The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements follow below on pages F-1 to F-2
7.
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information and non-cash transactions:
In connection with our acquisition of Prism, the Company paid cash, assumed liabilities and issued common stock as follows:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
|
Business of Prism Technologies Group, Inc.
|
Prism Technologies Group, Inc. was originally incorporated in California in February
1995 and re-incorporated in Delaware in October 1996. The mailing address of our headquarters is 101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630, and the telephone number at that location is (916) 932-2860. Our principal website is
www.przmgroup.com.
From our inception through December 21, 2011, we operated an online insurance marketplace that electronically matched consumers and providers of automobile, property, health, term life and small business insurance. We discontinued this business in connection with the sale of substantially all of our assets (the “Disposition”) to Bankrate, Inc. in a transaction that closed on December 21, 2011 (“Disposition Date”). On the Disposition Date and in connection with the Disposition, we changed our name from InsWeb Corporation (“InsWeb”) to Internet Patents Corporation. Since the Disposition Date, our business has consisted of licensing and enforcing a portfolio of patents relating to technology that we developed or acquired.
On March 26, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Prism Technologies, LLC (“Prism”), with Prism becoming our wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Merger”). Prism is a Nebraska limited liability company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Prism has two primary operating subsidiaries: Secure Axcess, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and Millenium Biologix, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. Prism also operates a patent licensing and enforcement business. Prism and its subsidiaries own a portfolio of patents with
over 50 issued patents and patent applications in the areas of computer and network security, semiconductors and medical technology. In September 2015, we changed our name to Prism Technologies Group, Inc. to better reflect the operations of the combined companies.
In the Merger, Prism
’s former members received an aggregate of $16.5 million in cash and 3.5 million shares of our common stock. Subject to certain conditions, we also agreed to share future revenue related to Prism’s patents with Prism’s former members up to a maximum amount of approximately $49.5 million. Our board of directors and officers and Prism’s officers did not change following the Merger, except that Gregory J. Duman, a manager, executive officer and former member of Prism, was appointed to our board of directors.
Our future revenues, if any, are expected to consist of royalties from licensing our patents and damages for past infringement
of our patents. In addition to general and administrative expenses, we expect to incur expenses associated with patent infringement litigation, including contingency fees arrangements with our attorneys and revenue sharing payments to third parties, both of which are typically based on a negotiated percentage of the gross settlement amount or award of money damages.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception and have a working capital deficiency as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $0.6 million.
In addition to the expenses associated with the patent licensing business, such as salaries and overhead, we have notes payable of $4.0 million, including $3.2 million in installment payments due in 2017. With the consent of the note holder, these installment payments have not been paid as of the date of this report. The remaining notes payables and related party debt are payable, as outlined in Note 6, when certain revenue-related milestones are achieved. We cannot estimate when we will receive revenues from our operations due to the uncertainty associated with patent litigation. Unless we are able to defer or restructure our liabilities, substantially reduce our operating expenses, or receive revenues, we anticipate that our cash will be insufficient to fund our operations beyond the fourth quarter of 2017. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within twelve months following the date of the filing of this Form 10-K.
We have implemented certain initiatives to preserve
cash and we have discussed restructuring our long term liabilities with the note holder, but there can be no assurance that the discussions will be successful. We have implemented significant expense reduction initiatives, including a moratorium on salaries for most employees. If our business does not generate revenues before our cash is exhausted and we are unable to raise capital on acceptable terms, we may need to cease operations and, as a result, investors could lose their investment
.
The audit re
port covering these financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph that describes conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
As discussed elsewhere in this report, our plans include mitigating the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In addition to our continued cost containment efforts, these plans include:
|
●
|
the possible restructuring of existing debt;
|
|
●
|
As of March 15, 2017, we are no longer required to maintain $400,000 in restricted cash equivalents to support a letter of credit related to our former office lease; and
|
|
●
|
as discussed in Note 12,
on March 06, 2017, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit unanimously affirmed the $30 million patent infringement verdict in favor of the Company's subsidiary, Prism Technologies LLC ("Prism"), against Sprint Spectrum LP d/b/a Sprint PCS ("Sprint"). No portion of the judgment has been paid as of the date of this report, and further appeals are possible.
|
2.
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Basis of presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Goldrush Insurance Services,
Inc. and Prism. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company recognizes in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet.
For non-recognized subsequent events that must be disclosed to keep the financial statements from being misleading, an entity is required to disclose the nature of the event as well as an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months at the date of purchase, but less than one year, are classified as short-term investments. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, given the relatively short duration of the underlying securities.
Revenue recognition
In general,
patent licensing arrangements are expected to provide for the payment of contractually determined fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by the Company. Complex revenue arrangements may require significant judgments, assumptions and estimates about when substantial delivery of contract elements will occur, whether any significant ongoing obligations exist subsequent to contract execution, whether collectability is reasonably assured and determination of the appropriate period in which the completion of the earning process occurs.
The Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a contractual arrangement between the Company and the licensee exists, which create legally enforceable rights and obligations, (ii) the license agreement is delivered to the licensee, based upon the point at which control of the license transfers to the licensee, (iii) the price to the licensee is fixed or determinable and represents the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring the license agreement to a licensee, and (iv) the collectability of consideration to which the Company is entitled to is reasonably assured.
Business Combination Accounting
We account for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805
“Business Combinations.”
Accordingly, the net assets acquired were recorded at their estimated fair values and Prism’s operating results are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from March 26, 2015 (the “Closing Date”). We recognize, separately from goodwill, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is measured and recognized as of the acquisition date as the excess of: (a) the aggregate of the fair value of consideration transferred, the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree (if any) and the acquisition date fair value of our previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any), over (b) the fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed. At the acquisition date, we measured the fair values of all assets acquired and liabilities assumed that arise from contractual contingencies. The Company measures the fair values of all noncontractual contingencies if, as of the acquisition date, it is more likely than not that the contingency will give rise to an asset or liability. While we use our best estimates and assumptions as a part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and
liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company will record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations. Prism
’s operations are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of the Closing Date. Acquisition related costs associated with a business combination are expensed as incurred.
2.
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
|
Intangible Assets
The fair value amount assigned to each acquired patent asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis, depending on the patent, over a period ranging from 1.5 to
6.5 years, depending on the patent. The amortization period of the entire acquired patent portfolio is a weighted average of 4.8 years and was determined using the estimated life of each patent, which is represented by the period over which 100% of the expected discounted cash flows are received, and then using a weighted average approach based on the value of the patent and the estimated life.
The amortization period of the covenants not to compete with Prism
’s officers is three years; the expected term of the agreements.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 360,
Property, Plant and Equipment
. ASC 360 requires the recognition of impairment losses related to long-lived assets in the event the net carrying value of such assets exceeds fair value. The Company assesses the impairment of its long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a potential indicator of impairment of the assets exists and in estimating future cash flows for any necessary impairment tests. Recoverability of the long-lived and intangible assets to be held and used is measured by the comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
The Company recorded impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 of $2.2 million and $23.8 million respectively, associated with the patent portfolio it acquired from Prism. T
he fair value of the acquired intangible assets were based on estimated future cash flows to be generated from the patent portfolio to be received from Prism by the Company, discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk involved. See Note 7 for further discussion.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of:
(a) the aggregate of the fair value of consideration transferred, the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree (if any) and the acquisition date fair value of the Company’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any), over (b) the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill, deemed to have an indefinite life is subject to periodic impairment testing as described below.
Goodwill
is tested for impairment on a periodic basis, and at least annually in the fourth quarter of the year. In the first step of testing for goodwill and intangible assets impairment, we will estimate the fair value of the net assets associated with the goodwill. If the fair value of these net assets is greater than the carrying value of the net assets, including goodwill, then there will be no impairment. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then we would perform a second step and determine the fair value of the goodwill. In this second step, the fair value of goodwill is determined by deducting the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities from the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole, as if that reporting unit had just been acquired and the purchase price were being initially allocated. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying value for a reporting unit, an impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In addition, the Company would evaluate goodwill for impairment if events or circumstances change between annual tests indicating a possible impairment.
Examples of such events or circumstances include the following:
● a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate;
● a more likely than not expectation that a segment or a significant portion thereof will be sold; or
● the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within the segment.
2.
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
|
Derivative instruments
We
assess whether activities which provide capital to fund our operations include embedded features that are derivatives instruments. If a derivative instrument is embedded, the instrument is accounted for separately from the host contract. Changes in fair value are recognized in other income or loss, consistent with the underlying derivative instrument. As a result, any change in the value of our derivative instrument would be substantially offset by an opposite change in the value of the underlying derivative item. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Since this activity is not part of our normal course of business, we consider the risk in this area to be low.
Concentration of risk
—credit
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by ASC 825, “
Financial Instruments
,” consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We deposit are cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments with various domestic financial institutions. Such deposits may exceed federal deposit insurance limits.
The Company
’s cash equivalents and investments consist of diversified investment grade securities. Our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to investments in any one issue, and we believe no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to these investments.
During the years ended December 31, 201
6 and 2015, we had no customers or accounts receivable.
Share-Based Payments
The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718
“Compensation – Stock Compensation.”
Under the provisions of ASC 718, share-based compensation is generally estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option-pricing model. The BSM option-pricing model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected option life, volatility, and forfeiture rates. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Generally, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. However, to the extent performance conditions affect the vesting of an award, compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. Compensation cost will not be recognized, and any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed, if the performance condition is not satisfied.
The Company recognizes compensation costs for stock-based payments to employees and our board of directors, based on their grant-date fair value on a straight-line approach over the service period for which such awards are expected to vest. The fair value of stock options granted pursuant to our 1997 Stock Option Plan and our 2008 Stock Option Plan respectively, is determined using the BSM option-pricing
model. The determination of fair value is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding subjective and complex variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the award. Generally, our assumptions are based on historical information and judgment is required to determine if historical trends may be indicators of future outcomes. The key assumptions for the BSM option-pricing model calculation are:
Expected term.
The expected term represents the period that our share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Our expected term was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior.
Expected volatility.
We use the trading history of its common stock in determining an estimated volatility factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
Risk-free interest rate.
We base the risk-free interest rate used in the BSM option-pricing model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the same or substantially equivalent remaining term.
2.
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
|
Expected dividend.
We have not paid any cash dividend, nor do we expect to pay future dividends on our capital stock other than the special distribution of $5.00 per share that was paid to our stockholders on March 9, 2012 in conjunction with the Disposition. Therefore, we use a zero value for the expected dividend value factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
Estimated forfeitures.
ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. When estimating forfeitures, we consider historical voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures.
Employee stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates and an adjustment to stock-based compensation expense will be recognized at that time.
Changes to our underlying stock price, our assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model calculation and our forfeiture rate, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact the compensation expense we recognize.
Income taxes
Under the asset and liability method prescribed under ASC 740,
“Income Taxes,”
we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.
Current accounting standards in the United States prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an enterprise's tax returns. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. At December 31, 201
6 and December 31, 2015, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. We do not believe there will be any material changes in our unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.
The carrying value of our deferred tax assets, which was approximately
$61.1 million at December 31, 2016, is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. We have established a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets to reflect the uncertainty of realizing the deferred tax benefits, given historical losses. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. This assessment requires a review and consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, including its past and future performance, the market environment in which we operate, the utilization of tax attributes in the past, and the length of carryforward periods and evaluation of potential tax planning strategies. We expect to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until an appropriate level of profitability is sustained or we are able to develop tax strategies that would enable us to conclude that it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets would be realizable.
Net loss per share
Basic and diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is a measure of the potential dilution that would occur if stock options had been exercised.
The following table reconciles the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
201
6
|
|
|
201
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss available to common stockholders:
|
|
$
|
(12,788
|
)
|
|
$
|
(21,643
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
|
|
|
10,074
|
|
|
|
9,268
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted as reported
|
|
$
|
(1.27
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.34
|
)
|
Net loss per share (continued)
Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net income calculation, because we had a net loss from operations, net of tax. There were no antidilutive securities to be included in the calculation above as of December 31, 2016 and December
31, 2015.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No.
2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15"). ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period whether conditions or events give rise to substantial doubt that an entity has the ability to continue as a going concern within one year following issuance of the financial statements and requires specific disclosures regarding the conditions or events leading to substantial doubt. The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 effective December 31, 2016. Our management has made this assessment in connection with preparing this Annual Report and, as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, we believe that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. See Note 1 for further discussion.
On January 9, 2015, the FASB unanimously voted to approve Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-01, which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items in an entity
’s income statement. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2016. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03,
Interest - Imputation of Interest (Topic 835-30), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which clarified that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements could continue to be presented as an asset and be subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 effective January 1, 2016. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.
Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.
Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“
ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB issued this update to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the update is permitted. We are currently evaluating the timing of adoption and impact of this new standard on our condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (continued)
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09,
Compensation - Stock Compensation
(Topic 718)
: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
, related to simplifications of employee share-based payment accounting. This pronouncement eliminates the APIC pool concept and requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recorded in the income statement when awards are settled. The pronouncement also addresses simplifications related to statement of cash flows classification, accounting for forfeitures, and minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods (and for interim periods within those annual periods) beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, to its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
3.
|
Acquisition and
Purchase Accounting
|
On
March 26, 2015, (“the Closing Date”), the Company completed its acquisition of Prism pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Prism is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prism operates a patent licensing and enforcement business that complemented the Company’s business. Prism was acquired for a purchase price of $58.3 million paid in a combination of cash, stock and potential contingent earn-out payments as discussed further below. We account for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805
“Business Combinations.”
Accordingly, the net assets acquired were recorded at their estimated fair values and Prism’s operating results are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from the Closing Date.
The maximum purchase price, exclusive of the discounting or probability reductions associated with the contingent consideration, is $75.4 million as of the Closing Date. The $75.4 million maximum purchase price is comprised of: (a) $16.5 million in cash ($1.3 million paid at Closing and $15.2 million paid in April, 2015); (b) $9.4 million associated with the issuance of 3.5 million shares of our common stock at Closing; and (c) a total of up to $49.5 million in cash in future contingent consideration.
Contingent Consideration
The contingent consideration payable to Prism
’s former members consists of a share of future revenues related to lawsuits filed by Prism prior to the Closing Date (“Open Suits”). Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, we will retain the first $16.5 million in litigation or settlement proceeds received from Open Suits after closing (the “Sharing Threshold”),
less
any cash remaining in Prism at the time of closing. Prism’s former members will receive 70% of the litigation and settlement proceeds related to Open Suits in excess of the Sharing Threshold, up to $49.5 million. The contingent consideration is calculated quarterly and payable in the quarter following the period in which it is earned. Payments due for the quarters ended March 31, September 30 and December 31, are subject to 20% retention. The retention payments are due in conjunction with the earn-out payment for December 31.
See Note 5 for fair value of the consideration.
3.
|
Acquisition and Purchase Accounting (continued)
|
The estimated fair values of the Prism purchase price are comprised of the following (in thousands):
Consideration paid on the Closing Date:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payment (portion of $16.5 million cash consideration)
|
|
$
|
1,343
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
9,380
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consideration paid after the Closing Date:
|
|
|
|
|
Payable to Prism
’s former members (remaining portion of $16.5 million cash consideration paid in April, 2015)
|
|
|
15,157
|
|
Contingent consideration expected to be paid
|
|
|
49,500
|
|
Discount on contingent consideration
|
|
|
(17,089
|
)
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$
|
58,291
|
|
A portion of the consideration at closing was the issuance of 3,500,000 new shares of our common stock. The closing price-per-share of our common stock on the acquisition date was $2.68.
The fair value of contingent consideration to be paid as of the date of acquisition is calculated based upon the time value of money and the probability assessment in achieving patent proceeds from Open Suits.
Purchase Price Allocation
The Company recognized $0.1 million in goodwill, representing the excess purchase consideration over acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed. The goodwill relates to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of Prism.
The acquired intangible assets included a patent portfolio valued, for purchase price allocation purposes, at $59.0 million with a weighted average useful life of 3.7 years and $2.5 million of non-compete agreements with a weighted average useful life of three years.
Management determined the fair value of intangible assets based on a number of factors, including a third-party valuation, utilizing the income approach in conjunction with discussions with Prism
’s management and certain forecasts prepared by Prism. The rate utilized to discount net cash flows to their present values was approximately 32% for the non-compete agreements and a range of 34-35% for the patent portfolio. The discount rates were determined using a weighted-average cost of capital which incorporated a number of factors which included the risk-free rate, the market premium, a company size premium and a company-specific premium for the non-compete agreements. In addition, for the patent portfolio, there was an additional premium applied.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Closing Date.
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired assets
:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
369
|
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
58,961
|
|
Covenant not to compete
|
|
|
2,457
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
61
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
54
|
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
|
61,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
(3,570
|
)
|
Accounts payable and other liabilities
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
|
|
(3,611
|
)
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$
|
58,291
|
|
3.
|
Acquisition and Purchase Accounting (continued)
|
Based upon refinements to our accounting estimates, the total purchase price, net of liabilities assumed, was reduced from $60.2 million at March 31, 2015 to $58.3 million at June 30, 2015. The refinements consisted of a decrease in goodwill from $5.1 million to $0.1 million, offset by an increase in intangible assets from $58.3 million to $61.0 million. For the goodwill reduction as of June 30, 2015, the decrease in goodwill resulted from a revision to the revenue base used to calculate the contributory asset charges from a specific year to a range of years, pre and post-merger. In addition, the discount rates for the non-compete agreements and intangible assets were revised. The discount rate for the non-compete agreements increased from 27% to 32% to reflect the three-year term of these agreements. The discount rate for the intangible assets decreased from 37% to a range of 34-35% as a result of evaluating the projected cash flows from individual patents rather than the entire portfolio. The refinements were made based on information available as of the transaction date.
The fair value of the notes payable was determined, using an annual discount rate of 12.0% to discount the notes payable
’s payment stream based on management’s assumptions about the risk associated with satisfying the payment obligations, including the fact that certain patents serve as security for the notes.
The Company incurred approximately $0 and $219,000 in acquisition-related expenses for the three months and year ended December 31, 2015, respectively.
There were no acquisition-related expenses incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2015, $107,000 was related to legal expenses, $83,000 in accounting and valuation expenses and $29,000 in special stockholder meeting expenses. These costs are included in the consolidated statement of operations in general and administrative operating expenses for the three months and year ended December 31, 2015.
In July
1997, our board of directors adopted the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Stock Option Plan”) and the Senior Executive Option Plan (the “Executive Plan”). Under the 1997 Stock Option Plan, our board of directors could issue incentive stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and nonqualified stock options to employees, officers, directors, independent contractors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. Under the Executive Plan, our board of directors could issue nonqualified stock options to employees, officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Both of these plans terminated in July 2007.
4.
|
Share-Based Payments (continued)
|
In November 1998, our board of directors adopted the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”). The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase our common stock through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 15% of the employee
’s base salary.
In May
2003, the 1997 Stock Option Plan was amended, with stockholder approval, to provide that each director would receive a fully-vested option to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock on July 1st (or the first business day thereafter) of each year in which the director remains in office.
The 1997 Stock Option Plan provided for an automatic annual increase in the share reserve, to be effective on the first day of each fiscal year, by a number of shares equal to 5% of the number of common shares outstanding as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year. With the expiration of the 1997 Stock Option Plan and the Executive Plan in July 2007, the Company
’s board of directors authorized and stockholders approved the 2008 Stock Option Plan in February 2008 (the “2008 Stock Option Plan”). 1,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under this plan. Options to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares have been granted under the 2008 Stock Option Plan with a contractual term ranging from two to five years.
On July 1, 201
6 and 2015, pursuant to the 2008 Stock Option Plan, fully vested options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock were granted to each of the three non-employee directors with an exercise price of $0.27 and $3.06 respectively. On June 11, 2015, pursuant to the 2008 Stock Option Plan, the Company granted 72,500 performance based stock options, 72,500 service based stock options and 70,000 stock options which vested immediately, to members of the Company’s management. The service based stock options vest 33% after one year and ratably over the next two years. The performance based stock options vest annually, if financial targets are met.
On June 11, 2015, the Company granted 72,500 performance based stock options, 72,500 service based stock options and 70,000 stock options which vested immediately, to members of management. The service based stock options vest 33% after one year and ratably over the next two years. The performance based stock options vest annually, if financial targets are met.
As of December 31, 201
6, there was $97,000 in unrecognized compensation cost for all stock options outstanding under the Company’s stock option plans. A portion of the unrecognized compensation cost relates to options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock granted to five executive officers of Prism under employment agreements executed in connection with the Merger. The exercise price of all of the options granted to the executive officers of Prism is $2.68. One-half of the options granted to each such executive officer is serviced based and vest as follows: (i) 33.33% will vest upon the first anniversary of the first date of employment, and (ii) 1/24 of the remaining 66.67% will vest at the end of each of the 24 months following such anniversary, so long as the individual remains employed pursuant to the terms of his or her employment agreement.
The remaining one-half of the options granted to the executive officers of Prism are performance based and vest as follows: (i) 33.33% will vest upon the first anniversary of the first date of employment based on achievements measured against financial targets for such period; (ii)
33.33% will vest upon the second anniversary of the first date of employment based on achievements measured against financial targets for the second year of employment; and (iii) 33.34% will vest upon the third anniversary of the first date of employment based on achievements measured against financial targets for the third year of employment. The employee must remain employed for the service based and performance based options to vest; however, all unvested options will immediately vest upon: (A) termination of such person’s employment without good cause; or (B) the occurrence of a change of control as defined in such person’s employment agreement.
For the
performance based options noted above, in accordance with ASC 718 “
Compensation – Stock Compensation,
” a performance condition must be met for the award to vest and compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. The performance based option vesting criteria uses a tiered vesting structure between 0% to 100% based upon a comparison of annual licensing and enforcement outcomes to an annual target approved by the Company’s board of directors. The 2016 and 2017 financial targets have not been set by the Company’s board of directors, therefore no compensation costs will be recorded. As of December 31, 2016, 50% of the 2015 performance-based options have been vested.
The Company has reserved common shares for issuance in conjunction with the issuance of options underlying the Company
’s stock option plans.
4.
|
Share-Based Payments (continued)
|
Options outstanding and exercisable at December
31, 2016 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Currently Exercisable
|
|
Exercise Prices
|
|
|
Number
Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
|
|
|
Number
Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
(in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.27
|
-
|
$0.27
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
4.50
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
$2.68
|
-
|
$2.68
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
|
3.24
|
|
|
|
181
|
|
|
|
2.68
|
|
$2.76
|
-
|
$2.76
|
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
|
3.45
|
|
|
|
119
|
|
|
|
2.76
|
|
$3.06
|
-
|
$3.56
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
3.26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
3.28
|
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
$
|
2.68
|
|
Share-based compensation expense resulting from stock options for the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015 were included in income in the amount of $80,000 and $147,000, respectively.
The fair value of share-based awards granted pursuant to the Company
’s stock option plans was estimated using the BSM option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
|
|
Year Ended December 31
|
|
|
|
201
6
|
|
|
201
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected term (in years)
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
2.19
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
0.71
|
%
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
Expected dividend
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Weighted-average fair value at grant date
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
The following table summarizes the Company
’s stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2016:
(in thousands, except exercise price amounts and contractual term)
|
|
Options
Available for Grant
|
|
|
Options
Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
Balances, December 31, 201
5
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
|
765
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2.77
|
|
Additional shares reserved
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
Canceled/forfeited
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.22
|
|
Balances, December 31, 201
6
|
|
|
786
|
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
3.28
|
|
|
$
|
2.69
|
|
Vested and expected to vest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
3.28
|
|
|
$
|
2.69
|
|
Exercisable as of December 31, 201
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
|
3.27
|
|
|
$
|
2.68
|
|
4.
|
Share-Based Payments (continued)
|
As of December 31, 201
6 and December 31, 2015, there were 414,000 and 585,000 unvested options respectively.
There was no aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December
31, 2016 and 2015. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of our common stock of $0.30 and $1.02 on December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively and the exercise price for in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all options had been exercised on December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were no options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were 3.27 and 4.04 years, respectively.
No options were exercised and no cash was received from stock option exercises and purchases under the Purchase Plan for December
31, 2016 and 2015.
5.
|
Fair Value Measurements
|
The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December
31, 2016 (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
201
6
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
589
|
|
|
$
|
589
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Restricted cash equivalents
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
989
|
|
|
$
|
989
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
December 31,
2016
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingent consideration
|
|
$
|
11,539
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
11,539
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
405
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
405
|
Total liabilities at fair value
|
|
$
|
11,944
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
11,944
|
The following table presents the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December
31, 2015 (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
2015
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
1,756
|
|
|
$
|
1,756
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
1,494
|
|
|
|
1,494
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Restricted cash equivalents
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
3,850
|
|
|
$
|
3,850
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
December 31,
2015
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingent consideration
|
|
$
|
13,229
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
13,229
|
|
Total liabilities at fair value
|
|
$
|
13,229
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
13,229
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts and money funds. The carrying value of these cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents a
pproximate fair value. For these securities, we use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine their fair value and are considered to be Level 1 instruments.
5.
|
Fair Value Measurements (continued)
|
The contingent consideration payable to Prism's
former members consists of a share of future revenues related to lawsuits filed by Prism prior to the Closing Date ("Open Suits"). See Note 3 for further discussion. For this liability, we use valuation techniques based on management's assumptions and expectations that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement and is considered to be a Level 3 instrument.
As discussed
in Note 6, on December 21, 2016 we entered into a non-recourse financing agreement by which the financing company provided the Company with $500,000 in cash. Under ASU 815, the repayment of the premium portion in addition to the principal is recorded as an embedded derivative. For this liability, we use valuation techniques based on management's assumptions and expectations that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement and is considered to be a Level 3 instrument.
6.
|
Consolidated Financial Statement Details
|
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
586
|
|
|
$
|
143
|
|
Money market deposit accounts
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,556
|
|
Money market funds
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
Total cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
589
|
|
|
$
|
1,756
|
|
The Company accounts for its short-term investments under ASC 320,
"Investments - Debt and Equity Securities."
Management determines the appropriate classification of its debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. We had no short-term investments at December 31, 2016 and $1.5 million at December 31, 2015.
Restricted cash equivalents
As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, restricted cash equivalents consisted of $0.4 million and $0.6 million each, respectively. A portion of the cash equivalents is used as collateral for a letter of credit of th
e same amount, which secures our remaining rent obligations under the office space lease for our former corporate headquarters.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Prepaid legal
|
|
$
|
450
|
|
|
$
|
452
|
|
Prepaid insurance
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
|
144
|
|
Prepaid rent
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
Other
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
$
|
599
|
|
|
$
|
639
|
|
Property and equipment
Property and equipment, net, consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Computer and office equipment
|
|
$
|
35
|
|
|
$
|
35
|
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
|
360
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Software
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Total property and equipment
|
|
|
441
|
|
|
|
441
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(441
|
)
|
|
|
(441
|
)
|
Total property and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Depreciation expense was $0 for the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
6.
|
Consolidated Financial Statement Deta
ils (continued)
|
Other Assets
The Company owns several life insurance policies (also referred to as "
life settlement contracts"). These life settlement contracts were part of the assets we acquired in the Merger. A life settlement contract is the payment of cash to an insured in return for an assignment of ownership or beneficial interest in, and the right to receive the value of, a life insurance policy upon the death of the insured. As the beneficial owner of the policies, we are required to pay the premiums to prevent a lapse. In 2016, the Company's premiums on these life settlement contracts were $40,000 and the Company anticipates paying $38,000 for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to keep the life settlement contracts in force. The reduction in premiums was due to the sale of two life insurance policies mentioned below.
Life settlement contracts are preliminarily
recorded at cash surrender value, with premium payments classified as general and administrative and expensed as incurred. The Company paid $51,000 in premium payments on these life settlement contracts for the year ended December 31, 2015. The policies are not subject to amortization; however, we analyze the carrying value for the impairment annually. Based upon our analysis, no impairment was noted for the year ended December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold two life insurance policies with net proceeds of $37,000. The net proceeds from these life insurance policies were recognized in other income for the year ended December 31, 2016. The basis of $40,000 for these life insurance policies was recorded as a decrease in other assets in operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Life settlement contracts consist of the following at December 31, 2016
(in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
2016
|
|
Number of individual life insurance policies held
|
|
|
4
|
|
Aggregate face/maturity value of all policies
|
|
$
|
1,800
|
|
Cash surrender value of all policies
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, net, include the following amounts (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
Patent portfolio
|
|
|
34,030
|
|
|
|
35,819
|
|
Covenant not to compete
|
|
|
1,332
|
|
|
|
1,752
|
|
Total goodwill and other intangible assets
|
|
|
35,416
|
|
|
|
37,625
|
|
Accumulated amortization patent portfolio
|
|
|
(19,096
|
)
|
|
|
(12,249
|
)
|
Accumulated amortization covenant not to compete
|
|
|
(1,011
|
)
|
|
|
(628
|
)
|
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net
|
|
$
|
15,309
|
|
|
$
|
24,748
|
|
Goodwill, the excess of the purchase price paid to former members of Prism
over the fair market value of the net assets acquired, in the amount of $0.1 million was recorded as of the Closing Date. We did not have goodwill prior to the acquisition of Prism.
6.
|
Consolidated Financial Statement Deta
ils (continued)
|
Intangible Assets (continued)
Acquisition-related intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated economic lives from 3 to
6.5 years. As of December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining useful life for acquisition-related intangible assets was approximately 2.6 years.
As of December 31, 2016, future amortization of acquisition-related intangibles that will be recorded in
the Consolidated Statement of Operations is estimated as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
5,300
|
|
2018
|
|
|
5,099
|
|
2019
|
|
|
3,838
|
|
2020
|
|
|
588
|
|
2021
|
|
|
430
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
15,255
|
|
Accrued expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Accrued lease obligations (see Note 8)
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
$
|
194
|
|
Maxim arbitration award
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
381
|
|
Payroll accrual
|
|
|
562
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Incentive compensation accrual
|
|
|
912
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
1,508
|
|
|
$
|
575
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we discontinued using our corporate headquarters facility in Rancho Cordova, California and subleased the entire premises to an unrelated business for the remainder of our lease term. In evaluating our continuing l
ease obligations for this facility, we must make assumptions regarding the estimated future sublease income relative to this facility. These estimates and assumptions are affected by area-specific conditions such as new commercial development, market occupancy rates and future market prices. As a result of the current conditions in the real estate market where our property is located and the inherent risks associated with our sub-lessee, we recorded a charge of $606,000 in the year ended December 31, 2013, representing the difference between our lease obligations and broker fees associated with this facility and the sub-lease income we expect to receive through February 2017, the expiration of our leasehold interest. Also included in the charge is an impaired asset for leasehold improvements of $14,000. The charge was offset by the unamortized portion of deferred rent, as rent expense was recognized on a straight-line base over the life of the lease. We recorded this charge in the statement of operations in general and administrative expenses. If this estimate or the related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record a charge to increase our existing accrual.
Notes payable
As part of the Merger,
we assumed $3.6 million in two discounted non-interest bearing notes payable, due in four semi-annual installments of $1,000,000 from June 2015 to December 2016. The notes include imputed interest at 12.0% recognized as interest expense, based on management's assumptions about the risk associated with satisfying the payment obligations, including the fact that certain patents serve as security for the notes.
On December 21, 2016, we entered into a non-recourse financing agreement by which the financing company provided the Company with $500,000 in cash in exchange for a portion of the proceeds we expect to
receive
in connection with the patent infringement litigation with Sprint Spectrum, L.P, pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (
Prism Technologies LLC v Sprint Spectrum L.P. D/B/A/ Sprint PCS;
Case Nos. 16-1456 and 16-1457), and any related appeals or remands (collectively, the Sprint Litigation). After payment of any fees to the Company's litigation counsel, the financing party is entitled to receive:
Notes payable (continued)
● two and half times
the funding amount ($1.25 million) if repayment in full is made 18 months or less from the date of the funding agreement;
● three times the funding amount ($1
.5 million) if repayment in full is made after 18 months from the date of the funding agreement.
To the extent not recovered from the proceeds associated with the Sprint Litigation, however, the financing party is entitled to recover its principal ($500,000) from the proceeds of other current or future cases or patent license instituted by the
Company's subsidiaries. In addition, the Company a
greed to reimburse the financing company for certain outside costs totaling $59,000 for the non-recourse financing agreement with the unrelated party.
The balance of the notes payable as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable, assumed debt
|
|
$
|
3,062
|
|
Notes payable, net due from financing company
|
|
|
108
|
|
Add accreted interest
|
|
|
128
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
$
|
3,298
|
|
The installment payments due on December 31, 2015, June 30, 2016 and December 2016 have not been paid as of the date of this report. The Company has postponed payments of the notes payable upon permission from the note holder.
On December 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a transaction by which Mr. Enan
provided the Company with $250,000 in cash. In exchange, Mr. Enan is entitled to receive $625,000 when the Company's cumulative Net Cash Flow ("NCF") exceeds $7.5 million. NCF is measured as the cumulative cash received from revenue sources less all cumulative cash operating expenses incurred. The cash contribution is unsecured and non-convertible to equity. See further discussion of this transaction in Note 11.
The aggregate maturities of both non-recourse financing agreements as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
Add accreted interest
|
|
|
2
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
$
|
252
|
|
Derivative instruments
Our primary objective in holding derivative instruments is to provide capital to fund our operations. Under Accounting Standards Update ("
ASU") No. 2016-06,
Derivatives and Hedging,
(Topic 815) requires that in certain circumstances embedded derivatives be bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for separately. Embedded derivatives that are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately are treated in the same manner as freestanding derivatives. As discussed in the Notes Payable section above, on December 21, 2016 we entered into a non-recourse financing agreement by which the financing company provided the Company with $500,000 in cash. Under ASU 815, the repayment of the premium portion in addition to the principal is recorded as an embedded derivative.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
The fair values of our outstanding derivative instruments as of December
31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
Derivative Liabilities
|
Balance Sheet Location
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liability
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
|
|
405
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
405
|
|
7.
|
Impairment of long-lived assets
|
On the Closing Date, the Company completed its acquisition of Prism pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Prism was acquired for a purchase price of $58.3 million paid in a combination of cash, stock and potential
contingent earn-out payments as discussed further below.
The maximum purchase price, exclusive of the discounting or probability reductions associated with the contingent consideration, is $75.4 million as of the Closing Date. The $75.4 million maximum purchase price is comprised of: (
a) $16.5 million in cash ($1.3 million paid at Closing and $15.2 million paid in April, 2015); (b) $9.4 million associated with the issuance of 3.5 million shares of our common stock at Closing; and (c) a total of up to $49.5 million in cash in future contingent consideration.
When indicators are present, the Company evaluates the recoverability of the patent assets based on comparison to estimated undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of the patent assets, discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Impair
ment charges have been recorded for 2016 and 2015:
●
As a result of adverse litigation events in the fourth quarter of 201
5
, the Company recorded impairment charges of $23.8 million which resulted in re
ducing the carrying value of the covenant not to compete
by $0.7 million
and reducing the carrying value of the patent portfolio by $
22.7 million.
.
● As a result of delays in litigation events in the second quarter of 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2.2 million as a result of reducing the carrying value of the covenant not to
compete by $0.4 million and
reducing the carrying value of the patent portfolio by $1.8 million.
The events resulting in the reassessment of the patent assets described above also required a reassessment of the contingent consideration liability. Adjust
ments to the contingent consideration liability were made representing the difference between the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date and accrued imputed interest compared to the contingent consideration expected to be paid, based upon the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated. The fair value of the contingent liability was reduced by $2.0 million and $19.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
8.
|
Commitments and Contingencies
|
Leases
We have a non-cancelable 24 month lease through May 15, 2017 for approximately 650 square feet of office space in Folsom, California, which is currently our corporate headquarters. We also have a non-cancelable sixty month lease for approximately
2,200 square feet of office space in Omaha, Nebraska through August 31, 2017.
We have a non-cancelable five-year full-service lease through February 14, 2017 for approximately 16,000 square feet of office space in a building that housed our headquarters
until May 2013. The lease includes negotiated annual increases in the monthly rental payments. On April 16, 2013, we subleased this space for the remainder of our term. The monthly sublease rent is less than our rent obligation to the landlord. As of December 31, 2016, we expect to receive $11,000 from the sub-lessee for the remainder of our lease.
Future minimum lease commitments as of December
31, 2016 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
|
|
Future
minimum lease
commitments
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
98
|
|
Rent expense, net of sub-lease income and amortization of accrued lease obligations, for the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015 was $120,000 and $88,000, respectively.
Future minimum sub-lease payments expected to be received as of December
31, 2016 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
|
|
Future
minimum sub-
lease
payments
|
|
2017
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
Litigation
In the ordinary course of business, we are the subject of, or party to, various pending or threatened legal actions, including various counterclaims in connection with our patent enforcement activities. We believe that any liability arising from these act
ions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In connection with any of our patent enforcement actions, it is possible that a defendant may request and/or a court may rule that we
have violated statutory authority, regulatory authority, federal rules, local court rules or governing standards relating to the substantive or procedural aspects of such enforcement actions. In such event, a court may issue monetary sanctions against us or our operating subsidiaries or award attorneys' fees and/or expenses to defendant(s) in the action, which could be material and, if required to be paid by us or our operating subsidiaries, could materially harm our operating results and our financial position.
8.
|
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
|
On March 19, 2015, Maxim Group LLC ("
Maxim") sent Prism a letter demanding payment of a fee under an Advisory Agreement dated September 19, 2013 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Prism rejected the demand and on April 10, 2015, Maxim filed a Statement of Claim with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") to initiate arbitration of the dispute. In the Statement of Claim, Maxim alleges that Prism is liable for payment to Maxim of a percentage of the Merger consideration as an advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement. Prism has answered the Statement of Claim and contested FINRA's jurisdiction. However, Prism also filed a declaratory judgment action in Nebraska state district court seeking a declaration that the Advisory Agreement is void, no advisory fee is owed and staying the FINRA arbitration proceeding. In the Nebraska state district court action Prism argues that: (i) Maxim did not introduce Prism to the Company and Prism did not seek Maxim's assistance with the Merger; (ii) Maxim was not registered as an investment advisor and cannot charge an advisory fee; and (iii) the advisory fee demanded by Maxim is grossly excessive under applicable law. On August 8, 2015, the Nebraska state district court denied our motion to stay, and an appeal has been made to the Nebraska Court of Appeals. While the appeal was pending, on April 6, 2016 the FINRA arbitration panel awarded Maxim $357,000, plus 9% interest from the date of the closing of the Merger. Prism has 30 days to decide whether to petition a federal court to vacate the award. Although the arbitration award to Maxim was paid by the Company, it relates to a pre-Merger dispute and reduced the maximum earnout payable to Prism's former security holders. The Company recognized $382,000 in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015, which includes both the award and accrued interest from the date of closing until December 31, 2015. The Company paid the award and all accrued interest in the amount of $375,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016.
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards
|
|
$
|
50,230
|
|
|
$
|
48,261
|
|
Tax credit carry forwards
|
|
|
981
|
|
|
|
981
|
|
Accruals and allowances
|
|
|
1,074
|
|
|
|
507
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
8,759
|
|
|
|
6,593
|
|
Other
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
Total deferred tax asset
|
|
|
61,057
|
|
|
|
56,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less valuation allowance
|
|
|
(61,057
|
)
|
|
|
(56,362
|
)
|
Net deferred tax asset
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Due to uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, we recorded a valuation allowance against our
deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $4,695,000 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $7,938,000.
For tax return purposes, we had NOLs at Decemb
er 31, 2016 of approximately $155.8 million and $21.1 million for federal income tax and state income tax purposes, respectively.
Included in these amounts are unrealized federal and state net operating loss deductions resulting from stock option exercises of approximately $10.3 million and $8.4 million respectively. The benefit of these unrealized stock option-related deductions has not been included in deferred tax assets and will be recognized as a credit to additional paid-in capital when realized. Federal NOLs begin to expire in 2019. State NOLs
begin
to expire in 2028
. We also had federal research and development credits of approximately $0.7 million which will begin expiring in 2018, and a federal alternative minimum tax credit of approximately $0.5 million, which does not expire.
We recognized an income tax benefi
t of $101,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. We did not recognize any income tax expense or benefit for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The
effective tax rate for income taxes is different than the amount computed using the applicable statutory federal income tax rate with the difference for each year summarized below:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Federal tax at statutory rate
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
State taxes
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
|
|
5.8
|
%
|
Expiration of CA NOLs
|
|
|
(2.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.7
|
)%
|
Changes in state tax rates
|
|
|
(1.9
|
)%
|
|
|
—
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)%
|
Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
(35.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(36.9
|
)%
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
|
|
(0.0
|
)%
|
9.
|
Income Taxes (continued)
|
In 2016 and 2015, the federal statutory rate is 34% as this is the rate at which the Company expects to realize its deferred tax assets in the future
.
Under the asset and liability method prescribed under ASC 740, "
Income Taxes
," we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.
At December 31, 2016, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.2 million, (none of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate). We do not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Balance
at January 1
|
|
$
|
300
|
|
|
$
|
300
|
|
Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Increase (decrease) related to current year tax positions
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Balance at December 31
|
|
$
|
199
|
|
|
$
|
300
|
|
Interest and penalty costs related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are classified as a component of income tax expense. We did not recognize any interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, due to immateriality.
The Company recognized other income in 2016 and 2015 in the amount of $2.1 million and $19.9 million respectively. As a result of the delay in forecasted revenues, the fair value of the contingent consid
eration liabilities were adjusted by $2.0 million based upon the deferral of cash flows on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2016. We recorded this decrease as other income. In June and September 2016, life insurance policies were also sold with net proceeds of $37,000 recognized as other income. As a result of adverse litigation events in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company reassessed the contingent consideration liability in connection with this transaction by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated relating to this liability to its carrying amount on the balance sheet as of December 31 2015. As a result of the lower than forecasted cash flows, the Company recorded $19.9 million as Other Income. Other Income for 2016 and 2015 also consisted of interest earned on our investment portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3,000 and $14,000 respectively.
11.
|
Related Party Transaction
|
On
December 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a transaction that was entered into on December 30, 2016, by which a related party, Hussein A. Enan, CEO and Chairman of the Company provided the Company with a loan of $250,000 in cash. In exchange, Mr. Enan is entitled to receive $625,000 when the Company's cumulative Net Cash Flow ("NCF") exceeds $7.5 million. NCF is measured as the cumulative cash received from revenue sources less all cumulative cash operating expenses incurred. The cash contribution is unsecured and non-convertible to equity.
On March 6, 2017, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit unanimously affirmed the $30 million patent infringement verdict in favor of the Company's
subsidiary, Prism Technologies LLC, against Sprint Spectrum LP d/b/a Sprint PCS ("Sprint"). No portion of the judgment has been paid as of the date of this report.
On February 28, 2017, the office lease for our former headquarters expired. On March 15, 2017, the landlord released the letter of credit covering the office space and the Company is no longer required to maintain $400,000 in restr
icted cash equivalents.