v3.26.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
On March 20, 2024, three alleged stockholders filed a putative class action complaint in the lawsuit styled Kenville v. Northern Star Sponsor LLC, et al., Case No. 2024-276, which is pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The lawsuit asserts claims arising from Northern Star Acquisition Corp.’s (“Northern Star”) 2021 acquisition of Legacy BARK. The claims are asserted on behalf of a putative class consisting of Northern Star stockholders who held stock as of the redemption deadline and who elected not to redeem all or some of their stock. On February 21, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a Verified Second Amended Complaint (the “SAC”), which asserts claims that certain former officers and directors of Northern Star breached fiduciary duties to Northern Star’s stockholders and were unjustly enriched in connection with the acquisition of Legacy BARK and that Legacy BARK, two of its founders, and BARK, Inc. (collectively, the “BARK Defendants”) aided and abetted the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. On March 7, 2025, the BARK Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the aiding and abetting claim alleged against them, and the remaining defendants filed an answer to the SAC. On July 1, 2025, the Court entered an order granting the parties’ stipulation dismissing the claims against the BARK Defendants without prejudice. On October 31, 2025, the Court entered an order granting plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. Fact discovery in the case is currently proceeding, and the case is set for a trial to begin September 8, 2027.
On March 12, 2026, an individual plaintiff filed a putative class action complaint in the lawsuit styled Steuer v. BarkBox, Inc., Case No. 1:26-cv-02038, which is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit asserts claims arising from BarkBox, Inc.’s alleged delivery of unsolicited marketing text messages to telephone numbers registered on the National Do-Not-Call Registry in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), 47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq. The plaintiff asserts his claims on behalf of a putative class consisting of all persons in the United States whose telephone numbers were on the National Do-Not-Call Registry for at least 31 days but who received more than one telemarketing text message from or on behalf of BarkBox, Inc. promoting its goods or services within a 12-month period at any time in the period beginning four years before the date the complaint was filed through trial. The complaint seeks certification of the class, statutory damages of up to $500 per violation pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 227(c)(5), treble damages for willful or knowing violations, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The matter is in its early stages. BarkBox, Inc. filed its answer on April 23, 2026. Counsel for the parties has met to discuss a proposed case management and initial scheduling order, but no order has been entered by the Court at this time.
On May 13, 2026, an individual plaintiff filed a putative class action complaint in the lawsuit styled Davidson v. BarkBox, Inc., Case No. 26-2-15886-0 SEA, which is pending in the Superior Court of the State of Washington, King County. The lawsuit asserts claims under Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (“CEMA”), RCW 19.190, et seq. and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”), RCW 19.86, arising from BarkBox, Inc.’s alleged transmission of commercial marketing emails containing false or misleading subject lines to Washington residents. The complaint alleges that BarkBox, Inc. sent emails with subject lines falsely representing that advertised discounts were internal, employee-only offers or were available for a limited time only, when in fact the promotions were publicly available and repeatedly extended. The plaintiff’s claims are asserted on behalf of a putative class consisting of all Washington residents who received promotional emails from BarkBox, Inc. with subject lines advertising supposedly internal or time-limited sales or discounts on BarkBox products within the governing statute of limitations. The complaint seeks certification of the class, the greater of actual or statutory damages of $500 per email, treble damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The case has a trial date of May 17, 2027 has been set. The matter is in its early stages, and no answer or other responsive motion has been filed.
In addition, the Company is from time to time subject to, and is presently involved in, litigation and other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. While it is not possible to determine the outcome of any legal proceedings brought against the Company, the Company believes that, except for the matter described above, there are no pending lawsuits or claims that, individually or in the aggregate, may have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. The Company’s view and estimates related to these matters may change in the future, as new events and circumstances arise and as the matters continue to develop.