Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. On August 18, 2026, the Board of Directors of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (the “Company”) approved and adopted an updated form of indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”). The Company expects to enter into the Indemnification Agreement with each of its directors and certain executive officers. The Indemnification Agreement will replace and supersede the Company’s existing indemnification agreements with such directors and executive officers. The Company also intends to enter into the Indemnification Agreement with future directors and certain executive officers as may serve the Company from time to time. The Indemnification Agreement was adopted to incorporate certain updates that reflect current market indemnification practices and the Company’s governance documents. The updates are intended to provide greater clarity and reduce uncertainty with respect to indemnification and advancement rights, address matters relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage and support the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified directors and officers. The Indemnification Agreement generally provides that the Company will indemnify each indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Company’s bylaws and applicable law. The Company will also advance expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with proceedings arising by reason of the indemnitee’s service as a director or executive officer of the Company or, at the Company’s request, service in certain capacities at other entities. Such indemnification and advancement of expenses are subject to the terms and limitations set forth in the Indemnification Agreement. The Indemnification Agreement also includes provisions regarding notice to the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurers and potential coverage under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies. The foregoing summary and description of the provisions of the Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indemnification Agreement. A copy of the Indemnification Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. The information regarding the Indemnification Agreement set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.