The distribution was conditioned on a tax opinion from outside counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to us, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution and certain related transactions will qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (the "Tax Opinion"). Additionally, we received a private letter ruling from the IRS, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (the "IRS Ruling"). The IRS Ruling and the Tax Opinion relied on certain facts, assumptions, and undertakings, and certain representations from us and Xperi Inc., regarding the past and future conduct of both respective businesses and other matters.
The Tax Opinion also relied on the continued validity of the IRS Ruling. Notwithstanding the Tax Opinion and the IRS Ruling, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as a taxable transaction if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated, or that the distribution should be taxable for other reasons, including if the IRS were to disagree with the conclusions of the Tax Opinion that are not covered by the IRS Ruling.
If the distribution ultimately is determined to be taxable, then our stockholders that received shares of Xperi Inc. common stock in the distribution would be treated as having received a distribution of property in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares (including any fractional shares sold on behalf of such stockholder) on the distribution date and could incur significant income tax liabilities, and we would recognize corporate level taxable gain on the distribution in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of Xperi Inc. common stock distributed to our stockholders on the distribution date over our tax basis in such stock. In addition, if certain related transactions, including certain transactions undertaken pursuant to our internal reorganization and business realignment, through which we entered into a series of internal reorganization transactions with Xperi Inc. to align our respective product and IP licensing businesses (the "Internal Reorganization and Business Realignment"), that are intended to qualify for tax-free treatment, fail to qualify for tax-free treatment under U.S. federal, state, local tax and/or foreign tax law, we and Xperi Inc. could incur significant tax liabilities and/or lose significant tax attributes under U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax law.
Even if the distribution otherwise constitutes a tax-free transaction to stockholders under Section 355 of the Code, we may be required to recognize corporate level tax on the distribution and certain related transactions under Section 355(e) of the Code if, as a result of the all-stock merger of equals transaction consummated on June 1, 2020 between TiVo Corporation and Xperi Corporation and their respective consolidated subsidiaries (the "Mergers") or other transactions considered part of a plan with the distribution, there is a 50 percent or greater change of ownership in us or Xperi Inc.
Following the Mergers, and in anticipation of the distribution, we sought and received the IRS Ruling, which included a ruling from the IRS regarding the proper manner and methodology for measuring the common ownership of our stock and the stock of TiVo Corporation and Xperi Corporation for purposes of determining whether there has been a 50 percent or greater change of ownership under Section 355(e) of the Code. The Tax Opinion relied on the continued validity of the IRS Ruling, as well as certain factual representations from us as to the extent of common ownership in the stock of TiVo Corporation and Xperi Corporation immediately prior to the Mergers. Based on the representations made by us as to the common ownership in the stock of TiVo Corporation and Xperi Corporation immediately prior to the Mergers and assuming the continued validity of the IRS Ruling, the Tax Opinion concluded that there was not a 50 percent or greater change of ownership for purposes of Section 355(e) as a result of the Mergers. Notwithstanding the Tax Opinion and the IRS Ruling, the IRS could determine that the distribution or a related transaction should nevertheless be treated as a taxable transaction to us if it determines that any of the facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings provided by us are not correct or that the distribution should be taxable for other reasons, including if the IRS were to disagree with the conclusions in the Tax Opinion that are not covered by the IRS Ruling.
Under the tax matters agreement that we entered into with Xperi Inc. on October 1, 2022 (the "Tax Matters Agreement"), Xperi Inc. is generally obligated to indemnify us against taxes imposed on us that result from the failure of the distribution to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any taxes imposed on us due to the application of Section 355(e) to the distribution), to the extent such failure is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to Xperi Inc. or its affiliates' stock, assets or business, or any breach of Xperi Inc.'s representations, covenants or obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement (or certain other agreements it entered into in connection with the separation and distribution) or any breach by Xperi Inc. or its affiliates of representations made in any representation letter provided in connection with the Tax Opinion.
If the distribution fails to qualify for non-recognition treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes for certain reasons relating to the overall structure of the Mergers and the distribution, then under the Tax Matters Agreement, we and Xperi Inc. would share the tax liability resulting from such failure in accordance with our relative market capitalizations as of the distribution date (determined based on the average trading prices of each company's stock during the ten trading days beginning on the distribution date).
If the distribution or certain related transactions are determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities. As described above, we may be entitled to indemnification from Xperi Inc. under the Tax Matters Agreement for all or a portion of such tax liabilities. However, if Xperi Inc. fails to indemnify us, as required by the Tax Matters Agreement, or if we are required to recognize tax on the distribution or certain related transactions under circumstances where we are not entitled to indemnification, or if such indemnities are not sufficient to satisfy the full amount of such tax, we could be subject to significant tax liability. Even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Xperi Inc. any amounts that are subject to indemnification, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.