% interests in Tu Xing Tian Xia, respectively.

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As of September 30, 2005, the aggregate accumulated losses of the above VIEs were approximately $1.6 million and have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

(a) Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

FASB Interpretation No. 46R “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” requires a VIE to be consolidated by a company if that company is the primary beneficiary of that VIE.

To satisfy PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts its Internet information, wireless, Internet access, e-commerce and certain other businesses in the PRC via its VIEs. These VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang (“Dr. Zhang”), the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu shareholder, and certain employees of the Company. Capital for the VIEs is funded by the Company through loans provided to Dr. Zhang and those employees, and is initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes with the capital of VIEs during consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Company, Dr. Zhang and those Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Company, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Company at any time to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the VIEs are assigned to the Company, and the Company has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the VIEs. Dr. Zhang and the other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs have pledged their shares in the VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of June 30, 2005, the amount of these loans amounted to $7.2 million.

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The following is a summary of the VIEs of the Company:

Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services, Ltd (or Beijing Sohu) was incorporated in the PRC in 2000 and engages in Internet information, wireless and e-commerce services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Beijing Sohu is $242,000. Originally, Dr. Zhang and He Jinmei held 80% and 20% interests in Beijing Sohu, respectively. He Jinmei transferred all her shares in Beijing Sohu to High Century in June 2005. As a result, Dr. Zhang and High Century hold 80% and 20% interests in Beijing Sohu, respectively.

Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (or High Century) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of High Century is $4,595,000. Dr. Zhang and Li Wei, an employee of the Company, hold 80% and 20% interests in High Century, respectively.

Beijing Hengda Yitong Internet Technology Development Co., Ltd. (or Hengda) was incorporated in the PRC in 2002 and engages in Internet access and wireless services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Hengda is $1,210,000. Originally High Century and Li Wei held 80% and 20% interests in Hengda, respectively. In November 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Li Wei transferred their interests in Hengda to Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun hold 80% and 20% interests in Hengda, respectively.

Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co. Ltd. (or Sohu Internet) was incorporated in the PRC in 2003. Sohu Internet engages in Internet information, wireless and advertising services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The original registered capital was $605,000, and High Century and He Jinmei held 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Internet, respectively. In December 2003, Hengda made a $605,000 investment in Sohu Internet. In April 2005, He Jinmei transferred all her interests in Sohu Internet to High Century, and High Century made a $1,208,000 additional investment in Sohu Internet. As a result, the registered capital of Sohu Internet is now $2,418,000, with High Century and Hengda holding 75% and 25% interests, respectively.

Beijing Goodfeel Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Goodfeel) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in value added telecommunication services in the PRC. The registered capital of Goodfeel is currently $1,208,000. In May 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet acquired 73% and 27% interests in Goodfeel, respectively. In July 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet invested an additional $613,000 and $473,000 in Goodfeel, respectively, so that High Century owned a 58.1% interest in Goodfeel with the remaining 41.9% interest owned by Sohu Internet. In October 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Sohu Internet transferred their interests in Goodfeel to Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing own 58.1% and 41.9% interests in Goodfeel, respectively.

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Beijing Huohu Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (or Huohu) was incorporated in the PRC in 2005. Huohu engages in software and technology development for gaming business. The registered capital of Huohu is $121,000. Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Sohu Era), one of the indirect China-based subsidiaries of the Company, and an employee of Huohu, hold 75% and 25% interest in Huohu, respectively. The Company provided the employee with a non-interest bearing loan of $30,000 to finance his capital contribution to Huohu. The loan is repayable upon demand by the Company at any time or upon termination of the employment of the employee and can only be repaid through transfer of the employee’s shares in Huohu to Sohu Era. Based on the arrangement between the Sohu Era and the employee, Sohu Era is the sole and primary beneficiary of Houhu. Accordingly, Huohu is 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the Company.

Tu Xing Tian Xia was incorporated in the PRC in 1999 and engaged in mapping services in the PRC. The registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia is $248,000. In May 2005, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Go2Map, the Company designated High Century and Sohu Internet as its designees to purchase the outstanding registered capital of Tu Xing Tian Xia. As a result, High Century and Sohu Internet own 56.1% and 43.9% interests in Tu Xing Tian Xia, respectively.

As of June 30, 2005, the aggregate accumulated losses of the above VIEs were approximately $621,000 and have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

(a) Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

The Company has adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN 46 requires a VIE to be consolidated by a company if that company is the primary beneficiary of that VIE.

To satisfy PRC laws and regulations, the Company conducts its Internet information, wireless, Internet access, e-commerce and certain other businesses in the PRC via its VIEs. These VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang (“Dr. Zhang”), the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a major Sohu shareholder, and certain employees of the Company. Capital for the VIEs is funded by the Company through loans provided to Dr. Zhang and the employees, and is initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes with the capital of VIEs during consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Company, Dr. Zhang and other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Company, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Company at any time to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the VIEs are assigned to the Company, and the Company has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the VIEs. Dr. Zhang and the other Sohu employees who are shareholders of the VIEs have pledged their shares in the VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of March 31, 2005, the amount of these loans amounted to $7.4 million.

The following is a summary of the VIEs of the Company:

Beijing Sohu Online Network Information Services, Ltd (or Beijing Sohu) was incorporated in the PRC in 2000 and engages in Internet information, wireless and e-commerce services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Beijing Sohu is $242,000. Dr. Zhang and He Jinmei, an employee of the Company who left Sohu in February 2005, hold 80% and 20% interests in Beijing Sohu, respectively.

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Beijing Century High Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (or High Century) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in investment holding in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of High Century is $4,595,000. Dr. Zhang and Li Wei, an employee of the Company, hold 80% and 20% interests in High Century, respectively.

Beijing Hengda Yitong Internet Technology Development Co., Ltd. (or Hengda) was incorporated in the PRC in 2002 and engages in Internet access and wireless services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The registered capital of Hengda is $1,210,000. Originally High Century and Li Wei held 80% and 20% interests in Hengda, respectively. In November 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Li Wei transferred their interests in Hengda to Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Wang Xin and Wang Jianjun hold 80% and 20% interests in Hengda, respectively.

Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co. Ltd. (or Sohu Internet) was incorporated in the PRC in 2003 and engages in Internet information and wireless services in the PRC on behalf of the Company. The original registered capital was $605,000, and High Century and He Jinmei held 80% and 20% interests in Sohu Internet, respectively. Hengda made a $605,000 investment in Sohu Internet in December 2003, and, as a result, the registered capital is now $1,210,000, with Hengda, High Century and He Jinmei holding 50%, 40% and 10% interests, respectively.

Beijing Goodfeel Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Goodfeel) was incorporated in the PRC in 2001 and engages in value added telecommunication services in the PRC. The registered capital of Goodfeel is $1,208,000. In May 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet acquired 73% and 27% interests in Goodfeel, respectively. In July 2004, High Century and Sohu Internet invested $613,000 and $473,000 in Goodfeel, respectively, so that High Century owned a 58.1% interest in Goodfeel with the remaining 41.9% interest owned by Sohu Internet. In October 2004, to further satisfy PRC regulations, High Century and Sohu Internet transferred their interests in Goodfeel to Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing, each of whom is an employee of the Company. As a result, Deng Xiufeng and Zhou Jing own 58.1% and 41.9% interests in Goodfeel, respectively.

In addition to the above VIEs, on March 2, 2005, Beijing Huohu Digital Technology Co., Ltd (or Huohu), was incorporated in the PRC. Huohu engages in software and technology development for gaming business. The registered capital of Huohu is $121,000. Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (or Sohu Era), one of the indirect China-based subsidiaries of the Company, and an employee of Huohu, hold 75% and 25% interest in Huohu, respectively. The Company provided the employee a non-interest bearing loan amounted to $30,250 to finance his capital contribution to Huohu. The loan can only be repaid through transfer of the employee’s shares in Huohu to Sohu Era, at anytime upon request of the Company or termination of the employment of the employee. Based on the arrangement between the Sohu Era and the employee, Sohu Era is the sole and primary beneficiary of Houhu. Accordingly, Huohu is 100% consolidated into the financial statements of the Company.

As of March 31, 2005, the aggregate accumulated losses of the above VIEs were approximately $595,000 and have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

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