Dolby Laboratories (DLB) 10-K16 Nov 232023 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Cover

Cover - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
Cover - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 29, 2023	Oct. 27, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32431
Entity Registrant Name	DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	90-0199783
Entity Address, Address Line One	1275 Market Street
Entity Address, City or Town	San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94103-1410
City Area Code	415
Local Phone Number	558-0200
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A common stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	DLB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag]	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 4.1
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the registrant’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed subsequent to the date hereof, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report. Such Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the registrant’s fiscal year ended September 29, 2023. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, the Definitive Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as part of this Form 10-K.
Entity Central Index Key	0001308547
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-29
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		59,190,225
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,085,779

Audit Information

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
Audit Information	Sep. 29, 2023
Audit Information [Abstract]
Auditor Firm ID	185
Auditor Name	KPMG LLP
Auditor Location	San Francisco, California

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 745,364	$ 620,127
Restricted cash	72,602	8,244
Short-term investments	139,148	189,213
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $9,683 and $11,834	262,245	243,593
Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	182,130	176,093
Inventories	35,623	23,549
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	50,692	50,075
Total current assets	1,487,804	1,310,894
Long-term investments	97,812	102,514
Property, plant and equipment, net	481,581	513,481
Operating lease right-of-use assets	40,199	46,530
Intangible assets, net	167,427	112,265
Goodwill	408,409	365,147
Deferred taxes	201,860	183,568
Other non-current assets	94,674	55,149
Total assets	2,979,766	2,689,548
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	20,925	14,171
Accrued liabilities	351,399	230,237
Income taxes payable	4,769	1,265
Contract liabilities	31,505	18,588
Operating lease liabilities	13,628	13,257
Total current liabilities	422,226	277,518
Non-current contract liabilities	39,997	23,203
Non-current operating lease liabilities	37,020	37,685
Other non-current liabilities	108,339	100,122
Total liabilities	607,582	438,528
Stockholders' equity:
Retained earnings	2,391,990	2,297,730
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(36,984)	(51,641)
Total stockholders’ equity – Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	2,355,100	2,246,183
Controlling interest	17,084	4,837
Total stockholders’ equity	2,372,184	2,251,020
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,979,766	2,689,548
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	53	53
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 41	$ 41

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares
Allowance for doubtful accounts \| $	$ 9,683	$ 11,834
Contract with customer, asset, allowance for credit loss \| $	$ 138	$ 125
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share) \| vote	1	1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	59,673,633	59,798,862
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	59,673,633	59,798,862
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share) \| vote	10	10
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	36,085,779	36,085,779
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	36,085,779	36,085,779

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 1,299,744	$ 1,253,793	$ 1,281,256
Cost of revenue:
Total cost of revenue	152,566	141,360	130,025
Gross margin	1,147,178	1,112,433	1,151,231
Operating expenses:
Research and development	271,523	261,174	253,640
Sales and marketing	354,364	358,716	332,671
General and administrative	258,477	275,315	224,161
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	(13,871)
Restructuring charges	47,061	10,623	10,240
Total operating expenses	931,425	905,828	806,841
Operating income	215,753	206,605	344,390
Other income/(expense):
Interest income/(expense), net	28,086	6,174	3,014
Other income/(expense), net	6,214	2,500	7,108
Total other income	34,300	8,674	10,122
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	250,053	215,279	354,512
Provision for income taxes	(48,409)	(31,381)	(36,689)
Net income including controlling interest	201,644	183,898	317,823
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 200,656	$ 184,087	$ 310,227
Net Income Per Share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 2.10	$ 1.84	$ 3.07
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 2.05	$ 1.81	$ 2.97
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Basic (shares)	95,771	99,990	101,190
Diluted (shares)	97,733	101,983	104,622
Related party rent expense:
Cash dividend declared per common share	$ 1.11	$ 1.02	$ 0.91
Cash dividend paid per common share	$ 1.08	$ 1	$ 0.88
Related Party
Related party rent expense:
Included in operating expenses	$ 0	$ 0	$ (392)
Included in net income attributable to controlling interest	292	284	381
Nonrelated Party
Other income/(expense):
Less: net (income) attributable to controlling interest	(988)	189	(7,596)
Licensing
Revenue:
Revenue	1,197,930	1,164,533	1,214,147
Cost of revenue:
Cost of revenue	64,890	61,597	55,421
Products and services
Revenue:
Revenue	101,814	89,260	67,109
Cost of revenue:
Cost of revenue	$ 87,676	$ 79,763	$ 74,604

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income including controlling interest	$ 201,644	$ 183,898	$ 317,823
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	7,574	(31,586)	5,510
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net of tax	3,128	(6,206)	(598)
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax	4,286	(4,361)	(4,091)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	14,988	(42,153)	821
Comprehensive income	216,632	141,745	318,644
Less: comprehensive (income) attributable to controlling interest	(1,319)	731	(7,853)
Comprehensive income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 215,313	$ 142,476	$ 310,791

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Currency translation tax	$ 73	$ (245)	$ (501)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments,tax	54	50	108
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, tax	$ 85	$ 324	$ (419)

Consolidated Statements Of Stoc

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Total Dolby Laboratories,Inc.[Member]	Controlling Interest [Member]	Common Class A [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Common Class B [Member] Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance, shares at Sep. 25, 2020							64,168,000	36,129,000
Beginning balance, value at Sep. 25, 2020	$ 2,438,405	$ 0	$ 2,443,138	$ (10,594)	$ 2,432,643	$ 5,762	$ 58	$ 41
Net income	317,823		310,227		310,227	7,596
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	821			564	564	257
Distributions to controlling interest	(7,362)					(7,362)
Stock-based compensation expense	99,698	99,698			99,698
Repurchase of common stock, shares							(2,584,000)
Repurchase of common stock, value	(245,864)	(189,577)	(56,284)		(245,864)		$ (3)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(89,172)		(89,172)		(89,172)
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares							3,714,000
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	122,088	122,084			122,088		$ 4
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares							354,000
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	(32,205)	(32,205)			(32,205)
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, shares							(42,000)	42,000
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 24, 2021							64,986,000	36,087,000
Ending balance, value at Sep. 24, 2021	2,604,232	0	2,607,909	(10,030)	2,597,979	6,253	$ 59	$ 41
Net income	183,898		184,087		184,087	(189)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(42,153)			(41,611)	(41,611)	(542)
Distributions to controlling interest	(1,435)					(1,435)
Stock-based compensation expense	114,925	114,925			114,925
Capitalized stock-based compensation expense	746	746			746
Repurchase of common stock, shares							(7,003,000)
Repurchase of common stock, value	(530,486)	(137,100)	(393,379)		(530,486)		$ (7)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(100,067)		(100,067)		(100,067)
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares							2,224,000
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	57,848	57,846			57,848		$ 2
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares							409,000
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	(36,418)	(36,417)			(36,418)		$ (1)
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, shares							(1,000)	1,000
Deconsolidation of subsidiary	(70)		(820)		(820)	750
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2022							59,799,000	36,086,000
Ending balance, value at Sep. 30, 2022	2,251,020	0	2,297,730	(51,641)	2,246,183	4,837	$ 53	$ 41
Net income	201,644		200,656		200,656	988
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	14,988			14,657	14,657	331
Distributions to controlling interest	(266)					(266)
Stock-based compensation expense	118,486	118,486			118,486
Capitalized stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,160	1,160			1,160
Repurchase of common stock, shares	(1,892,199)						(1,892,000)
Repurchase of common stock, value	$ (149,276)	(146,285)	(2,989)		(149,276)		$ (2)
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	(103,407)		(103,407)		(103,407)
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares							2,189,000
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	47,781	47,779			47,781		$ 2
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares							(422,000)
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	(31,144)	(31,144)			(31,144)
Equity issued in connection with business combination	21,198	10,004			10,004	11,194
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 29, 2023							59,674,000	36,086,000
Ending balance, value at Sep. 29, 2023	$ 2,372,184	$ 0	$ 2,391,990	$ (36,984)	$ 2,355,100	$ 17,084	$ 53	$ 41

Consolidated Statements Of St_2

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Currency translation tax	$ 73	$ (245)	$ (501)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments,tax	$ 54	$ 50	$ 108

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Operating activities:
Net income including controlling interest	$ 201,644	$ 183,898	$ 317,823
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	82,558	88,461	95,860
Stock-based compensation	118,486	114,925	99,698
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets	12,956	15,148	16,897
Amortization of premium on investments	(860)	1,440	1,373
Provision for doubtful accounts	(793)	5,460	(2,889)
Deferred income taxes	(18,337)	(29,465)	(37,048)
Impairment loss on internally developed software	16,225	0	0
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	(13,871)
Other non-cash items affecting net income	(2,800)	(5,037)	(5,452)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	47,779	(14,314)	(49,034)
Contract assets, net	347	6,300	(21,154)
Inventories	(13,226)	(11,759)	17,154
Operating lease right-of-use assets	(8,817)	266	(5,199)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,868	8,760	17,165
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(52,315)	(33,542)	44,230
Income taxes, net	(8,722)	8,446	(2,975)
Contract liabilities	(8,379)	(413)	2,361
Operating lease liabilities	(5,818)	(15,399)	(11,369)
Other non-current liabilities	3,285	(4,599)	(15,817)
Net cash provided by operating activities	367,081	318,576	447,753
Investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(172,955)	(311,313)	(67,101)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	54,964	9,459	10,892
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities	176,833	108,546	53,893
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(30,339)	(47,928)	(54,454)
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0	16,365
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	25,703	(38,171)	(4,500)
Purchases of intangible assets	0	(11,528)	0
Purchases of other investments	0	(5,000)	0
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	54,206	(295,935)	(44,905)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	47,781	57,848	122,088
Repurchase of common stock	(149,276)	(530,486)	(245,864)
Payment of cash dividend	(103,407)	(100,067)	(89,172)
Distribution to controlling interest	(266)	(1,435)	(7,362)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	(31,144)	(36,418)	(32,205)
Payments for Deferred Consideration	500	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(236,812)	(610,558)	(252,515)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5,120	(16,744)	2,720
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	189,595	(604,661)	153,053
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	628,371	1,233,032	1,079,979
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	817,966	628,371	1,233,032
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	61,481	40,340	70,737
Non-cash investing activities:
Change in property, plant, and equipment purchased, unpaid at period-end	3,882	(1,481)	2,772
Equity issued in connection with business combination	21,198	0	0
Purchase consideration payable for acquisition	0	0	500
Purchase consideration payable for intangible assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 30

Basis Of Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Basis Of Presentation	Sep. 29, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	. Basis of Presentation Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder or other entities have a noncontrolling interest. We report these noncontrolling interests as a separate line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and in our consolidated balance sheets as a noncontrolling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated shipments by our licensees for which we are owed a sales-based royalty. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Our estimates of royalty-based revenue also take into consideration the macroeconomic effect of global events that may impact our licensees' supply chain activities as well as demand for shipments. Additional significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include ESPs for performance obligations within revenue arrangements; allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments; accrued liabilities including unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and contingent liabilities; and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates. Fiscal Year

Summary Of Significant Accounti

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 29, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Credit Risk Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments, accounts receivable, and contract assets. We maintain cash, cash equivalents, and investments with multiple financial institutions that have high credit standing, and that we believe are financially sound and have minimal credit risk exposure, although at times our balances may exceed the applicable insurance coverage limits. We monitor and manage the overall counterparty credit risk exposure of our cash balances to individual financial institutions on an ongoing basis. Our investment portfolio consists of investment-grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All of our securities are held in custody by large national financial institutions. Our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% of our total portfolio to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these investments. We also mitigate counterparty risk through entering into derivative contracts with high-credit-quality financial institutions. Actual or potential defaults of one or more financial institutions could impact our results of operations or financial position, and make it challenging to find alternative qualified counterparties. The majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the U.S. We manage the credit risk posed by non-U.S. customers by performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers and recognize revenue in accordance with US GAAP. In fiscal 2023 and 2021, we did not have any individual customers that accounted for 10% of our total revenue. For fiscal 2022, we had one individual customer whose revenue exceeded 10% of our total revenue. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general checking accounts, money market accounts, and U.S. agency securities. Restricted Cash Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consists of royalties payable to third-party licensors through certain Via LA-administered patent pools. Restricted cash also consists of cash contributed by Dolby and third-party licensors to Via LA, our subsidiary, that may only be used for licensor enforcement actions or licensee compliance activities related to certain Via LA-administered patent pools, as well as to disperse costs associated with any audit of Via LA for the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) patent pool. Investments All of our investments are classified as AFS, with the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our SERP, which are classified as trading securities, and our equity securities. Investments that have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are classified as long-term investments. Our AFS securities and trading securities are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our AFS securities are reported as a component of AOCI, while realized gains and losses and credit losses are reported as a component of net income. Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. We evaluate our investment portfolio for impairment by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. If the fair value of our AFS securities is less than amortized cost, such securities are considered impaired. If we have the intent to sell the debt security, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost, the difference between the amortized cost (net of allowance, if any) and the fair value of the securities is reported as an impairment loss in net income. Impaired AFS securities that we intend to hold are evaluated to determine whether we need to recognize an allowance for credit losses, limited to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of the security. Equity Securities Equity securities for which we possess the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financing decisions are accounted for under the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record the investment at cost and subsequently increase or decrease the carrying amount of the investment by our proportionate share of the investee's net earnings or losses. We record dividends or other equity distributions as reductions in the carrying value of the investment. Our share of the equity method investee's net income or loss is included in other income/(expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations, and was $5.1 million, $5.0 million, and $4.7 million in fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. Our equity method investment is included within long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. We also hold an investment in an equity security of a privately-held company without a readily determinable fair value. We elected to account for this investment using the measurement alternative, which is cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment at each reporting date to determine whether there are triggering events for impairment. This equity security is included within long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. Allowance for Credit Losses We maintain a provision for estimated credit losses on receivables resulting from our customers' inability to make required payments. In determining the provision, we pool receivables with similar risk characteristics to evaluate the collectability of our receivables. Risk characteristics considered in creating these risk pools include assessing historical or expected loss patterns, credit ratings, current macroeconomic conditions that could impact collectability of cash flows, and structure of customer agreements. In cases where circumstances have changed such that specific customers no longer share similar risk characteristics, customers are excluded from their current pool and their risk profiles are evaluated separately. We recognize allowances for credit losses based on our actual historical loss information, the current business environment, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates. Inventories Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We evaluate our ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future sales demand by product within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written down to their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Property, Plant, and Equipment PP&E is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table: PP&E Category Useful Life Computer equipment and software 3 to 5 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 8 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 8 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or related lease term Equipment provided under operating leases 15 years Buildings and building improvements 20 to 40 years We may encounter scenarios where assets we acquire may deviate from the established standard useful life provided above. Such occurrences are evaluated on a case by case basis, and are assigned a useful life commensurate with the facts and circumstances associated with the specific PP&E being acquired. We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service, we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and begin depreciating the value over its useful life. Equipment Provided Under Operating Leases. In arrangements that we assess as operating leases, we recognize our equipment installed at third-party sites as PP&E and depreciate the asset on a straight-line basis. Internal Use Software. We capitalize qualifying internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of external and internal labor, including stock based compensation, incurred during the application development stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Capitalized costs are included in PP&E, net of accumulated amortization in our consolidated balance sheets. Our capitalized internal use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets We perform an assessment of goodwill for potential impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. For our annual goodwill test as of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, a qualitative assessment was performed and we concluded that it was more likely than not that its fair value was in excess of its carrying amount. Accordingly, no quantitative assessment was performed and no impairment was recorded. We did not incur any goodwill impairment losses in any of the periods presented. Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and those with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology, patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a range from three We review long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or a change in circumstances indicate an asset or asset group’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset or asset group is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the total future undiscounted cash flows that it is expected to generate. If it is determined that an asset or asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. Revenue Recognition We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer. For additional financial information and a summary of our accounting policy, refer to Note 3. "Revenue Recognition" to our consolidated financial statements. Cost of Revenue Cost of licensing. Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes IP royalty obligations to third parties, depreciation of our Dolby Cinema equipment provided under operating leases in collaborative arrangements, and direct fees incurred. Cost of products and services. Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold, applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations paid to license IP that we include in our products. Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of employees performing our professional services, and those of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers. Stock-Based Compensation We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Advertising and Promotional Costs Advertising and promotional costs are charged primarily to S&M expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Advertising and promotional costs $ 59,821 $ 51,422 $ 52,253 Foreign Currency Activities Foreign Currency Translation. We maintain business operations in foreign countries. We translate the assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries, the majority of which are denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies, into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenue and expenses of these subsidiaries are translated using the average rates for the period. Gains and losses from these translations are included in AOCI within stockholders’ equity. Foreign Currency Transactions. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries transact in currencies other than their functional currency. Therefore, we re-measure non-functional currency assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries using exchange rates at the end of each period. As a result, we recognize foreign currency transaction and re-measurement gains and losses, which are recorded within other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. These losses were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Foreign currency transaction gains/(losses) $ 536 $ (1,283) $ (749) Non-designated Hedges. In an effort to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts exclusively to hedge against assets and liabilities for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded to other income/(expense), net, in our consolidated statements of operations. While not designated as hedging instruments, these foreign currency forward contracts are used to reduce the exchange rate risk associated primarily with intercompany receivables and payables. These contracts do not subject us to material balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements as gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the related receivables and payables for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the outstanding derivative instruments had maturities of equal to or less than 31 days, respectively, and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were $61.7 million and $56.6 million, respectively. The fair values of these contracts are included within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Cash Flow Hedges. We also enter into forward currency contracts exclusively designated as cash flow hedges, which have a maturity of thirteen months or less, to reduce the impact of currency volatility on U.S. dollar operating expenses. As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the outstanding derivative instruments had maturities of equal to or less than 12 months, and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were $73.1 million and $74.1 million, respectively. The gains and losses from the effective portions of cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as a component of AOCI, until the hedged item is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings, with the corresponding hedged item. Amounts reclassified are recorded to the same line item in the consolidated statements of operations as the impact of the hedge transaction, concurrently with the hedged costs. The pre-tax gain attributed to the effective portion of cash flow hedges recognized in AOCI was $4.9 million in fiscal 2023. The pre-tax loss attributed to the effective portion of cash flow hedges recognized in AOCI was $2.6 million in fiscal 2022. The pre-tax effective portion of the losses reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations was $0.7 million and $2.1 million in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Income Taxes We use the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, and NOL carryforwards are measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is additionally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment, and we record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reversed in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. Recently Issued Accounting Standards We continually assess any ASUs or other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB to determine their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected in our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. Adopted Standards Business Combinations. In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): A ccounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers , which requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by an acquirer in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . This standard is effective for Dolby beginning September 30, 2023 on a prospective basis, but early adoption is permitted. We early adopted this ASU in conjunction with the acquisition of MPEG LA by Via Corp (as defined below), and with that adoption, we recognized $38.1 million in deferred revenue. Refer to Note 15 " Business Combinations " for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA. There were no other business combinations entered into during fiscal 2023.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition	Sep. 29, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer. A. Identification of the Contract or Contracts with Customers We generally determine that a contract with a customer exists upon the execution of an agreement and after consideration of collectability, which could include an evaluation of the customer's payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the customer’s financial institution and our financial institution, public financial information, and other factors. At contract inception, we also evaluate whether two or more non-standard agreements with a customer should be combined and accounted for as a single contract. B. Identification of Performance Obligations in a Contract We generate revenue principally from the following sources, which represent performance obligations in our contracts with customers: • Licensing. We license our technologies, including patents, to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced audio and imaging functionality across broadcast, mobile, CE, PC, gaming, and other markets. • Product Sales. We design and provide audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, and entertainment industries. • Services. We provide various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment, including equipment training, mixing room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color and light image calibration. We also offer solutions to companies building real-time digital experiences that increase audience engagement. Our solution provides the capability to stream high quality audiovisual content in ultra-low latency which reduces the delay between the action and the viewer. • PCS. We provide PCS for products sold and for equipment leased, and we support the implementation of our licensing technologies in our licensees’ products. • Equipment Leases. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences by leasing equipment and licensing our IP. • Licensing Administration Fees. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. See Note 15 " Business Combinations " for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA. Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as hardware, software, support and maintenance, and extended warranty services. We evaluate whether promised products and services are distinct performance obligations. The majority of our arrangements with multiple performance obligations pertain to our digital cinema server and processor sales that include the following distinct performance obligations to which we allocate portions of the transaction price based on their stand-alone selling price: • Digital cinema server hardware and embedded software, which is dependent on and interrelated with the hardware. Accordingly, the hardware and embedded software represent a single performance obligation. • The right to support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the digital cinema server hardware, is a distinct performance obligation. • The right to receive commissioning services is a distinct performance obligation within the sale of the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. C. Determination of Transaction Price for Performance Obligations in a Contract After identifying the distinct performance obligations, we determine the transaction price in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed contract which may include variable consideration such as discounts, rebates, refunds, rights of returns, and incentives. We assess and update, if necessary, the amount of variable consideration to which we are entitled for each reporting period. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate and accrue a liability for returns and adjustments as a reduction to revenue based on several factors, including past returns history. With the exception of our sales-based royalties, we evaluate whether a significant financing component exists when we recognize revenue in advance of customer payments that occur over time. For example, some of our licensing arrangements include payment terms greater than one year from when we transfer control of our IP to a licensee and the receipt of the final payment for that IP. If a significant financing component exists, we classify a portion of the transaction price as interest income, instead of recognizing all of the transaction price as revenue. We do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing if, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is expected to be one year or less. D. Allocation of Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations in a Contract For our sales-based royalties where the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we present all revenue as licensing. For revenue arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation based on the actual selling prices made to customers. If the performance obligation is not sold separately, we estimate the stand-alone selling price. We do so by considering market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer specific information and industry technology lifecycles, internal conditions such as cost and pricing practices, or applying the residual approach method when the selling price of the good, most commonly a license, is highly variable or uncertain. Once the transaction price, including any variable consideration, has been determined, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract and recognize revenue as or when control is transferred for each distinct performance obligation. E. Revenue Recognition as Control is Transferred to a Customer We generate our licensing revenue by licensing our technologies and patents to various types of licensees, such as chip manufacturers ("implementation licensees"), consumer product manufacturers, software vendors, and communications service providers. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below. Initial fees from implementation licensees. Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies into their chipsets that, once approved by Dolby, are available for purchase by OEMs for use in end-user products. Implementation licensees only pay us a nominal initial fee on contract execution as consideration for the ongoing services that we provide to assist in their implementation process. Revenue from these initial fees is recognized ratably over the contractual term as a component of licensing revenue. Sales-based licensing fees. In our royalty bearing licensing agreements with OEMs, control is transferred upon the later of contract execution or the contract’s effective date. We apply the royalty exception, which requires that we recognize sales-based royalties when the sales occur based on our estimates. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Generally, our estimates represent the current period’s shipments to which we expect our licensees to submit royalty statements within the following two quarters. Upon receipt of royalty statements from the licensees with the actual reporting of sales-based royalties that we estimated previously, we record a favorable or unfavorable adjustment based on the difference, if any, between estimated and actual sales. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of approximately $10 million, which was primarily related to shipments that occurred in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 (July through September) and largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees. In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $1 million, and in the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $1 million and $5 million, respectively, each primarily related to shipments that occurred in the prior two quarters, and largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees. Fixed and guaranteed licensing fees. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay fixed, non-refundable fees. In these cases, control is transferred and fees are recognized upon the later of contract execution or the effective date. Additionally and separate from initial fees from implementation licensees, our sales- and usage-based licensing agreements include a nominal fee, which is also recognized at a point in time in which control of the IP has been transferred. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. Recoveries. Through compliance efforts, we identify misreported licensed activity related to non-current periods. We may record a favorable or unfavorable revenue adjustment in connection with the findings from these compliance efforts generally upon resolution with the licensee through agreement of the findings, or upon receipt of the licensee’s correction statement. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. We undertake activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, which, when successful, result in the recognition of revenue. Recoveries stem from third parties who agree to remit payments to us based on past use of our technology. In these scenarios, a legally binding contract did not exist at the time of use of our technology, and therefore, we recognize revenue recoveries upon execution of the agreement as that is the point in time at which a contract exists and control is transferred. This revenue is classified as licensing revenue. In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. In addition to our licensing arrangements, we also enter into arrangements to deliver products and services. Product Sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the customer obtains control of the promised good or service, which is generally upon shipment. Payments are generally made within 90 days of sale. Services. We provide various services, such as engineering services related to movie soundtrack print mastering, equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, and image calibration, which we bill on a fixed fee and time and materials basis. Most of these services are of a short duration and are recognized as control of the performance obligations are transferred which is when the related services are performed. Cloud Services. We provide access to audio and video APIs through our developer platform as well as cloud encoding services, generally, on either a consumption or subscription basis. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a consumption basis is recognized when the customer utilizes the services, based on the quantity of services consumed. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a subscription basis is recognized ratably over the contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the cloud services. Collaborative Arrangements. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor are both active participants, and share the risks and rewards associated with the business. Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives revenue based on box office receipts, reported to Dolby by exhibitor partners on a monthly or quarterly basis, our proprietary designs and trademarks as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor's venue. The use of our product solution meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby's share of revenue, we apply ASC 842, Leases , and recognize revenue based on monthly box office reports from exhibitors. Our revenue share is recognized as licensing revenue in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, we also enter into hybrid agreements where a portion of our revenue share involves guaranteed payments, which in some cases result in classifying the arrangement as a sales-type lease. In such arrangements, we consider control to transfer at the point in time to which we have installed and tested the equipment, at which point we record such guaranteed payments as product revenue. Licensing Administration Fee. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. As an agent to licensors in the patent pool, Via LA receives a share of the sales-based royalty that the patent pool licensors earn from licensees. As such, we apply the sales-based royalty exception as the service provided is directly related to the patent pool licensors’ provision of IP, which results in recognition based on estimates of the licensee’s quarter shipments that use the pool’s patents. In addition to sales-based royalties, Via LA also has contracts where the fees are fixed. The revenue share Via LA receives from licensors on fixed fee contracts is recognized over the term in which we are providing services associated with the fixed fee contract. We recognize our administrative fees net of the consideration paid to the patent licensors in the pool as licensing revenue. See Note 15 " Business Combinations " to our consolidated financial statements for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA. Deferred revenue, which is a component of contract liabilities, represents amounts that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which we have yet to satisfy the performance obligation. On September 29, 2023, we had $71.3 million of remaining performance obligations, 44% of which we expect to recognize as revenue in fiscal 2024, 21% in fiscal 2025, and the balance of 35% in fiscal years beyond 2025. F. Disaggregation of Revenue The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): Fiscal Year Ended Revenue September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 Licensing $ 1,197,930 92 % $ 1,164,533 93 % $ 1,214,147 95 % Products and services 101,814 8 % 89,260 7 % 67,109 5 % Total revenue $ 1,299,744 100 % $ 1,253,793 100 % $ 1,281,256 100 % The following table presents the composition of our licensing revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): Fiscal Year Ended Market September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 Broadcast $ 451,719 38 % $ 433,992 37 % $ 475,648 39 % Mobile 243,897 20 % 238,735 21 % 261,232 22 % CE 170,197 14 % 186,285 16 % 181,944 15 % PC 124,362 10 % 151,079 13 % 141,919 12 % Other 207,755 18 % 154,442 13 % 153,404 12 % Total licensing revenue $ 1,197,930 100 % $ 1,164,533 100 % $ 1,214,147 100 % We license our technologies in approximately 70 countries, and our licensees distribute products that incorporate our technologies throughout the world. We generate the majority of our revenue from outside the U.S. Geographic data for our licensing revenue is based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters, products revenue is based on the destination to which we ship our products, and services revenue is based on the location where services are performed. The following table presents the composition of our revenue by geographic location for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): Fiscal Year Ended Geographic Location September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 United States $ 466,030 36 % $ 468,246 37 % $ 419,901 33 % International 833,714 64 % 785,547 63 % 861,355 67 % Total revenue $ 1,299,744 100 % $ 1,253,793 100 % $ 1,281,256 100 % G. Contract Balances Our contract assets represent rights to consideration from licensees for the use of our IP that we have estimated in a given period in the absence of receiving actual royalty statements from licensees. These estimates reflect our best judgment at that time, and are developed using a number of inputs, including historical data, industry estimates of expected shipments, anticipated sales price and performance, and third party data supporting the percentage of markets using our technologies. In the event that our estimates differ from actual amounts reported, we record an adjustment in the quarter in which the royalty statement is received, which is typically the quarter following our estimate. Actual amounts reported are typically paid within 60 days following the end of the quarter of shipment. The main drivers for change in the contract assets account are variances in quarterly estimates, and to a lesser degree, timing of receipt of actual royalty statements. Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in advance of performance and deferred revenue that is typically satisfied within one year. The non-current portion of contract liabilities is separately disclosed in our consolidated balance sheets. We present the net contract asset or liability when we have both contract assets and contract liabilities for a single contract. In fiscal 2023, we recognized $18.3 million from prior period deferred revenue. The following table presents a summary of the balances to which contract assets and liabilities related to revenue are recorded for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Change ($) Change (%) Accounts receivable, net $ 262,245 $ 243,593 $ 18,652 8 % Contract assets, net 182,130 176,093 6,037 3 % Contract liabilities - current 31,505 18,588 12,917 69 % Contract liabilities - non-current 39,997 23,203 16,794 72 %

Composition Of Certain Financia

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	12 Months Ended
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	Sep. 29, 2023
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions The following tables present detailed information from our consolidated balance sheets as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 (in thousands). Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets September 29, September 30, Trade accounts receivable $ 137,820 $ 162,531 Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees 134,108 92,896 Contract assets 182,268 176,218 Accounts receivable and contract assets, gross 454,196 431,645 Less: allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable and contract assets (9,821) (11,959) Total accounts receivable and contract assets, net $ 444,375 $ 419,686 Accounts receivable as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively, includes unbilled accounts receivable balances of $150.4 million and $106.9 million, related to amounts that are contractually owed. The unbilled balance represents our unconditional right to consideration related to fixed fee contracts which we are entitled to as a result of satisfying, or partially satisfying, performance obligations, as well as Via LA's unconditional right to consideration related to its patent administration programs. Allowance for Credit Losses Beginning Balance Charges/(Credits) Additions/(Deductions) Ending Balance For fiscal year ended: September 24, 2021 $ 15,908 $ (2,889) $ (4,067) $ 8,952 September 30, 2022 8,952 5,460 (7) 14,405 September 29, 2023 14,405 (793) (2,643) 10,969 Allowance for credit losses includes the provision for estimated credit losses on our sales-type leases, which was not material as of September 29, 2023 and as of September 30, 2022. Inventories September 29, September 30, Raw materials $ 6,203 $ 10,026 Work in process 3,972 4,955 Finished goods 25,448 8,568 Total inventories $ 35,623 $ 23,549 Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory with a consumption period expected to exceed twelve months is recorded within other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We have included $8.1 million and $2.8 million of inventory within non-current assets as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Based on anticipated inventory consumption rates, and aside from existing write-downs due to excess inventory, we do not believe that material risk of obsolescence exists prior to ultimate sale. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets September 29, September 30, Prepaid expenses $ 24,435 $ 26,851 Other current assets 26,257 23,224 Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 50,692 $ 50,075 Accrued Liabilities September 29, September 30, Amounts payable to patent administration program partners $ 150,509 $ 63,106 Accrued compensation and benefits 118,728 84,111 Accrued professional fees 18,632 13,057 Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions 18,002 15,428 Accrued customer refunds 3,878 3,674 Accrued market development funds 5,010 7,206 Other accrued liabilities 36,640 43,655 Total accrued liabilities $ 351,399 $ 230,237 Other Non-Current Liabilities September 29, September 30, Supplemental retirement plan obligations $ 4,302 $ 4,127 Non-current tax liabilities (1) 74,482 83,758 Other liabilities 29,555 12,237 Total other non-current liabilities $ 108,339 $ 100,122 (1) Refer to Note 12 " Income Taxes" for additional information related to our tax liabilities.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Sep. 29, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	Investments and Fair Value Measurements We use cash holdings to purchase investment-grade securities diversified among security types, industries, and issuers. All of our investments in debt securities are measured at fair value, and are recorded within cash equivalents and both short-term and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. With the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our SERP and classified as trading securities and our other long-term investments, all of our investments are classified as AFS securities. Derivative contracts are used to hedge currency risk, and these are carried at fair value and classified as other assets and other liabilities. Our investments in debt securities consist of corporate bonds, government bonds, municipal debt securities, U.S. agency securities, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. In addition, our cash and cash equivalents also consist of highly-liquid money market funds and U.S. agency securities. Consistent with our investment policy, none of our municipal debt investments are supported by letters of credit or standby purchase agreements. Our cash and investment portfolio consisted of the following (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 602,288 $ — $ — $ 602,288 $ 602,288 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Commercial paper 1,514 — — 1,514 — 1,514 — Money market funds 139,831 — — 139,831 139,831 — — Government Bonds 1,731 — — 1,731 1,731 — — Cash and cash equivalents 745,364 — — 745,364 743,850 1,514 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 530 — — 530 — 530 — U.S. agency securities 5,956 1 (7) 5,950 — 5,950 — Government bonds 50,220 3 (384) 49,839 46,246 3,593 — Commercial paper 5,843 — (3) 5,840 — 5,840 — Corporate bonds 61,803 — (431) 61,372 — 61,372 — Municipal debt securities 15,801 — (184) 15,617 — 15,617 — Short-term investments 140,153 4 (1,009) 139,148 46,246 92,902 — Long-term investments: Government bonds 33,227 — (1,046) 32,181 32,181 — — Corporate bonds 39,057 6 (589) 38,474 — 38,474 — Municipal debt securities 16,137 — (224) 15,913 — 15,913 — Other investments (1) 11,244 — — 11,244 — — — Long-term investments 99,665 6 (1,859) 97,812 32,181 54,387 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 985,182 $ 10 $ (2,868) $ 982,324 $ 822,277 $ 148,803 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,400 $ — $ — $ 4,400 $ 4,400 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,400 $ — $ — $ 4,400 $ 4,400 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 144 $ — $ 144 $ — $ 144 $ — Assets: included in other non-current assets — 2 — 2 — 2 — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (618) (618) — (618) — Liabilities: Included in other non-current liabilities — — (24) (24) — (24) — (1) Other investments as of September 29, 2023 is primarily comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million. September 30, 2022 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 474,813 $ — $ — $ 474,813 $ 474,813 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Money market funds 134,987 — — 134,987 134,987 — — U.S. agency securities 10,328 — (1) 10,327 — 10,327 — Cash and cash equivalents 620,128 — (1) 620,127 609,800 10,327 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 23,033 8 (47) 22,994 — 22,994 — U.S. agency securities 3,412 — (21) 3,391 — 3,391 — Government bonds 57,417 — (705) 56,712 52,833 3,879 — Commercial paper 8,786 1 (15) 8,772 — 8,772 — Corporate bonds 72,730 — (734) 71,996 — 71,996 — Municipal debt securities 25,589 — (241) 25,348 — 25,348 — Short-term investments 190,967 9 (1,763) 189,213 52,833 136,380 — Long-term investments: U.S. agency securities 861 — (39) 822 — 822 — Government bonds 43,816 — (2,222) 41,594 38,055 3,539 — Corporate bonds 29,684 4 (1,349) 28,339 — 28,339 — Municipal debt securities 21,483 — (626) 20,857 — 20,857 — Other investments (1) 10,902 — — 10,902 — — — Long-term investments 106,746 4 (4,236) 102,514 38,055 53,557 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 917,841 $ 13 $ (6,000) $ 911,854 $ 700,688 $ 200,264 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,225 $ — $ — $ 4,225 $ 4,225 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,225 $ — $ — $ 4,225 $ 4,225 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities $ — $ — $ (4,882) $ (4,882) $ — $ (4,882) $ — Liabilities: Included in other non-current liabilities — — (420) (420) — (420) — (1) Other investments as of September 30, 2022 is comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million. Fair Value Hierarchy. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We minimize the use of unobservable inputs and use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value. We classify our inputs to measure fair value using the following three-level hierarchy: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. We base the fair value of our Level 1 financial instruments, which are traded in active markets, using quoted market prices for identical instruments. Level 2: Prices may be based upon quoted prices in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets but are corroborated by market data. We obtain the fair value of our Level 2 financial instruments from a professional pricing service, which may use quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, or model driven valuations using observable market data or inputs corroborated by observable market data. To validate the fair value determination provided by our primary pricing service, we perform quality controls over values received which include comparing our pricing service provider’s assessment of the fair values of our investment securities against the fair values of our investment securities obtained from another independent source, reviewing the pricing movement in the context of overall market trends, and reviewing trading information from our investment managers. In addition, we assess the inputs and methods used in determining the fair value in order to determine the classification of securities in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the currency derivatives are calculated from market spot rates, forward rates, interest rates, and credit ratings at the end of the period. Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The following table describes the valuation techniques and inputs applicable to each class of security held within our investment portfolio as of September 29, 2023: Asset Type Primary Source Update Frequency Fair Value Methodology Secondary Source Level 1 Money Market Funds Not Applicable Daily $1 per share Not Applicable U.S. Government Bonds ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Institutional Bond Quotes - evaluations based on various market and industry inputs Bloomberg Level 2 Certificates of Deposit ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Institutional Bond Quotes - evaluations based on various market and industry inputs Bloomberg Commercial Paper U.S. Bank Pricing Unit Daily Matrix Pricing Not Applicable Corporate Bonds ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Institutional Bond Quotes - evaluations based on various market and industry inputs Bloomberg Municipal Debt Securities ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Evaluations based on various market and industry inputs Bloomberg U.S. Agency Securities ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Institutional Bond Quotes - evaluations based on various market and industry inputs Bloomberg Int'l Government Bonds ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) Daily Evaluations based on various market factors Bloomberg Securities In Gross Unrealized Loss Position. We periodically evaluate our investments for impairment by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. The unrealized losses on our AFS securities were primarily the result of unfavorable changes in interest rates subsequent to the initial purchase of these securities. The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and for greater than twelve months as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Less Than 12 Months Greater Than 12 Months Less Than 12 Months Greater Than 12 Months Investment Type Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Certificate of deposit $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 10,352 $ (47) $ — $ — U.S. agency securities 853 (7) — — 13,144 (5) 1,395 (55) Government bonds 26,756 (247) 40,235 (1,183) 89,741 (2,593) 8,566 (332) Commercial paper 5,840 (3) — — 5,770 (15) — — Corporate bonds 79,846 (461) 14,634 (558) 81,044 (1,523) 18,306 (561) Municipal debt securities 23,365 (203) 8,166 (206) 40,119 (712) 3,336 (156) Total $ 136,660 $ (921) $ 63,035 $ (1,947) $ 240,170 $ (4,895) $ 31,603 $ (1,104) Although we had certain securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, we expect to recover the full carrying value of these securities. Investment Maturities. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Range of maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due within 1 year $ 283,229 $ 282,225 $ 336,291 $ 334,537 Due in 1 to 2 years 67,679 66,075 53,721 51,332 Due in 2 to 5 years 20,743 20,493 42,122 40,280 Total $ 371,651 $ 368,793 $ 432,134 $ 426,149

Property, Plant & Equipment

Property, Plant & Equipment	12 Months Ended
Property, Plant & Equipment	Sep. 29, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant, and Equipment PP&E are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation expense was $54.0 million, $59.5 million, and $66.4 million in fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands): Property, Plant, and Equipment September 29, September 30, Land $ 41,902 $ 41,774 Buildings and building improvements 287,799 287,544 Leasehold improvements 79,988 86,793 Machinery and equipment 152,675 136,995 Computer equipment and software 233,224 232,108 Furniture and fixtures 32,629 33,797 Equipment provided under operating leases 211,910 229,177 Construction-in-progress 18,327 23,037 Property, plant, and equipment, gross 1,058,454 1,071,225 Less: accumulated depreciation (576,873) (557,744) Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 481,581 $ 513,481

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
Leases	Sep. 29, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases As Lessee As a lessee, we enter into contracts to access and utilize office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries. We determine if a contract contains a lease based on whether we have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether we have the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset which we do not own. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized as the lease liability, adjusted for lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our IBR, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. The IBR is a hypothetical rate based on our understanding of what our credit rating would be and resulting interest we would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment over the lease term on a collateralized basis. Lease payments may be fixed or variable, however, only fixed payments are included in our lease liability calculation. Variable lease payments are recognized in operating expenses in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The lease term of operating leases vary from less than a year to 10 years. We have leases that include one or more options to extend the lease term for up to 5 years as well as options to terminate the lease within one year. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Lease cost Operating lease cost $ 14,860 $ 17,260 $ 19,261 Variable lease cost 1,424 1,560 755 Total lease cost $ 16,284 $ 18,820 $ 20,016 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 16,589 $ 16,957 $ 19,173 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 16,259 1,737 5,225 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: September 29, September 30, Operating Leases Weighted-average remaining lease term 5.3 years 5.5 years Weighted-average discount rate 4.6 % 3.2 % The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 17,547 Fiscal 2025 12,700 Fiscal 2026 7,413 Fiscal 2027 5,912 Fiscal 2028 5,669 Thereafter 11,020 Total undiscounted lease payments 60,261 Less: imputed interest (9,613) Total lease liabilities $ 50,648 As Lessor As a lessor, we lease our Dolby Cinema product solution to exhibitors. The terms of these leases are typically 10 years. Lease components consist of fixed payments and/or variable lease payments based on contracted percentages of revenue. Generally, leases do not grant any right to the lessee to purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term. Dolby Cinema lease arrangements have options to extend the lease term at expiration by increments ranging from 1 to 5 years. Assets provided under an operating lease are carried at cost within property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Fixed operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term to revenue. Variable lease payments received under our Dolby Cinema operating leases are computed as shares of lessees' box office revenue and recognized to revenue in the period that box office sales occur. Lease incentive payments we make to lessees are amortized as a reduction in revenue over the lease term. The components of lease income were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Operating Lease Income Variable operating lease income $ 33,921 $ 31,514 $ 9,511 Fixed operating lease income $ 3,253 $ 2,953 $ 4,203 If a lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the carrying amount of the asset is derecognized from property, plant, and equipment, net, and a net investment in the lease is recorded. The net investment in the lease is measured at commencement date as the sum of the lease receivable and the estimated residual value of the equipment. The unguaranteed residual value of the equipment is determined as the estimated carrying value of the asset at the end of the lease term had the asset been depreciated on a straight-line basis. The unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases was $1.0 million and $1.1 million as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Selling profit or loss arising from a sales-type lease is recorded at lease commencement and presented on a gross basis. We recognized $2.3 million to revenue and $0.4 million to cost of revenue associated with sales-type leases in fiscal 2023. Over the term of the lease, we recognize interest income on the net investment in the lease, and variable lease payments, which are not included in the net investment in the lease. The variable lease payments are not material. The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 1,090 $ 795 Fiscal 2025 1,109 795 Fiscal 2026 932 395 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 3,131 1,985 Less: Carrying value of lease receivables (563) Difference $ 1,422
Leases	Leases As Lessee As a lessee, we enter into contracts to access and utilize office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries. We determine if a contract contains a lease based on whether we have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether we have the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset which we do not own. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized as the lease liability, adjusted for lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our IBR, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. The IBR is a hypothetical rate based on our understanding of what our credit rating would be and resulting interest we would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment over the lease term on a collateralized basis. Lease payments may be fixed or variable, however, only fixed payments are included in our lease liability calculation. Variable lease payments are recognized in operating expenses in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The lease term of operating leases vary from less than a year to 10 years. We have leases that include one or more options to extend the lease term for up to 5 years as well as options to terminate the lease within one year. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Lease cost Operating lease cost $ 14,860 $ 17,260 $ 19,261 Variable lease cost 1,424 1,560 755 Total lease cost $ 16,284 $ 18,820 $ 20,016 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 16,589 $ 16,957 $ 19,173 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations 16,259 1,737 5,225 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: September 29, September 30, Operating Leases Weighted-average remaining lease term 5.3 years 5.5 years Weighted-average discount rate 4.6 % 3.2 % The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 17,547 Fiscal 2025 12,700 Fiscal 2026 7,413 Fiscal 2027 5,912 Fiscal 2028 5,669 Thereafter 11,020 Total undiscounted lease payments 60,261 Less: imputed interest (9,613) Total lease liabilities $ 50,648 As Lessor As a lessor, we lease our Dolby Cinema product solution to exhibitors. The terms of these leases are typically 10 years. Lease components consist of fixed payments and/or variable lease payments based on contracted percentages of revenue. Generally, leases do not grant any right to the lessee to purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term. Dolby Cinema lease arrangements have options to extend the lease term at expiration by increments ranging from 1 to 5 years. Assets provided under an operating lease are carried at cost within property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Fixed operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term to revenue. Variable lease payments received under our Dolby Cinema operating leases are computed as shares of lessees' box office revenue and recognized to revenue in the period that box office sales occur. Lease incentive payments we make to lessees are amortized as a reduction in revenue over the lease term. The components of lease income were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Operating Lease Income Variable operating lease income $ 33,921 $ 31,514 $ 9,511 Fixed operating lease income $ 3,253 $ 2,953 $ 4,203 If a lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the carrying amount of the asset is derecognized from property, plant, and equipment, net, and a net investment in the lease is recorded. The net investment in the lease is measured at commencement date as the sum of the lease receivable and the estimated residual value of the equipment. The unguaranteed residual value of the equipment is determined as the estimated carrying value of the asset at the end of the lease term had the asset been depreciated on a straight-line basis. The unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases was $1.0 million and $1.1 million as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Selling profit or loss arising from a sales-type lease is recorded at lease commencement and presented on a gross basis. We recognized $2.3 million to revenue and $0.4 million to cost of revenue associated with sales-type leases in fiscal 2023. Over the term of the lease, we recognize interest income on the net investment in the lease, and variable lease payments, which are not included in the net investment in the lease. The variable lease payments are not material. The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 1,090 $ 795 Fiscal 2025 1,109 795 Fiscal 2026 932 395 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 3,131 1,985 Less: Carrying value of lease receivables (563) Difference $ 1,422

Goodwill & Intangible Assets

Goodwill & Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
Goodwill & Intangible Assets	Sep. 29, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Goodwill Balance as of September 24, 2021 $ 340,694 Acquired goodwill (1) 31,695 Translation adjustments (7,185) Measurement period adjustments (57) Balance as of September 30, 2022 $ 365,147 Acquired goodwill (1) 36,344 Translation adjustments 2,683 Measurement period adjustments 4,235 Balance as of September 29, 2023 $ 408,409 (1) Refer to Note 15 " Business Combinations " for additional information related to our acquired goodwill, including the correction of an immaterial error impacting goodwill and amounts payable to patent administrative program partners. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and principally consist of acquired patents, technology, customer relationships and contracts, and trademarks. Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Intangible Assets, Net Cost Accumulated Net Cost Accumulated Net Acquired patents and technology $ 350,406 $ (270,750) $ 79,656 $ 355,622 $ (253,080) $ 102,542 Customer relationships 148,794 (61,049) 87,745 66,142 (56,572) 9,570 Other intangible assets 22,781 (22,755) 26 22,973 (22,820) 153 Total $ 521,981 $ (354,554) $ 167,427 $ 444,737 $ (332,472) $ 112,265 During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we acquired $86.0 million and $8.7 million of identifiable intangible assets in connection with the acquisition of MPEG LA and Millicast, Inc. ("Millicast"), respectively. Refer to Note 15 " Business Combinations " for additional information. During fiscal 2022, we purchased various patents for purchase consideration of $11.5 million, and upon acquisition, these intangible assets had a weighted-average useful life of 16 years. These intangible assets facilitate our R&D efforts, technologies, and potential product offerings. Amortization expense for our intangible assets is included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense was $28.6 million, $29.0 million, and $29.5 million in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of September 29, 2023, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future fiscal periods was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Amortization Expense 2024 $ 30,130 2025 15,812 2026 15,293 2027 14,773 2028 14,614 Thereafter 76,805 Total $ 167,427

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	Sep. 29, 2023
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	. Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation We provide stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers, and directors. We issue stock-based awards in the form of stock options and RSUs under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares under our ESPP. Common Stock - Class A and Class B Our Board of Directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. As of September 29, 2023, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. As of September 29, 2023, we had 59,673,633 shares of Class A common stock and 36,085,779 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Shares of Class B common stock can be converted to shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the stockholder and automatically convert upon sale or transfer, except for certain transfers specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Stock Incentive Plans Our 2020 Stock Plan originally was adopted by our Board of Directors and shareholders in 2005 (when the 2020 Stock Plan was called the 2005 Stock Plan). Our stockholders last approved amendments to the 2020 Stock Plan at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Our 2020 Stock Plan, as amended and restated, provides for the ability to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, performance units, performance bonus awards, and performance shares. A total of 64.0 million shares of our Class A common stock have been authorized for issuance under the 2020 Stock Plan since inception of the plan. Any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as 1.6 shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2020 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as 1.6 shares for every one share returned. Stock Options. Stock options are granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options generally vest over four years, with 25% of the options becoming exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months. These options expire on the earlier of ten years after the date of grant or three months after termination of service. All options granted vest over the requisite service period and upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class A common stock under the 2020 Stock Plan. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria. Performance-Based Stock Options. From fiscal 2016 through fiscal 2019, we granted PSOs to certain officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such options. The contractual term for the PSOs was seven years, with vesting contingent upon market-based performance conditions, representing the achievement of specified Dolby annualized TSR targets at the end of a three-year measurement period following the date of grant. Anywhere from 0% to 125% of the shares subject to a PSO vested based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of the three-year performance period. In valuing the PSOs, which will be recognized as compensation cost, we used a Monte Carlo valuation model. Aside from the use of an expected term for the PSOs commensurate with their shorter contractual term, the nature of the valuation inputs used in the Monte Carlo valuation model were consistent with those used to value our non-performance based options granted under the 2020 Stock Plan. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The following table summarizes information about PSOs granted to our officers that have vested during the periods presented: Grant Date Aggregate Shares Granted at Target Award Aggregate Shares Exercisable at Vest Date (1) Percentage Vested of Target Award Vested Date December 15, 2018 241,100 158,700 75 % December 2021 (1) Aggregate shares exercisable at vest date does not include any shares that were cancelled before the vest date after they were granted. As of September 29, 2023, an aggregate of 249,228 shares of PSOs were exercisable and outstanding. The following table summarizes information about stock options, including PSOs, issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) Options outstanding as of September 30, 2022 4,059 $ 62.59 Grants 326 71.07 Exercises (657) 47.26 Forfeitures and cancellations (8) 53.19 Options outstanding as of September 29, 2023 3,720 66.13 5.25 $ 55,930 Options vested and expected to vest as of September 29, 2023 3,587 65.97 5.19 55,579 Options exercisable as of September 29, 2023 2,938 62.95 4.49 52,361 (1) Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing stock price of our Class A common stock on September 29, 2023 of $79.26 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money. Restricted Stock Units. In fiscal 2008, we began granting RSUs to certain directors, officers and employees. RSU awards granted to employees and officers generally vest over four years, with cliff-vesting. Awards granted to ongoing non-employee directors generally vest over approximately one year. Awards granted to new non-employee directors from fiscal 2014 onward vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the award’s date of grant, or the day immediately preceding the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the award’s date of grant. At each vesting date, the holder of the award is issued shares of our Class A common stock. Compensation expense from these awards is equal to the adjusted fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant, discounted to account for dividend payments forgone during the vesting period, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Certain grants may have other vesting conditions or other award terms as approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant RSUs that vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units. In fiscal 2020, we began granting PSUs to certain officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such awards. The terms of the PSU Agreement adopted in the first quarter fiscal 2020 provide for the grant of PSUs to certain officers contingent on Dolby's achievement of annualized TSR targets measured against a comparator index over a three-year performance period following the date of grant. Anywhere from 0% to 200% of eligible restricted stock units may vest based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of the three-year performance period. The value of the PSUs, which is recognized as compensation cost, is calculated using a Monte Carlo valuation model. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Certain grants may have other vesting conditions or other award terms as approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The following table summarizes information on PSUs granted to our officers that have not vested as of September 29, 2023: Aggregate Shares Granted Potential Shares at Vest Date (at 200% of Target December 15, 2020 66,138 132,276 December 15, 2021 60,301 120,602 December 15, 2022 90,613 181,226 On December 16, 2019, we granted PSUs vesting for an aggregate of 62,000 shares at the target award amount, which vested at 81% of the target award amount. As of September 29, 2023, PSUs which would vest for an aggregate of 204,709 shares at the target award amount (409,418 shares at 200% of the target award amount) were outstanding. The following table summarizes information about RSUs, including PSUs, issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Non-vested as of September 30, 2022 3,502 $ 83.09 Granted 1,718 69.74 Vested (1,252) 78.74 Forfeitures (221) 79.62 Non-vested as of September 29, 2023 3,747 $ 78.62 The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Restricted stock units - vest date fair value $ 92,843 $ 106,919 $ 101,108 Employee Stock Purchase Plan . Our ESPP originally was adopted by our Board of Directors and shareholders in 2005. Our stockholders last approved amendments to the ESPP at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. The ESPP allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their eligible compensation withheld and used to purchase Class A common stock, subject to a maximum of $25,000 worth of stock purchased in a calendar year or no more than 1,000 shares in an offering period, whichever is less. An offering period consists of successive six-month purchase periods, with a look back feature to our stock price at the commencement of a one-year offering period. The plan provides for a discount equal to 15 percent of the lower of the closing price of our Class A common stock on the NYSE on the first day of the offering period and the last day of the purchase period. The plan also includes an automatic reset feature that provides for an offering period to be reset and recommenced to a new lower-priced offering if the offering price of a new offering period is less than that of the immediately preceding offering period. A total of 5.5 million shares of our Class A common stock have been authorized for issuance under the ESPP since inception of the plan. Stock Option Valuation Assumptions We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of employee stock options at the date of the grant. The Black-Scholes model includes inputs that require us to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the expected term of the award, as well as the future risk-free interest rate, and the volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the award. Expected Term. The expected term of an award represents the estimated period of time that options granted will remain outstanding, and is measured from the grant date to the date at which the option is either exercised or canceled. Our determination of the expected term involves an evaluation of historical terms and other factors such as the exercise and termination patterns of our employees who hold options to acquire our Class A common stock, and is based on certain assumptions made regarding the future exercise and termination behavior. Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield curve of U.S. Treasury instruments in effect on the date of grant. In determining an estimate for the risk-free interest rate, we use average interest rates based on these instruments’ constant maturities with a term that approximates and corresponds with the expected term of our awards. Expected Stock Price Volatility. The expected volatility represents the estimated volatility in the price of our Class A common stock over a time period that approximates the expected term of the awards. The expected volatility has historically been determined using a blended combination of historical and implied volatility, but is currently being determined using historical volatility only. Historical volatility is representative of the historical trends in our stock price for periods preceding the measurement date for a period that is commensurate with the expected term. Implied volatility is based upon externally traded option contracts of our Class A common stock. Dividend Yield. The dividend yield is based on our anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of our option awards. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Expected term (in years) 4.82 4.78 4.88 Risk-free interest rate 3.6 % 1.5 % 0.8 % Expected stock price volatility 29.4 % 28.8 % 27.9 % Dividend yield 1.6 % 1.1 % 1.0 % The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value (per share) of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Stock options granted - weighted-average grant date fair value $ 19.15 $ 21.17 $ 20.93 Stock options exercised - intrinsic value 22,736 22,885 102,812 Stock-Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to employees is determined by estimating their fair value on the date of grant, and recognizing that value as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which our employees earn the awards. Compensation expense related to these equity awards is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, which reduce the expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. The selection of applicable estimated forfeiture rates is based on an evaluation of trends in our historical forfeiture data with consideration for other potential driving factors. If in subsequent periods actual forfeitures significantly differ from our initial estimates, we will revise such estimates accordingly. The estimated annual forfeiture rates used for awards granted were 8.62%, 8.63%, and 8.85% in fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Expense - By Award Type Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Compensation expense Stock options $ 8,486 $ 10,244 $ 13,724 Restricted stock units (1) (2) 105,915 98,433 80,705 Employee stock purchase plan 4,085 6,248 5,269 Total stock-based compensation 118,486 114,925 99,698 Estimated benefit from income taxes (17,844) (17,581) (15,790) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 100,642 $ 97,344 $ 83,908 (1) Stock-based compensation expense incurred by restricted stock units includes expense from PSUs. (2) Excludes $1.2 million and $0.7 million of capitalized stock-based compensation related to internal use software in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Compensation expense Cost of products and services $ 1,697 $ 1,819 $ 2,033 Research and development 39,472 37,061 29,733 Sales and marketing 40,038 41,326 36,432 General and administrative 37,279 34,719 31,500 Total stock-based compensation 118,486 114,925 99,698 Estimated benefit from income taxes (17,844) (17,581) (15,790) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 100,642 $ 97,344 $ 83,908 The tax benefit that we recognize from shares issued under our ESPP is excluded from the tables above. The tax benefit recognized was not material in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, and was $1.2 million in fiscal 2021. Unrecognized Compensation Expense. As of September 29, 2023, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with employee stock options expected to vest was approximately $11.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. As of September 29, 2023, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with RSUs expected to vest was approximately $188.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years. Common Stock Repurchase Program In November 2009, we announced a stock repurchase program, providing for the repurchase of our Class A common stock. The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of September 29, 2023 (in thousands): Date of Authorization Authorization Amount Fiscal 2010: November 2009 $ 250,000 Fiscal 2010: July 2010 300,000 Fiscal 2011: July 2011 250,000 Fiscal 2012: February 2012 100,000 Fiscal 2015: October 2014 200,000 Fiscal 2017: January 2017 200,000 Fiscal 2018: July 2018 350,000 Fiscal 2019: July 2019 350,000 Fiscal 2021: July 2021 350,000 Fiscal 2022: February 2022 250,000 Fiscal 2022: August 2022 350,000 Total $ 2,950,000 Stock repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases, or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors, including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution from our equity compensation plans, and other market conditions. The program does not have a specified expiration date, and can be limited, suspended, or terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock. As of September 29, 2023, the remaining authorization to purchase additional shares was $211.6 million. The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2023: Quarterly Repurchase Activity Shares Cost (1) Average Price Paid Per Share (2) (in thousands) Q1 - Quarter ended December 30, 2022 680,861 $ 49,412 $ 72.57 Q2 - Quarter ended March 31, 2023 631,046 49,864 79.02 Q3 - Quarter ended June 30, 2023 294,793 25,000 84.81 Q4 - Quarter ended September 29, 2023 285,499 25,000 87.57 Total 1,892,199 $ 149,276 (1) Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share, and excludes commission costs. (2) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs. Dividend Program The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2023: Fiscal Period Announcement Date Record Date Payment Date Cash Dividend Per Common Share Dividend Payment Q1 - Quarter ended December 30, 2022 February 2, 2023 February 14, 2023 February 22, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.9 million Q2 - Quarter ended March 31, 2023 May 4, 2023 May 16, 2023 May 23, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.8 million Q3 - Quarter ended June 30, 2023 August 3, 2023 August 14, 2023 August 22, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.8 million Q4 - Quarter ended September 29, 2023 November 16, 2023 November 28, 2023 December 5, 2023 $ 0.30 $28.7 million (1) (1) The dividend payment amount for the dividend declared in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Sep. 29, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossOther comprehensive income/loss consists of three components: unrealized gains or losses on our AFS marketable investment securities, gains and losses on derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships not yet recognized in earnings, and the gains and losses from the translation of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. Until realized and reported as a component of net income, these comprehensive income items accumulate and are included within accumulated other comprehensive loss, a subsection within stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our investment securities are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when realized upon sale, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. Unrealized gains and losses on our cash flow hedges are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when the hedged operating expenses are recognized, which is also when the gains and losses are realized. The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ (5,986) $ (4,483) $ (41,172) $ (51,641) $ 220 $ (122) $ (10,128) $ (10,030) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications: Unrealized gains/(losses) 3,313 4,869 — 8,182 (6,783) (2,588) — (9,371) Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) (1) — — 7,170 7,170 — — (30,799) (30,799) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) — — 73 73 52 (8) (245) (201) Net of tax 3,313 4,869 7,243 15,425 (6,731) (2,596) (31,044) (40,371) Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains/(losses) (2) (239) (668) — (907) 527 (2,097) — (1,570) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) (3) 54 85 — 139 (2) 332 — 330 Net of tax (185) (583) — (768) 525 (1,765) — (1,240) Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) 3,128 4,286 7,243 14,657 (6,206) (4,361) (31,044) (41,611) Ending Balance $ (2,858) $ (197) $ (33,929) $ (36,984) $ (5,986) $ (4,483) $ (41,172) $ (51,641) (1) The foreign currency translation gains during fiscal 2023 were primarily due to the strengthening of other foreign currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar. The foreign currency translation losses during fiscal 2022 were primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar as compared to other foreign currencies. (2) Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/(expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. (3) The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Sep. 29, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. by the number of weighted-average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Through application of the treasury stock method, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner, except that the number of weighted-average shares outstanding is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares from employee incentive plans during the period. Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each fiscal quarter and year-to-date period, which involves the use of different weighted-average share count figures relating to quarterly and annual periods. As a result, and after factoring the effect of rounding to the nearest cent per share, the sum of all four quarter-to-date EPS figures may not equal year-to-date EPS. Potentially dilutive shares represent the hypothetical number of incremental shares issuable under the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (both vested and unvested) and vesting of outstanding RSUs. The calculation of dilutive shares outstanding excludes securities that would have an antidilutive effect on EPS. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Numerator: Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. $ 200,656 $ 184,087 $ 310,227 Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic 95,771 99,990 101,190 Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock 763 958 1,994 Potential common shares from restricted stock units 1,139 912 1,376 Potential common shares from employee stock purchase plan 60 123 62 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted 97,733 101,983 104,622 Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Basic $ 2.10 $ 1.84 $ 3.07 Diluted $ 2.05 $ 1.81 $ 2.97 Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation: Stock options 930 587 235 Restricted stock units 7 1,158 48 Employee stock purchase plan 2 — 2

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 29, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and unrecognized tax benefits reflect management's best assessment of estimated current and future liabilities. We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense. Income Tax Provision The following two tables present the components of our income before provision for income taxes by geographic region and the portion of our provision for income taxes classified as current and deferred (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, United States $ 44,136 $ 33,318 $ 104,741 Foreign 205,917 181,961 249,771 Total income before income taxes $ 250,053 $ 215,279 $ 354,512 Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Current: Federal $ (1,053) $ 2,008 $ 7,216 State 1,023 553 953 Foreign 66,776 58,285 65,568 Total current 66,746 60,846 73,737 Deferred: Federal (16,949) (29,990) (36,035) State (356) 8 (63) Foreign (1,032) 517 (950) Total deferred (18,337) (29,465) (37,048) Provision for income taxes $ 48,409 $ 31,381 $ 36,689 Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings As a result of the Tax Act, foreign accumulated earnings that were subject to the mandatory Transition Tax as of December 31, 2017, can be repatriated to the U.S. without incurring further U.S. federal tax. The Tax Act changed to a modified territorial tax system through the provision of a 100% dividend received deduction for the foreign-source portions of dividends received from controlled foreign subsidiaries. As a result, we have reevaluated our historical assertion and determined that we no longer consider a vast majority of these earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. During fiscal 2023, we repatriated $150 million of foreign subsidiary earnings which were exempt from foreign withholding tax. As of September 29, 2023, the total undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries were approximately $224 million. The unrecognized deferred tax liability on the portion of the undistributed earnings considered indefinitely reinvested is not material. Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A summary of the tax effects of the temporary differences were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, Deferred income tax assets: Investments $ 5,864 $ 1,339 Inventories 5,003 6,851 Net operating loss 292 2,507 Accrued expenses 16,945 11,536 Stock-based compensation 17,833 17,295 Revenue recognition 4,563 4,275 Depreciation and amortization (1) 130,818 105,114 Lease liability 13,911 10,589 Research and development credits 40,633 40,149 Foreign tax credits 15,684 21,244 Deemed repatriated earnings tax benefit 10,724 10,724 Other 5,075 5,657 Total gross deferred income tax assets 267,345 237,280 Less: valuation allowance (50,687) (41,087) Total deferred income tax assets 216,658 196,193 Deferred income tax liabilities: Right of use asset (14,319) (10,046) Intangible assets (479) (2,579) Deferred income tax assets, net $ 201,860 $ 183,568 (1) Provisions enacted in the Tax Act related to the capitalization for tax purposes of research and development expenditures became effective on October 1, 2022. These provisions require us to capitalize research and development expenditures and amortize them on our U.S. tax return over five or fifteen years, depending on where research is conducted. Net Operating Losses and Tax Credit Carryforwards As of September 29, 2023, the NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal and California were $1.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and will start to expire in fiscal 2034 and 2029, respectively. As of September 29, 2023, we had foreign tax credit and federal R&D tax credit carryforwards of $6.3 million and $18.3 million, respectively, which will start to expire in fiscal 2029 and fiscal 2035, respectively. We had California R&D tax credits of $44.3 million, which will carry forward indefinitely, and foreign R&D tax credits of $5.1 million, which will start to expire in fiscal 2028. Valuation Allowance As of September 29, 2023, a $34.9 million valuation allowance was recorded against California deferred tax assets, a $7.5 million valuation allowance was recorded against federal tax credit deferred tax assets, and a $8.3 million valuation allowance was recorded against foreign deferred tax assets for which ultimate realization of its future benefits is uncertain. Effective Tax Rate Each period, the combination of multiple different factors can impact our effective tax rate. These factors include both recurring items such as tax rates and the relative amount of income earned in foreign jurisdictions, as well as discrete items that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent between periods. A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal effect 0.3 0.2 0.2 Stock-based compensation 1.2 (0.1) (5.1) Research and development tax credits (2.7) (5.0) (2.6) Foreign-derived intangible income deduction (2.3) (2.3) (2.2) U.S. tax on foreign entities 1.3 1.8 0.8 Foreign rate differential (1.9) (4.5) (3.4) Increase (decrease) unrecognized tax benefit 1.9 2.8 2.0 Other 0.6 0.7 (0.4) Effective tax rate 19.4 % 14.6 % 10.3 % Our effective tax rate was 19.4% in fiscal 2023, compared with our federal statutory rate of 21.0%, and with our effective tax rate in fiscal 2022 of 14.6%. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to lower tax benefits related to settlement of stock-based awards and reduced benefit from less research and development tax credits. Our effective tax rate was 14.6% in fiscal 2022, compared with our effective tax rate in fiscal 2021 of 10.3%. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to a shift in the mix of earnings to jurisdictions with higher tax rates and lower tax benefits related to settlement of stock-based awards partially offset by benefit from additional research and development tax credits. Uncertain Tax Positions As of September 29, 2023, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $76.3 million, of which $47.2 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. Our liability increased from fiscal 2022 primarily due to additional accruals in fiscal 2023. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Over the next twelve months, we estimate that this amount could be reduced by $4.8 million as a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. Aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Beginning Balance $ 69,682 $ 66,106 $ 60,691 Gross increases - tax positions taken during prior years 219 822 220 Gross decreases - tax positions taken during prior years (1,143) (178) (247) Gross increases - tax positions taken during current year 7,546 7,784 6,979 Gross decreases - settlements with tax authorities during current year — — (875) Lapse of statute of limitations — (4,852) (662) Ending Balance $ 76,304 $ 69,682 $ 66,106 Classification of Interest and Penalties We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reduced in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. In fiscal year 2023, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $3.5 million, while in fiscal year 2022, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $1.7 million. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line item in our consolidated balance sheets. Our accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, Accrued interest $ 10,254 $ 6,748 Accrued penalties 172 119 Total $ 10,426 $ 6,867 We continue to monitor the progress of ongoing income tax controversies and the impact, if any, of the expected tolling of the statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, states, and foreign jurisdictions. Our major tax jurisdictions are the U.S. federal, California, New York, and Ireland. Our operations in certain jurisdictions remain subject to examination for fiscal 2015 to 2022, some of which are currently under audit or review. The resolution of each of these audits is not expected to be material to our consolidated financial statements. We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If resolution of any tax issues addressed in our current audits are inconsistent with management’s expectations, we may be required to adjust our tax provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs. The final U.S. foreign tax credit regulations, issued January 4, 2022, introduced significant changes to foreign tax credit utilization. However, a one year relief delayed the effective date of the final U.S. foreign tax credit regulations until our fiscal 2024. These provisions are expected to have a material adverse effect on our fiscal 2024 and future tax provisions unless postponed or modified.

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
Restructuring	Jul. 01, 2022
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring	Restructuring Restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations represent costs associated with separate individual restructuring plans implemented in various fiscal periods. Costs arising from these actions, including fluctuations in related balances between fiscal periods, are based on the nature of activities under the various plans. Fiscal 2023 Restructuring Events. In September 2023, we initiated a restructuring plan with the purpose of focusing our resources on our highest strategic priorities. We recorded expense of $13.4 million in severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 160 impacted employees. In conjunction with focusing our resources on our top strategic priorities, we recorded an impairment loss of $16.9 million related primarily to internally developed software for projects we are no longer pursuing. Cash payment of the severance and other termination benefits is expected to be completed by the second half of fiscal 2024. In June 2023, we implemented a focused restructuring plan, primarily consisting of workforce reductions and facility consolidations to improve execution in alignment with our strategy and to reduce our cost structure through improved utilization of our global infrastructure. As a result of these events, we recorded expense of $10.9 million in severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 130 impacted employees, and we recorded expense of $6.9 million related to a facility consolidation in New York, NY. Actions related to this plan are expected to be completed by the second half of fiscal 2024. The table presented below summarizes the changes in our restructuring accruals (in thousands): Severance Leased facility exit costs and other costs Total Balance at September 24, 2021 $ 163 $ 4 $ 167 Restructuring charges 8,874 1,749 10,623 Cash payments and adjustments (3,256) (1,753) (5,009) Balance at September 30, 2022 $ 5,781 $ — $ 5,781 Restructuring charges 23,943 23,118 47,061 Cash payments and adjustments (9,372) (16,225) (25,597) Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs — (6,893) (6,893) Balance at September 29, 2023 $ 20,352 $ — $ 20,352 The fiscal 2022 activities primarily related to our fiscal 2022 restructuring plan within our entertainment organization to align resources with a revised business strategy and outlook, and to support our higher priority focus areas. Accruals for restructuring charges incurred for the restructuring plan described above are included within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, while restructuring charges are included within restructuring charges in our consolidated statements of operations.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Sep. 29, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual agreements with third parties that include non-cancelable payment obligations, for which we are liable in future periods. These arrangements can include terms binding us to minimum payments and/or penalties if we terminate the agreement for any reason other than an event of default as described by the agreement. The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 29, 2023 (in thousands): Payments Due By Fiscal Period Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Thereafter Total Naming rights $ 12,794 $ 13,126 $ 13,472 $ 8,534 $ 8,642 $ 35,674 $ 92,242 Purchase obligations 29,934 3,816 851 — — — 34,601 Donation commitments 1,718 116 116 86 86 332 2,454 Total $ 44,446 $ 17,058 $ 14,439 $ 8,620 $ 8,728 $ 36,006 $ 129,297 Naming Rights. We are party to agreements for naming rights of certain facilities, most significantly for naming rights and related benefits with respect to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards®. The term of this agreement is 20 years, over which we will make payments on a semi-annual basis until fiscal 2032. Our ongoing annual payment obligations are conditioned in part on the Academy Awards being held and broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Our payment obligations may be suspended or reduced in certain circumstances, including the protracted closure of the Dolby Theatre. We also hold the naming rights to Dolby Live at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dolby Live is a fully integrated performance venue offering live concerts in Dolby Atmos. Purchase Obligations. Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under agreements to purchase goods and services related to Dolby Cinema and for purposes that include information technology and telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and other R&D activities. Also included in purchase obligations are non-cancelable commitments to contract manufacturers, including potentially variable obligations related to inventory based on demand forecasts we provide to the contract manufacturers. Donation Commitments. Our donation commitments relate to non-cancelable obligations that consist of maintenance services and installation of imaging and audio products in exchange for various marketing, branding, and publicity benefits. These donation agreements either transfer title of our audio and imaging products to the donee or offer use of the products free of charge for a specified period of time via a leasing arrangement. The recipients of these donations participate in or promote the cinema and entertainment industry and our commitments vary in length, lasting up to 15 years.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
Business Combinations	Sep. 29, 2023
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination	Business Combinations MPEG LA On April 28, 2023, our wholly-owned subsidiary Via Licensing Corporation ("Via Corp") acquired 100% of MPEG LA, L.L.C. ("MPEG LA"), a privately held patent pool administrator that managed several collaborative licensing programs in video imaging and other technologies. In connection with the transaction, Via Corp changed its structure and name to Via Licensing Alliance LLC ("Via LA") and became a majority owned subsidiary of Dolby. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Via LA's licensing capabilities, particularly in video, diversify its revenues, and reinforce its ability to develop new patent licensing programs. The total consideration for the acquisition was as follows (in thousands): Amount Cash $ 135,739 Noncontrolling interest in Via LA (24.8 million common equity units) 24,815 Total amount paid to sellers $ 160,554 Less: amount deemed post-acquisition expense (2,174) Total consideration paid to sellers $ 158,380 Assumed settlement of pre-existing relationships due to Dolby 61,313 Total consideration $ 219,693 Less: unrestricted cash acquired (80,633) Total consideration, net of unrestricted cash acquired $ 139,060 The noncontrolling interest in Via LA includes $3.6 million of cash held in escrow that will be fully remitted to Dolby in exchange for Via LA common equity units after 18 months from the transaction close date. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest was determined through the issuance of equity in lieu of cash. The assumed settlement of pre-existing relationships was determined based on the contractual amounts of payables and receivables between the parties as such amounts approximate fair value. We have accounted for the taxable transaction under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, and the results of operations of MPEG LA have been included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition and were not material. Additionally, we have estimated the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, with any amounts paid in excess of the net assets recorded as goodwill. The fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions and may be subject to change as additional information is received and certain tax returns are finalized, including potential changes to income tax-related accounts. We expect to finalize the valuation within the one year measurement period. As this acquisition was not significant to our reported operating results, pro forma results of operations are not provided. The following table summarizes the preliminary acquisition date fair values allocated to the net assets acquired (in thousands): Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Purchase Price Allocation (Preliminary) Cash and cash equivalents $ 80,633 Restricted cash 143,564 Other current assets 73,556 Intangible assets 86,000 Goodwill 40,579 Other non-current assets 34,298 Amounts payable to patent administrative program partners (179,616) Other current liabilities (21,709) Non-current liabilities (37,612) Purchase Consideration $ 219,693 In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we identified an immaterial error related to the preliminary acquisition date fair values allocated to net assets acquired, whereby we overstated certain accounts payable to patent administrative program partners and, as a consequence, correspondingly overstated goodwill as of the quarter ended June 30, 2023. We evaluated the error quantitatively and qualitatively, and determined that the related impact was not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Accordingly, we have revised the previously reported financial information for such immaterial error in the above table. The correction of this error resulted in a decrease to amounts payable to patent administrative program partners and a corresponding decrease to goodwill of $20.3 million, with no impact to total purchase consideration. Goodwill is representative of our expectation of the benefits and synergies from the integration of MPEG LA operations and the assembled workforce of MPEG LA, which does not qualify for separate recognition as an intangible asset. All of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values allocated to the various intangible assets acquired and the weighted-average useful lives over which they will be amortized using the straight-line method: Purchase Price Allocation Weighted-Average Useful Life Intangible Assets Acquired (in thousands) (in years) Licensor Relationships – AVC & Other $ 36,000 13 Licensor Relationships - HEVC 31,000 10 Implementer Relationships – AVC & Other 12,000 13 Implementer Relationships - HEVC 7,000 10 Total $ 86,000 12 The preliminary value of acquired intangibles was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using the following methodologies and inputs: • Licensor Relationships - the multi-period excess earnings method using inputs such as projected revenue attributable to licensors in the patent pools, revenue retention rate, maintenance sales and marketing expenses, income tax rate, post-tax returns for contributory assets, and discount rate. • Implementer Relationships - the distributor method using inputs such as projected revenue attributable to the existing implementers in the patent pools, distributor margin, income tax rate, and discount rate. Acquisition-related costs of $3.8 million were incurred during fiscal 2023. These acquisition-related costs were included in G&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Millicast On January 31, 2022, we completed the acquisition of all outstanding interests of Millicast, a privately held company. Following the acquisition, Millicast is expected to enable developers to take the interactive events they build with Dolby.io, and stream them from the presenter to large audiences. We have included the financial results of Millicast in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition, and these results were not material. Additionally, the transaction costs associated with the acquisition were not material.

Operating Segments and Geograph

Operating Segments and Geographic Data	12 Months Ended
Operating Segments and Geographic Data	Sep. 29, 2023
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Geographic Data	Operating Segments and Geographic Information Operating Segments Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available, and which are evaluated regularly by the CODM, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our CODM is our Chief Executive Officer. Reporting segments are operating segments exceeding specified revenue, profit or loss, or asset thresholds for which separate disclosure of information is necessary. We operate as a single reportable segment. This reflects the fact that our CODM continues to evaluate our financial information and resources, and continues to assess the performance of these resources, on a consolidated basis. All required financial segment information is therefore included in our consolidated financial statements. Geographic Information The methods to determine revenue by geographic region for each of the three categories included within total revenue in our consolidated statements of operations are described within the table presented below. Revenue Category Basis For Determining Geographic Location Licensing Region in which our licensees’ headquarters are located Products Destination to which our products are shipped Services Location in which the relevant services are performed The following tables present selected information regarding total revenue by geographic location (amounts presented in thousands). Revenue Composition—U.S . and International Fiscal Year Ended Location September 29, September 30, September 24, United States $ 466,030 $ 468,246 $ 419,901 International 833,714 785,547 861,355 Total revenue $ 1,299,744 $ 1,253,793 $ 1,281,256 Revenue Concentration—Significant Individual Geographic Regions Fiscal Year Ended Location September 29, September 30, September 24, United States 36 % 37 % 33 % South Korea 14 % 13 % 14 % China 22 % 20 % 23 % Japan 9 % 8 % 11 % Europe 10 % 10 % 10 % Other 9 % 12 % 9 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % Long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in thousands): Location September 29, September 30, United States $ 390,552 $ 415,493 International 91,029 97,988 Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation $ 481,581 $ 513,481

Legal Matters

Legal Matters	12 Months Ended
Legal Matters	Sep. 29, 2023
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Legal Matters	Legal Matters We are involved in various legal proceedings that occasionally arise in the normal course of business. These can include claims of alleged infringement of IP rights, commercial, employment, and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our operating results or financial condition. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate based on the known facts and circumstances whether a potential loss or range of losses is considered probable and reasonably estimable in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We record a provision for a liability relating to these legal proceedings when a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs associated with these legal proceedings are expensed as incurred.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Sep. 29, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Parties We maintain contractual agreements relating to certain entities affiliated with the Dolby family, who is considered a related party as our principal stockholder. These jointly-owned entities were established for the purpose of acquiring and leasing commercial property in the U.S. and U.K. primarily for our operational use. Although the entities affiliated with the Dolby family hold a majority economic interest in such jointly-owned entities, they have a noncontrolling interest since they are the limited member or LP in each of these entities. Therefore, we have consolidated the entities’ assets and liabilities and results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. The share of earnings and net assets of the entities attributable to the limited member or LP, as the case may be, is reflected as noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. Our interests in these consolidated affiliated entities and the location of the properties leased to Dolby Laboratories as of September 29, 2023 were as follows: Entity Name Minority Ownership Interest Location Of Properties Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC 49.0 % Burbank, California We also own 10.0% minority ownership interest in Dolby Properties, LP, which owns a facility in Wootton Bassett, England. During fiscal 2022, we ceased leasing the Wootton Bassett facility. The property leased to Dolby Laboratories through Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC, located in Brisbane, California, was sold during fiscal 2021. We also lease from our principal stockholder a commercial office building located at 100 Potrero Avenue in San Francisco, California under a term that expires on October 31, 2024. Related party rent expense included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Related party rent expense included in operating expenses $ — $ — $ (392) Distributions. Distributions made by the jointly-owned real estate entities to our principal stockholder were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Distributions to principal stockholder $ (266) $ (1,435) $ (7,362)

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans	Sep. 29, 2023
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	Retirement Plans We maintain a tax-qualified Section 401(k) retirement plan for employees in the U.S. and similar plans in foreign jurisdictions. Under the plan, employees are eligible to receive matching contributions and profit-sharing contributions. We also maintain a SERP, a non-qualified, employer-funded defined contribution retirement plan which was terminated in fiscal 2005. Retirement plan expenses, which are included in cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expense in our consolidated statements of operations, were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Retirement plan expenses $ 24,925 $ 27,378 $ 26,379

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 200,656	$ 184,087	$ 310,227

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Insider Trading Arrangements	Sep. 29, 2023 shares	Sep. 29, 2023 shares
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
John Couling [Member]
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Material Terms of Trading Arrangement		On August 21, 2023, John Couling, our Senior Vice President, Entertainment, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement providing for the sale from time to time of an aggregate of up to 83,560 shares of our Class A common stock. The trading arrangement is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense in Rule 10b5-1(c). The duration of the trading arrangement is until December 16, 2024, or earlier if all transactions under the trading arrangement are completed.
Name	John Couling
Title	Senior Vice President
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	true
Adoption Date	August 21, 2023
Arrangement Duration	483 days
Aggregate Available	83,560	83,560

Basis Of Presentation (Policies

Basis Of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Basis Of Presentation (Policies)	Sep. 29, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles Of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder or other entities have a noncontrolling interest. We report these noncontrolling interests as a separate line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and in our consolidated balance sheets as a noncontrolling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated shipments by our licensees for which we are owed a sales-based royalty. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Our estimates of royalty-based revenue also take into consideration the macroeconomic effect of global events that may impact our licensees' supply chain activities as well as demand for shipments. Additional significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include ESPs for performance obligations within revenue arrangements; allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments; accrued liabilities including unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and contingent liabilities; and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal YearOur fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal years presented herein include the 52 week period ended September 29, 2023 (fiscal 2023) and September 24, 2021 (fiscal 2021), and the 53 week period ended September 30, 2022 (fiscal 2022). Our fiscal year ending September 27, 2024 (fiscal 2024) will consist of 52 weeks.

Summary Of Significant Accoun_2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 29, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments, accounts receivable, and contract assets. We maintain cash, cash equivalents, and investments with multiple financial institutions that have high credit standing, and that we believe are financially sound and have minimal credit risk exposure, although at times our balances may exceed the applicable insurance coverage limits. We monitor and manage the overall counterparty credit risk exposure of our cash balances to individual financial institutions on an ongoing basis. Our investment portfolio consists of investment-grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All of our securities are held in custody by large national financial institutions. Our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% of our total portfolio to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these investments. We also mitigate counterparty risk through entering into derivative contracts with high-credit-quality financial institutions. Actual or potential defaults of one or more financial institutions could impact our results of operations or financial position, and make it challenging to find alternative qualified counterparties. The majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the U.S. We manage the credit risk posed by non-U.S. customers by performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers and recognize revenue in accordance with US GAAP.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general checking accounts, money market accounts, and U.S. agency securities.
Restricted Cash	Restricted CashRestricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consists of royalties payable to third-party licensors through certain Via LA-administered patent pools. Restricted cash also consists of cash contributed by Dolby and third-party licensors to Via LA, our subsidiary, that may only be used for licensor enforcement actions or licensee compliance activities related to certain Via LA-administered patent pools, as well as to disperse costs associated with any audit of Via LA for the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) patent pool
Investments	Investments All of our investments are classified as AFS, with the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our SERP, which are classified as trading securities, and our equity securities. Investments that have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are classified as long-term investments. Our AFS securities and trading securities are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our AFS securities are reported as a component of AOCI, while realized gains and losses and credit losses are reported as a component of net income. Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. We evaluate our investment portfolio for impairment by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. If the fair value of our AFS securities is less than amortized cost, such securities are considered impaired. If we have the intent to sell the debt security, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost, the difference between the amortized cost (net of allowance, if any) and the fair value of the securities is reported as an impairment loss in net income. Impaired AFS securities that we intend to hold are evaluated to determine whether we need to recognize an allowance for credit losses, limited to the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of the security. Equity Securities Equity securities for which we possess the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financing decisions are accounted for under the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record the investment at cost and subsequently increase or decrease the carrying amount of the investment by our proportionate share of the investee's net earnings or losses. We record dividends or other equity distributions as reductions in the carrying value of the investment. Our share of the equity method investee's net income or loss is included in other income/(expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations, and was $5.1 million, $5.0 million, and $4.7 million in fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. Our equity method investment is included within long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. We also hold an investment in an equity security of a privately-held company without a readily determinable fair value. We elected to account for this investment using the measurement alternative, which is cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment at each reporting date to determine whether there are triggering events for impairment. This equity security is included within long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Credit Losses We maintain a provision for estimated credit losses on receivables resulting from our customers' inability to make required payments. In determining the provision, we pool receivables with similar risk characteristics to evaluate the collectability of our receivables. Risk characteristics considered in creating these risk pools include assessing historical or expected loss patterns, credit ratings, current macroeconomic conditions that could impact collectability of cash flows, and structure of customer agreements. In cases where circumstances have changed such that specific
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We evaluate our ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future sales demand by product within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written down to their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Property, Plant, and Equipment	Property, Plant, and Equipment PP&E is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table: PP&E Category Useful Life Computer equipment and software 3 to 5 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 8 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 8 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or related lease term Equipment provided under operating leases 15 years Buildings and building improvements 20 to 40 years We may encounter scenarios where assets we acquire may deviate from the established standard useful life provided above. Such occurrences are evaluated on a case by case basis, and are assigned a useful life commensurate with the facts and circumstances associated with the specific PP&E being acquired. We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service, we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and begin depreciating the value over its useful life. Equipment Provided Under Operating Leases. In arrangements that we assess as operating leases, we recognize our equipment installed at third-party sites as PP&E and depreciate the asset on a straight-line basis.
Internal Use Software	Internal Use Software. We capitalize qualifying internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of external and internal labor, including stock based compensation, incurred during the application development stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Capitalized costs are included in PP&E, net of accumulated amortization in our consolidated balance sheets. Our capitalized internal use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets We perform an assessment of goodwill for potential impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. For our annual goodwill test as of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, a qualitative assessment was performed and we concluded that it was more likely than not that its fair value was in excess of its carrying amount. Accordingly, no quantitative assessment was performed and no impairment was recorded. We did not incur any goodwill impairment losses in any of the periods presented. Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and those with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology, patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a range from three
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer. For additional financial information and a summary of our accounting policy, refer to Note 3. "Revenue Recognition" to our consolidated financial statements.
Cost of Revenue	Cost of Revenue Cost of licensing. Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes IP royalty obligations to third parties, depreciation of our Dolby Cinema equipment provided under operating leases in collaborative arrangements, and direct fees incurred. Cost of products and services. Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold, applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations paid to license IP that we include in our products. Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of employees performing our professional services, and those of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
Advertising and Promotional Costs	Advertising and Promotional Costs Advertising and promotional costs are charged primarily to S&M expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Advertising and promotional costs $ 59,821 $ 51,422 $ 52,253
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We use the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, and NOL carryforwards are measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is additionally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment, and we record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reversed in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards We continually assess any ASUs or other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB to determine their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected in our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. Adopted Standards Business Combinations. In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): A ccounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers , which requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by an acquirer in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . This standard is effective for Dolby beginning September 30, 2023 on a prospective basis, but early adoption is permitted. We early adopted this ASU in conjunction with the acquisition of MPEG LA by Via Corp (as defined below), and with that adoption, we recognized $38.1 million in deferred revenue. Refer to Note 15 " Business Combinations " for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA. There were no other business combinations entered into during fiscal 2023.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer. A. Identification of the Contract or Contracts with Customers We generally determine that a contract with a customer exists upon the execution of an agreement and after consideration of collectability, which could include an evaluation of the customer's payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the customer’s financial institution and our financial institution, public financial information, and other factors. At contract inception, we also evaluate whether two or more non-standard agreements with a customer should be combined and accounted for as a single contract. B. Identification of Performance Obligations in a Contract We generate revenue principally from the following sources, which represent performance obligations in our contracts with customers: • Licensing. We license our technologies, including patents, to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced audio and imaging functionality across broadcast, mobile, CE, PC, gaming, and other markets. • Product Sales. We design and provide audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, and entertainment industries. • Services. We provide various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment, including equipment training, mixing room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color and light image calibration. We also offer solutions to companies building real-time digital experiences that increase audience engagement. Our solution provides the capability to stream high quality audiovisual content in ultra-low latency which reduces the delay between the action and the viewer. • PCS. We provide PCS for products sold and for equipment leased, and we support the implementation of our licensing technologies in our licensees’ products. • Equipment Leases. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences by leasing equipment and licensing our IP. • Licensing Administration Fees. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. See Note 15 " Business Combinations " for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA. Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as hardware, software, support and maintenance, and extended warranty services. We evaluate whether promised products and services are distinct performance obligations. The majority of our arrangements with multiple performance obligations pertain to our digital cinema server and processor sales that include the following distinct performance obligations to which we allocate portions of the transaction price based on their stand-alone selling price: • Digital cinema server hardware and embedded software, which is dependent on and interrelated with the hardware. Accordingly, the hardware and embedded software represent a single performance obligation. • The right to support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the digital cinema server hardware, is a distinct performance obligation. • The right to receive commissioning services is a distinct performance obligation within the sale of the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. C. Determination of Transaction Price for Performance Obligations in a Contract After identifying the distinct performance obligations, we determine the transaction price in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed contract which may include variable consideration such as discounts, rebates, refunds, rights of returns, and incentives. We assess and update, if necessary, the amount of variable consideration to which we are entitled for each reporting period. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate and accrue a liability for returns and adjustments as a reduction to revenue based on several factors, including past returns history. With the exception of our sales-based royalties, we evaluate whether a significant financing component exists when we recognize revenue in advance of customer payments that occur over time. For example, some of our licensing arrangements include payment terms greater than one year from when we transfer control of our IP to a licensee and the receipt of the final payment for that IP. If a significant financing component exists, we classify a portion of the transaction price as interest income, instead of recognizing all of the transaction price as revenue. We do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing if, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is expected to be one year or less. D. Allocation of Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations in a Contract For our sales-based royalties where the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we present all revenue as licensing. For revenue arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation based on the actual selling prices made to customers. If the performance obligation is not sold separately, we estimate the stand-alone selling price. We do so by considering market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer specific information and industry technology lifecycles, internal conditions such as cost and pricing practices, or applying the residual approach method when the selling price of the good, most commonly a license, is highly variable or uncertain. Once the transaction price, including any variable consideration, has been determined, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract and recognize revenue as or when control is transferred for each distinct performance obligation. E. Revenue Recognition as Control is Transferred to a Customer We generate our licensing revenue by licensing our technologies and patents to various types of licensees, such as chip manufacturers ("implementation licensees"), consumer product manufacturers, software vendors, and communications service providers. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below. Initial fees from implementation licensees. Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies into their chipsets that, once approved by Dolby, are available for purchase by OEMs for use in end-user products. Implementation licensees only pay us a nominal initial fee on contract execution as consideration for the ongoing services that we provide to assist in their implementation process. Revenue from these initial fees is recognized ratably over the contractual term as a component of licensing revenue. Sales-based licensing fees. In our royalty bearing licensing agreements with OEMs, control is transferred upon the later of contract execution or the contract’s effective date. We apply the royalty exception, which requires that we recognize sales-based royalties when the sales occur based on our estimates. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Generally, our estimates represent the current period’s shipments to which we expect our licensees to submit royalty statements within the following two quarters. Upon receipt of royalty statements from the licensees with the actual reporting of sales-based royalties that we estimated previously, we record a favorable or unfavorable adjustment based on the difference, if any, between estimated and actual sales. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of approximately $10 million, which was primarily related to shipments that occurred in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 (July through September) and largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees. In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $1 million, and in the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $1 million and $5 million, respectively, each primarily related to shipments that occurred in the prior two quarters, and largely based on actual royalty statements received from licensees. Fixed and guaranteed licensing fees. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay fixed, non-refundable fees. In these cases, control is transferred and fees are recognized upon the later of contract execution or the effective date. Additionally and separate from initial fees from implementation licensees, our sales- and usage-based licensing agreements include a nominal fee, which is also recognized at a point in time in which control of the IP has been transferred. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. Recoveries. Through compliance efforts, we identify misreported licensed activity related to non-current periods. We may record a favorable or unfavorable revenue adjustment in connection with the findings from these compliance efforts generally upon resolution with the licensee through agreement of the findings, or upon receipt of the licensee’s correction statement. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue. We undertake activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, which, when successful, result in the recognition of revenue. Recoveries stem from third parties who agree to remit payments to us based on past use of our technology. In these scenarios, a legally binding contract did not exist at the time of use of our technology, and therefore, we recognize revenue recoveries upon execution of the agreement as that is the point in time at which a contract exists and control is transferred. This revenue is classified as licensing revenue. In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. In addition to our licensing arrangements, we also enter into arrangements to deliver products and services. Product Sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the customer obtains control of the promised good or service, which is generally upon shipment. Payments are generally made within 90 days of sale. Services. We provide various services, such as engineering services related to movie soundtrack print mastering, equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, and image calibration, which we bill on a fixed fee and time and materials basis. Most of these services are of a short duration and are recognized as control of the performance obligations are transferred which is when the related services are performed. Cloud Services. We provide access to audio and video APIs through our developer platform as well as cloud encoding services, generally, on either a consumption or subscription basis. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a consumption basis is recognized when the customer utilizes the services, based on the quantity of services consumed. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a subscription basis is recognized ratably over the contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the cloud services. Collaborative Arrangements. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor are both active participants, and share the risks and rewards associated with the business. Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives revenue based on box office receipts, reported to Dolby by exhibitor partners on a monthly or quarterly basis, our proprietary designs and trademarks as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor's venue. The use of our product solution meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby's share of revenue, we apply ASC 842, Leases , and recognize revenue based on monthly box office reports from exhibitors. Our revenue share is recognized as licensing revenue in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, we also enter into hybrid agreements where a portion of our revenue share involves guaranteed payments, which in some cases result in classifying the arrangement as a sales-type lease. In such arrangements, we consider control to transfer at the point in time to which we have installed and tested the equipment, at which point we record such guaranteed payments as product revenue. Licensing Administration Fee. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. As an agent to licensors in the patent pool, Via LA receives a share of the sales-based royalty that the patent pool licensors earn from licensees. As such, we apply the sales-based royalty exception as the service provided is directly related to the patent pool licensors’ provision of IP, which results in recognition based on estimates of the licensee’s quarter shipments that use the pool’s patents. In addition to sales-based royalties, Via LA also has contracts where the fees are fixed. The revenue share Via LA receives from licensors on fixed fee contracts is recognized over the term in which we are providing services associated with the fixed fee contract. We recognize our administrative fees net of the consideration paid to the patent licensors in the pool as licensing revenue. See Note 15 " Business Combinations " to our consolidated financial statements for a description of the recent business combination involving Via LA.

Summary Of Significant Accoun_3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Estimated Useful Life	PP&E is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table: PP&E Category Useful Life Computer equipment and software 3 to 5 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 8 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 8 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or related lease term Equipment provided under operating leases 15 years Buildings and building improvements 20 to 40 years
Advertising and Promotional Costs	Advertising and promotional costs are charged primarily to S&M expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Advertising and promotional costs $ 59,821 $ 51,422 $ 52,253
Schedule of Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)	These losses were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Foreign currency transaction gains/(losses) $ 536 $ (1,283) $ (749)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): Fiscal Year Ended Revenue September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 Licensing $ 1,197,930 92 % $ 1,164,533 93 % $ 1,214,147 95 % Products and services 101,814 8 % 89,260 7 % 67,109 5 % Total revenue $ 1,299,744 100 % $ 1,253,793 100 % $ 1,281,256 100 % The following table presents the composition of our licensing revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): Fiscal Year Ended Market September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 Broadcast $ 451,719 38 % $ 433,992 37 % $ 475,648 39 % Mobile 243,897 20 % 238,735 21 % 261,232 22 % CE 170,197 14 % 186,285 16 % 181,944 15 % PC 124,362 10 % 151,079 13 % 141,919 12 % Other 207,755 18 % 154,442 13 % 153,404 12 % Total licensing revenue $ 1,197,930 100 % $ 1,164,533 100 % $ 1,214,147 100 % Fiscal Year Ended Geographic Location September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 24, 2021 United States $ 466,030 36 % $ 468,246 37 % $ 419,901 33 % International 833,714 64 % 785,547 63 % 861,355 67 % Total revenue $ 1,299,744 100 % $ 1,253,793 100 % $ 1,281,256 100 %
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability	The following table presents a summary of the balances to which contract assets and liabilities related to revenue are recorded for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Change ($) Change (%) Accounts receivable, net $ 262,245 $ 243,593 $ 18,652 8 % Contract assets, net 182,130 176,093 6,037 3 % Contract liabilities - current 31,505 18,588 12,917 69 % Contract liabilities - non-current 39,997 23,203 16,794 72 %

Composition Of Certain Financ_2

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Schedule Of Accounts Receivable	September 29, September 30, Trade accounts receivable $ 137,820 $ 162,531 Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees 134,108 92,896 Contract assets 182,268 176,218 Accounts receivable and contract assets, gross 454,196 431,645 Less: allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable and contract assets (9,821) (11,959) Total accounts receivable and contract assets, net $ 444,375 $ 419,686
Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Credit Losses Beginning Balance Charges/(Credits) Additions/(Deductions) Ending Balance For fiscal year ended: September 24, 2021 $ 15,908 $ (2,889) $ (4,067) $ 8,952 September 30, 2022 8,952 5,460 (7) 14,405 September 29, 2023 14,405 (793) (2,643) 10,969
Schedule Of Inventories	Inventories September 29, September 30, Raw materials $ 6,203 $ 10,026 Work in process 3,972 4,955 Finished goods 25,448 8,568 Total inventories $ 35,623 $ 23,549
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	September 29, September 30, Prepaid expenses $ 24,435 $ 26,851 Other current assets 26,257 23,224 Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 50,692 $ 50,075
Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities	September 29, September 30, Amounts payable to patent administration program partners $ 150,509 $ 63,106 Accrued compensation and benefits 118,728 84,111 Accrued professional fees 18,632 13,057 Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions 18,002 15,428 Accrued customer refunds 3,878 3,674 Accrued market development funds 5,010 7,206 Other accrued liabilities 36,640 43,655 Total accrued liabilities $ 351,399 $ 230,237
Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities	September 29, September 30, Supplemental retirement plan obligations $ 4,302 $ 4,127 Non-current tax liabilities (1) 74,482 83,758 Other liabilities 29,555 12,237 Total other non-current liabilities $ 108,339 $ 100,122

Investments and Fair Value Meas

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	September 29, 2023 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 602,288 $ — $ — $ 602,288 $ 602,288 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Commercial paper 1,514 — — 1,514 — 1,514 — Money market funds 139,831 — — 139,831 139,831 — — Government Bonds 1,731 — — 1,731 1,731 — — Cash and cash equivalents 745,364 — — 745,364 743,850 1,514 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 530 — — 530 — 530 — U.S. agency securities 5,956 1 (7) 5,950 — 5,950 — Government bonds 50,220 3 (384) 49,839 46,246 3,593 — Commercial paper 5,843 — (3) 5,840 — 5,840 — Corporate bonds 61,803 — (431) 61,372 — 61,372 — Municipal debt securities 15,801 — (184) 15,617 — 15,617 — Short-term investments 140,153 4 (1,009) 139,148 46,246 92,902 — Long-term investments: Government bonds 33,227 — (1,046) 32,181 32,181 — — Corporate bonds 39,057 6 (589) 38,474 — 38,474 — Municipal debt securities 16,137 — (224) 15,913 — 15,913 — Other investments (1) 11,244 — — 11,244 — — — Long-term investments 99,665 6 (1,859) 97,812 32,181 54,387 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 985,182 $ 10 $ (2,868) $ 982,324 $ 822,277 $ 148,803 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,400 $ — $ — $ 4,400 $ 4,400 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,400 $ — $ — $ 4,400 $ 4,400 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Assets: Included in other current assets $ — $ 144 $ — $ 144 $ — $ 144 $ — Assets: included in other non-current assets — 2 — 2 — 2 — Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities — — (618) (618) — (618) — Liabilities: Included in other non-current liabilities — — (24) (24) — (24) — (1) Other investments as of September 29, 2023 is primarily comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million. September 30, 2022 Cost Unrealized Estimated Fair Value Gains Losses Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 474,813 $ — $ — $ 474,813 $ 474,813 $ — $ — Cash equivalents: Money market funds 134,987 — — 134,987 134,987 — — U.S. agency securities 10,328 — (1) 10,327 — 10,327 — Cash and cash equivalents 620,128 — (1) 620,127 609,800 10,327 — Short-term investments: Certificate of deposit 23,033 8 (47) 22,994 — 22,994 — U.S. agency securities 3,412 — (21) 3,391 — 3,391 — Government bonds 57,417 — (705) 56,712 52,833 3,879 — Commercial paper 8,786 1 (15) 8,772 — 8,772 — Corporate bonds 72,730 — (734) 71,996 — 71,996 — Municipal debt securities 25,589 — (241) 25,348 — 25,348 — Short-term investments 190,967 9 (1,763) 189,213 52,833 136,380 — Long-term investments: U.S. agency securities 861 — (39) 822 — 822 — Government bonds 43,816 — (2,222) 41,594 38,055 3,539 — Corporate bonds 29,684 4 (1,349) 28,339 — 28,339 — Municipal debt securities 21,483 — (626) 20,857 — 20,857 — Other investments (1) 10,902 — — 10,902 — — — Long-term investments 106,746 4 (4,236) 102,514 38,055 53,557 — Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 917,841 $ 13 $ (6,000) $ 911,854 $ 700,688 $ 200,264 $ — Investments held in supplemental retirement plan: Assets $ 4,225 $ — $ — $ 4,225 $ 4,225 $ — $ — Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets Liabilities $ 4,225 $ — $ — $ 4,225 $ 4,225 $ — $ — Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities Currency derivatives as hedge instruments: Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities $ — $ — $ (4,882) $ (4,882) $ — $ (4,882) $ — Liabilities: Included in other non-current liabilities — — (420) (420) — (420) —
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and for greater than twelve months as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Less Than 12 Months Greater Than 12 Months Less Than 12 Months Greater Than 12 Months Investment Type Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Certificate of deposit $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 10,352 $ (47) $ — $ — U.S. agency securities 853 (7) — — 13,144 (5) 1,395 (55) Government bonds 26,756 (247) 40,235 (1,183) 89,741 (2,593) 8,566 (332) Commercial paper 5,840 (3) — — 5,770 (15) — — Corporate bonds 79,846 (461) 14,634 (558) 81,044 (1,523) 18,306 (561) Municipal debt securities 23,365 (203) 8,166 (206) 40,119 (712) 3,336 (156) Total $ 136,660 $ (921) $ 63,035 $ (1,947) $ 240,170 $ (4,895) $ 31,603 $ (1,104)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	Investment Maturities. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Range of maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due within 1 year $ 283,229 $ 282,225 $ 336,291 $ 334,537 Due in 1 to 2 years 67,679 66,075 53,721 51,332 Due in 2 to 5 years 20,743 20,493 42,122 40,280 Total $ 371,651 $ 368,793 $ 432,134 $ 426,149

Property, Plant & Equipment (Ta

Property, Plant & Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Property, Plant & Equipment (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	As of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands): Property, Plant, and Equipment September 29, September 30, Land $ 41,902 $ 41,774 Buildings and building improvements 287,799 287,544 Leasehold improvements 79,988 86,793 Machinery and equipment 152,675 136,995 Computer equipment and software 233,224 232,108 Furniture and fixtures 32,629 33,797 Equipment provided under operating leases 211,910 229,177 Construction-in-progress 18,327 23,037 Property, plant, and equipment, gross 1,058,454 1,071,225 Less: accumulated depreciation (576,873) (557,744) Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 481,581 $ 513,481

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Leases (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Lease Cost Components, Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Schedules	Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Operating Lease Income Variable operating lease income $ 33,921 $ 31,514 $ 9,511 Fixed operating lease income $ 3,253 $ 2,953 $ 4,203
Maturities of Lessee Lease Liabilities after Adoption of 842 Schedule	September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 17,547 Fiscal 2025 12,700 Fiscal 2026 7,413 Fiscal 2027 5,912 Fiscal 2028 5,669 Thereafter 11,020 Total undiscounted lease payments 60,261 Less: imputed interest (9,613) Total lease liabilities $ 50,648
Maturities of Lessor Operating Lease Payments Schedule	The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 1,090 $ 795 Fiscal 2025 1,109 795 Fiscal 2026 932 395 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 3,131 1,985 Less: Carrying value of lease receivables (563) Difference $ 1,422
Maturities of Lessor Sales-Type Lease Payments Schedule	The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands): September 29, 2023 Operating Leases Sales-Type Leases Fiscal 2024 $ 1,090 $ 795 Fiscal 2025 1,109 795 Fiscal 2026 932 395 Total undiscounted cash flows $ 3,131 1,985 Less: Carrying value of lease receivables (563) Difference $ 1,422

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (T

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Goodwill Balance as of September 24, 2021 $ 340,694 Acquired goodwill (1) 31,695 Translation adjustments (7,185) Measurement period adjustments (57) Balance as of September 30, 2022 $ 365,147 Acquired goodwill (1) 36,344 Translation adjustments 2,683 Measurement period adjustments 4,235 Balance as of September 29, 2023 $ 408,409
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and principally consist of acquired patents, technology, customer relationships and contracts, and trademarks. Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Intangible Assets, Net Cost Accumulated Net Cost Accumulated Net Acquired patents and technology $ 350,406 $ (270,750) $ 79,656 $ 355,622 $ (253,080) $ 102,542 Customer relationships 148,794 (61,049) 87,745 66,142 (56,572) 9,570 Other intangible assets 22,781 (22,755) 26 22,973 (22,820) 153 Total $ 521,981 $ (354,554) $ 167,427 $ 444,737 $ (332,472) $ 112,265
Future Amortization Expense	As of September 29, 2023, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future fiscal periods was as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Amortization Expense 2024 $ 30,130 2025 15,812 2026 15,293 2027 14,773 2028 14,614 Thereafter 76,805 Total $ 167,427

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_2

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award	The following table summarizes information about PSOs granted to our officers that have vested during the periods presented: Grant Date Aggregate Shares Granted at Target Award Aggregate Shares Exercisable at Vest Date (1) Percentage Vested of Target Award Vested Date December 15, 2018 241,100 158,700 75 % December 2021 Aggregate Shares Granted Potential Shares at Vest Date (at 200% of Target December 15, 2020 66,138 132,276 December 15, 2021 60,301 120,602 December 15, 2022 90,613 181,226
Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan	The following table summarizes information about RSUs, including PSUs, issued under our 2020 Stock Plan: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Non-vested as of September 30, 2022 3,502 $ 83.09 Granted 1,718 69.74 Vested (1,252) 78.74 Forfeitures (221) 79.62 Non-vested as of September 29, 2023 3,747 $ 78.62
Schedule of Share-Based Payment Fair Value by Vesting Date	The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Restricted stock units - vest date fair value $ 92,843 $ 106,919 $ 101,108
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions	The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Expected term (in years) 4.82 4.78 4.88 Risk-free interest rate 3.6 % 1.5 % 0.8 % Expected stock price volatility 29.4 % 28.8 % 27.9 % Dividend yield 1.6 % 1.1 % 1.0 %
Summary Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Granted And Total Intrinsic Value Of Stock Options Exercised	The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Expected term (in years) 4.82 4.78 4.88 Risk-free interest rate 3.6 % 1.5 % 0.8 % Expected stock price volatility 29.4 % 28.8 % 27.9 % Dividend yield 1.6 % 1.1 % 1.0 % The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value (per share) of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Stock options granted - weighted-average grant date fair value $ 19.15 $ 21.17 $ 20.93 Stock options exercised - intrinsic value 22,736 22,885 102,812
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Plan	The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Expense - By Award Type Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Compensation expense Stock options $ 8,486 $ 10,244 $ 13,724 Restricted stock units (1) (2) 105,915 98,433 80,705 Employee stock purchase plan 4,085 6,248 5,269 Total stock-based compensation 118,486 114,925 99,698 Estimated benefit from income taxes (17,844) (17,581) (15,790) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 100,642 $ 97,344 $ 83,908 (1) Stock-based compensation expense incurred by restricted stock units includes expense from PSUs. (2) Excludes $1.2 million and $0.7 million of capitalized stock-based compensation related to internal use software in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Compensation expense Cost of products and services $ 1,697 $ 1,819 $ 2,033 Research and development 39,472 37,061 29,733 Sales and marketing 40,038 41,326 36,432 General and administrative 37,279 34,719 31,500 Total stock-based compensation 118,486 114,925 99,698 Estimated benefit from income taxes (17,844) (17,581) (15,790) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 100,642 $ 97,344 $ 83,908
Schedule of Tax Benefit from Exercise of Options	Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Compensation expense Cost of products and services $ 1,697 $ 1,819 $ 2,033 Research and development 39,472 37,061 29,733 Sales and marketing 40,038 41,326 36,432 General and administrative 37,279 34,719 31,500 Total stock-based compensation 118,486 114,925 99,698 Estimated benefit from income taxes (17,844) (17,581) (15,790) Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 100,642 $ 97,344 $ 83,908 The tax benefit that we recognize from shares issued under our ESPP is excluded from the tables above. The tax benefit recognized was not material in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, and was $1.2 million in fiscal 2021.
Schedule of Treasury Stock Authorizations	The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of September 29, 2023 (in thousands): Date of Authorization Authorization Amount Fiscal 2010: November 2009 $ 250,000 Fiscal 2010: July 2010 300,000 Fiscal 2011: July 2011 250,000 Fiscal 2012: February 2012 100,000 Fiscal 2015: October 2014 200,000 Fiscal 2017: January 2017 200,000 Fiscal 2018: July 2018 350,000 Fiscal 2019: July 2019 350,000 Fiscal 2021: July 2021 350,000 Fiscal 2022: February 2022 250,000 Fiscal 2022: August 2022 350,000 Total $ 2,950,000
Schedule of Stock Repurchase Activity	The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2023: Quarterly Repurchase Activity Shares Cost (1) Average Price Paid Per Share (2) (in thousands) Q1 - Quarter ended December 30, 2022 680,861 $ 49,412 $ 72.57 Q2 - Quarter ended March 31, 2023 631,046 49,864 79.02 Q3 - Quarter ended June 30, 2023 294,793 25,000 84.81 Q4 - Quarter ended September 29, 2023 285,499 25,000 87.57 Total 1,892,199 $ 149,276 (1) Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share, and excludes commission costs. (2) Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.
Dividends Declared	The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2023: Fiscal Period Announcement Date Record Date Payment Date Cash Dividend Per Common Share Dividend Payment Q1 - Quarter ended December 30, 2022 February 2, 2023 February 14, 2023 February 22, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.9 million Q2 - Quarter ended March 31, 2023 May 4, 2023 May 16, 2023 May 23, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.8 million Q3 - Quarter ended June 30, 2023 August 3, 2023 August 14, 2023 August 22, 2023 $ 0.27 $25.8 million Q4 - Quarter ended September 29, 2023 November 16, 2023 November 28, 2023 December 5, 2023 $ 0.30 $28.7 million (1) (1) The dividend payment amount for the dividend declared in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2023 September 30, 2022 Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Investment Securities Cash Flow Hedges Currency Translation Adjustments Total Beginning Balance $ (5,986) $ (4,483) $ (41,172) $ (51,641) $ 220 $ (122) $ (10,128) $ (10,030) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications: Unrealized gains/(losses) 3,313 4,869 — 8,182 (6,783) (2,588) — (9,371) Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) (1) — — 7,170 7,170 — — (30,799) (30,799) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) — — 73 73 52 (8) (245) (201) Net of tax 3,313 4,869 7,243 15,425 (6,731) (2,596) (31,044) (40,371) Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings: Realized gains/(losses) (2) (239) (668) — (907) 527 (2,097) — (1,570) Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) (3) 54 85 — 139 (2) 332 — 330 Net of tax (185) (583) — (768) 525 (1,765) — (1,240) Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) 3,128 4,286 7,243 14,657 (6,206) (4,361) (31,044) (41,611) Ending Balance $ (2,858) $ (197) $ (33,929) $ (36,984) $ (5,986) $ (4,483) $ (41,172) $ (51,641) (1) The foreign currency translation gains during fiscal 2023 were primarily due to the strengthening of other foreign currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar. The foreign currency translation losses during fiscal 2022 were primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar as compared to other foreign currencies. (2) Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/(expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. (3) The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

Per Share Data (Tables)

Per Share Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Per Share Data (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Numerator: Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. $ 200,656 $ 184,087 $ 310,227 Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic 95,771 99,990 101,190 Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock 763 958 1,994 Potential common shares from restricted stock units 1,139 912 1,376 Potential common shares from employee stock purchase plan 60 123 62 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted 97,733 101,983 104,622 Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.: Basic $ 2.10 $ 1.84 $ 3.07 Diluted $ 2.05 $ 1.81 $ 2.97 Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation: Stock options 930 587 235 Restricted stock units 7 1,158 48 Employee stock purchase plan 2 — 2

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components Of Income Before Provision For Income Taxes	The following two tables present the components of our income before provision for income taxes by geographic region and the portion of our provision for income taxes classified as current and deferred (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, United States $ 44,136 $ 33,318 $ 104,741 Foreign 205,917 181,961 249,771 Total income before income taxes $ 250,053 $ 215,279 $ 354,512
Schedule Of Provision For Income Taxes	Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Current: Federal $ (1,053) $ 2,008 $ 7,216 State 1,023 553 953 Foreign 66,776 58,285 65,568 Total current 66,746 60,846 73,737 Deferred: Federal (16,949) (29,990) (36,035) State (356) 8 (63) Foreign (1,032) 517 (950) Total deferred (18,337) (29,465) (37,048) Provision for income taxes $ 48,409 $ 31,381 $ 36,689
Summary Of Tax Effects Of The Temporary Differences Between Carrying Amounts And Amounts Used For Tax	A summary of the tax effects of the temporary differences were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, Deferred income tax assets: Investments $ 5,864 $ 1,339 Inventories 5,003 6,851 Net operating loss 292 2,507 Accrued expenses 16,945 11,536 Stock-based compensation 17,833 17,295 Revenue recognition 4,563 4,275 Depreciation and amortization (1) 130,818 105,114 Lease liability 13,911 10,589 Research and development credits 40,633 40,149 Foreign tax credits 15,684 21,244 Deemed repatriated earnings tax benefit 10,724 10,724 Other 5,075 5,657 Total gross deferred income tax assets 267,345 237,280 Less: valuation allowance (50,687) (41,087) Total deferred income tax assets 216,658 196,193 Deferred income tax liabilities: Right of use asset (14,319) (10,046) Intangible assets (479) (2,579) Deferred income tax assets, net $ 201,860 $ 183,568
Reconciliation Of Federal Statutory Tax Rate To Our Effective Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal effect 0.3 0.2 0.2 Stock-based compensation 1.2 (0.1) (5.1) Research and development tax credits (2.7) (5.0) (2.6) Foreign-derived intangible income deduction (2.3) (2.3) (2.2) U.S. tax on foreign entities 1.3 1.8 0.8 Foreign rate differential (1.9) (4.5) (3.4) Increase (decrease) unrecognized tax benefit 1.9 2.8 2.0 Other 0.6 0.7 (0.4) Effective tax rate 19.4 % 14.6 % 10.3 %
Aggregate Changes In Balance Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest And Penalties	Aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Beginning Balance $ 69,682 $ 66,106 $ 60,691 Gross increases - tax positions taken during prior years 219 822 220 Gross decreases - tax positions taken during prior years (1,143) (178) (247) Gross increases - tax positions taken during current year 7,546 7,784 6,979 Gross decreases - settlements with tax authorities during current year — — (875) Lapse of statute of limitations — (4,852) (662) Ending Balance $ 76,304 $ 69,682 $ 66,106
Schedule of Accrued Interest and Penalties on Unrecognized Tax Benefits	Our accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as of September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, Accrued interest $ 10,254 $ 6,748 Accrued penalties 172 119 Total $ 10,426 $ 6,867

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Restructuring (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	Severance Leased facility exit costs and other costs Total Balance at September 24, 2021 $ 163 $ 4 $ 167 Restructuring charges 8,874 1,749 10,623 Cash payments and adjustments (3,256) (1,753) (5,009) Balance at September 30, 2022 $ 5,781 $ — $ 5,781 Restructuring charges 23,943 23,118 47,061 Cash payments and adjustments (9,372) (16,225) (25,597) Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs — (6,893) (6,893) Balance at September 29, 2023 $ 20,352 $ — $ 20,352

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments	The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 29, 2023 (in thousands): Payments Due By Fiscal Period Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Thereafter Total Naming rights $ 12,794 $ 13,126 $ 13,472 $ 8,534 $ 8,642 $ 35,674 $ 92,242 Purchase obligations 29,934 3,816 851 — — — 34,601 Donation commitments 1,718 116 116 86 86 332 2,454 Total $ 44,446 $ 17,058 $ 14,439 $ 8,620 $ 8,728 $ 36,006 $ 129,297

Business Combination (Tables)

Business Combination (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Business Combination (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	The total consideration for the acquisition was as follows (in thousands): Amount Cash $ 135,739 Noncontrolling interest in Via LA (24.8 million common equity units) 24,815 Total amount paid to sellers $ 160,554 Less: amount deemed post-acquisition expense (2,174) Total consideration paid to sellers $ 158,380 Assumed settlement of pre-existing relationships due to Dolby 61,313 Total consideration $ 219,693 Less: unrestricted cash acquired (80,633) Total consideration, net of unrestricted cash acquired $ 139,060
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the preliminary acquisition date fair values allocated to the net assets acquired (in thousands): Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Purchase Price Allocation (Preliminary) Cash and cash equivalents $ 80,633 Restricted cash 143,564 Other current assets 73,556 Intangible assets 86,000 Goodwill 40,579 Other non-current assets 34,298 Amounts payable to patent administrative program partners (179,616) Other current liabilities (21,709) Non-current liabilities (37,612) Purchase Consideration $ 219,693 The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values allocated to the various intangible assets acquired and the weighted-average useful lives over which they will be amortized using the straight-line method: Purchase Price Allocation Weighted-Average Useful Life Intangible Assets Acquired (in thousands) (in years) Licensor Relationships – AVC & Other $ 36,000 13 Licensor Relationships - HEVC 31,000 10 Implementer Relationships – AVC & Other 12,000 13 Implementer Relationships - HEVC 7,000 10 Total $ 86,000 12

Operating Segments and Geogra_2

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]
Revenue By Geographic Region	Revenue Category Basis For Determining Geographic Location Licensing Region in which our licensees’ headquarters are located Products Destination to which our products are shipped Services Location in which the relevant services are performed The following tables present selected information regarding total revenue by geographic location (amounts presented in thousands). Revenue Composition—U.S . and International Fiscal Year Ended Location September 29, September 30, September 24, United States $ 466,030 $ 468,246 $ 419,901 International 833,714 785,547 861,355 Total revenue $ 1,299,744 $ 1,253,793 $ 1,281,256
Schedule Of Concentration Of Revenue From Individual Geographic Regions	Revenue Concentration—Significant Individual Geographic Regions Fiscal Year Ended Location September 29, September 30, September 24, United States 36 % 37 % 33 % South Korea 14 % 13 % 14 % China 22 % 20 % 23 % Japan 9 % 8 % 11 % Europe 10 % 10 % 10 % Other 9 % 12 % 9 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
Schedule Of Long-Lived Tangible Assets, Net Of Accumulated Depreciation, By Geographic Region	Long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in thousands): Location September 29, September 30, United States $ 390,552 $ 415,493 International 91,029 97,988 Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation $ 481,581 $ 513,481

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule Of Ownership Interest In The Consolidated Affiliated Entities	Our interests in these consolidated affiliated entities and the location of the properties leased to Dolby Laboratories as of September 29, 2023 were as follows: Entity Name Minority Ownership Interest Location Of Properties Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC 49.0 % Burbank, California We also own 10.0% minority ownership interest in Dolby Properties, LP, which owns a facility in Wootton Bassett, England. During fiscal 2022, we ceased leasing the Wootton Bassett facility. The property leased to Dolby Laboratories through Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC, located in Brisbane, California, was sold during fiscal 2021. We also lease from our principal stockholder a commercial office building located at 100 Potrero Avenue in San Francisco, California under a term that expires on October 31, 2024. Related party rent expense included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Related party rent expense included in operating expenses $ — $ — $ (392) Distributions. Distributions made by the jointly-owned real estate entities to our principal stockholder were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Distributions to principal stockholder $ (266) $ (1,435) $ (7,362)

Retirement Plans Retirement Pla

Retirement Plans Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans Retirement Plans (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2023
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	Retirement plan expenses, which are included in cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expense in our consolidated statements of operations, were as follows (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 29, September 30, September 24, Retirement plan expenses $ 24,925 $ 27,378 $ 26,379

Summary Of Significant Accoun_4

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 29, 2023		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum credit exposure (percent)		5%
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		$ 5,100		$ 5,000	$ 4,700
Advertising expense		59,821		51,422	52,253
Transaction and re-measurement gains/losses		536		(1,283)	$ (749)
Derivative, Notional Amount		73,100
Operating lease right-of-use assets		40,199		46,530
Operating lease liabilities		50,648
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(8,182)		9,371
Realized gains/(losses)	[1]	907		1,570
Cash Flow Hedges
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(4,869)		2,588
Realized gains/(losses)		$ 668	[1]	$ 2,097
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets with definite lives, useful life, minimum years		3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Internal Use Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets with definite lives, useful life, minimum years		3 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets with definite lives, useful life, minimum years		18 years
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity				31 days
Notional amount of derivative		$ 61,700		$ 56,600
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount				$ 74,100

[1]Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/(expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations

Summary Of Significant Accoun_5

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Estimated Useful Life) (Details)	Sep. 29, 2023
Minimum [Member] \| Systems And Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Furniture And Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	20 years
Maximum [Member] \| Systems And Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	5 years
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	8 years
Maximum [Member] \| Furniture And Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	8 years
Maximum [Member] \| Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	40 years
Maximum [Member] \| Leased Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, years	15 years

Revenue Recognition (Narrative)

Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 30, 2022	Sep. 29, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Expected timing of satisfaction period, or less					1 year
Revenue adjustment	$ 5	$ 1	$ 1	$ 10
Revenue recognized					$ 18.3

Revenue Recognition (Performanc

Revenue Recognition (Performance Obligation) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023 USD ($) country
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation \| $	$ 71.3
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Countries technologies are licensed in \| country	70
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-09-30
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Remaining performance obligation, percent	44%
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-09-28
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Remaining performance obligation, percent	21%
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-09-27
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Remaining performance obligation, percent	35%

Revenue Recognition (Schedule o

Revenue Recognition (Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 1,299,744	$ 1,253,793	$ 1,281,256
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	100%	100%	100%
United States
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 466,030	$ 468,246	$ 419,901
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	36%	37%	33%
International
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 833,714	$ 785,547
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	64%	63%	67%
Licensing
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 1,197,930	$ 1,164,533	$ 1,214,147
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	92%	93%	95%
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	100%	100%	100%
Products and services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 101,814	$ 89,260	$ 67,109
Revenue from contract with customer, percent	8%	7%	5%
Broadcast
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 451,719	$ 433,992	$ 475,648
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	38%	37%	39%
Mobile
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 243,897	$ 238,735	$ 261,232
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	20%	21%	22%
CE
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 170,197	$ 186,285	$ 181,944
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	14%	16%	15%
PC
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 124,362	$ 151,079	$ 141,919
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	10%	13%	12%
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 207,755	$ 154,442	$ 153,404
Revenue from contract with customer, licensing percent	18%	13%	12%

Revenue Recognition (Summary of

Revenue Recognition (Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 262,245	$ 243,593
Other non-current assets	94,674	55,149
Contract liabilities	31,505	18,588
Non-current contract liabilities	39,997	23,203
Other non-current liabilities	108,339	$ 100,122
Change ($)
Accounts receivable, net	18,652
Contract assets	6,037
Contract liabilities - current	12,917
Contract liabilities - non-current	$ 16,794
Change (%)
Accounts receivable, net	8%
Contract assets	3%
Contract liabilities - current	69%
Contract liabilities - non-current	72%

Composition Of Certain Financ_3

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Unbilled accounts receivable	$ 150,400	$ 106,900
Raw materials	6,203	10,026
Other Noncurrent Assets
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 8,100	$ 2,800

Composition Of Certain Financ_4

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 137,820	$ 162,531
Accounts receivable from patent administration program partners	134,108	92,896
Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	182,268	176,218
Accounts receivable and contract assets, gross	454,196	431,645
Accounts Receivable And Contract With Customer, Asset, Allowance For Credit Loss, Current	(9,821)	(11,959)
Total accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$ 444,375	$ 419,686

Composition Of Certain Financ_5

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal Year	$ 14,405	$ 8,952	$ 15,908
Charged to Operations	(793)	5,460	(2,889)
Deductions	(2,643)	(7)	(4,067)
Balance at End of Fiscal Year	$ 10,969	$ 14,405	$ 8,952

Composition Of Certain Financ_6

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 6,203	$ 10,026
Work in process	3,972	4,955
Finished goods	25,448	8,568
Inventories	$ 35,623	$ 23,549

Composition Of Certain Financ_7

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Prepaid assets	$ 24,435	$ 26,851
Other current assets	26,257	23,224
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 50,692	$ 50,075

Composition Of Certain Financ_8

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Amounts payable to joint licensing program partners	$ 150,509	$ 63,106
Accrued compensation and benefits	118,728	84,111
Accrued professional fees	18,632	13,057
Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions	18,002	15,428
Accrued customer refunds	3,878	3,674
Accrued market development funds	5,010	7,206
Other accrued liabilities	36,640	43,655
Accrued liabilities	$ 351,399	$ 230,237

Composition Of Certain Financ_9

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]
Supplemental retirement plan obligations	$ 4,302	$ 4,127
Non-current tax liabilities	74,482	83,758
Other liabilities	29,555	12,237
Other non-current liabilities	$ 108,339	$ 100,122

Investments and Fair Value Me_2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Financial Assets Carried At Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 29, 2023		Sep. 30, 2022
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		$ 745,364		$ 620,128
Short-term investments, cost		371,651		432,134
Short-term investments, unrealized gains		0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses		0		(1)
Short-term investments, total		368,793		426,149
Long-term investments, Total				102,514
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, cost		985,182		917,841
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, unrealized gains		10		13
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, unrealized losses		(2,868)		(6,000)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, total		982,324		911,854
Assets		$ 745,364		$ 620,127
Derivative Asset, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]		Other non-current assets
Derivative Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]		Accrued liabilities		Accrued liabilities
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]		Other non-current liabilities
Equity Method Investments		$ 5,900
Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value				$ 10,328
Cash				10,327
Short-term investments, unrealized losses				(1)
Short-term investments, Cost		50,220		57,417
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		3		0
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(384)		705
Short-term investments, Total		49,839		56,712
Long-term investments, Cost		33,227		43,816
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		0
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(1,046)		2,222
Long-term investments, Total		32,181		41,594
U.S. agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost				3,412
Long-term investments, Cost				861
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains				0
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses				39
Long-term investments, Total				822
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		5,843		8,786
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		1
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(3)		15
Short-term investments, Total		5,840		8,772
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, cost		5,840		5,770
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, unrealized gains		3		15
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		61,803		72,730
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		0
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(431)		734
Short-term investments, Total		61,372		71,996
Long-term investments, Cost		39,057		29,684
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains		6		4
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(589)		1,349
Long-term investments, Total		38,474		28,339
Municipal debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		15,801		25,589
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		0
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(184)		241
Short-term investments, Total		15,617		25,348
Long-term investments, Cost		16,137		21,483
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		0
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(224)		626
Long-term investments, Total		15,913		20,857
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, cost		23,365		40,119
Other long-term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term investments, Cost		11,244	[1]	10,902	[2]
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0	[1]	0	[2]
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses		0	[1]	0	[2]
Long-term investments, Total		11,244	[1]	10,902	[2]
Long-term investments		5,000
Short-term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		140,153		190,967
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		4		9
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(1,009)		1,763
Short-term investments, Total		139,148		189,213
Long-term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term investments, Cost		99,665		106,746
Long-term investments, Unrealized Gains		6		4
Long-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(1,859)		4,236
Long-term investments, Total		97,812
Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		530		23,033
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		0		8
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		0		47
Short-term investments, Total		530		22,994
U.S. agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments, Cost		5,956
Short-term investments, Unrealized Gains		1		0
Short-term investments, Unrealized Losses		(7)		21
Short-term investments, Total		5,950		3,391
Cash
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		602,288		474,813
Cash		602,288		474,813
Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		139,831		134,987
Cash		139,831		134,987
Short-term investments, unrealized gains		0
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		1,514
Cash		1,514
Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		1,731
Cash		1,731
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		743,850		609,800
Short-term investments		46,246		52,833
Long-term investments		32,181		38,055
Assets		822,277		700,688
Derivative Liability, Current		0		0
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent		0		0
Derivative Asset, Current		0
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent		0
Level 1 \| Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash				0
Short-term investments		46,246		52,833
Long-term investments		32,181		38,055
Level 1 \| Other long-term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term investments	[2]			0
Level 1 \| Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets		4,400		4,225
Liabilities		4,400		4,225
Level 1 \| Cash
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		602,288		474,813
Level 1 \| Money market funds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		139,831		134,987
Level 1 \| Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		1,731
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		1,514		10,327
Short-term investments		92,902		136,380
Long-term investments		54,387		53,557
Assets		148,803		200,264
Derivative Liability, Current		(618)		(4,882)
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent		(24)		(420)
Derivative Asset, Current		144
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent		2
Level 2 \| Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash				10,327
Short-term investments		3,593		3,879
Long-term investments		0		3,539
Level 2 \| U.S. agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term investments				822
Level 2 \| Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash		1,514
Short-term investments		5,840		8,772
Level 2 \| Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments		61,372		71,996
Long-term investments		38,474		28,339
Level 2 \| Municipal debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments		15,617		25,348
Long-term investments		15,913		20,857
Level 2 \| Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments		530		22,994
Level 2 \| U.S. agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments		5,950		3,391
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets		0		0
Derivative Liability, Current		0		0
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent		0		0
Derivative Asset, Current		0
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Current
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, liabilities, cost				0
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized gains		0		0
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized loss		(618)		(4,882)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Current, Amortized Cost Basis		0
Derivative Liability, Current		(618)		(4,882)
us-Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Noncurrent
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized gains		0		0
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized loss		(24)		(420)
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent		(24)		(420)
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Noncurrent, Amortized Cost Basis		0		$ 0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Asset, Current
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, assets, cost		0
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized gains		144
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized loss		0
Derivative Asset, Current		144
Derivative Financial Instruments, Asset, Noncurrent
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, assets, cost		0
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized gains		2
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments, unrealized loss		0
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent		$ 2

[1]Other investments as of September 29, 2023 is primarily comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million.[2]Other investments as of September 30, 2022 is comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million.

Investments and Fair Value Me_3

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 136,660	$ 240,170
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	985,182	917,841
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(921)	(4,895)
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(10)	(13)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	63,035	31,603
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,947)	(1,104)
Certificates of Deposit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	10,352
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(47)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
U.S. agency securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	853	13,144
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(7)	(5)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0	1,395
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(55)
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	79,846	81,044
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(461)	(1,523)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	14,634	18,306
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(558)	(561)
Municipal debt securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	23,365	40,119
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(203)	(712)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	8,166	3,336
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(206)	(156)
Government bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	26,756	89,741
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(247)	(2,593)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	40,235	8,566
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,183)	(332)
Commercial paper
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	5,840	5,770
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3)	(15)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Losses	$ 0	$ 0

Investments and Fair Value Me_4

Investments and Fair Value Measurements Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Investment Maturities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Amortized Cost
Due within 1 year	$ 283,229	$ 336,291
Due in 1 to 2 years	67,679	53,721
Due in 2 to 3 years	20,743	42,122
Total	371,651	432,134
Fair Value
Due within 1 year	282,225	334,537
Due in 1 to 2 years	66,075	51,332
Due in 2 to 3 years	20,493	40,280
Total	$ 368,793	$ 426,149

Property, Plant & Equipment (De

Property, Plant & Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,058,454	$ 1,071,225
Less: accumulated depreciation	(576,873)	(557,744)
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	481,581	513,481
Depreciation	54,000	59,500	$ 66,400
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	41,902	41,774
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	287,799	287,544
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	79,988	86,793
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	152,675	136,995
Computer Systems and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	233,224	232,108
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	32,629	33,797
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	18,327	23,037
Leased Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 211,910	$ 229,177

Leases (Narrative) (Details)

Leases (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Leases (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lesse lease term	10 years
Lessee lease renewal term	5 years
Variable operating lease income	$ 33,921	$ 31,514	$ 9,511
Fixed operating lease income	3,253	2,953	$ 4,203
Unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases	1,000	$ 1,100
Revenue from sales-type lease	2,300
cost of revenue from sales-type lease	$ 400
Minimum [Member]
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor lease renewal term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessor lease term	10 years
Lessor lease renewal term	5 years

Leases (Lease Cost Components)

Leases (Lease Cost Components) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 14,860	$ 17,260	$ 19,261
Variable lease cost	1,424	1,560	755
Total lease cost	$ 16,284	$ 18,820	$ 20,016

Leases (Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases (Supplemental Cash Flow Information Schedule) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 16,589	$ 16,957	$ 19,173
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating lease liabilities	$ 16,259	$ 1,737	$ 5,225

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sh

Leases (Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Schedule) (Details)	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Operating Leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 6 months
Weighted-average discount rate	4.60%	3.20%

Leases (Maturities of Lessee Le

Leases (Maturities of Lessee Lease Liabilities Schedule) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023 USD ($)
Operating Lease After Adoption of 842
Fiscal 2024	$ 17,547
Fiscal 2025	12,700
Fiscal 2026	7,413
Fiscal 2027	5,912
Fiscal 2028	5,669
Thereafter	11,020
Total undiscounted lease payments	60,261
Less: imputed interest	(9,613)
Total lease liabilities	$ 50,648

Leases (Maturities of Lessor Le

Leases (Maturities of Lessor Lease Payments Schedule) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023 USD ($)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fiscal 2024	$ 1,090
Fiscal 2025	1,109
Fiscal 2026	932
Total undiscounted cash flows	3,131
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fiscal 2024	795
Fiscal 2025	795
Fiscal 2026	395
Total undiscounted cash flows	1,985
Less: present value of lease payments (recognized as lease receivables)	(563)
Difference	$ 1,422

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (D

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill			$ 365,147	$ 340,694
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			36,344	31,695
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2,683	(7,185)
Measurement period adjustments			4,235	(57)
Goodwill			408,409	365,147	$ 340,694
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost			521,981	444,737
Accumulated Amortization			(354,554)	(332,472)
Net			167,427	112,265
Payments to acquire intangible assets				$ 11,500
Weighted-average useful life				16 years
Amortization of intangible assets			28,600	$ 29,000	$ 29,500
MPEG LA, L.L.C.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 40,579		(20,300)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Payments to acquire intangible assets			86,000
Weighted-average useful life	12 years
Millicast, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill		$ 31,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Payments to acquire intangible assets				8,700
Acquired patents and technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost			350,406	355,622
Accumulated Amortization			(270,750)	(253,080)
Net			79,656	102,542
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost			148,794	66,142
Accumulated Amortization			(61,049)	(56,572)
Net			87,745	9,570
Other intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost			22,781	22,973
Accumulated Amortization			(22,755)	(22,820)
Net			$ 26	$ 153

Goodwill & Intangible Assets -

Goodwill & Intangible Assets - Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2016	$ 30,130
2017	15,812
2018	15,293
2019	14,773
2020	14,614
Thereafter	76,805
Net	$ 167,427	$ 112,265

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_3

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Information On Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Granted To Executive Officers That Have Not Yet Vested) (Details) - Executive Officer [Member] - Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] - shares	Dec. 15, 2022	Dec. 15, 2021	Dec. 15, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Gross	90,613	60,301	66,138
Potential shares at vest date (in shares)	181,226	120,602	132,276

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_4

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

41 Months Ended

Dec. 15, 2022

Dec. 15, 2021

Dec. 15, 2020

Dec. 15, 2018

Sep. 29, 2023

Sep. 30, 2022

Sep. 24, 2021

Mar. 28, 2014

Aug. 31, 2022

Feb. 28, 2022

Jul. 29, 2021

Dec. 16, 2019

Jul. 31, 2019

Jul. 25, 2018

Jan. 25, 2017

Oct. 31, 2014

Feb. 29, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options outstanding to purchase

4,059,000

Estimated forfeiture rate, percent

8.62%

8.63%

8.85%

Tax benefit

$ 17,844,000

$ 17,581,000

$ 15,790,000

Stock authorized for repurchase

2,950,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Remaining authorization to purchase additional shares

$ 211,600,000

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Common stock, shares authorized (shares)

500,000,000

Common stock, shares issued (shares)

59,673,633

59,798,862

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Common stock, shares authorized (shares)

500,000,000

Common stock, shares issued (shares)

36,085,779

2005 Stock Plan. [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares authorized under plan

64,000,000

Options vested and exercisable

2,938,000

Options outstanding to purchase

3,720,000

Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan From February 2011 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Terms for issuance of stock

1.6

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage of compensation withheld by employees to purchase common stock

10%

Common stock purchase price determined over percentage of closing price

15%

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Shares authorized under plan

5,500,000

Maximum value of common stock available for eligible employees

$ 25,000

Maximum number of common stock available for eligible employees

1,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Period

6 months

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Look Back Commencement Period

1 year

Additional Stock Approved [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Stock authorized for repurchase

$ 350,000,000

$ 250,000,000

$ 350,000,000

$ 200,000,000

$ 100,000,000

$ 250,000,000

$ 300,000,000

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Stock options expected to vest

$ 11,400,000

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

2 years 4 months 24 days

Employee Stock Option [Member] | Options Granted From June 2008 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options vesting period

4 years

Percentage of stock option becoming exercisable subjected to date of grant

25%

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options vesting period

3 years

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

125%

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Stock options expected to vest

$ 188,900,000

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

2 years 3 months 18 days

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

200%

Employee Stock [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Tax benefit

$ 0

$ 1,200,000

Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

75%

Grants in Period, Gross

241,100

Number of Exercisable Options

158,700

Options outstanding to purchase

249,228

Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Percentage Of target award

200%

Grants in Period, Gross

90,613

60,301

66,138

Options outstanding to purchase

204,709

62,000

Employee and Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options vesting period

4 years

Awards Granted Prior to November 2010 [Member] | Director [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options vesting period

1 year

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two | Employee Stock Option [Member] | Options Granted From June 2008 [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options vesting period

36 months

Vesting Shares At 200% Of The Target Award Amount | Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

Options outstanding to purchase

409,418

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_5

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2000 Stock Incentive Plan And 2005 Stock Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 15, 2018	Sep. 29, 2023
Shares
Options outstanding as of September 30, 2022		4,059,000
Grants		326,000
Exercises		(657,000)
Forfeitures and cancellations		(8,000)
Options vested and expected to vest as of September 29, 2023		3,587,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding as of September 30, 2022		$ 62.59
Grants		71.07
Exercises		47.26
Forfeitures and cancellations		53.19
Options outstanding as of September 29, 2023		66.13
Options vested and expected to vest as of September 29, 2023		65.97
Options exercisable as of September 29, 2023		$ 62.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options vested and expected to vest at September 28, 2012		5 years 2 months 8 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options exercisable		4 years 5 months 26 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options outstanding		$ 55,930
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options vested and expected to vest		55,579
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options exercisable		$ 52,361
Year End Stock Price		$ 79.26
Two Thousand Five Stock Plan Member \| Common Class A [Member]
Shares
Options outstanding as of September 29, 2023		3,720,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options outstanding		5 years 3 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number		2,938,000
Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan From February 2011 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Terms for issuance of stock		1.6
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Options Granted From June 2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Options maximum vesting period, months		4 years
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Becoming Exercisable		25%
Performance-Based Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Options maximum vesting period, months		3 years
Performance-Based Stock Options [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Gross	241,100
Shares
Options outstanding as of September 29, 2023		249,228

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_6

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan) (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023 $ / shares shares
Shares
Non-vested as of September 30, 2022 \| shares	3,502
Granted \| shares	1,718
Vested \| shares	(1,252)
Forfeitures \| shares	(221)
Non-vested as of September 29, 2023 \| shares	3,747
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of September 30, 2022 \| $ / shares	$ 83.09
Granted \| $ / shares	69.74
Vested \| $ / shares	78.74
Forfeitures \| $ / shares	79.62
Non-vested as of September 29, 2023 \| $ / shares	$ 78.62

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_7

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (RSU Vest Date Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Restricted stock units - vest date fair value	$ 92,843	$ 106,919	$ 101,108

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_8

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected life (in years)	4 years 9 months 25 days	4 years 9 months 10 days	4 years 10 months 17 days
Risk-free interest rate	3.60%	1.50%	0.80%
Expected stock price volatility	29.40%	28.80%	27.90%
Dividend yield	1.60%	1.10%	1%

Stockholders' Equity And Stoc_9

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Granted And Total Intrinsic Value Of Stock Options Exercised) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant	$ 19.15	$ 21.17	$ 20.93
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 22,736	$ 22,885	$ 102,812

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_10

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Forfeiture Rates) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Estimated forfeiture rate, percent	8.62%	8.63%	8.85%

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_11

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 118,486	$ 114,925	$ 99,698
Share based compensation expense	118,486	114,925	99,698
Benefit from income taxes	(17,844)	(17,581)	(15,790)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	100,642	97,344	83,908
Stock Option [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense	8,486	10,244	13,724
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense	105,915	98,433	80,705
Capitalized stock-based compensation	1,200	700
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense	$ 4,085	$ 6,248	$ 5,269

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_12

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation By Classification) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 118,486	$ 114,925	$ 99,698
Benefit from income taxes	(17,844)	(17,581)	(15,790)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	100,642	97,344	83,908
Cost of products and services [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,697	1,819	2,033
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	39,472	37,061	29,733
Sales and marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	40,038	41,326	36,432
General and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 37,279	$ 34,719	$ 31,500

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_13

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Repurchase) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 30, 2022	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021	Aug. 31, 2022	Feb. 28, 2022	Jul. 29, 2021	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 25, 2018	Jan. 25, 2017	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 2,950,000				$ 2,950,000													$ 250,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)	285,499	294,793	631,046	680,861	1,892,199
Cost	$ 25,000	$ 25,000	$ 49,864	$ 49,412	$ 149,276	$ 530,486	$ 245,864
Average Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 87.57	$ 84.81	$ 79.02	$ 72.57	$ 87.57
Additional Stock Approved [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount								$ 350,000	$ 250,000	$ 350,000	$ 350,000	$ 350,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 100,000	$ 250,000	$ 300,000

Stockholders' Equity And Sto_14

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation Stockholders' Equity And Stock- Based Compensation - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 05, 2023

Nov. 16, 2023

Aug. 22, 2023

Aug. 03, 2023

May 23, 2023

May 04, 2023

Feb. 22, 2023

Feb. 02, 2023

Sep. 29, 2023

Sep. 30, 2022

Sep. 24, 2021

Dividends Payable [Line Items]

Cash dividend declared per common share

$ 0.27

$ 1.11

$ 1.02

$ 0.91

Dividends

$ 25.8

$ 25.9

Subsequent Event [Member]

Dividends Payable [Line Items]

Cash dividend declared per common share

[1]

$ 0.30

Dividends

[1]

$ 28.7

[1]The dividend payment amount for the dividend declared in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 29, 2023		Sep. 30, 2022
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (51,641)		$ (10,030)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		8,182		(9,371)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)		(73)		(201)
Net of tax		15,425		(40,371)
Realized gains/(losses)	[1]	(907)		(1,570)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)	[2]	139		330
Net of tax		(768)		(1,240)
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)		14,657		(41,611)
Ending Balance		(36,984)		(51,641)
Investment Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(5,986)		220
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		3,313		(6,783)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)		0		52
Net of tax		3,313		(6,731)
Realized gains/(losses)	[1]	(239)		527
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)	[2]	54		(2)
Net of tax		(185)		525
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)		3,128		(6,206)
Ending Balance		(2,858)		(5,986)
Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(4,483)		(122)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		4,869		(2,588)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)		0		(8)
Net of tax		4,869		(2,596)
Realized gains/(losses)		(668)	[1]	(2,097)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)		85		332
Net of tax		(583)		(1,765)
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)		4,286		(4,361)
Ending Balance		(197)		(4,483)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(41,172)		(10,128)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	[1]	7,170		(30,799)
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense)		73		(245)
Net of tax		7,243		(31,044)
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)		7,243		(31,044)
Ending Balance		$ (33,929)		$ (41,172)

[1]Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/(expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations[2]The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

Per Share Data (Details)

Per Share Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 200,656	$ 184,087	$ 310,227
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	95,771	99,990	101,190
Potential common shares from options to purchase Class A and Class B common stock	763	958	1,994
Potential common shares from restricted stock units	1,139	912	1,376
Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Employee Stock Purchase Plan	60	123	62
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	97,733	101,983	104,622
Basic (usd per share)	$ 2.10	$ 1.84	$ 3.07
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - Diluted	$ 2.05	$ 1.81	$ 2.97
Employee Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations	2	0	2
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations	930	587	235
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations	7	1,158	48

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Foreign earnings repatriated	$ 150,000
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	224,000
Net operating loss carryovers for federal tax purposes	1,700
Net operating loss carryovers for California tax purposes	4,600
R&D tax credit carryforwards	18,300
Valuation allowance, deferred tax assets, california	34,900
Valuation Allowance recorded against federal foreign tax credit deferred tax assets	7,500
Valuation allowance, deferred tax assets, foreign	$ 8,300
Effective tax rate	19.40%	14.60%	10.30%
Provision for income taxes	$ 48,409	$ 31,381	$ 36,689
Unrecognized tax benefits, gross	76,304	69,682	$ 66,106	$ 60,691
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	47,200
Increase in interest expense for current tax provision	3,500	$ 1,700
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	6,300
California Research Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	44,300
Research Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	$ 5,100

Income Taxes (Components Of Inc

Income Taxes (Components Of Income Before Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$ 44,136	$ 33,318	$ 104,741
Foreign	205,917	181,961	249,771
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 250,053	$ 215,279	$ 354,512

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Provi

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Provision For Income Taxes ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Current:
Federal	$ (1,053)	$ 2,008	$ 7,216
State	1,023	553	953
Foreign	66,776	58,285	65,568
Total current	66,746	60,846	73,737
Deferred:
Federal	(16,949)	(29,990)	(36,035)
State	(356)	8	(63)
Foreign	(1,032)	517	(950)
Total deferred	(18,337)	(29,465)	(37,048)
Provision for income taxes	$ 48,409	$ 31,381	$ 36,689

Income Taxes (Summary Of Tax Ef

Income Taxes (Summary Of Tax Effects Of The Temporary Differences Between Carrying Amounts And Amounts Used For Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments	$ 5,864	$ 1,339
Inventories	5,003	6,851
Net operating loss	292	2,507
Accrued expenses	16,945	11,536
Stock-based compensation	17,833	17,295
Revenue recognition	4,563	4,275
Depreciation and amortization (1)	130,818	105,114
Lease liability	13,911	10,589
Research and development credits	40,633	40,149
Foreign tax credits	15,684	21,244
Deferred Tax Assets, Unrealized Currency Losses	10,724	10,724
Other	5,075	5,657
Total gross deferred income tax assets	267,345	237,280
Less: valuation allowance	(50,687)	(41,087)
Total deferred income tax assets	216,658	196,193
Right of use asset	(14,319)	(10,046)
Intangibles	(479)	(2,579)
Deferred income tax assets, net	201,860	$ 183,568
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	$ 18,300

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Federal Statutory Tax Rate To Our Effective Tax Rate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021	Sep. 25, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate	21%	21%	21%
State income taxes, net of federal effect	0.30%	0.20%	0.20%
Stock-based compensation expense rate			(5.10%)
Stock-based compensation expense rate	1.20%	(0.10%)
Research and development tax credits	(2.70%)	(5.00%)	(2.60%)
Tax exempt interest	(2.30%)	(2.30%)	(2.20%)
U.S. tax on foreign entities	1.30%	1.80%	0.80%
Foreign rate differential	(1.90%)	(4.50%)	(3.40%)
Audit settlements	1.90%	2.80%	2%
Other	0.60%	0.70%	(0.40%)
Effective tax rate	19.40%	14.60%	10.30%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 76,304	$ 69,682	$ 66,106	$ 60,691
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	$ 47,200

Income Taxes (Aggregate Changes

Income Taxes (Aggregate Changes In Balance Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest And Penalties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	$ 47,200
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	69,682	$ 66,106	$ 60,691
Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during prior years	219	822	220
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	(1,143)	(178)	(247)
Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during the current year	7,546	7,784	6,979
Settlements	0	0	(875)
Lapse of statute of limitations	0	(4,852)	(662)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$ 76,304	$ 69,682	$ 66,106

Income Taxes (Interest and Pena

Income Taxes (Interest and Penalties on Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued interest	$ 10,254	$ 6,748
Accrued penalties	172	119
Total	$ 10,426	$ 6,867

Restructuring (Narrative) (Deta

Restructuring (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 47,061	$ 10,623	$ 10,240
Impairment loss on internally developed software	$ 16,900		16,225	0	$ 0
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 13,400	$ 10,900	23,943	8,874
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 23,118	$ 1,749
Facility Closing [Member] \| NEW YORK
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$ 6,900

Restructuring (Summary of Chang

Restructuring (Summary of Changes in Restructuring Accruals) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			$ 5,781	$ 167
Restructuring charges			47,061	10,623	$ 10,240
Cash payments			(25,597)	(5,009)
Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs			(6,893)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance			20,352	5,781	167
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			5,781	163
Restructuring charges	$ 13,400	$ 10,900	23,943	8,874
Cash payments			(9,372)	(3,256)
Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs			0
Restructuring reserve, ending balance			20,352	5,781	163
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance			0	4
Restructuring charges			23,118	1,749
Cash payments			(16,225)	(1,753)
Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs			(6,893)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance			$ 0	$ 0	$ 4

Commitments And Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Naming rights, Fiscal 2021	$ 12,794
Naming rights, Fiscal 2022	13,126
Naming rights, Fiscal 2023	13,472
Naming rights, Fiscal 2024	8,534
Naming rights, Fiscal 2025	8,642
Naming rights, Thereafter	35,674
Naming rights, Total	92,242
Purchase obligations
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2021	29,934
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2022	3,816
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2023	851
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2024	0
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2025	0
Purchase Obligation, Thereafter	0
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	34,601
Donation commitments
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2021	1,718
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2022	116
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2023	116
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2024	86
Donation commitments, Fiscal 2025	86
Donation commitments, Thereafter	332
Donation commitments, Total	2,454
Total
Total, due in Fiscal 2021	44,446
Total, due in Fiscal 2022	17,058
Total, due in Fiscal 2023	14,439
Total, due in Fiscal 2024	8,620
Total, due in Fiscal 2025	8,728
Total, due Thereafter	36,006
Total due	$ 129,297
Naming Rights
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Term of agreement	20 years
Donation Commitments
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Term of agreement	15 years

Business Combination (Additiona

Business Combination (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2023	Jan. 31, 2022	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 408,409	$ 365,147	$ 340,694
Total purchase consideration			(25,703)	$ 38,171	$ 4,500
Weighted-average useful life				16 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage acquired	100%
Cash held in escrow	$ 3,600
Goodwill	40,579		(20,300)
Amounts payable to patent administrative program partners	(179,616)		(20,300)
Acquisition related costs			$ 3,800
Intangible assets	$ 86,000
Weighted-average useful life	12 years
Millicast, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 31,700
Total purchase consideration		38,800
Intangible assets		$ 8,700
Millicast, Inc. \| Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life		1 year 6 months
Millicast, Inc. \| Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life		8 years

Business Combination (Total Con

Business Combination (Total Consideration for the Acquisition) (Details) - MPEG LA, L.L.C. $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Apr. 28, 2023 USD ($) shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$ 135,739
Non-controlling interest in Via LA	$ 24,815
Shares issued for consideration (in shares) \| shares	24.8
Total amount paid to sellers	$ 160,554
Less: amount deemed post-acquisition expense	(2,174)
Total consideration paid to sellers	158,380
Assumed settlement of pre-existing relationships due to Dolby	61,313
Total consideration	219,693
Less: unrestricted cash acquired	(80,633)
Total consideration, net of unrestricted cash acquired	$ 139,060

Business Combination (Recognize

Business Combination (Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Apr. 28, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 408,409		$ 365,147	$ 340,694
MPEG LA, L.L.C.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 80,633
Restricted cash		143,564
Other current assets		73,556
Intangible assets		86,000
Goodwill	(20,300)	40,579
Other non-current assets		34,298
Amounts payable to patent administrative program partners	$ (20,300)	(179,616)
Other current liabilities		(21,709)
Non-current liabilities		(37,612)
Purchase Consideration		$ 219,693

Business Combination (Intangibl

Business Combination (Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average useful life		16 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C.
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 86,000
Weighted-average useful life	12 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C. \| Licensor Relationships \| Advanced Video Coding (AVC)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 36,000
Weighted-average useful life	13 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C. \| Licensor Relationships \| High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 31,000
Weighted-average useful life	10 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C. \| Implementer Relationships \| Advanced Video Coding (AVC)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 12,000
Weighted-average useful life	13 years
MPEG LA, L.L.C. \| Implementer Relationships \| High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 7,000
Weighted-average useful life	10 years

Operating Segments and Geogra_3

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Revenue By Geographic Region) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 1,299,744	$ 1,253,793	$ 1,281,256
United States
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 466,030	$ 468,246	419,901
International
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer			$ 861,355

Operating Segments and Geogra_4

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Schedule Of Concentration Of Revenue From Individual Geographic Regions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2023
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	100%	100%	100%
United States
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	36%	37%	33%
South Korea [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	14%	13%	14%
China [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	22%	20%	23%
Japan [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	9%	8%	11%
Europe [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	10%	10%	10%
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	9%	12%	9%

Operating Segments and Geogra_5

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Schedule Of Long-Lived Assets, Net Of Accumulated Depreciation, By Geographic Region) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 481,581	$ 513,481
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	390,552	415,493
International
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 91,029	$ 97,988

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 24, 2021
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expenses	$ 931,425	$ 905,828	$ 806,841
Distribution to controlling interest	$ (266)	$ (1,435)	$ (7,362)
Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	49%
Dolby Properties, LP
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	10%

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2022	Sep. 29, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]
Document Period End Date		Sep. 29, 2023
Retirement plan expenses	$ 26,379	$ 24,925	$ 27,378