UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172023

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________.______to_______ .

001-32146

Commission file number

 

001-32146

Commission file number

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York16-1229730DSS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York16-1229730

(State or other Jurisdiction of

(IRS Employer

incorporation- or Organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300
Rochester, NY 14623
(Address of principal executive offices)

(585) 325-3610
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

275 Wiregrass Pkwy,

West Henrietta, NY14586

(Address of principal executive offices)

(585)325-3610

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐Accelerated filer ☐Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

Large accelerated filer [  ]      Accelerated filer [  ]      Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) [  ] Smaller reporting company [X]If an emerging growth company, [  ]indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes [  ] No [X]

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTicker symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.02 par value per shareDSSThe NYSE American LLC

As of November 14, 2017,6, 2023 there were 16,439,327140,264,250 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.02 par value, outstanding.

 

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS,

DSS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION3
Item 1Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)2022 and December 31, 201620213
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016 (Unaudited)20214
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016 (Unaudited)20215
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 20216
Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)67
Item 2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1731
Item 4Controls and Procedures2239
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION2240
Item 1Legal Proceedings2240
Item 1ARisk Factors2240
Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds2240
Item 3Defaults upon Senior Securities2340
Item 4Mine Safety Disclosures2340
Item 5Other Information2340
Item 6Exhibits23
Signatures2440

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS,DSS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of

  September 30, 2023 (unaudited)  December 31, 2022 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $6,897,000  $19,290,000 
Accounts receivable, net  3,136,000   7,564,000 
Inventory  3,930,000   7,721,000 
Current portion of notes receivable  9,225,000   11,719,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,215,000   1,700,000 
Total current assets  24,403,000   47,994,000 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  12,351,000   13,391,000 
Investment in real estate, net  53,482,000   55,029,000 
Other investments  1,163,000   1,534,000 
Investment, equity method  134,000   162,000 
Marketable securities  11,064,000   27,307,000 
Notes receivable  138,000   922,000 
Other assets  246,000   2,699,000 
Right-of-use assets  7,470,000   8,219,000 
Goodwill  57,880,000   60,919,000 
Other intangible assets, net  28,220,000   30,740,000 
Total assets $196,551,000  $248,916,000 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $2,924,000  $5,914,000 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  2,701,000   19,341,000 
Other current liabilities  396,000   477,000 
Current portion of lease liability  813,000   796,000 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  46,638,000   47,161,000 
Total current liabilities  53,472,000   73,689,000 
         
Long-term debt, net  7,747,000   10,181,000 
Long term lease liability  7,040,000   7,820,000 
Other long-term liabilities  507,000   507,000 
Deferred tax liability, net  38,000   38,000 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)  -     
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 140,264,250 shares issued and outstanding (139,017,172 on December 31, 2022)  2,804,000   2,779,000 
Additional paid-in capital  317,369,000   317,126,000 
Accumulated deficit  (225,873,000)  (194,343,000)
Total stockholders’ equity  94,300,000   125,562,000 
Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries  33,447,000   31,119,000 
Total stockholders’ equity  127,747,000   156,681,000 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $196,551,000  $248,916,000 

  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  (Unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash $4,223,005  $5,871,738 
Restricted cash  336,172   177,609 
Accounts receivable, net of $50,000 allowance for uncollectible accounts  1,799,005   1,890,981 
Inventory  1,913,111   1,206,377 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  308,223   350,289 
         
Total current assets  8,579,516   9,496,994 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,484,284   4,573,841 
Investment  484,930   - 
Other assets  45,821   45,821 
Goodwill  2,453,597   2,453,349 
Other intangible assets, net  1,387,039   1,896,018 
         
Total assets $17,435,187  $18,466,023 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,706,607  $2,212,653 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  1,012,719   1,290,593 
Other current liabilities  2,957,033   2,996,310 
Short-term debt  3,611,560   - 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  752,180   1,202,335 
         
Total current liabilities  10,040,099   7,701,891 
         
Long-term debt, net  1,607,752   5,249,569 
Other long-term liabilities  1,624,500   2,184,843 
Deferred tax liability, net  59,830   45,619 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 15,939,327 shares issued and outstanding (13,502,653 on December 31, 2016)  318,787   270,053 
Additional paid-in capital  106,123,997   104,338,002 
Subscriptions receivable from related party  (300,000)  - 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (35,551)  (45,343)
Accumulated deficit  (102,004,227)  (101,278,611)
Total stockholders’ equity  4,103,006   3,284,101 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $17,435,187  $18,466,023 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS,

3

DSS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)(unaudited)

  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Revenue:                
Printed products $3,767,334  $4,448,509  $11,552,955  $12,147,796 
Technology sales, services and licensing  431,356   530,979   1,276,489   1,243,158 
                 
Total revenue  4,198,690   4,979,488   12,829,444   13,390,954 
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization  2,400,883   2,874,508   7,380,134   7,815,658 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock based compensation)  1,619,066   1,710,099   4,835,079   5,262,618 
Depreciation and amortization  352,040   349,143   1,041,789   1,049,387 
                 
Total costs and expenses  4,371,989   4,933,750   13,257,002   14,127,663 
                 
Operating (loss) income  (173,299)  45,738   (427,558)  (736,709)
                 
Other expense:                
Interest expense  (58,164)  (67,739)  (170,565)  (217,665)
Amortized debt discount  (40,854)      (113,286)    
Loss before income taxes  (272,317)  (22,001)  (711,409)  (954,374)
                 
Income tax expense  4,734   4,737   14,208   14,211 
                 
Net loss $(277,051) $(26,738) $(725,617) $(968,585)
                 
Other comprehensive loss:                
Interest rate swap gain (loss)  3,943   11,843   9,792   (22,451)
                 
Comprehensive loss: $(273,108) $(14,895) $(715,825) $(991,036)
                 
Loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted $(0.02) $(0.00) $(0.05) $(0.07)
                 
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted  14,087,849   12,977,903   13,793,946   12,975,053 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
  For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Revenue:            
Printed products $3,315,000  $5,032,000  $12,976,000  $12,650,000 
Rental income  236,000   1,485,000   3,464,000   4,656,000 
Management fee income  -   38,000   -   38,000 
Net investment income  108,000   370,000   422,000   644,000 
Commission revenue  -   -   295,000   - 
Direct marketing  523,000   4,937,000   6,088,000   17,939,000 
Total revenue  4,182,000   11,862,000   23,245,000   35,927,000 
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenue  6,072,000   11,933,000   19,437,000   29,658,000 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock-based compensation)  3,213,000   14,677,000   21,036,000   40,316,000 
Total costs and expenses  9,285,000   26,610,000   40,473,000   69,974,000 
Operating loss  (5,103,000)  (14,748,000)  (17,228,000)  (34,047,000)
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest income  682,000   319,000   1,220,000   613,000 
Dividend income  -   -   12,000   - 
Other income (expense)  (44,000)  3,627,000   139,000   4,203,000 
Interest expense  (51,000)  (42,000)  (438,000)  (100,000)
Gain on extinguishment of debt  -  -   -  110,000 
Gain/(loss) on equity method investment  (6,000)  344,000   (28,000)  134,000 
Gain/(loss) on investments  301,000   (14,302,000)  (30,490,000)  (10,479,000)
Provision for loan losses  (1,179,000)  -   (4,936,000)  - 
Loss on sale of assets  (1,281,000)  -   (1,281,000)  405,000 
Loss from operations before income taxes  (6,681,000)  (24,802,000)  (53,030,000)  (39,161,000)
                 
Income tax benefit  -   -   (9,000)  - 
                 
Net loss  (6,681,000)  (24,802,000)  (53,039,000)  (39,161,000)
                 
Loss from operations attributed to non-controlling interest  2,339,000   4,587,000   2,736,000   6,247,000 
                 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders  (4,342,000)  (20,215,000)  (50,303,000)  (32,914,000)
                 
Loss per common share:                
Basic $(0.03) $(0.15) $(0.36) $(0.32)
Diluted $(0.03) $(0.15) $(0.36) $(0.32)
                 
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                
Basic  140,264,250   134,893,360   139,809,113   102,390,079 
Diluted  140,264,250   134,893,360   139,809,113   102,390,079 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30:

(Unaudited)

  2017  2016 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(725,617) $(968,585)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from (used by) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,041,789   1,049,387 
Stock based compensation  203,111   87,738 
Paid in-kind interest  54,000   58,000 
Change in deferred tax provision  14,211   14,211 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  113,286   15,863 
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Accounts receivable  91,976   19,501 
Inventory  (706,735)  (250,529)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  70,838   (24,683)
Restricted cash  (158,563)  105,316 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (506,749)  169,394 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (867,702)  108,138 
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities  (1,376,155)  383,751 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (438,350)  (192,614)
Proceeds from sale of intangibles  -   495,000 
Purchase of intangible assets  (4,903)  (72,953)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities  (443,253)  229,433 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Payments of long-term debt  (612,419)  (1,229,902)
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  783,094   (92)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities  170,675   (1,229,994)
         
Net decrease in cash  (1,648,733)  (616,810)
Cash at beginning of period  5,871,738   1,440,256 
         
Cash at end of period $4,223,005  $823,446 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

DSS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

(unaudited)

  2023  2022 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss from continuing operations $(53,039,000) $(39,161,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  4,150,000   9,351,000 
Stock based compensation  -   4,000 
Gain/loss on equity method investment  28,000   (134,000)
Loss on investments  30,490,000   10,479,000 
Loss on allowance for obsolescence of inventory  -   326,000 
Change in ROU assets  749,000   (7,961,000)
Change in ROU liabilities  (763,000)  8,297,000 
Gain on extinguishment of debt  -   (110,000)
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets  1,281,000   (405,000)
Impairment of notes receivable  4,936,000   1,899,000 
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Accounts receivable  2,520,000   (3,316,000)
Inventory  4,368,000   (728,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  323,000   568,000 
Other assets  2,448,000   (904,000)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (2,896,000)  2,128,000 
Accrued expenses  (15,549,000)  (3,205,000)
Other liabilities  (81,000)  (379,000)
Net cash used by operating activities  (21,035,000)  (23,251,000)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (679,000)  (1,349,000)
Purchase of real estate  -   (689,000)
Purchase of marketable securities  -   (14,254,000)
Disposal of property, plant and equipment  215,000   2,557,000 
Sale of marketable securities  11,330,000   - 
Issuance of new notes receivable, net origination fees  (400,000)  (4,687,000)
Payments received on notes receivable  1,419,000   786,000 
Purchase of intangible assets  -   (180,000)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities  11,885,000   (17,816,000)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Payments of long-term debt  (4,056,000)  (561,000)
Borrowings of long-term debt  813,000   6,360,000 
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  -   1,518,000 
Net cash (used)provided by financing activities  (3,243,000)  7,317,000 
         
Net decrease in cash  (12,393,000)  (33,750,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  19,290,000   56,595,000 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $6,897,000 $22,845,000 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS,

DSS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

                            
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated  Total DSS  Non- controlling Interest in    
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity  Subsidiary  Total 
                            
Balance, December 31, 2022  139,017,000  $   2,779,000       -  $          -  $317,126,000  $(194,343,000) $125,562,000  $31,119,000  $156,681,000 
                                         
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses  1,247,000       25,000   -   -   243,000   -   268,000   -   268,000 
Deconsolidation of Sharing Services          -   -   -   -   18,773,000   18,773,000   5,064,000   23,837,000 
Net loss  -       -   -   -   -   (50,303,000)  (50,303,000)  (2,736,000)  (53,039,000)
Balance, September 30, 2023  140,264,000  $   2,804,000   -  $-  $317,369,000  $(225,873,000) $94,300,000  $33,447,000  $127,747,000 
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2021  79,746,000  $   1,594,000   -  $-  $294,685,000  $(134,503,000) $161,776,000   36,409,000  $198,185,000 
                                         
                                         
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses  47,924,000       858,000   -   -   16,547,000   -   17,405,000   -   17,405,000 
Stock based payments  16,347,000       327,000   -   -   5,893,000   -   6,220,000   -   6,220,000 
Net loss  -       -   -   -   -   (32,914,000)  (32,914,000)  (6,247,000)  (39,161,000)
Balance, September 30, 2022  139,017,000  $   2,779,000   -  $-  $317,125,000  $(167,417,000) $152,487,000  $30,162,000  $182,649,000 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

DSS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
2023

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The Company, incorporated in the state of New York in May 1984 has conducted business in the name of Document Security Systems, Inc. (theOn September 16, 2021, the board of directors approved an agreement and plan of merger with a wholly owned subsidiary, DSS, Inc. (a New York corporation, incorporated in August 2020), for the sole purpose of effecting a name change from Document Security Systems, Inc. to DSS, Inc. This change became effective on September 30, 2021. DSS, Inc. maintained the same trading symbol “DSS” and updated its CUSIP number to 26253C 102.

DSS, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to herein as “DSS,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), through two currently operates nine (9) distinct business lines with operations and locations around the globe. These business lines are: (1) Product Packaging, (2) Biotechnology, (3) Direct Marketing, (4) Commercial Lending, (5) Securities and Investment Management, (6) Alternative Trading (7) Digital Transformation, (8) Secure Living, and (9) Alternative Energy. Each of itsthese business lines are in different stages of development, growth, and income generation.

Our divisions, their business lines, subsidiaries, and operating territories: (1) Our Product Packaging line is led by Premier Packaging Corporation, and Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. (“Premier”), which operates under the assumed name of DSS Plastics Group,a New York corporation. Premier operates in the securitypaper board and commercial printing,fiber based folding carton, consumer product packaging, and plastic IDdocument security printing markets. The Company develops,It markets, manufactures, and sells papersophisticated custom folding cartons, mailers, photo sleeves and plasticcomplex 3-dimensional direct mail solutions. Premier is currently located in its new facility in Rochester, NY, and primarily serves the US market. (2) The Biotechnology business line was created to invest in or acquire companies in the BioHealth and BioMedical fields, including businesses focused on the advancement of drug discovery and prevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncological, and immune related diseases. This division is also targeting unmet, urgent medical needs, and is developing open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and influenza. (3) Direct Marketing, led by the holding corporation, Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. (“Decentralized”) provides services to assist companies in the emerging growth “Gig” business model of peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. Direct specializes in marketing and distributing its products designedand services through its subsidiary and partner network, using the popular gig economic marketing strategy as a form of direct marketing. Direct Marketing’s products include, among other things, nutritional and personal care products sold throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. (4) Our Commercial Lending business division, driven by American Pacific Bancorp (“APB”), is organized for the purposes of being a financial network holding company, focused on acquiring equity positions in (i) undervalued commercial bank(s), bank holding companies and nonbanking licensed financial companies operating in the United States, South East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, and (ii) companies engaged in—nonbanking activities closely related to protect valuable informationbanking, including loan syndication services, mortgage banking, trust and escrow services, banking technology, loan servicing, equipment leasing, problem asset management, SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) consulting services, and advisory capital raising services. (5) Securities and Investment Management was established to develop and/or acquire assets in the securities trading or management arena, and to pursue, among other product and service lines, broker dealers, and mutual funds management. Also in this segment is the Company’s real estate investment trusts (“REIT”), organized for the purposes of acquiring hospitals and other acute or post-acute care centers from unauthorized scanning, copying,leading clinical operators with dominant market share in secondary and digital imaging. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Digital Inc., which operates under the assumed name of DSS Digital Group, develops,tertiary markets, and sells digital information services, including data hosting, disaster recoveryleasing each property to a single operator under a triple-net lease. the REIT was formed to originate, acquire, and data back-up and security services. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc., acquires intellectual property (“IP”)lease a credit-centric portfolio of licensed medical real estate. (6) Alternative Trading was established to develop and/or acquire assets and interests in companies owning intellectual property assets, or assists others in managing their intellectual property monetization efforts, for the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the securities trading and/or funds management arena. Alternative Trading, in partnership with recognized global leaders in alternative trading systems, intends to own and operate in the US a single or multiple vertical digital asset exchanges for securities, tokenized assets, utility tokens, and cryptocurrency via an alternative trading platform using blockchain technology. The scope of services within this section is planned to include asset issuance and allocation (securities and cryptocurrency), FPO, IPO, ITO, PPO, and UTO listings on a primary market(s), asset digitization/tokenization (securities, currency, and cryptocurrency), and the listing and trading of digital assets (securities and cryptocurrency) on a secondary market(s). (7) Digital Transformation was established to be a Preferred Technology Partner and Application Development Solution for mid cap brands in various industries including the direct selling and affiliate marketing sector. Digital improves marketing, communications and operations processes with custom software development and commercializationimplementation. (8) The Secure Living division has developed a plan for fully sustainable, secure, connected, and healthy living communities with homes incorporating advanced technology, energy efficiency, and quality of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnershipslife living environments both for new construction and commercial litigation.renovations for single and multi-family residential housing. (9) The Alternative Energy group was established to help lead the Company’s future in the clean energy business that focuses on environmentally responsible and sustainable measures. Alset Energy, Inc, the holding company for this group, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alset Solar, Inc., pursue utility-scale solar farms to serve US regional power grids and to provide underutilized properties with small microgrids for independent energy.

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On May 13, 2021, Sentinel Brokers, LLC. (“Sentinel LLC”), subsidiary of the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (“Sentinel Agreement”) to acquire a 24.9% equity position of Sentinel Brokers Company, Inc. (“Sentinel Co.”), a company registered in the state of New York, and in December 2022, Sentinel LLC exercised this option to increase its equity position to 75%. In May of 2023, Sentinel LLC acquired an additional 5% increasing its equity position to 80.1%. Sentinel is a broker-dealer operating primarily as a fiduciary intermediary, facilitating intuitional trading of municipal and corporate bonds as well as preferred stock, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”).

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8.03 of Regulation S-X for smaller reporting companies. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows includecontain all adjustments considered(consisting of normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise indicated) necessary for their fair presentation in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Interimto present fairly our consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and the results are not necessarily indicative of results expectedour consolidated operations for the full year. For further information regardinginterim periods presented. We follow the Company’ssame accounting policies refer towhen preparing quarterly financial data as we use for preparing annual data. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes theretothe notes included in the Company’sour latest annual report on Form 10-K, and 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2022 (“Form 10-K”, “Form 10-K/A”), and our other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Principles of Consolidation - - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Document Security SystemsDSS, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Deconsolidation of Sharing Services Global Corporation - On May 4, 2023, the Company distributed approximately 280 million shares of SHRG beneficially held by DSS and Decentralized Sharing Systems in the form of a dividend to the shareholders of DSS common stock. Upon completion of this distribution, DSS will retain an ownership interest in SHRG of approximately 7%. Immediately prior to this distribution, DSS owned approximately 81% of the issued and outstanding common shares of SHRG. As a result, SHRG, whose operations represented a significant portion of our Direct Marketing segment, was deconsolidated from our consolidated financial statements effective as of May 1, 2023 (the “Deconsolidation”). The consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, therefore includes one month of activity related to SHRG prior to the Deconsolidation. Subsequent to April 30, 2023 the assets and liabilities of SHRG are no longer included within our consolidated balance sheets. Any discussions related to results, operations, and accounting policies associated with SHRG refer to the periods prior to the Deconsolidation.

Upon Deconsolidation, we recognized a loss before income taxes of approximately $29,196,000 which is recorded within gain/loss investments in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Subsequent to the Deconsolidation, we accounted for our equity ownership interest in SHRG as a marketable security and at the quoted price stock price of SHRG, valued at approximately $148,000 at September 30, 2023.

Reclassifications - Certain amounts on the accompanying condensed consolidated cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of operations have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

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Use of Estimates -The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAPaccounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires managementthe Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date ofdisclosed in the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. In preparing these financial statements,estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company has evaluated eventsevaluates its estimates, including those related to the accounts receivable, convertible notes receivable, inventory, fair values of investments, intangible assets and transactionsgoodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of options and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock, preferred stock, deferred revenue and income taxes, among others. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for potential recognitionmaking judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or disclosure.less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. Amounts included in cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are money market funds whose adjusted costs approximate fair value.

Restricted CashAccounts/Rents Receivable – As- The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does not require collateral. Payment terms are generally 30 days but up to net 105 for certain customers. The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at invoice amounts and its rent receivables at contract amounts, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon management’s estimates that include a review of the history of past write-offs and collections and an analysis of current credit conditions. In estimating expected losses in the accounts receivable portfolio, customer-specific financial data and macro-economic assumptions are utilized to project losses over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. Assumptions and judgment are applied to measure amounts and timing of expected future cash flows, collateral values and other factors used to determine the customers’ abilities to pay.

At September 30, 2017, cash of $336,712 ($177,609 –2023, and December 31, 2016) is restricted2022, the Company established a reserve for doubtful accounts of approximately $2,706,000 and $29,000, respectively. The Company does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.

Notes receivable, unearned interest, and related recognition - The Company records all future payments of costsprincipal and expenses associated with oneinterest on notes as notes receivable, which are then offset by the amount of any related unearned interest income. For financial statement purposes, the Company reports the net investment in the notes receivable on the consolidated balance sheet as current or long-term based on the maturity date of the Company’s IP monetization programs.underlying notes. Such net investment is comprised of the amount advanced on the loans, adjusting for net deferred loan fees or costs incurred at origination, amounts allocated to warrants received upon origination, and any payments received in advance. The unearned interest is recognized over the term of the notes and the income portion of each note payment is calculated so as to generate a constant rate of return on the net balance outstanding. Net deferred loan fees or costs, together with discounts recognized in connection with warrants acquired at origination, are accreted as an adjustment to yield over the term of the loan.

InvestmentInvestmentsIn accordanceInvestments in equity securities with ASC 325-20,a readily determinable fair value, not accounted for under the Company records its investmentequity method, are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in common stock of Singapore eDevelopment Limited at cost as theearnings. For equity securities without a readily determinable fair market value, of the investment is not readily determinable. Therecorded at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus adjustments related to observable transactions for the same or similar securities, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. For equity method investments, the Company evaluatesregularly reviews its investments to determine whether there is a decline in fair value below book value. If there is a decline that is other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to fair value. See Note 8 for indications of impairment at least annually.further discussion on investments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the FASB ASCFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

● Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

● Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

● Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

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Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaids, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Marketable securities classify as a Level 1 fair value financial instrument. The fair value of notes receivable approximates their carrying value as the stated or discounted rates of the notes do not reflect recent market conditions. The fair value of revolving credit lines notes payable and long-term debt approximates their carrying value as the stated or discounted rates of the debt reflect recent market conditions. Derivative instruments, as discussed below, are recorded as assets and liabilities at estimatedThe fair value based on available market information.

Derivative Instruments -The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporatesof investments where the use of interest rate swap contracts to minimize significant fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Company has two interest rate swaps that change variable rates into fixed rates on two term loans. These swaps qualify as Level 2 fair value financial instruments. These swap agreementsis not considered readily determinable, are not held for trading purposescarried at cost.

Inventory – Inventories consist primarily of paper, pre-printed security paper, paperboard, fully prepared packaging, air filtration systems, and health and beauty products which and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Packaging work-in-process and finished goods included the cost of materials, direct labor and overhead. At the closing of each reporting period, the Company does not intendevaluates its inventory in order to selladjust the derivative swap financial instruments. The Company recordsinventory balance for obsolete and slow-moving items. An allowance for obsolescence of approximately $57,000 and $742,000 associated with the interest swap agreements on the balance sheetinventory at fair value because the agreements qualify as a cash flow hedges under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Gainsour Premier subsidiary for September 30, 2023 and losses on these instruments are recorded in other comprehensive loss until the underlying transaction is recorded in earnings. When the hedged item is realized, gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) to the consolidated statement of operations on the same line item as the underlying transaction. The valuations of the interest rate swaps have been derived from proprietary models of Citizens Bank, N.A. based upon recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions and may reflect certain other financial factors such as anticipated profit or hedging, transactional, and other costs. The notional amounts of the swaps decrease over the life of the agreements. The Company is exposed to a credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter parties to the interest rate swap agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counter parties. The cumulative net loss attributable to this cash flow hedge recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and other liabilitiesour former SHRG subsidiary as of September 30, 2017 was approximately $36,000 ($45,000 - December 31, 2016).2022. Write- downs and write-offs are charged to cost of revenue.

As of September 30, 2017 the Company has an interest rate swap agreement for its debt with RBS Citizens, N.A. (“Citizens Bank”) (see Note 4) which changes a variable rate into a fixed rate on a term loan as follows:

Notional  Variable      
Amount  Rate  Fixed Cost  Maturity Date
$927,753   4.38%  5.87% August 30, 2021

Impairment of Long LivedLong-Lived Assets and Goodwill- Long-lived and intangibleThe Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets and goodwill are assessed for potential impairment and tests the recoverability of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that full recoverability of net asset balances through future cash flows is in question. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed at least annually, but also whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying valuesamounts may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger anIf a change in circumstance occurs, the Company performs a test of recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset or asset group to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, the Company will determine whether impairment review, include (a) significant underperformance relativehas occurred for the group of assets for which the Company can identify the projected cash flows. If the carrying values are in excess of undiscounted expected future cash flows, the Company measures any impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset or asset group to historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changesits carrying value.

Business Combinations - Business combinations and non-controlling interests are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations. Under the manner of or useguidance, the assets and liabilities of the acquired assets orbusiness are recorded at their fair values at the strategy for the Company’s overall business; (c) significant negative industry or economic trends; (d) significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period;date of acquisition and (e) a decline in the Company’s market capitalization below net book value.

Contingent Legal Expenses -Contingent legal fees associated with our commercial litigation involving our IPall acquisition costs are expensed inas incurred. The excess of the consolidated statementspurchase price over the estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value of operations in the period thatassets acquired exceeds the related revenues are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal fees are paid; however,purchase price and the Company may be liable for certain outliabilities assumed, then a gain on acquisition is recorded. The application of pocket legal costs incurred pursuant tobusiness combination accounting requires the underlying legal services agreement that will be paid out from the proceeds from settlements or licenses that arise pursuant to an enforcement action, which will be expensed as legal fees in the period in which the paymentuse of such fees is probable. Any unamortized patent acquisition costs will be expensed in the period in which a conclusion is reached in an enforcement action that does not yield future royalties potential.significant estimates and assumptions.

(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share - The Company presents basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share. Basic (loss) earnings per share reflect the actual weighted average of shares issued and outstanding during the period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share are computed including the number of additional shares from outstanding warrants, stock options and preferred stock that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential shares had been issued.issued and is calculated utilizing the treasury stock method. In a loss period, the calculation for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share is considered to be the same, as the impact of potential common shares is anti-dilutive.

On August 26, 2016, For the Company affected a one-for-four reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares of the Company’s common stock were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Instead, stockholders of record who otherwise would have been entitled to receive fractional shares were entitled to a rounding up of their fractional share to the nearest whole share, except in the case of any stockholder that owned less than four shares of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the reverse stock split. In such case, such stockholder received cash for such fractional share in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying: (x) the closing sale price of the common stock on August 25, 2016 as reported on the NYSE MKT, by (y) the amount of the fractional share. As a result, the Company issued 1,166 common shares for shares due as a result of the rounding up featurethree and paid $92 to buy-out the fractional shares of holders with less than four shares immediately preceding the reverse stock split.

As ofnine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were 3,297,759 and 2,498,128 respectively, of common stock share equivalents potentially issuable options,2023, potential dilutive instruments include both warrants and restricted stock agreements, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share inoptions of 0 and 0 shares, respectively. For the future. Thesethree and nine months ended September 30, 2022, potential dilutive instruments include both warrants and options of 0 and 11,597 shares, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share in periods in which the Company had a net loss because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive to the Company’s losses in the respective periods.respectively.

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Concentration of Credit Risk- The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk as a result of any non-performance by the financial institutions.

As of September 30, 2023, two customers accounted for approximately 21% and 7% of our consolidated revenue and these two customers approximately 32% and 15% of our consolidated trade accounts receivable balance. As of December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for approximately 14% and 6% of our consolidated revenue and these two customers approximately 36% and 17% of our consolidated trade accounts receivable balance.

Income Taxes - The Company recognizes estimated income taxes payable or refundable on income tax returns for the current year and for the estimated future tax effect attributable to temporary differences and carry-forwards. Measurement of deferred income items is based on enacted tax laws including tax rates, with the measurement of deferred income tax assets being reduced by available tax benefits not expected to be realized. We recognize penalties and accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Allowance For Loans And Lease Losses - On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted amended accounting guidance “ASU No.2016-13 – Credit Losses” which requires an allowance for credit losses to be deducted from the amortized cost basis of financial assets to present the net carrying value at the amount that is expected to be collected over the contractual term of the asset considering relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. In estimating expected losses in the loan and lease portfolio, borrower-specific financial data and macro-economic assumptions are utilized to project losses over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. Assumptions and judgment are applied to measure amounts and timing of expected future cash flows, collateral values and other factors used to determine the borrowers’ abilities to repay obligations. After the forecast period, the company utilizes longer-term historical loss experience to estimate losses over the remaining contractual life of the loans. Prior to 2023, the allowance for credit losses represented the amount that in management’s judgment reflected incurred credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio as of the balance sheet date. See Note 6.

Going Concern - The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of our assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the specific amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, which might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. While the Company has approximately $6.9 million in cash, the Company has incurred operating losses as well as negative cash flows from operating and investing activities over the past two years.

 

DuringAside from its $6.9 million in cash as of September 30, 2023, the Company believes it can continue as a going concern, due to its ability to generate operating cash through the sale of its $11.1 million of Marketable Securities, and the anticipated receipts of principal and interest on its Notes receivable of approximately $6.3 million through September 30, 2024. Also, our subsidiary Impact BioMedical is in the process of an IPO in which DSS projects to maintain a minimum of 55% ownership. Proceeds of which are expected to pay in part, amounts utilized by DSS for Impact BioMedical expenses. This is expected to close in the fourth quarter 2023. Additionally, we are in negotiations with Pinnacle Bank to extend our note payable, approximating $40.2 million through November 2024. This related note payable is currently in default; however the Company is in the process of renegotiating the terms of this note with Pinnacle, which is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter.

The Company’s management intends to take actions necessary to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters include, among other things, continued growth among our operating segments, and tightly controlling operating costs and reducing spending growth rates wherever possible to return to profitability. In addition, the Company has taken steps, and will continue to take measures, to materially reduce the expenses and cash burn at all corporate and business line levels.

At the Company’s current operating levels and capital usage, we believe that without any further acquisition or investments, our $6.9 million in aggregate cash, as of September 30, 2023, along with the $11.1 million of Marketable Securities, and the anticipated receipts of principal and interest on its Notes receivable of approximately $6.3 million through September 30, 2024, would allow us to fund our nine business lines current and planned operations through September 30, 2024. Based on this, the Company has concluded that substantial doubt of its ability to continue as a going concern has been alleviated.

2. Revenue

The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the title passes to the customer or when the service is completed and accepted by the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for shipped product or service provided. Sales and other taxes billed and collected from customers are excluded from revenue. The Company recognizes rental income associated with its REIT, net of amortization of favorable/unfavorable lease terms relative to market and includes rental abatements and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, where collection has been considered probable, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease. The Company recognizes net investment income from its investment banking line of business as interest owed to the Company occurs. The Company generates revenue from its direct marketing line of business primarily through internet sales and recognizes revenue as items are shipped.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had no unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of greater than one year. Pursuant to Topic 606, the Company has applied the practical expedient with respect to disclosure of the deferral and future expected timing of revenue recognition for transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations. The Company elected the practical expedient allowing it to not recognize as a contract asset the commission paid to its salesforce on the sale of its products as an incremental cost of obtaining a contract with a customer but rather recognize such commission as expense when incurred as the amortization period of the asset that the Company would have otherwise recognized is one year or less.

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Sales Commissions

Sales commissions are expensed as incurred for contracts with an expected duration of one year or less. There were no sales commissions capitalized as of September 30, 2023.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Costs incurred by the Company related to shipping and handling are included in cost of products sold. Amounts charged to customers relating to these costs are reflected as revenue.

See Note 15 for disaggregated revenue information.

3. Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following as of:

Schedule of Inventory

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Finished Goods $2,894,000  $6,779,000 
Work in Process  79,000   403,000 
Raw Materials  1,014,000   1,281,000 
Inventory Gross $3,987,000  $8,463,000 
Less allowance for obsolescence  (57,000)  (742,000)
Inventory Net $3,930,000  $7,721,000 

4. Notes Receivable

Note 1

On February 8, 2021, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note (“Note 1”) with Borrower 1, a company registered in Gibraltar. The Company loaned the principal sum of $800,000, with principal and interest at a rate of 4%, due in one year from the date of issuance. Borrower 1 repaid the principal and interest in full in April 2022.

Note 2

On May 14, 2021, DSS Pure Air, Inc. a subsidiary of the Company entered a convertible promissory note (“Note 2”) with Borrower 2, a company registered in the state of Texas. Note 3 has an aggregate principal balance up to $5,000,000, to be funded at the request of Borrower 2. Note 2, which incurs interest at a rate of 6.65% due quarterly, has a maturity date of May 1, 2023. Note 2 contains an optional conversion clause that allows the Company to convert all, or a portion of all, into newly issued member units of Borrower 2 with the maximum principal amount equal to 18% of the total equity position of Borrower 2 at conversion. The outstanding principal and interest as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, approximated $5,544,000 and $5,420,000, respectively, which is included in current notes receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2023, the Company has a reserve of $2,884,000 against the principal and interest outstanding. This note is currently in default and its terms are currently being re-negotiated.

Note 3

On September 23, 2021, APB entered into refunding bond anticipatory note (“Note 3”) with Borrower 3, which operates as a conservation and reclamation district pursuant to Chapter 3891, Texas Special District Local Laws Code ; Chapter 375, Texas Local Government Code; and Chapter 49, Texas Water Code. The District Note was in the sum of $3,500,000 and incurs interest at a rate of 5.59% per annum. Principal and interest are due in full on September 22, 2022, and later amended to extend the maturity date to September 19, 2024. This note may be redeemed prior to maturity with 10 days written notice to APB at a price equal to principal plus interest accrued on the redemption date. The outstanding principal and interest of $3,854,000 and $3,701,000 is included in the current portion of notes receivable on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

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Note 4

On October 25, 2021, APB entered into a loan agreement (“Note 4”) with Borrower 4, a company registered in the state of Utah. Note 4 has an initial aggregate principal balance up to $1,000,000, to be funded at the request of Borrower 4, with an option to increase the maximum principal borrowing to $3,000,000. Note 4, which incurs interest at a rate of 8.0% with principal and interest due at the maturity date of October 25, 2022. This note contains an optional conversion feature allowing APB to convert the outstanding principal to a 10% membership interest. APB, as holder of Note 4, has the right to elect one member to the Board of Managers. This note is in default and the outstanding principal and interest of approximately $884,000 was reserved for fully as of December 31, 2022.

Note 5

On May 14, 2021, APB extended the credit (“Note 5”) to an individual (“Borrower 5”) in the form of two promissory notes for $250,000 and $10,000 respectively, bearing interest at 12.5%, with a maturity date of May 15, 2023. This promissory note was secured by a deed of trust on a tract of land, which is approximately 315 acres, and located in Coke County, Texas. The outstanding principal and interest for both notes were paid in full during the third quarter of 2023. $252,000 and $9,000 are included in Note receivable at December 31, 2022.

Note 6

On October 27, 2021, HWH World, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company entered a revolving loan commitment (“Note 6”) with Borrower 8, a company registered in Taiwan. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is $0 and $63,000, respectively, and was included in Notes receivable current portion. This note has been written-off during the third quarter 2023.

Note 7

On December 28, 2021, APB entered into a promissory note (“Note 7”) with Borrower 7, a company registered in the state of California. Note 7 has a principal balance of $700,000. Note 7, which incurs interest at a rate of 12.0% with principal and interest due at the maturity date of December 28, 2022. On December 29, 2022, the maturity date of this note was extended to May 31, 2023. The outstanding principal and interest of $404,000 and $701,000 is included in the Current portion of notes receivable on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. This note has been extended to November 30, 2023.

Note 8

On January 24, 2022, APB and Borrower 8 entered into a promissory note (“Note 8”) in the principal sum of $100,000 with interest of 6%, due annually, and maturing in January 2024. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 approximates $100,000 and $106,000, respectively, and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet.

Note 9

On March 2, 2022, APB and Borrower 9, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Korea entered into a promissory note (“Note 9”). Under the terms of Note 9, APB at its discretion, may lend up to the principal sum of $893,000 with an interest rate of 8%, and matures in March 2024, with interest payable quarterly. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 is $440,000, net of $9,00 of unamortized origination fees. The outstanding principal and interest at December 31, 2022 is $874,000 net of $25,000 of unamortized origination fees.

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Note 10

On May 9, 2022, DSS PureAir and Borrower 2 entered into a promissory note (“Note 10”) in the principal sum of $210,000 with interest of 10%, is due in three quarterly installments beginning on August 9, 2022, with the first two payment consisting of interest only. All unpaid principal and interest are due on February 9, 2023. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 approximates $224,000 and is included in current portions of notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet. The outstanding principal and interest at December 31, 2022 approximates $213,000 and is included in current portions of notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet. The due date of this loan is currently being re-negotiated.

Note 11

On August 29, 2022, DSS Financial Management Inc and Borrower 11 entered into a promissory note (“Note 11”) in the principal sum of $100,000 with interest of 8%, is due in three quarterly installments beginning on September 14, 2022. All unpaid principal and interest is due on August 29, 2025. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 approximates $99,000, and $100,000, respectively, and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet, of which $68,000 is included in the Current portion of notes receivable and $31,000 is included in the Notes receivable at September 30, 2023.

Note 12

On July 26, 2022, APB and Borrower 12 entered into a promissory note (“Note 12”) in the principal sum of $1,000,000 with interest of 8%. All unpaid principal and interest due on July 26, 2024. The outstanding principal and interest on September 30, 2023, approximates $929,000, net of $30,000 of unamortized origination fees and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet. The outstanding principal and interest at December 31, 2022 approximates $924,000, net of $66,000 of unamortized origination fees and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet.

Note 13

On June 15, 2022, Decentralized and Borrower 13 entered into a convertible promissory note (“Note 13”) in the principal sum of $27,000,000 with interest of 8%, with an optional conversion into shares of Borrower 13 at a conversion price of $0.03, maturing on June 14, 2024, with interest due quarterly. In December 2022, this note was fully reserved for. On August 31, 2023, the full value of the outstanding principal and interest of this note was exchanged for 26,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Beginning on September 1, 2028, these Series D Preferred Shares may be redeemed in the amount of $1,000 per share. Due to the lack of liquidity of these shares, the Company has placed no value on these shares.

Note 14

On February 19, 2021, Impact BioMedical, Inc, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a promissory note (Note 14) with Borrower 14. The Company loaned the principal sum of $206,000, with interest at a rate of 6.5%, and maturity date of August 19, 2022 later amended to February 19, 2024. Monthly payments are due on the twenty-first day of each month and continuing each month thereafter until February 19, 2024. This note is secured by certain real property situated in Collier County, Florida. The outstanding principal and interest as of September 30, 2023, approximated $204,000 and is classified in current notes receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The outstanding principal and interest as of December 31, 2022 approximated $206,000 with $16,000 classified in Current portion of notes receivable and $190,000 classified as Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Note 15

On May 8, 2023, DSS Financial Management Inc and Borrower 15 entered into a promissory note (“Note 15 “) in the principal sum of $102,000 with interest at the prime rate plus 2% (10.5% at September 30, 2023) with a maturity date of May 7, 2026. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 approximates $104,000 with approximately $44,000 of principal and accrued interest classified as Current portion notes receivable, and the remaining balance of approximately $60,000 is recorded as notes receivable, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

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Note 16

On June 27, 2023, Decentralized and Borrower 16 entered into a convertible promissory note (“Note 16”) in the principal sum of $1,400,000 with a discount of $300,000 and interest rate of 10% and maturity date of September, 1, 2024. The outstanding principal, interest, and associated discount was fully reserved for as of September 30, 2023.

Note 17

On March 31,2023, DSS Biohealth Security, Inc and Borrower 17 entered into a promissory note (“Note 17”) in the principal sum of $140,000 and interest rate floating daily to Wall Street Journal Prime rate per annum (8.5% at September 31, 2023) with the total outstanding principal and interest due at the maturity date of March 31, 2025. The outstanding principal and interest at September 30, 2023 approximates $130,000. Of the total financed, approximately $83,000 of principal and accrued interest is classified as Current portion of notes receivable and the remaining balance of approximately $46,500 is recorded as Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Note 18

On September 28, 2023, APB and Borrower 18 entered into a promissory note (“Note 18”) in the principal sum of $400,000 with interest of 5%. All unpaid principal and interest due on November 12, 2023. The outstanding principal and interest on September 30, 2023, approximates $401,000 and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet.

Note 19

On August 11, 2022, APB and Borrower 19 entered into a promissory note (“Note 19”) in the principal sum of $1,430,000 with interest of 8%. All unpaid principal and interest due on August 12, 2024. The outstanding principal and interest on September 30, 2023, approximates $1,102,000, net of $375,000 of unamortized origination fees and is included in Notes receivable on the accompanying consolidate balance sheet. The outstanding principal, interest, and associated fees were fully reserved for as of September 30, 2023.

5. Financial Instruments

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

The following tables show the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities by significant investment category as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022:

Schedule of Cash and Marketable Securities by Significant Investment Category

  2023 
     

Unrealized

Gain/

  Fair  Cash and Cash  Marketable 
  Cost  (Loss)  Value  Equivalents  Securities 
Cash $6,827,000  $-  $6,827,000  $6,827,000  $- 
Level 1                    
Money Market Funds  70,000   -   70,000   70,000   - 
Marketable Securities  19,103,000   (8,039,000)  11,064,000   -   11,064,000 
Total $26,000,000  $(8,039,000) $17,961,000  $6,897,000  $11,064,000 

  2022 
     

Unrealized

Gain/

  Fair  Cash and Cash  Marketable    
  Cost  (Loss)  Value  Equivalents  Securities  Investments 
Cash $19,226,000  $-  $19,226,000  $19,226,000  $-  $- 
Level 1                        
Money Market Funds  64,000   -   64,000   64,000   -   - 
Marketable Securities  36,263,000   (3,659,000)  27,307,000   -   27,307,000   - 
Level 2                        
Warrants  3,318,000   -   140,000   -   -   140,000 
Convertible securities  1,023,000   -   39,000   -   -   39,000 
Total $59,894,000  $(3,659,000) $46,776,000  $19,290,000  $27,307,000  $179,000 

The Company typically invests with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. The Company’s investment policy generally requires securities to be investment grade and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. Fair values were determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio.

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6. Provision for Credit Losses

Effective December 31, 2022, the Company adopted amended accounting guidance “ASU No.2016-13 – Credit Losses” for the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments and other financial assets. That guidance requires an allowance for credit losses to be deducted from the amortized cost basis of financial assets to present the net carrying value that is expected to be collected over the contractual term of the assets considering relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The guidance replaced the previous incurred loss model for determining the allowance for credit losses.

As of December 31, 2022, and September 30, 2023 we have reviewed the entire loan portfolio as well as all financial assets of the Company for the purpose of evaluating the loan portfolio and the loan balances, including a review of individual and collective portfolio loan quality, loan(s) performance, including past due status and covenant defaults, assessment of the ability of the borrower to repay the loan on the loan terms, whether any loans should be placed on nonaccrual or returned to accrual, any concentrations in any single borrower and/or industry that we might need to further manage, and if any specific or general loan loss reserve should be established for the entire loan portfolio or for any specific loan.

We analyzed the loan loss reserve from three basis: general loan portfolio reserves; industry portfolio reserves, and specific loan loss reserves. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, two customers accounted for 25%2023, the Company recorded a Loan loss reserve of approximately $1,179,000 and 15%$4,936,000, respectively,respectively.

General Loan Portfolio Reserve - Based upon a relatively young loan portfolio that are relatively new loans to generally credit worthy borrowers, we do not believe that a substantial general loan portfolio reserve is due at this time. However, we do recognize that some inherent risks are in all loan portfolios, thus we recorded a general contingent portfolio reserve of $145,000 and $199,000 or approximately ¼ of 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 17% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivableloan portfolio loan balance as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2017. During2023, respectively.

Industry Portfolio Reserves - Given the nine months endedrelatively young loan portfolio and a diversification of the portfolio over several different loan products, the risk is reduced. Accordingly, we have not recorded a discretionary reserve as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2016, one customer accounted2023.

Specific Loan Reserves - Previously, we had identified credit weaknesses and borrower repayment weakness in the Borrow 4 loan, which has a current principal and interest balance of $884,000. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023 we have recorded a specific loan loss reserve for 25%the full balance due the Company. As of December  31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, the Company’s consolidated revenueCompany reserved for principal and accountedinterest of $27,831,000 for 7% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance asBorrower 13. As of September 30, 2016. The risk with respect to accounts receivables is mitigated by credit evaluations2023, the Company performs onidentified credit weakness in borrower 2 and has placed a reserve approximating $2,884,000 against the outstanding principal and interest. As of September 30, 2023, the Company identified credit weakness in borrower 16 and placed a reserve of $1,291,000 against the outstanding principal and interest. The Company identified credit weakness in Borrower 19 and has placed a reserve of $1,477,000 against the outstanding principal and interest.

7. Disposal of assets

On July 1st, 2023, The Company intended to sell its customers,subsidiary, HWH World, Inc. to SHRG. The proposed transaction had the short durationCompany sell 1,000 shares of its payment termscommon stock, representing all the issued and outstanding common stock shares of HWH World for the significant majoritysum $706,000 representing the gross proceeds of its customer contractsthe sale of HWH inventory less cost of goods sold. The parties involved amended the terms of this agreement during the third quarter of 2023 from that of equity transaction to the purchase of inventory and assumption of certain liabilities by SHRG. The amended agreement identified the purchase price approximating $758,000 to be paid from amongst other things, the gross proceeds generated by the diversificationsale of the inventory acquired. The value of the inventory sold approximates $698,000 and the value of the liabilities assumed by SHRG as part of this transaction is approximately $59,000. Further, the agreement includes payment of 1% royalty, starting November 1, 2023, being defined as 1% of the gross sale price of all Seller’s new products made and sold outside of existing inventory on the schedule, for a period ending October 31, 2033. There is substantial doubt regarding SHRG’s ability to sell and pay for the inventory acquired, and therefore, the Company has determined not to record a receivable for the purchase price. A net loss approximating $639,000 associated with this transaction has been recorded during the third quarter of 2023 and is included in Loss/Gain on sale of assets on the consolidated statement of operations.

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On July 1st, 2023, The Company sold 100% of the equity in its customer base.

Reclassifications- Certain prior year amounts have been reclassifiedsubsidiary HWH Holdings, Inc, a Texas corporation (HWHH) to conform to the current year presentation. All common share and per share figures are presented onSHRG for a post one for four reverse stock split basis.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-9 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”purchase price approximating $259,000. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize theThis amount of revenue to which it expectsis to be entitledpaid from gross proceeds generated by the sale of the inventory acquired as part of the transaction. This transaction was later amended during the third quarter of 2023 to assign the purchase of HWHH from SHRG to Ascend Management Pte., Ltd. (“Ascend”), a Singaporean limited company. There is substantial doubt regarding Ascend’s ability to sell and pay for the transferinventory acquired, and therefore, the Company has determined not to record a receivable for the purchase price. A net loss approximating $617,000 associated with this transaction has been recorded during the third quarter of promised goods or services to customers. Subsequently,2023 and is included in Loss/Gain on sale of assets on the FASB has issued the following standards consolidated statement of operations.

8. Investments

Alset International Limited, related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations” (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”); and ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”). party

The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”). The revenue standards will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a retrospectiveowns 127,179,291 shares or cumulative effect transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the revenue standards will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. Entities will no longer be able to use the cost method of accounting for equity securities. However, for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, entities may elect a measurement alternative that will allow those investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. Upon adoption, entities must record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet asapproximately 4% of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is adopted. The guidance on equity securities without readily determinable fair values will be applied prospectively to all equity investments that exist as of the date of the adoption of the standand. The pronouncement also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company has not yet evaluated nor has it determined the effect the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, which requires that lease arrangements longer than 12 months result in an entity recognizing an asset and liability. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet evaluated nor has it determined the effect the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which clarifies the treatment of several types of cash receipts and payments for which there was diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows”, regarding the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The standards update requires that the reconciliation of the beginning and end of period cash amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash. When restricted cash is presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, a reconciliation is required between the amounts presented on the statement of cash flows and the balance sheet. Also, the new guidance requires the disclosure of information about the nature of the restrictions. The standards update is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

2. Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following:

  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
       
Finished Goods $1,315,421  $736,987 
WIP  385,998   314,353 
Raw Materials  211,692   155,037 
         
  $1,913,111  $1,206,377 

3. Investment

On September 12, 2017, the Company and Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd. (“HBD”) entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement whereby the Company agreed to issue and sell to HBD 683,000outstanding shares of its common stock, which had a market value on that date of $484,930, in exchange for 21,196,552 ordinary shares and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,759 of common shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 per share of Singapore eDevelopmentAlset International Limited (“SED”Alset Intl”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly-listedpublicly listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. This investment is classified as a marketable security and is classified as long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets as the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investments for a period of at least one year. The SED shares and warrants were owned by HBD. One of the directorsChairman of the Company, Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is a related party to eachthe Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of HBD and SED. The costAlset Intl. Mr. Chan is also the majority shareholder of Alset Intl as well as the largest shareholder of the investment was determined to be theCompany. The fair value of the marketable security as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, was approximately $3,726,000 and $3,319,000, respectively. During the nine-month ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company recorded unrealized gain of approximately $407,000 and loss on this investment of $1,539,000, respectively.

West Park Capital, Inc.

On December 30, 2020, the Company signed a binding letter of intent with West Park Capital, Inc (“West Park”) and TBD where the parties agreed to prepare a note and stock exchange agreement whereby DSS will assign the TBD Note to West Park and West Park shall issue to DSS a stock certificate reflecting 7.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of West Park. This note and stock exchange agreement was finalized during the first quarter 2022 and valued at approximately $500,000 and is included in Investments on the consolidated balance sheet on December 31, 2022 and as of September 30, 2023.

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BMI Capital International LLC

On September 10, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary DSS Securities, Inc. entered into membership interest purchase agreement with BMI Financial Group, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“BMIF”) and BMI Capital International LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“BMIC”) whereas DSS Securities, Inc. purchased 14.9% membership interests in BMIC for $100,000. DSS Securities also had the option to purchase an additional 10% of the outstanding membership interest which it exercised for $100,000 in January of 2021 and increased its ownership to 24.9%. Upon achieving greater than 20% ownership in BMIC during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company is currently accounting for this investment under the equity method of accounting per ASC 323. The Company’s portion of net loss in BMIC during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, approximated $6,000 and $28,000, respectively

BMIC is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). The Company’s chairman of the board and another independent board member of the Company also have ownership interest in BMIC.

BioMed Technologies Asia Pacific Holdings Limited

On December 19, 2020, Impact BioMedical, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with BioMed Technologies Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (“BioMed”), a limited liability company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase 525 ordinary shares or 4.99% of BioMed at a purchase price of approximately $632,000. The Subscription Agreement provides, among other things, the Company has the right to appoint a new director to the board of BioMed. With respect to an issuance of shares to a third party by BioMed, the Company will have the right of first refusal to purchase such shares, as well as customary tag-along rights. In connection with the Subscription Agreement, Impact Biomedical entered into an exclusive distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with BioMed, to directly market, advertise, promote, distribute, and sell certain BioMed products, which focus on manufacturing natural probiotics, to resellers. This investment is valued at cost as it does not have a readily determined fair value.

Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, the Company will have exclusive rights to distribute the products within the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea and non-exclusive distribution rights in all other countries. In exchange, the Company agreed to certain obligations, including mutual marketing obligations to promote sales of the products. This agreement is for ten years with a one year auto-renewal feature.

Vivacitas Oncology, Inc.

On March 15, 2021, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Vivacitas Agreement #1”) with Vivacitas Oncology Inc. (“Vivacitas”), to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock at the per share price of $1.00, with an option to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares at the per share price of $1.00. This option will terminate upon one of the following events: (i) Vivacitas’ board of directors cancels this option because it is no longer in the best interest of the Company; (ii) December 31, 2022; or (iii) the date on which Vivacitas receives more than $1.00 per share of the Company’s common stock issuedin a private placement with gross proceeds of $500,000. Under the terms of the Vivacitas Agreement #1, the Company will be allocated two seats on the board of Vivacitas. On March 18, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Alset EHome International, Inc. (“Seller”) to purchase from the Seller’s its wholly owned subsidiary Impact Oncology PTE Ltd. (“IOPL”) for a purchase price of $2,480,000. The acquisition of IOPL has been treated as an asset acquisition as IOPL does not meet the definition of a business as defined in Topic 805. IOPL owns 2,480,000 shares of common stock of Vivacitas along with the option to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of common stock. The Sellers largest shareholder is Mr. Chan Heng Fai Ambrose, the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors and its largest shareholder.

On April 1, 2021, the Company entered into an additional stock purchase agreement with Vivacitas (“Vivacitas Agreement #2”), whereas Vivacities wished to employ the service of the Chief Business Officer of Impact Biomedical, and in return for the services of this individual, Vivacitas shall issue to the Company, the aggregate purchase price for the Class A Common Shares of Vivacitas at the value of $1.00 per share shall be $120,000 to be paid in twelve (12) equal monthly installments for the period between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

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On July 22, 2021, the Company exercised 1,000,000 of the available options under the Vivacitas Agreement #1 for $1,000,000. This, along with the shares received as part Vivacitas Agreement #2 increased the Company’s equity position in Vivacitas to approximately 16% as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the Company determined to impair 100% of its investment in Vivacitas, in the transaction,amount of $4,100,000.

Stemtech Corporation (Sharing Services Global Corp)

In September 2021, the Company’s former subsidiary SHRG, Stemtech Corporation (“Stemtech”) and Globe Net Wireless Corp. (“GNTW”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) pursuant to which was determinedSHRG invested $1.4 million in Stemtech in exchange for: (a) a Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $ 1.4 million in favor of the Company (the “Convertible Note”) and (b) a detachable Warrant to havepurchase shares GNTW common stock (the “GNTW Warrant”). Stemtech is a subsidiary of GNTW. As an inducement to enter into the most readily determinableSPA, GNTW agreed to pay to the SHRG an origination fee of $500,000, payable in shares of GNTW’s common stock. The Convertible Note matures on September 9, 2024, bears interest at the annual rate of 10%, and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of GNTW’s common stock at a conversion rate calculated based on the closing price per share of GNTW’s common stock during the 30-dayperiod ended September 19, 2021. The GNTW Warrant expires on September 13, 2024 and conveys the right to purchase up to 1.4 million shares of GNTW’s common stock at a purchase price calculated based on the closing price per share of GTNW’s common stock during the 10-day period ended September 13, 2021. In September 2021, GNTW issued to the Company 154,173 shares of its common stock, or less than 1% of the shares of GNTW then issued and outstanding, in payment of the origination fee. In November 2021, Globe Net Wireless Corp. changed its corporate name to Stemtech Corporation. In connection therewith, the investee’s common stock is now traded under the symbol “STEK”. The SHRG carries its investment in the Convertible Note, the GNTW Warrant and the shares of GNTW common stock at fair value.value in accordance with GAAP. As of September 30, 2017,2023 and December 31, 2022 the investment in the GNTW Warrant and Convertible Note, were valued at $0, and $44,000 and $0 and $39,000, respectively.

In September 2021, SHRG entered into a Membership Unit Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the SHRG acquired a 30.75% equity interest in MojiLife, LLC, a limited liability company organized in the State of Utah, in exchange for $1,537,000. MojiLife is carriedan emerging growth distributor of technology-based consumer products for the home and car. MojiLife’s products include esthetically attractive, cordless scent diffusers for the home or for the car, as well as proprietary home cleaning products and accessories. On a quarterly basis, SHRG evaluates the recoverability of its investments and reviews current economic trends to determine the adequacy of its allowance for impairment losses based on each investee financial performance data and other relevant information. An estimate for impairment losses is recognized when recovery in full of SHRG’s investment is no longer probable. Investment balances are written off against the allowance after the potential for recovery is considered remote. In March of 2022, SHRG impaired the MojiLife investment as the evaluation at costsuch time determined the investment was not fully recoverable and 100% valuation was reserved.

9. Acquisitions

Sentinel Brokers Company, Inc.

On May 13, 2021, Sentinel Brokers, LLC. (“Sentinel LLC”), subsidiary of the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (“Sentinel Agreement”) to acquire a 24.9% equity position of Sentinel Brokers Company, Inc. (“Sentinel Co.”), a company registered in the state of New York, for the purchase price of $300,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company contributed an additional $750,000 capital into Sentinel, increasing its total capital investment to $1,050,000 as of September 30, 2021. Up to and through November 30, 2022, Sentinel LLC accounted for its investment in Sentinel Co. using the equity method in accordance with ASC Topic 323, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures recognizing our share of Sentinel’s earnings and losses within our consolidated statement of operations. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company had the option to purchase an additional 50.1% of the outstanding Class A Common Shares. In December 2022, Sentinel LLC exercised this option to increase its equity position to 75%. In May 2023, the Company acquired an additional 5% equity position of Sentinel Co. to increase its ownership percentage to 80%. The acquisition of Sentinel Co. meets the definition of a business with inputs, processes, and outputs, and therefore, the Company has concluded to account for this transaction in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting under Topic 805.

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The following summary, prepared on a proforma basis, combines the consolidated results of operations of the Company with those of Sentinel Co as if the acquisition took place on January 1. The pro forma consolidated results include the impact of certain adjustments.

Schedule of Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

  2022 (unaudited) 
Revenue $49,076,804 
Net loss $(61,680,088)
Basic loss per share $(0.55)
Diluted loss per share $(0.55)

We are currently in the process of completing the purchase price accounting and related allocations associated with the acquisition of Sentinel Co. Assets included in this acquisition are cash of $3,977,000, receivables of $344,000 and fixed assets of $1,000. Goodwill of approximately $485,000.$1,274,000 was also recorded. The Company is in the process of completing valuations and useful lives for certain assets acquired in the transaction. We expect the purchase price accounting to be completed during the year ending December 31, 2023.

Sentinel is a broker-dealer operating primarily as a fiduciary intermediary, facilitating intuitional trading of municipal and corporate bonds as well as preferred stock, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”).

 

10. Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

DSS, Inc.

Promissory Notes - On March 2, 2020, AMRE entered into a $200,000 unsecured promissory note with LVAMPTE, a related party. The Note calls for interest to be paid annually on March 2 with interest fixed at 8.0%. As further incentive to enter into this Note, AMRE granted LVAMPTE warrants to purchase shares of common stock of AMRE (the “Warrants”). The amount of the warrants granted is the equivalent of the Note Principal divided by the Exercise Price. The Warrants are exercisable for four years and are exercisable at $5.00 per share (the “Exercise” Price). In March 2022, this debt was converted into equity in AMRE, and LVAMPTE exercised the warrants for $200,000 (see the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity) The holder is a related party owned by the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors.

On March 16, 2021, American Medical REIT, Inc. received loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $110,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) with a fixed rate of 1% and a 60-month maturity term. The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. These funds were used for payroll, benefits, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding principal and interest of approximately $111,000 is included in long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the PPP loan was forgiven in full and recorded as a gain on extinguishment of debt on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

On May 20, 2021, Premier Packaging entered into master loan and security agreement (“BOA Note”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“BOA”) to secure financing approximating $3,710,000 to purchase a new Heidelberg XL 106-7+L printing press. The aggregate principal balance outstanding under the BOA Note shall bear interest at a variable rate on or before the loan closing. As of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the outstanding principal on the BOA Note was $3,053,000 and $3,406,000, respectively and had an interest rate of 4.63%. As of September 30, 2023, $491,000 was included in the current portion of long-term debt, net, and the remaining balance of approximately $2,562,000 recorded as long-term debt, The BOA Note contains certain covenants that are analyzed annually. As of September 30, 2023, Premier is in compliance with these covenants.

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4. Intangible AssetsOn August 1, 2021, AMRE Shelton, LLC., (“AMRE Shelton”) a subsidiary of AMRE, entered into a loan agreement (“Shelton Agreement”) with Patriot Bank, N.A. (“Patriot Bank”) in an amount up to $6,155,000, with the amount financed approximating $5,105,000. The Shelton Agreement contains monthly payments of principal and an initial interest of 4.25%. The interest will be adjusted commencing on July 1, 2026 and continuing for the next succeeding 5-year period shall be determined one month prior to the change date and shall be an interest rate equal to two hundred fifty (250) basis points above the Federal Home Loan Bank Boston 5-Year/25-Year amortizing advance rate, but in no event less than 4.25% for the term of 120 months with a balloon payment approximating $2,829,000 due at term end. The affective interest rate at December 31, 2022 was 4.25%. The funds borrowed were used to purchase a 40,000 square foot, 2.0 story, Class A+ multi-tenant medical office building located on a 13.62-acre site. The purchase price has been allocated as $4,640,000, $1,600,000, and $325,000 for the facility, land, and tenant improvements, respectively. Also included in the value of the property is $585,000 of intangible assets with an estimated useful life of approximating 3 years. The net book value of these assets as of September 30, 2023 approximated $4,652,000. Of the total financed, approximately $102,000 of principal and accrued interest is classified as current portion of long-term debt, net, and the remaining balance of approximately $4,590,000 recorded as long-term debt, net of $56,000 in deferred financing costs.

IntangibleOn October 13, 2021, LVAM entered into loan agreement with BMIC (“BMIC Loan”), a related party, whereas LVAM borrowed the principal amount of $3,000,000, with interest to be charged at a variable rate to be adjusted at the maturity date. The BMIC Loan matures on October 12, 2022, and contains an auto renewal period of three months. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $512,000 and $3,000,000, respectively, are included in Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

On October 13, 2021, LVAM entered into a loan agreement with Lee Wilson Tsz Kin (“Wilson Loan”), a related party, whereas LVAM borrowed the principal amount of $3,000,000, with interest to be charged at a variable rate to be calculated at the maturity date. The Wilson Loan matures on October 12, 2022, and contains an auto renewal period of nine months. This loan was funded during March 2022. As of September 30, 2023 $1,997,000 is included in the Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022 $3,000,000 is included in the Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

On November 2, 2021, AMRE LifeCare entered into a loan agreement (“LifeCare Agreement”) with Pinnacle Bank, (“Pinnacle Bank”) in the amount of $40,300,000. The LifeCare Agreement supported the acquisition of three medical facilities located in Fort Worth, Texas, Plano, Texas, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a purchase price of $62,000,000. These assets are comprisedclassified as investments, real estate on the consolidated balance sheet. The purchase price has been allocated as $32,100,000, $12,100,000, and $1,500,000 for the facility, land and site improvements, respectively. Also included in the value of the following:

  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  Useful Life  Gross Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying Amount   Gross Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying Amount 
                           
Acquired intangibles - customer lists and non-compete agreements 5-10 years  1,997,300   1,785,932   211,368   1,997,300   1,721,357   275,943 
Acquired intangibles - patents and patent rights Varied (1)  3,155,000   2,476,149   678,851   3,155,000   2,092,767   1,062,233 
Patent application costs Varied (2)  1,141,368   644,548   496,820   1,136,465   578,623   557,842 
    $6,293,668  $4,906,629  $1,387,039  $6,288,765  $4,392,747  $1,896,018 

(1)Acquired patents and patent rights are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2017, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 1.84 years.
(2)Patent application costs are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2017, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 6.3 years.

Intangible assetproperty is $15,901,000 of intangible assets with estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 11 years. The net book value of the assets acquired as of December 31, 2022 is approximately $52,407,000. The LifeCare Agreement calls for the principal amount of the in equal, consecutive monthly installments based upon a twenty-five (25) year amortization of the original principal amount of the LifeCare Agreement at an initial rate of interest equal to the interest rate determined in accordance as of July 29, 2022 provided, however, such rate of interest shall not be less than 4.28%, with the first such installment being payable on August 29, 2022 and subsequent installments being payable on the first day of each succeeding month thereafter until the maturity date, at which time any outstanding principal and interest is due in full. The affective interest rate at December 31, 2022 was 8.46%. The maturity date of November 2, 2023, may be extended to November 2, 2024. As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding principal and interest of the LifeCare agreement approximates $40,193,000, net of deferred financing costs of $270,000. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding principal and interested approximates $40,462,000, net of deferred financing costs of $24,000 is included in current portion of long-term debt, on the consolidated balance sheet. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted2023 and 2022 approximated $2,672,000 and $952,000, respectively. The LifeCare agreement is currently in default. The Company is in the process of remediating the related issues and continues to $513,881 ($530,015 - September 30, 2016).negotiate the extension of the loan.

 

5. Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

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Revolving Credit Lines -In November 2021, AMRE entered into a convertible promissory note (“Alset Note”) with Alset International Limited (“Alset International”), a related party, for the principal amount of $8,350,000. The Company’s subsidiary Premier Packaging Corporation (“Premier Packaging”) has a revolving credit lineAlset Note accrues interest at 8% per annum and matures in December 2023, with Citizens Bankinterest due quarterly and the principal due at maturity. Principal and interest of approximately $8,805,000 is included in long-term debt, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet on December 31, 2022. On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the issuance of up to $800,000 that bears21,366,177 Shares our Common Stock to Alset International to purchase the Convertible Promissory Note issued by American Medical REIT, Inc. with a principal amount of $8,350,000 and accrued unpaid interest of $119,000 through December 31, 2022. This transaction was finalized in July 2022 and is eliminated upon consolidation into DSS. Interest expense for this note totaled $625,000 in September 2023 and $346,000 in December 2022.

On March 17, 2022, AMRE Winter Haven, LLC (“AMRE Winter Haven”) and Pinnacle Bank (“Pinnacle”) entered into a term loan (“Pinnacle Loan”) whereas Pinnacle lent to AMRE Winter Haven the principal sum of $2,990,000, maturing on March 7, 2024 to acquire a medical facility located in Winter Haven, Florida for a purchase price of $4,500,000. The assets acquired are classified as investments, real estate on the consolidated balance sheet. The purchase price has been allocated as $3,200,000, $1,000,000, and $222,000 for the facility, land and site and tenant improvements, respectively. Also included in the value of the property is $29,000 of intangible assets with an estimated useful life of approximately 5 years. The net book value of the assets acquired as of December 31, 2022 is approximately $4,450,000. Payments are to be made in equal, consecutive installments based on a 25-year amortization period with interest at 4.28%. The first installment is due January 1, Month LIBOR plus 3.75% (4.98%2023. The Pinnacle Loan contains certain covenants that are to be tested annually. At September 30, 2023, AMRE is in compliance with all covenants. The outstanding principal and interest, net of debt issuance costs of $35,000, approximates $2,966,000 and is included in long-term debt, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023. The outstanding principal and interest, net of debt issuance costs of $60,000, approximates $2,952,000 and is included in long-term debt, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022. Interest expense equaled $24,000 for September 2023 and $153,000 in December 2022.

On March 30, 2023, Premier Packaging, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with Union Bank & Trust Company for the principal amount of $790,000 and shall accrued interest at the rate of 7.44%. Principal and interest shall be repaid in the approximate amount of $14,000 through March 2029. This loan is collateralized by a Bobst Model Novacut and is guaranteed by DSS, Inc. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding principal and interest approximates $746,000 of which $112,000 was included in the current portion of long-term debt, net, and the remaining balance of approximately $634,000 recorded as long-term debt.

A summary of scheduled principal payments of long-term debt, not including revolving lines of credit, subsequent to September 30, 2023, are as follows:

Schedule of Notes Payable and Long-term Debt

Year Amount 
2024  46,952,000 
2025  859,000 
2026  901,000 
2027  947,000 
2028  1,200,000 
Thereafter  3,526,000 

11. Lease Liability

The Company has operating leases predominantly for operating facilities. As of September 30, 2023, the remaining lease terms on our operating leases range from less than one to twelve years. Renewal options to extend our leases have not been exercised due to uncertainty. Termination options are not reasonably certain of exercise by the Company. There is no transfer of title or option to purchase the leased assets upon expiration. There are no residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. There are no significant finance leases as of September 30, 2017)2023.

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Future minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2023, are as follows:

Maturity of Lease Liability:

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments

  Totals 
2024  1,275,000 
2025  861,000 
2026  839,000 
2027  808,000 
2028  824,000 
After  4,916,000 
Total lease payments  9,523,000 
Less: Imputed Interest  (1,670,000)
Present value of remaining lease payments $7,853,000 
     
Current $813,000 
Noncurrent $7,040,000 
     
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)  13.3 
     
Weighted-average discount rate  4.3%

In March of 2022, Premier Packaging began leasing its relocated manufacturing facilities to West Henrietta, New York. This lease contains an escalating payment clause, ranging from $61,000 per month to $78,000 per month, over the twelve-year term of the lease. Total cash paid for leases during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and expires on July 26, 2018.nine months ended September 30, 2023 are $319,000 and $948,000, respectively.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

License AgreementOn March 19, 2022, Impact BioMedical entered into a License Agreement (“Equivir License”) with a third-party (“Licensee”) where the Licensor is granted the right, amongst other things, to develop, commercialize, and sell the Company’s Equivir technology. In exchange, the Licensee shall pay the Company a royalty of 5.5% of net sales. Under the terms of the Equivir Agreement, the Company shall reimburse the Licensee for 50% of the development costs provided that the development costs shall not exceed $1,250,000. As of September 30, 20172023 and December 31, 2016,2022, no liability has been recorded in relation to the revolving line had a balanceEquivir License as development of $0.the Equivir technology has not begun and no reasonable amount can be estimated.

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13. Stockholders’ Equity

Equity transactions

On July 26, 2017, Premier PackagingFebruary 28, 2022, DSS entered into a Loanan Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement(the “Amendment”) with Citizens Bankits shareholder Alset EHome International Inc. (“AEI”), pursuant to which Citizens agreesthe Company and AEI have agreed to lendamend certain terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2022 (the “SPA”). Pursuant to the SPA, AEI had agreed to purchase up to $1,200,000 for the purpose of enabling Premier Packaging to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. As of the date of this report, the revolving line had a balance of $0.

Long-Term Debt - On December 30, 2011, the Company issued a $575,000 convertible note that was initially due on December 29, 2013, and carries an interest rate of 10% per annum. The note is secured by the assets of Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc. Interest is payable quarterly, in arrears. In conjunction with the issuance of the convertible note, the Company determined a beneficial conversion feature existed amounting to approximately $88,000, which was recorded as a debt discount to be amortized over the term of the note. On May 24, 2013, the Company amended the convertible note to extend the maturity date of the note from December 29, 2013 to December 29, 2015. The change in the fair value of the embedded conversion option exceeded 10% of the carrying value of the original debt and, therefore, the Company accounted for this restructuring as an extinguishment in accordance with FASB ASC 470-50 “Debt Modifications and Extinguishments”. The note was written up to its fair value on the date of modification of approximately $650,000 and the premium recorded in excess of its face value was amortized over the remaining life of the note. On February 23, 2015, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 2 to extend the maturity date to December 30, 2016, eliminate the conversion feature, and to institute principal payments in the amount of $15,000 per month plus interest through the extended maturity date, and a balloon payment of $230,000 due on the extended maturity date. On April 12, 2016, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 3 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2017 and change the balloon payment to $155,000 due on the extended maturity date. On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 4 to extend the maturity date to April 30, 2018 at which point the note is scheduled to be paid in full. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration 18,00044,619,423 shares of the Company’s common stock which hadfor a fair value of $17,640. As of September 30, 2017, the balance of the term loan was $95,000 ($230,000 at December 31, 2016).

On May 24, 2013, the Company entered into a promissory note in the principal sum of $850,000 to purchase three printing presses that were previously leased by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc., and carries an interest rate of 9% per annum. The note is secured by the assets of Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc. Interest is payable quarterly, in arrears. The Company also issued the lender as additional consideration a five-year warrant to purchase up to 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00$0.3810 per share. The warrant was valued at approximately $69,000 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 60.0%, a risk free rate of return of 0.89% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates. In conjunction with the issuance of the warrants, the Company recorded a discount on debt of approximately $69,000 that was amortized over the original term of the note. The note was set to mature on May 24, 2014, but its maturity date was extended on May 2, 2014 to May 24, 2015 by the lender. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration a five-year warrant to purchase up to 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The warrant was valued at approximately $29,000 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 70.0%, a risk free rate of return of 1.53% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates. In conjunction with the issuance of the warrants, the Company recorded expense for modification of debt of approximately $29,000. On February 23, 2015, the Company entered into Promissory Note Amendment No. 2 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2016 and to institute principal payments in the amount of $15,000 per month plus interest through the extended maturity date, and a balloon payment of $610,000 due on the extended maturity date. On April 12, 2016, the Company entered into Promissory Note Amendment No. 3 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2017 and change the balloon payment to $430,000 due on the extended maturity date. . On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 4 to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2018 at which point the note is scheduled to be paid in full. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration 18,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which had a fair value of $17,640. As of September 30, 2017, the balance of the term loan was $370,000 ($505,000 at December 31, 2016).

Term Loan Debt - On July 19, 2013, Premier Packaging entered into an equipment loan with People’s Capital and Leasing Corp. (“People’s Capital”) for a printing press. The loan is secured by the printing press. The loan was for $1,303,900, repayable over a 60-month period which commenced when the equipment was placed in service in January 2014. The loan bears interest at 4.84% and is payable in equal monthly installments of $24,511. As of September 30, 2017, the loan had a balance of $356,064 ($559,609 at December 31, 2016).

On April 28, 2015, Premier Packaging entered into a term note with Citizens for $525,000, repayable over a 60-month period. The loan bears interest at 3.61% and is payable in equal monthly installments of $9,591 until April 28, 2020. Premier Packaging used the proceeds of the term note to acquire a HP Indigo 7800 Digital press. The loan is secured by the printing press. As of September 30, 2017, the loan had a balance of $283,271 ($360,611 at December 31, 2016).

Promissory Notes - On August 30, 2011, Premier Packaging purchased the packaging plant it occupies in Victor, New York, for $1,500,000, which was partially financed with a $1,200,000 promissory note obtained from Citizens Bank (“Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note calls for monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $7,658, with interest calculated as 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.15% (4.38% at September 30, 2017). Concurrently with the transaction, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to lock into a 5.87% effective interest rate for the life of the loan. The Promissory Note matures in August 2021 at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance will be due. As of September 30, 2017, the Promissory Note had a balance of $927,753 ($966,786 at December 31, 2016).

On December 6, 2013, Premier Packaging entered into a Construction to Permanent Loan with Citizens Bank for up to $450,000 that was converted into a promissory note upon the completion and acceptance of building improvements to the Company’s packaging plant in Victor, New York. In May 2014, the Company converted the loan into a $450,000 note payable in monthly installments over a 5 year period of $2,500 plus interest calculated at a variable rate of 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.15% (4.38% at September 30, 2017), which payments commenced on July 1, 2014. The note matures in July 2019 at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance of $300,000 is due. As of September 30, 2017, the note had a balance of $352,500 ($375,000 – December 31, 2016).

Under the Citizens Bank credit facilities, the Company’s subsidiary, Premier Packaging, is subject to various covenants including fixed charge coverage ratio, tangible net worth and current ratio covenants. For the quarters ended March 31, June 30, 2017, and September 30, 2017, Premier Packaging was in compliance with the covenants. The Citizens Bank obligations are secured by all of the assets of Premier Packaging and are also secured through cross guarantees by the Company and its other wholly-owned subsidiaries, Plastic Printing Professionals and Secuprint.

Other Debt - On February 13, 2014, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (“DSSTM”), entered into an Investment Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated February 13, 2014 (the “Effective Date”) with Fortress Credit Co LLC, as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent” or “Fortress”), and certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which DSSTM contracted to receive a series of advances up to $4,500,000 (collectively, the “Advances”). Under the terms of the Agreement, on the Effective Date, DSSTM issued and sold a promissory note in the amount of $1,791,000, fixed return equity interests in the amount of $199,000, and contingent equity interests in the amount of $10,000, to each of the Investors, and in return received $2,000,000 in proceeds. To secure the Advances, DSSTM placed a lien in favor of the Investors on ten semi-conductor patents (the “Patents”) and assigned to the Investors certain funds recoverable from successful patent litigation involving these Patents, including settlement payments, license fees and royalties on the Patents. DSSTM is a plaintiff in various ongoing patent infringement lawsuits involving certain of the Patents.

On March 27, 2014, DSSTM received an additional $1,000,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $900,000 and fixed and contingent equity interests of $100,000. On September 5, 2014, DSSTM received the remaining $1,500,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $1,350,000 and fixed and contingent return interests of $150,000. On May 23, 2016, DSSTM remitted $495,000 in proceeds received from the sale of patent assets (Note 5) to Fortress under the terms of the Agreement. On September 20, 2016, DSSTM remitted $125,250 in proceeds received from a settlement to Fortress as repayment of the note principal balance under the terms of the Agreement.

The Agreement defines certain events as Events of Default, one of which is the failure by DSSTM, on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date, to make payments to the Investors equal to the outstanding Advances. On February 13, 2016, being the second anniversary date of the Effective Date, DSSTM had failed to make these payments and was therefore in default of the Agreement. On December 2, 2016, the parties entered into a First Amendment to Investment Agreement and Certain Other Documents (the “Amendment”). The purpose of the Amendment was to vacate DSSTM’s ongoing non-payment default under the Agreement, and to amend certain provisions of the Agreement.

The Agreement was amended to add expenses in the amount of $150,000 to DSSTM’s payment obligation, payable on the Maturity Date. This amount was recorded as debt issuance costs and is being amortized on a straight line basis through the amended maturity date of February 13, 2018. The Amendment added a provision whereby DSSTM is required to deposit $300,000 on or before March 2, 2017 and (ii) a further sum of $300,000 on or before March 2, 2018, into a deposit account (collectively, the “Deposit”). The March 2, 2017 deposit was made in a timely manner. The Deposit funds will be restricted to pay certain expenses, consisting of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with certain existing patent litigation matters and other patent litigation matters which may occur after the Amendment Effective Date (the “Qualified Expenses”). In the Event of Default, the Investors may apply the then remaining Deposit to the then outstanding Obligations, if any.

Additionally per the Amendment, DSSTM agrees to pay to the Investors an amount equal to 25% of any amounts received by DSSTM for any and all types of monetization activities related to certain of its patents covering systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices (collectively, “BlueTooth Patents”), but only until the Investors have received payments under the Agreement totaling the sum of (i) the Capitalized Expenses plus (ii) payments of principal and interest on the Notes totaling the sum of (x) $4,500,000 (consisting of the previously made Advances) plus (y) additional amounts, if any, advanced by the Investors pursuant to the Agreement. In addition to the monetization interest granted the Investors in the BlueTooth Patents, DSSTM also granted the Collateral Agent and the Investors a security interest in certain of DSSTM’s unencumbered semiconductor patents to further collateralize the amounts owed under the Agreement.

As of September 30, 2017, DSSTM has made aggregate principal payments of $752,180 on the notes. As of September 30, 2017, $3,611,560 is recorded as a short-term debt under the arrangement, which includes $263,500 of accrued interest, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $77,856. In addition, as of September 30, 2017, $459,000 of fixed and contingent equity interests is recorded in other short-term liabilities. The Company will reduce the liability upon payment to the Investor from available proceeds from litigation, or if none by the maturity date of February 13, 2018, then such amounts will be settled by the Company by the transfer and assignment of certain of the Company’s patent assets.

6. Other Liabilities

On November 14, 2016, the Company entered into a Proceeds Investment Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Brickell Key Investments LP (“BKI”). Pursuant to the Agreement, BKI financed an aggregate of $13,500,000 in a patent purchase and monetization program to be implemented and managed by the Company (the “Financing”). Pursuant to Agreement, $3,000,000 of the Financing was used to cover the Company’s purchase of a portfolio of U.S. and foreign LED patents and a license from Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd., a Korean company (collectively, the “LED Patent Portfolio”), resulting in a basis in these assets of $0. A total of $6,000,000 of the Financing was directed by BKI to attorneys to cover anticipated attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses for legal proceedings that may transpire relating to enforcement of the LED Patent Portfolio. This amount is not included in the Company’s financial statements as the Company has no control over these funds, which are segregated and escrowed in the attorneys’ trust account.

In addition, on November 14, 2106, the Company received $4,500,000 of the Financing, which was required to be used by the Company to pay for the defense ofInter Partes Review or other similar proceedings that may be filed from time to time by defendants with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office relating to the LED Patent Portfolio, with excess amounts available for general working capital needs. As of September 30, 2017, an aggregate of approximately $3,687,000 is recorded as other liabilities by the Company, of which approximately $2,062,500 is classified as short-term. Of this amount, the Company allocated $2,500,000 which it subsequently adjusted to $1,500,000 for the payment of estimated futureInter Partes Review costs. The Company will reduce this liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to theInter Partes Review matters involving the LED Patent Portfolio as incurred. The remaining $2,217,000 in other liabilities is allocated to working capital, which the Company is amortizing this amount on a pro-rata basis over the expected remaining life of the monetization period of the LED Patent Portfolio through November 31, 2019. For this amount, the Company reduced the liability with an offset to selling, general and administrative costs by $47,500 per month from January 2017 through July 2017 and $80,000 per month in August and September of 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, there was $30,000 ofInter Partes Review costs and an aggregate of $492,500 was recorded as a reduction of the liability allocated to working capital.

On July 8, 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, purchased two patents for $500,000 covering certain methods and processes related to Bluetooth devices. In conjunction with the patent purchases, DSS Technology Management entered into a Proceed Right Agreement with certain investors pursuant to which DSS Technology Management initially received $250,000 of a total of $750,000 which it will ultimately receive thereunder, subject to certain payment milestones, in exchange for 40% of the proceeds which it receives, if any, from the use, sale or licensing of the two patents. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had received an aggregate of $650,000 from the investors pursuant to the agreement of which approximately $435,000 was in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets ($467,000 as December 31, 2016). The Company will reduce the liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to its litigation involving the Bluetooth patents, for which the amount is available to be used for 50% of all such expenses.

As described in Note 5, On February 13, 2014, the Company’s subsidiary, DSSTM entered into an Investment Agreement with Fortress pursuant to which DSSTM contracted to receive a series of advances up to $4,500,000. Under the terms of the Agreement, on the Effective Date, DSSTM issued and sold a promissory note in the amount of $1,791,000, fixed return equity interests in the amount of $199,000, and contingent equity interests in the amount of $10,000. On March 27, 2014, DSSTM received an additional $1,000,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $900,000 and fixed and contingent equity interests of $100,000. On September 5, 2014, DSSTM received the remaining $1,500,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $1,350,000 and fixed and contingent return interests of $150,000. The $459,000 of aggregate fixed and contingent equity interests received are recorded in current liabilities. The Company will reduce the liability upon payment to the Investor from available proceeds from litigation, or if none by the maturity date of February 13, 2018, then such amounts will be reversed from other current liabilities and recorded as other income as of the maturity date.

7. Commitments and Contingencies

On November 26, 2013, DSS Technology Management filed suit against Apple, Inc. (“Apple”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, for patent infringement (the “Apple Litigation”). The complaint alleges infringement by Apple of DSS Technology Management’s patents that relate to systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Apple. On October 28, 2014, the case was stayed by the District Court pending a determination of Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California. On November 7, 2014, Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California was granted. On December 30, 2014, Apple filed twoInter Partes Review(“IPR”) petitions with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) for review of the patents at issue in the case. The PTAB instituted the IPRs on June 25, 2015. The California District Court then stayed the case pending the outcome of those IPR proceedings. Oral arguments of the IPRs took place on March 15, 2016, and on June 17, 2016, PTAB ruled in favor of Apple on both IPR petitions. DSS Technology Management has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) seeking reversal of the PTAB decisions. Oral arguments for the appeal were held on August 9, 2017, and the appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report. The patent assets underlying this matter had no carrying value as of the date of the PTAB decision and therefore, there were no impairment considerations as a result of the decision.

On February 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, against defendants Intel Corporation, Dell, Inc., GameStop Corp., Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., NEC Corporation of America, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, and AT&T, Inc. The complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement of two of DSSTM’s patents, injunctive relief and money damages. On December 9, 2015, Intel filed IPR petitions with PTAB for review of the patents at issue in the case. Intel’s IPRs were instituted by PTAB on June 8, 2016. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The Intel litigation has been stayed by the District Court pending final determination of the IPR proceedings.

On July 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed three separate lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of certain of its semiconductor patents. The defendants are SK Hynixet al.,Samsung Electronicset al.,and Qualcomm Incorporated. Each respective complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement, injunctive relief and money damages. On November 12, 2015, SK Hynix filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patent at issue in their case. SK Hynix’s IPR was instituted by the PTAB on May 11, 2016. On August 16, 2016, DSS Technology Management and SK Hynix entered into a confidential settlement agreement ending the litigation between them. The pending SK Hynix IPR was then terminated by mutual agreement of the parties on August 31, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung also filed an IPR petition, which was instituted by the PTAB. On September 20, 2017, PTAB ruled in favor of Samsung for all the challenged claims relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552. DSS Technology Management intends to appeal this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit Qualcomm filed its IPR proceeding on July 1, 2016, which was then later joined with Intel’s IPRs in August 2016 by PTAB. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel/Qualcomm for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report.

On April 13, 2017, Document Security Systems, Inc. (“DSS”) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (collectively, “Seoul Semiconductor”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 7, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Seoul Semiconductor in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division. The case is currently pending.

On April 13, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and Everlight Americas, Inc. (collectively, “Everlight”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Everlight in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The case is currently pending.

On April 13, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. (“Cree”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Cree in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and thereafter filed a first amended complaint for patent infringement against Cree in that same court on July 14, 2017. The case is currently pending.

On July 13, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Osram GMBH, Osram OPTO Semiconductors GMBH & Co., and Osram Sylvania Inc. (collectively, “Osram”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending.

On August 15, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc., and Lite-On Technology Corporation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending.

In addition to the foregoing, we may become subject to other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business and have not been finally adjudicated. Adverse decisions in any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or our financial condition. The Company accrues for potential litigation losses when a loss is probable and estimable.

Contingent Litigation Payments – The Company retains the services of professional service providers, including law firms that specialize in intellectual property licensing, enforcement and patent law. These service providers are often retained on an hourly, monthly, project, contingent or a blended fee basis. In contingency fee arrangements, a portion of the legal fee is based on predetermined milestones or the Company’s actual collection of funds. The Company accrues contingent fees when it is probable that the milestones will be achieved and the fees can be reasonably estimated. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had not accrued any contingent legal fees pursuant to these arrangements.

Contingent Payments – The Company is party to certain agreements with funding partners who have rights to portions of intellectual property monetization proceeds that the Company receives. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there are no contingent payments due.

8. Shareholders’ Equity

On August 26, 2016, the Company affected a one-for-four reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock. All references in this report to the number of shares of our common stock and to related per-share prices (including references to periods prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split) reflect this reverse stock split.

On August 30, 2017, the Company sold 1,200,000 shares of unregistered common stock and five-year warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 240,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 to a total of two related party accredited investorsshare, for an aggregate purchase price of $900,000,$17,000,000. Pursuant to the Amendment, the number of which $300,000 was receivable as of September 30, 2017. On September 7, 2017, the Company sold 133,333 shares of unregistered common stock and five-year warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 26,667 additional shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00the Company that the AEI will purchase has been reduced to two related party accredited investors3,986,877 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000.$1,519,000. This transaction was completed on March 9, 2022. In conjunction with these transactions,addition, the Company’s Executive Chairman and a significant stockholder, Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder of AEI.

On March 10, 2022, the Company recorded $62,000issued 894,084 shares of common stock to Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan pursuant to his employment agreement. These shares were issued in consideration of $340,000 due under this employment agreement.

On May 5, 2022, the Company issued 63,205 shares of common stock to Mr. Frank Heuszel, CEO of DSS, pursuant to his employment agreement. These shares were issued in consideration of $29,000 due under this employment agreement.

On May 25, 2022, the Company issued 15,389,995 shares of common stock to Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan pursuant to his employment agreement. These shares were issued in consideration of $5,848,000 due under this employment agreement.

On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the issuance of up to 21,366,177 Shares of our Common Stock to Alset International, a related costs for placement agent fees and stock listing fees. The warrants had an estimated aggregate fair value of approximately $112,000 which was determinedparty, to purchase the Convertible Promissory Note issued by utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing modelAmerican Medical REIT, Inc. with a volatilityprincipal amount of 89.3%$8,350,000 and accrued but unpaid interest of $367,000 through May 15, 2022. This transaction was finalized in July 2022.

On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the acquisition of 62,122,908 shares of True Partners Capital Holdings Limited (“True Partners”), a risk free rate of return of 1.7% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates.

On September 12, 2017,company publicly traded on the Company and Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd. (“HBD”) entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement whereby the Company agreed to issue and sell to HBD 683,000 shares of its commonHong Kong stock which had a market value on that date of $484,930,exchange in exchange for 21,196,552 ordinary17,570,948 shares and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,759 of commonDSS stock value on the agreed upon date of February 18, 2022 which was approximately $0.41 per share. The True Partner shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 per share of Singapore eDevelopment Limitedwere acquired from Alset EHome International, Inc. (“SED”Alset EHome”), a company incorporated in Singaporerelated party. Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, our director, and publicly-listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. The SED shares and warrants were owned by HBD. The costExecutive Chairman, is also Chairman of the investment wasBoard, Chief Executive Officer, and the fair valuelargest beneficial owner of the Company’s common stock issued in the transaction which was determined to have the most readily determinable fair value. In conjunction with these transactions, the Company recorded $13,660 in stock listing fees. As of September 30, 2017, and the investment is carried at cost of approximately $485,000.

During September of 2017, the Company received an aggregate of approximately $176,000 in proceeds from the exercise of warrants for 234,091outstanding shares of Alset EHome. This transaction was completed with the Company’s common stock.transfer of DSS share to Alset EHome on July 1, 2022.

Restricted Stock - On January 12, 2017,April 10, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 200,0001,247,078 shares of restrictedcommon stock to membersMr. Frank Heuszel, CEO of the Company’s management team of which 150,000 vested on May 17, 2017 and had an aggregated grant date fair valueDSS, pursuant to his employment agreement. These shares were issued to settle a previously recorded liability of approximately $126,000. The remaining 50,000 will vest if the Company achieves adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of at least $500,000 and a stock trading price of at least $1.00 per share by the close of the fourth quarter of 2017. In addition, during 2016 the Company issued an aggregate of 224,750 shares of restricted stock to members of the Company’s management team which vested on May 17, 2017 and had an aggregated grant date fair value of approximately $124,000.$268,000.

Stock-Based Payments and Compensation -

The Company records stock-based payment expense related to options and warrants based on the grant date fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Stock-based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees, directors, and consultants. Such awards include option grants, warrant grants, and restricted stock awards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, the Company haddid not have stock compensation expenseassociated with these items, and 5,333 options were forfeited.

Impact BioMedical, Inc. Equity Transactions –

On August 8, 2023 DSS BioHealth Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the sole shareholder of Impact BioMedical Inc. , distributed to the shareholders of DSS on record as of July 10, 2023 4 shares of Impact Bio’s stock for 1 share they owned of DSS stock. Each share of Impact BioMedical distributed as part of the distribution will not be eligible for resale until 180 days from the date Impact BioMedical’s initial public offering becomes effective under the Securities Act, subject to the discretion of the Company to lift the restriction sooner.

On October 31, 2023, Impact BioMedical effected a reverse stock split of 1 for 55. As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, there were 3,877,282,251 shares of common stock issued and outstanding which was converted to 70,496,041 shares. Also on October 31, 2023, DSS BioHealth Securities, Inc., the largest shareholder of Impact BioMedical converted 60,496,041 shares of Common Stock into 60,496,041 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, reducing its ownership of the Company’s Common Stock from approximately $203,000 or $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share ($88,000; less than $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share88% to approximately 12%

14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes supplemental cash flows for the corresponding nine monthsnine-months ended September 30, 2016).2023, and 2022:

9.

Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information

  2023  2022 
       
Cash paid for interest $3,432,000  $1,907,000 
         
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Notes receivable converted to equity investments $-  $1,940,000 
Shares issued for acquisition of marketable security $-  $7,169,000 
Shares issued for the acquisition of notes receivable $-  $8,717,000 
Right of use asset addition $-  $9,895,000 
Shares issued in lieu of bonus cash $268,000  $6,216,000 

Supplemental cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is approximately as follows:

  2017  2016 
Cash paid for interest $127,000  $163,000 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Gain (loss) from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives  10,000  $(22,000)
Common Stock issued for investment  485,000  $- 
24

10.

15. Segment Information

The Company’s nine businesses lines are organized, managed, and internally reported as fourfive operating segments. TwoOne of these operating segments, Product Packaging, is the Company’s packaging and Printing, and Plastics are engagedprinting group. Product Packaging operates in the paper board folding carton, smart packaging, and document security printing markets. It markets, manufactures, and productionsells mailers, photo sleeves, sophisticated custom folding cartons, and complex 3-dimensional direct mail solutions. These products are designed to provide functionality and marketability while also providing counterfeit protection. A second, Biotechnology, invests in, or acquires companies in the biohealth and biomedical fields, including businesses focused on the advancement of paper, cardboarddrug discovery and plastic documentsprevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncological, and immune related diseases. This division is also developing open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and influenza. Biotechnology is also targeting unmet, urgent medical needs. A third operating segment, Securities, and Investment Management (“Securities”) was established to develop and/or acquire assets and investments in the securities trading and/or funds management arena. Further, Securities, in partnership with recognized global leaders in alternative trading systems, intends to own and operate in the US a wide rangesingle or multiple vertical digital asset exchanges for securities, tokenized assets, utility tokens, stable coins and cryptocurrency via a digital asset trading platform using blockchain technology. The scope of features, includingservices within this section is planned to include asset issuance and allocation (securities and cryptocurrency), FPO, IPO, ITO, PPO, STO and UTO listings on a primary market(s), asset digitization/tokenization (securities, currency, and cryptocurrency), and the listing and trading of digital assets (securities and cryptocurrency) on a secondary market(s). Also in this segment is the Company’s patented technologies and trade secrets designedreal estate investment trust (“REIT”), organized for the protectionpurposes of documents against unauthorized duplicationacquiring hospitals and altering.other acute or post-acute care centers from leading clinical operators with dominant market share in secondary and tertiary markets, and leasing each property to a single operator under a triple-net lease. the REIT was formed to originate, acquire, and lease a credit-centric portfolio of licensed medical real estate. The twofourth segment, Direct, provides services to assist companies in the emerging growth gig business model of peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. It specializes in marketing and distributing its products and services through its subsidiary and partner network, using the popular gig economic marketing strategy as a form of direct marketing. Direct marketing products include, among other things, nutritional and personal care products sold throughout North America, Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe (see Note 1, Deconsolidation of Sharing Services Global Corporation). The fifth business line, Commercial Banking, is organized for the purposes of being a financial network holding company, focused providing commercial loans and on acquiring equity positions in (i) undervalued commercial bank(s), bank holding companies and nonbanking licensed financial companies operating segments, DSS Digital Groupin the United States, South East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and DSS Technology Management, areSouth Korea, and (ii) companies engaged in various aspectsin—nonbanking activities closely related to banking, including loan syndication services, mortgage banking, trust and escrow services, banking technology, loan servicing, equipment leasing, problem asset management, SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) consulting, and advisory capital raising services. From this financial platform, the Company shall provide an integrated suite of developing, acquiring, sellingfinancial services for businesses that shall include commercial business lines of credit, land development financing, inventory financing, third party loan servicing, and licensing technology assets and are grouped into one reportable segment called Technology.services that address the financial needs of the world Gig Economy.

 

Approximate information concerning the Company’s operations by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172023 and 20162022 is as follows. The Company relies on intersegment cooperation and management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the results contained herein.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $2,719,000  $1,049,000  $431,000  $-  $4,199,000 
Depreciation and amortization  169,000   30,000   152,000   1,000   352,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   1,000   11,000   12,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  304,000   53,000   (397,000)  (237,000)  (277,000)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,287,000  $1,162,000  $531,000  $-  $4,980,000 
Depreciation and amortization  163,000   29,000   157,000   1,000   350,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   -   1,000 �� 1,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  415,000   134,000   (182,000)  (394,000)  (27,000)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $8,122,000  $3,431,000  $1,276,000  $-  $12,829,000 
Depreciation and amortization  487,000   91,000   462,000   2,000   1,042,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   38,000   165,000   203,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  812,000   372,000   (967,000)  (943,000)  (726,000)
Identifiable assets  9,143,000   2,450,000   1,642,000   4,200,000   17,435,000 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $8,871,000  $3,277,000  $1,243,000  $-  $13,391,000 
Depreciation and amortization  469,000   86,000   492,000   2,000   1,049,000 
Stock based compensation  17,000   11,000   19,000   41,000   88,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  947,000   388,000   (1,242,000)  (1,062,000)  (969,000)
Identifiable assets  9,032,000   2,167,000   2,450,000   207,000   13,856,000 

11. Subsequent Eventsherein:

 

On November 1, 2017,

Schedule of Operations by Reportable Segment

                      
Three Months Ended Product  Commercial  Direct             
September 30, 2023 Packaging  Lending  Marketing  Biotechnology  Securities  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,378,000  $108,000  $523,000  $-  $

173,000

  $-  $4,182,000 
Interest expense  51,000   -   -   -   -   -   51,000 
Interest income  -   -   660,000   6,000   16,000   -   682,000 
Net Loss (income) from operations  (579,000)  (24,000)  (1,010,000)  (1,151,000)  (2,166,000)  (1,751,000)  (6,681,000)
Capital expenditures  67,000   -   -  -   -   -   67,000 
Identifiable assets  21,554,000   39,446,000   7,102,000   49,816,000   69,498,000   9,135,000   196,551,000 

25

                      
Three Months Ended Product  Commercial  Direct             
September 30, 2022 Packaging  Lending  Marketing  Biotechnology  Securities  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $4,707,000  $370,000  $4,956,000  $-  $1,646,000  $183,000  $11,862,000 
Depreciation and amortization  168,000   -   41,000   278,000   2,423,000   17,000   2,927,000 
Interest Expense  42,000   -   193,000   -   371,000   -   606,000 
Interest income  -   -   3,000   94,000   79,000   143,000   319,000 
Net income (loss) from operations  (1,077,000)  221,000   (15,379,000)  (909,000)  (3,182,000)  (4,476,000)  (24,802,000)
Capital expenditures  300,000   -   73,000   -   -   -   373,000 
Identifiable assets  24,035,000   48,121,000   39,979,000   57,225,000   81,766,000   13,754,000   264,880,000 

                      
Nine Months Ended Product  Commercial  Direct             
September 30, 2023 Packaging  Lending  Marketing  Biotechnology  Securities  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $13,038,000  $422,000  $6,088,000  $-  $3,697,000  $-  $23,245,000 
Interest expense  137,000   -   (6,000)  -   307,000   -   438,000 
Interest income  -   -   945,000   149,000   126,000   -   1,220,000 
Net income (loss) from operations  (88,000)  (1,800,000)  (32,272,000)  (5,933,000)  (8,606,000)  (4,340,000)  (53,039,000)
Capital expenditures  596,000   -   -   17,000   66,000   -  679,000 
Identifiable assets  21,554,000   39,446,000   7,102,000   49,816,000   69,498,000   9,135,000   196,551,000 

                      
Nine Months Ended Product  Commercial  Direct             
September 30, 2022 Packaging  Lending  Marketing  Biotechnology  Securities  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $11,876,000  $644,000  $18,000,000  $94,000  $4,817,000  $496,000  $35,927,000 
Depreciation and Amortization  525,000   -   248,000   835,000   7,637,000   106,000   9,351,000 
Interest expense  100,000   -   193,000   -   1,812,000   -   2,105,000 
Stock based compensation  1,000   -   -   -   -   3,000   4,000 
Net income (loss) from operations  (755,000)  638,000   (19,102,000)  (2,198,000)  (8,334,000)  (9,410,000)  (39,161,000)
Capital expenditures  1,242,000   -   88,000   -   15,000   4,000   1,349,000 
Identifiable assets  24,035,000   48,121,000   39,979,000   57,225,000   81,766,000   13,754,000   264,880,000 

26

The following tables disaggregate our business segment revenues by major source:

Printed Products Revenue Information:

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

Three months ended September 30, 2023   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $3,293,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  22,000 
Total Printed Products $3,315,000 

Three months ended September 30, 2022   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $4,888,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  144,000 
Total Printed Products $5,032,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $12,539,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  347,000 
Total Printed Products $12,976,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $12,357,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  293,000 
Total Printed Products $12,650,000 

Direct Marketing

Three months ended September 30, 2023   
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $523,000 
Total Direct Marketing $523,000 

Three months ended September 30, 2022   
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $4,937,000 
Total Direct Marketing $4,937,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023   
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $6,088,000 
Total Direct Marketing $6,088,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022   
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $17,939,000 
Total Direct Marketing $17,939,000 

27

Rental Income

Three months ended September 30, 2023   
Rental income $236,000 
Total Rental Income $236,000 

Three months ended September 30, 2022   
Rental income $1,485,000 
Total Rental Income $1,485,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023   
Rental income $3,464,000 
Total Rental Income $3,464,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022   
Rental income $4,656,000 
Total Rental Income $4,656,000 

Net Investment Income

Three months ended September 30, 2023   
Net Investment Income $108,000 
Total Investment Income $108,000 

Three months ended September 30, 2022   
Net Investment Income $370,000 
Total Rental Income $370,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023   
Net investment income $422,000 
Total Management fee income $422,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022   
Net Investment Income $644,000 
Total Management fee income $644,000 

Commission Income

Three months ended September 30, 2023
Commission income$-
Total commission income$-

Three months ended September 30, 2022
Commission income$-
Total commission income$-

Nine months ended September 30, 2023    
Commission income $295,000 
Total commission income $295,000 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Commission income$-
Total commission income$-

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16. Related Party Transactions

The Company owns 127,179,291 shares or approximately 4% of the outstanding shares of Alset International Limited (“Alset Intl”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. This investment is classified as a marketable security and is classified as long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets as the Company issued 500,000has the intent and ability to hold the investments for a period of at least one year. The Chairman of the Company, Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alset Intl. Mr. Chan is also the majority shareholder of Alset Intl as well as the largest shareholder of the Company. The fair value of the marketable security as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, was approximately $3,726,000 and $3,319,000, respectively. During the nine-month ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company recorded unrealized gain of approximately $281,000 and loss on this investment of $75,000, respectively.

On March 2, 2020, AMRE entered into a $200,000 unsecured promissory note with LVAMPTE, a related party. The Note calls for interest to be paid annually on March 2 with interest fixed at 8.0%. As further incentive to enter into this Note, AMRE granted LVAMPTE warrants to purchase shares of its common stock of AMRE (the “Warrants”). The amount of the warrants granted is the equivalent of the Note Principal divided by the Exercise Price. The Warrants are exercisable for four years and are exercisable at $5.00 per share (the “Exercise” Price). In March 2022, this debt was converted into equity in AMRE, and LVAMPTE exercised the warrants for $200,000 (see the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity) The holder is a three-year warrantrelated party owned by the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors.

On March 18, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Alset EHome International, Inc. (“Seller”) to acquire the Seller’s wholly owned subsidiary Impact Oncology PTE Ltd for the purchase price of $2,480,000 to effectively purchase ownership of 2,480,000 shares of common stock of Vivacitas. This agreement includes an option to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of common stock. As a result of these two transactions, which were closed on March 21, 2021, and March 29, 2021, respectively, the Company owns an approximate 15.7% equity position in Vivacitas. The Seller’s largest shareholder is Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors and its largest shareholder. On July 22, 2021, the Company exercised 1,000,000 of the available options under the Vivacitas Agreement #1. The Company’s current equity position in Vivacitas approximates 16%.

On October 13, 2021, LVAM entered into loan agreement with BMIC (“BMIC Loan”), a related party, whereas LVAM borrowed the principal amount of $3,000,000, with interest to be charged at a variable rate to be adjusted at the maturity date. The BMIC Loan matures on October 12, 2022, and contains an auto renewal period of three months. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $512,000 and $3,000,000, respectively, are included in Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

On October 13, 2021, LVAM entered into a loan agreement with Lee Wilson Tsz Kin (“Wilson Loan”), a related party, whereas LVAM borrowed the principal amount of $3,000,000, with interest to be charged at a variable rate to be calculated at the maturity date. The Wilson Loan matures on October 12, 2022, and contains an auto renewal period of nine months. This loan was funded during March 2022. As of September 30, 2023 $1,997,000 is included in the Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022 $3,000,000 is included in the Current portion of long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet.

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In November 2021, AMRE entered into a convertible promissory note (“Alset Note”) with Alset International Limited (“Alset International”), a related party, for the principal amount of $8,350,000. The Alset Note accrues interest at 8% per annum and matures in December 2023, with interest due quarterly and the principal due at maturity. Principal and interest of approximately $8,805,000 is included in long-term debt, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet on December 31, 2022. On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the issuance of up to 21,366,177 Shares our Common Stock to Alset International to purchase the Convertible Promissory Note issued by American Medical REIT, Inc. with a principal amount of $8,350,000 and accrued unpaid interest of $119,000 through December 31, 2022. This transaction was finalized in July 2022 and is eliminated upon consolidation into DSS. Interest expense for this note totaled $625,000 in September 2023 and $346,000 in December 2022.

On February 28, 2022, DSS entered into an Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Amendment”) with its shareholder Alset EHome International Inc. (“AEI”), pursuant to which the Company and AEI have agreed to amend certain terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2022 (the “SPA”). Pursuant to the SPA, AEI had agreed to purchase up to 125,000 additional44,619,423 shares of the Company’s common stock for a purchase price of $0.3810 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $17,000,000. Pursuant to the Amendment, the number of shares of the common stock of the Company that the AEI will purchase has been reduced to 3,986,877 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,519,000. This transaction was completed on March 9, 2022. In addition, the Company’s Executive Chairman and a significant stockholder, Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder of AEI.

In October 2017, Sharing Services issued a Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $ 50,000 (the “Note”) to HWH International, Inc. (“HWH” or the “Holder”), a related party. HWH is affiliated with Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, who became a Director of the Company in April 2020. The Note is convertible into 333,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Concurrent with issuance of the Note, the Company issued to HWH a detachable stock warrant to purchase up to an additional 333,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, at an exercise price of $1.00$0.15 per share. Under the terms of the Note and the detachable stock warrant, the Holder is entitled to certain financing rights. If the Company enters into more favorable transactions with a third-party investor, it must notify the Holder and may have to amend and restate the Note and the detachable stock warrant to be identical. On August 9, 2022, HWH and the Company executed an agreement to settle the Note and cancel the related stock warrant for $78,635.62, which amount represents the principal plus accrued interest. The Company made the payment to HWH on August 9, 2022.

On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the acquisition of 62,122,908 shares of True Partners Capital Holdings Limited (“True Partners”), a company publicly traded on the Hong Kong stock exchange in exchange for 17,570,948 shares of DSS stock. The True Partner shares were acquired from Alset EHome International, Inc. (“Alset EHome”), a related party. Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, our director and Executive Chairman, is also Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and the largest beneficial owner of the outstanding shares of Alset EHome. This transaction was completed with the transfer of DSS shares to Alset EHome on July 1, 2022 with the issuance of DSS shares, which were valued at $0.34 per share, alongto Alset EHome.

On May 17, 2022, the shareholders of the Company approved the issuance of up to 21,366,177 shares of our Common Stock to Alset International, a related party, to purchase the Convertible Promissory Note issued by American Medical REIT, Inc. with a cash paymentprincipal amount of $125,000,$8,350,000 and accrued but unpaid interest of $367,000 through May 15, 2022. This transaction was finalized in July 2022.

17. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated all subsequent events and transactions through November 14, 2023, the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements were available to Nix, Patterson & Roach LLP (“NPR”),be issued and noted no subsequent events requiring financial statement recognition or disclosure other than what was identified below:

On October 31, 2023, Impact BioMedical effected a law firm,reverse stock split of 1 for the purpose55. As of settling all accruedJune 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, there were 3,877,282,251 shares of common stock issued and outstanding billedwhich was converted to 70,496,041 shares. Also on October 31, 2023, DSS BioHealth Securities, Inc., the Impact’s largest shareholder and unbilled invoices for expenses owed by the Companya wholly-owned subsidiary of DSS, converted 60,496,041 shares of Common Stock into 60,496,041 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, reducing its ownership of Impact’s common stock from approximately 88% to NPR in connection with various litigation matters handled by NPR on behalf of the Company. The total amount owed to NPR for litigation related expenses was approximately $714,000.12%.

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ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein this report constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “1995 Reform Act”). Document Security Systems, Inc. desires to avail itself of certain “safe harbor” provisions of the 1995 Reform Act and is therefore including this special note to enable us to do so. Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements (identified by the words such as “estimate”, “project”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “hope”, “strategy” and similar expressions), which are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and factors as previously set forth in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

Overview

The Company, incorporated in the state of New York in May 1984 has conducted business in the name of Document Security Systems, Inc. (referredOn September 16, 2021, the board of directors approved an agreement and plan of merger with a wholly owned subsidiary, DSS, Inc. (a New York corporation, incorporated in August 2020), for the sole purpose of effecting a name change from Document Security Systems, Inc. to DSS, Inc. This change became effective on September 30, 2021. DSS, Inc. maintained the same trading symbol “DSS” and updated its CUSIP number to 26253C 102.

DSS, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to herein as “DSS,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) currently operates nine (9) distinct business lines with operations and locations around the globe. These business lines are: (1) Product Packaging, (2) Biotechnology, (3) Direct Marketing, (4) Commercial Lending, (5) Securities and Investment Management, (6) Alternative Trading (7) Digital Transformation, (8) Secure Living, and (9) Alternative Energy. Each of these business lines are in different stages of development, growth, and income generation.

Our divisions, their business lines, subsidiaries, and operating territories: (1) Our Product Packaging line is led by Premier Packaging Corporation, Inc. (“Premier”), a New York corporation. Premier operates in the paper board and fiber based folding carton, consumer product packaging, and document security printing markets. It markets, manufactures, and sells sophisticated custom folding cartons, mailers, photo sleeves and complex 3-dimensional direct mail solutions. Premier is currently located in its new facility in Rochester, NY, and primarily serves the US market. (2) The Biotechnology business line was created to invest in or acquire companies in the BioHealth and BioMedical fields, including businesses focused on the advancement of drug discovery and prevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncological, and immune related diseases. This division is also targeting unmet, urgent medical needs, and is developing open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and influenza. (3) Direct Marketing, led by the holding corporation, Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. (“Decentralized”) provides services to assist companies in the emerging growth “Gig” business model of peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. Direct specializes in marketing and distributing its products and services through its subsidiary and partner network, using the popular gig economic marketing strategy as a form of direct marketing. Direct Marketing’s products include, among other things, nutritional and personal care products sold throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. (4) Our Commercial Lending business division, driven by American Pacific Bancorp (“APB”), is organized for the purposes of being a financial network holding company, focused on acquiring equity positions in (i) undervalued commercial bank(s), bank holding companies and nonbanking licensed financial companies operating in the United States, South East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, and (ii) companies engaged in—nonbanking activities closely related to banking, including loan syndication services, mortgage banking, trust and escrow services, banking technology, loan servicing, equipment leasing, problem asset management, SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) consulting services, and advisory capital raising services. (5) Securities and Investment Management was established to develop and/or acquire assets in the securities trading or management arena, and to pursue, among other product and service lines, broker dealers, and mutual funds management. Also in this report as “Document Security Systems”segment is the Company’s real estate investment trust (“REIT”), “DSS”organized for the purposes of acquiring hospitals and other acute or post-acute care centers from leading clinical operators with dominant market share in secondary and tertiary markets, and leasing each property to a single operator under a triple-net lease. the REIT was formed to originate, acquire, and lease a credit-centric portfolio of licensed medical real estate. (6) Alternative Trading was established to develop and/or acquire assets and investments in the securities trading and/or funds management arena. Alt. Trading, in partnership with recognized global leaders in alternative trading systems, intends to own and operate in the US a single or multiple vertical digital asset exchanges for securities, tokenized assets, utility tokens, and cryptocurrency via an alternative trading platform using blockchain technology. The scope of services within this section is planned to include asset issuance and allocation (securities and cryptocurrency), “we”FPO, IPO, ITO, PPO, and UTO listings on a primary market(s), “us”asset digitization/tokenization (securities, currency, and cryptocurrency), “our” or “Company”and the listing and trading of digital assets (securities and cryptocurrency) on a secondary market(s). (7) Digital Transformation was established to be a Preferred Technology Partner and Application Development Solution for mid cap brands in various industries including the direct selling and affiliate marketing sector. Digital improves marketing, communications and operations processes with custom software development and implementation. (8) The Secure Living division has developed a plan for fully sustainable, secure, connected, and healthy living communities with homes incorporating advanced technology, energy efficiency, and quality of life living environments both for new construction and renovations for single and multi-family residential housing. (9) The Alternative Energy group was established to help lead the Company’s future in the clean energy business that focuses on environmentally responsible and sustainable measures. Alset Energy, Inc, the holding company for this group, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alset Solar, Inc., pursue utility-scale solar farms to serve US regional power grids and to provide underutilized properties with small microgrids for independent energy.

On February 8, 2021, DSS Securities announced that it entered into a joint venture (“JV”) has strategically focused its core business efforts on developing and selling anti-counterfeiting technologies and solutions. We emphasize fraud and counterfeit prevention for all forms of printed documentswith Coinstreet Partners (“Coinstreet”), a global decentralized digital investment banking group and digital information.asset financial service firm, and GSX Group (“GSX”), a global digital exchange ecosystem for the issuance, trading, and settlement of tokenized securities, using its proprietary blockchain solution. The JV leverages the operational strengths and assets of three key leaders in their field, combining traditional capital market experience, Fintech innovations, and business networks from three continents, North America, Europe, and Asia, to capitalize on unique digital asset opportunities. The JV reported that it intended to first pursue a digital securities exchange license in the US. Moving forward, this JV will be the key operational company building and operating a digital securities exchange that utilizes the GSX STACS blockchain technology, serving corporate issuers and investors in the sector.

On February 25, 2021, DSS Securities announced its acquisition of an equity interest in WestPark Capital, Inc.(“WestPark”) and an investment in BMI Capital International LLC (“BMICI”). DSS Securities executed two separate transactions that were designed to grow the securities division by signing a binding note and stock exchange letter of intent to own 7.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of WestPark and acquiring 24.9% of BMICI through a purchase agreement. WestPark is a full-service investment banking and securities brokerage firm which serves the needs of both private and public companies worldwide, as well as individual and institutional investors. BMI is a private investment bank specializing in corporate finance advising, raising equity, and venture services, providing a global “one-stop” corporate consultancy to listed companies. From corporate finance to professional valuation, corporate communications to event management, BMICI services companies in the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and Australia.

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On March 1, 2021, Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. (“Decentralized”) announced that it increased its investment in Sharing Services Global Corporation (“Sharing Services” or “SHRG”), a publicly traded company dedicated to maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition and development of innovative companies, products, and technologies in the direct selling industry, through a $30 million convertible promissory note dated April 5, 2021. Decentralized’s financing was made as an investment that would help accelerate Sharing Services sales and growth, as well as international expansion, with the expectation that such capital reserves would help make Sharing Services a dominant player in the global marketplace over the next two years. It was reported that the new $30 million investment would have the potential to exponentially increase Sharing Services sales channels and substantially expand its product portfolio, and to position Sharing Services to capitalize on consolidation and roll up opportunities of other direct selling companies. In the joint announcement, Sharing Services reported that the additional funding would now allow it to accelerate its global expansion with a direct focus on the Asian markets, and specifically in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In accordance with the April 5, 2021, convertible promissory note, SHRG issued to the Company 27,000,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock, including 15,000,000 shares in payment of the loan origination fee and 12,000,000 shares in prepayment of interest for the first year. As of and through June 30, 2020, the Company classified its investment in Sharing Services Global Corp. (“SHRG”), a publicly traded company, as marketable equity security and measured it at fair value with gains and losses recognized in other income. In July 2020, through continued acquisition of common stock, as detailed below, the Company obtained greater than 20% ownership of SHRG, and thus has the ability to exercise significant influence over it. During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Company began to account for its investment in SHRG using the equity method in accordance with ASC Topic 323, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures recognizing our share of SHRG’s earnings and losses within our consolidated statement of operations. Through a series of transactions, DSS increased its ownership of voting shares in SHRG to approximately 58% on December 23, 2021. The 58% ownership of SHRG meets the definition of a business with inputs, processes, and outputs, and therefore, the Company has concluded to account for this transaction in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting under Topic 805 and began consolidating the financial results of SHRG as of December 31, 2021. On January 24, 2022, the Company exercised 50,000,000 warrants received as part of a consulting agreement with SHRG at the exercise price of $0.0001, bringing its ownership percentage of voting shares to approximately 65%. During the fourth quarter of 2022, SHRG purchased back a significant number of its outstanding voting shares, increasing the Company’s ownership percentage of voting shares to approximately 73% at December 31, 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, DSS converted both interest due from SHRG on notes receivable and warrants in SHRG shares into newly issued common stock of SHRG totaling 84,619,047 shares, increasing DSS ownership of voting shares to approximately 80% at March 31, 2023. On May 4, 2023, the Company distributed approximately 280 million shares of SHRG beneficially held by DSS and Decentralized Sharing Systems in the form of a dividend to the shareholders of DSS common stock. Upon completion of this distribution, DSS will retain an ownership interest in SHRG of approximately 7%. The Company, via three (3) of the Company’s existing board members, currently holds numerous patentsfour (4) of the five (5) SHRG board of director seats. Mr. John “JT” Thatch, DSS’s Lead Independent Director and as well the CEO of SHRG is on the SHRG Board, along with Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, DSS’s Executive Chairman of the board of directors (joined the SHRG Board effective May 4, 2020), and Mr. Frank D. Heuszel, the CEO of the Company (joined the SHRG Board effective September 29, 2020).

On March 15, 2021, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, DSS BioMedical International, Inc. entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Vivacitas Oncology Inc. (“Vivacitas”), to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock at the per share price of $1.00, with an option to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares at the per share price of $1.00. In addition, under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will be allocated two seats on the board of Vivacitas. On March 18, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Alset EHome International, Inc. (“Seller”) to acquire the Seller’s wholly owned subsidiary Impact Oncology PTE Ltd for optical deterrent technologiesthe purchase price of $2,480,000 to effectively purchase ownership of 2,480,000 shares of common stock of Vivacitas. This agreement includes an option to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of common stock. As a result of these two transactions, which were closed on March 21, 2021, and March 29, 2021, respectively, the Company owns an approximate 15.7% equity position in Vivacitas. The Seller’s largest shareholder is Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors and its largest shareholder. On July 22, 2021, the Company exercised 1,000,000 of the available options under the Vivacitas Agreement #1. The Company’s current equity position in Vivacitas approximates 16%.

On April 21, 2021, the Company announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Packaging Corporation’s intentions to relocate from its current 48,000 square-foot manufacturing facility from Victor, NY to a new 105,000 square-foot facility in the Town of Henrietta, NY approximately 15 miles from its Victor location by the end of 2021. In connection with this relocation, Premier Packaging has entered into an agreement to sell its current Victor location and closed the transaction in March 2022.

On May 13, 2021, Sentinel Brokers, LLC., a subsidiary of the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (“Sentinel Agreement”) to acquire a 24.9% equity position of Sentinel Brokers Company, Inc. (“Sentinel”), a company registered in the state of New York, for the purchase price of $300,000. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company has the option to purchase an additional 50.1% of the outstanding Class A Common Shares. Upon the exercising of this option, but no earlier than one year following the effective date of the Sentinel Agreement, Sentinel has the option to sell the remaining 25% to the Company. In consideration of purchase price investment in Sentinel, the Company is entitled to an additional 50.1% of the net profits of Sentinel. In December 2022, the Company exercised its option to obtain the additional 50.1% of Sentinel’s common stock and began consolidating its results affective December 1, 2022.

On May 19, 2021, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, DSS PureAir, Inc., a Texas corporation (“DSS PureAir”), closed on a Securities Purchase Agreement with Puradigm LLC, a Nevada limited liability corporation (“Puradigm”). Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, DSS PureAir agreed to provide protectionPuradigm a secured convertible promissory note in the maximum principal amount of printed information from unauthorized scanning and copying. We operate two production facilities, consisting$5,000,000.00 (the “Puradigm Note”). The Puradigm Note has a two-year term with interest at 6.65% payable quarterly. All, or part of the Puradigm Note principal balance can be converted at the sole discretion of DSS PureAir for up to an 18% membership interest in Puradigm LLC. The Puradigm Note is secured by all the assets of Puradigm under a security agreement with Puradigm.

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On June 18, 2021, AMRE Shelton, LLC., (“AMRE Shelton”) a subsidiary of AMRE financed the purchase of a combined security printing40,000 square foot, 2.0 story, Class A+ multi-tenant medical office building located on a 13.62-acre site in Shelton, Connecticut (See Note 7). In accordance with Topic 805, the acquisition of the medical acquired has been determined to be an acquisition of assets as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. This property was appraised at approximately $7,150,000, of which $6,027,000 and packaging$815,000 were allocated to the facility and land, respectively. Also included in the value of the property is $308,000 of intangible assets with an estimated useful life of 11 years. Contained within the sale-purchase agreement for this facility, is a plastic card facility where we produce secure$1,500,000 earnout due to the seller if certain criteria are met. As of September 30, 2023, no liability has been recorded for this earnout as management determined it is currently remote.

On September 9, 2021, the Company finalized a stock purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with American Pacific Bancorp (“APB”), which provided for an investment of $40,000,200 by the Company into APB for an aggregate of 6,666,700 shares of the APB’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share. Subject to the terms and non-secure documentsconditions contained in the SPA, the shares issued at a purchase price of $6.00 per share. As a result of this transaction, DSS became the majority owner of APB. APB is organized for our customers. We license our anti-counterfeiting technologiesthe purposes of being a financial network holding company, focused providing commercial loans and on acquiring equity positions in (i) undervalued commercial bank(s), bank holding companies and nonbanking licensed financial companies operating in the United States, South East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, and (ii) companies engaged in—nonbanking activities closely related to printersbanking, including loan syndication services, mortgage banking, trust and brand-owners. In addition, we have a digital division which provides cloud computingescrow services, banking technology, loan servicing, equipment leasing, problem asset management, SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) consulting, and advisory capital raising services. From this financial platform, the Company shall provide an integrated suite of financial services for our customers, including disaster recovery, back-upbusinesses that shall include commercial business lines of credit, land development financing, inventory financing, third party loan servicing, and data security services. In 2013,services that address the financial needs of the world Gig Economy.

On September 13, 2021, the Company expandedfinalized a shareholder agreement and joint venture between its business focus by merging withsubsidiary, DSS TechnologyFinancial Management, Inc. (“DFMI”) and HR1 Holdings Limited (“HR1”), formerly known as Lexington Technology Group, Inc., which acquires intellectual property assets and interestsa company incorporated in companies owning intellectual property assetsthe British Virgin Islands, for the purpose to operate a vehicle for private and institutional investors seeking a highly liquid investment fund with attractive risk adjusted returns relative to market unpredictability and volatility. Under the terms of monetizingthis agreement, 4000 shares or 40% of the Company’s subsidiary Liquid Asset Limited Management Limited (“LVAM”), a Hong Kong company was transferred to HR1 whereas at the conclusion of the transaction DFMI would own 60% of LVAM and HR1 would own 40%. LVAM executes within reliable platforms and broad market access and uses proprietary systems and algorithms to trade liquid exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, futures or crypto. Aimed at providing consistent returns while offering the unique ability to liquidate the portfolio within 5 to 10 minutes under normal market conditions, LVAM provides an array of advanced tools and products enabling customers to explore multiple opportunities, strengthen and diversify their portfolios, and meet their individual investing goals.

On April 7, 2021, the Company entered into a transfer and assignment agreement (“RIA Agreement”) between DSS Securities, Inc. (“DSSS”) and AmericaFirst Capital Management, LLC (“Advisor”), a California limited liability company and the registered investment advisor (“RIA”) to all the funds within the AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds Trust (“Trust”). In September of 2021, with the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees and its shareholders, and with the consideration of $600,000 paid, DSSS became the new registered investment advisor to the Trust. Upon the completion of the transfer, the Trust was renamed to the DSS AmericaFirst Quantitative Trust. The DSS AmericaFirst Quantitative Trust is a Delaware business trust established in 2012. The Trust currently consists of 4 mutual funds managed by DSS Wealth Management, Inc.: The DSS AmericaFirst Income Trends Fund, DSS AmericaFirst Defensive Growth Fund, DSS AmericaFirst Risk-On Risk-Off Fund, and DSS AmericaFirst Large Cap Buyback Fund. The funds seek to outperform their respective benchmark indices by applying a quantitative rules-based approach to security selection. The DSS AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds is a suite of mutual funds managed by DSS Wealth Management, Inc. that will expand into numerous investment platforms including additional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts and closed-end funds. We see substantial growth opportunities in each of these assetsplatforms as we are committed to building and expanding upon an experienced distribution infrastructure. For DSSS services rendered in its role as RIA, the Trust shall pay a fee for each fund calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets. The $600,000 consideration given is recorded as an Other intangible asset, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2022. As the RIA Agreement has no defined period, this asset has been deemed an infinite life asset and no amortization has been taken.

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On December 23, 2021, DSS purchased 50,000,000 shares at $0.06 per share of Sharing Services Global Corporation (“SHRG”) via a private placement. With this purchase, DSS increased its ownership of voting shares from approximately 47% of SHRG to approximately 58%. On January 24, 2022, the Company exercised 50,000,000 warrants received as part of a consulting agreement with SHRG at the exercise price of $0.0001, bring its ownership percentage of voting shares to approximately 65%. SHRG aims to build shareholder value by developing or acquiring businesses that increase the Company’s product and services portfolio, business competencies and geographic reach. Currently, the Company, through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investmentsits subsidiaries, markets and distributes its health and wellness and other products primarily in the developmentUnited States, Canada, and commercializationthe Asia Pacific region using a direct selling business model. The Company markets its products and services through its independent sales force, using its proprietary websites, including: www.elevacity.com and www.thehappyco.com. The Company, headquartered in Plano, Texas, was incorporated in the State of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnershipsNevada on April 24, 2015, and commercial litigation.is an emerging growth company. The Company’s Common Stock is traded, under the symbol “SHRG,” in the OTCQB Market, an over-the-counter trading platforms market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc.

We do business in four operating

The five reporting segments are as follows:

DSSPremier Packaging:

Premier Packaging Corporation provides custom packaging services and Printing Group - Produces custom paperboard packaging servingserves clients in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, consumer goods, beverage, specialty foods, confections, photo packaging toy, specialty foods and direct marketing industries, among others. The group also provides secureactive and commercialintelligent packaging and document security printing services for end-user customers along with technical support for our technology licensees. Thecustomers. In addition, the division produces a wide array of printed materials, such as folding cartons and paperboard packaging, security paper, vital records, prescription paper, birth certificates, receipts, manuals, identification materials, entertainment tickets, secure coupons, and parts tracking forms, brochures, direct mailing pieces, catalogs, business cards, etc.forms. The division also provides resources and production equipment resources for our ongoing research and development of security printing, brand protection, consumer engagement and related technologies. Premier is nearing completion of its facility expansion with operations expected to begin at the new 105,000 sq. ft. facility in early March 2022.

DSS Plastics Group - Manufactures laminated and surface printed cards which can include magnetic stripes, bar codes, holograms, signature panels, invisible ink, micro fine printing, guilloche patterns, biometric, radio frequency identification (RFID) and watermarks for printed plastic documents such as ID cards, event badges, and driver’s licenses.

DSS Digital Group - Provides data center centric solutions to businesses and governments delivered via the “cloud”. This division developed and markets AuthentiGuard, an iPhone based application system that integrates traditional printed optical deterrent technologies with proprietary digital data security basedFor over 25 years, Premier has been a market leader in providing solutions for brand protectionpaperboard packaging from consumer retail packaging and product diversion prevention.heavy mailing envelopes, to sophisticated custom folding cartons and complex three-dimensional direct mail solutions. Premier’s innovative products and design team delivers packaging that provides functionality, marketability, and sustainability, with its fiber-based packing solutions providing an alternative to traditional plastic packaging.

Since 2019, we have accelerated the transformation of Premier’s operations, investing in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, people, and processes to increase its capacity, improve quality and delivery, and to ensure it has the resources to support its growing customer base and their evolving supply chain demands.

DSS Technology ManagementCommercial Lending: - Acquires or internally develops patented(“Commercial Lending”) through its operating company, American Pacific Bancorp (“APB”) provides an integrated suite of financial services for businesses that include commercial business lines of credit, land development financing, inventory financing, third party loan, servicing, and services that address the financial needs of the world Gig Economy. APB intends to continue to develop and expand its lending platform to serve the small to mid-size commercial borrower and to continue to acquire equity positions of commercial banks in the US to develop its lending network and to provide global banking services to clients worldwide, including servicing markets with limited access to traditional US banking services. APB’s target customers are businesses with annual revenues of $5 million to $50+ million, including manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, importers, and service companies. APB has expertise in, and services tailored for, specific industries, including beverage, food and agribusiness, technology, or intellectual property assets (or interests therein), withhealthcare, government, higher education, clean technology, and environmental services.

Biotechnology: (“Biotech”) This sector, through its subsidiary Impact BioMedical, Inc. targets unmet, urgent medical needs and expands the purposeborders of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in themedical and pharmaceutical science. Impact drives mission-oriented research, development, and commercialization of solutions for medical advances in human wellness and healthcare. By leveraging technology and new science with strategic partnerships, Impact Bio provides advances in drug discovery for the prevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncology and immuno-related diseases. Other exciting technologies include a breakthrough alternative sugar aimed to combat diabetes and functional fragrance formulations aimed at the industrial and medical industry.

34

The business model of BioHealth and Impact BioMedical revolves around two methodologies – Licensing and Sales Distribution.

1) Impact develops valuable and unique patented technologies which will be licensed to pharmaceutical, large consumer package goods companies and venture capitalists in exchange for usage licensing strategic partnerships and commercial litigation. Since 2013,royalties.

2) Impact utilizes the DSS Technology Management has been involvedecosystem to leverage its sister companies that have in several patent litigation lawsuits,place distribution networks on a global scale. Impact will engage in branded and asprivate labelling of the datecertain products for sales generation through these channels. This global distribution model will give direct access to end users of this filing, has active litigation against several companies, as summarized below.Impact’s nutraceutical and health related products.

On November 26, 2013, DSS Technology Management filed suit against Apple, Inc.

Securities and Investment Management: (“Apple”Securities”)Securities was established to develop and/or acquire assets in the United States District Court forsecurities trading or management arena, and to pursue, among other product and service lines, real estate investment funds, broker dealers, and mutual funds management. This business sector has already established the Eastern Districtfollowing business lines and associated products and services:

REIT Management Fund: In March 2020, DSS Securities formed AMRE (“American Medical REIT”) and its management company AAMI (“AMRE Asset Management, Inc.) Through AAMI/AMRE, a medical real estate investment trust, fulfills community needs for quality healthcare facilities while enabling care providers to allocate their capital to growth and investment in their contemporary clinical and critical care businesses. Urban and suburban communities are in need of modern healthcare facilities that provide a range of medical outpatient services. The funds ultimate product is an investor opportunity in a managed medical real estate investment trust.
Real Estate Title Services: Alset Title Company, Inc. provides buyers, sellers, and brokers alike confidence during big real estate transactions, not just in a transaction, but in the property itself. Through bundled services, Alset Title Company, Inc. provides it all from title searches and insurance to escrow agent assistance.

Sentinel: Sentinel primarily operates as a financial intermediary, facilitating institutional trading of municipal and corporate bonds as well as preferred stock, and accelerates the trajectory of the DSS digital securities business.
WestPark: WestPark, a company we hold a minority interest in, is a full-service investment banking and securities brokerage firm which serves the needs of both private and public companies worldwide, as well as individual and institutional investors.
BMI: BMI is a private investment bank specializing in corporate finance advising, raising equity, and venture services, providing a global “one-stop” corporate consultancy to listed companies. From corporate finance to professional valuation, corporate communications to event management, BMI services companies in the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and Australia.
DSS AmericaFirst: DSS AmericaFirst is a suite of mutual funds managed by DSS Wealth Management. DSS AmericaFirst expects to expand into numerous investment platforms including additional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and closed-end funds. DSS AmericaFirst currently consists of four mutual funds that seek to outperform their respective benchmark indices by applying a quantitative rules-based approach to security selection.

Direct Marketing: (“Direct”) Through its holding company, Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries and partners, including Sharing Services Global Corporation provide an array of Texas, for patent infringement (the “Apple Litigation”). The complaint alleges infringement by Apple of DSS Technology Management’s patents that relate to systemsproducts and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Apple. On October 28, 2014, the case was stayed by the District Court pending a determination of Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California. On November 7, 2014, Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California was granted. On December 30, 2014, Apple filed twoInter Partes Review(“IPR”) petitions with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) for review of the patents at issue in the case. The PTAB instituted the IPRs on June 25, 2015. The California District Court then stayed the case pending the outcome of those IPR proceedings. Oral arguments of the IPRs took place on March 15, 2016, and on June 17, 2016, PTAB ruled in favor of Apple on both IPR petitions. DSS Technology Management has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) seeking reversal of the PTAB decisions. Oral arguments for the appeal were held on August 9, 2017, and the appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report. The patent assets underlying this matter had no carrying value as of the date of the PTAB decision and therefore, there were no impairment considerations as a result of the decision.services, through licensing agreements.

35

 

On February 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, against defendants Intel Corporation, Dell, Inc., GameStop Corp., Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., NEC Corporation of America, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, and AT&T, Inc. The complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement of two of DSSTM’s patents, injunctive relief and money damages. On December 9, 2015, Intel filed IPR petitions with PTAB for review of the patents at issue in the case. Intel’s IPRs were instituted by PTAB on June 8, 2016. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The Intel litigation has been stayed by the District Court pending final determination of the IPR proceedings.

On July 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed three separate lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of certain of its semiconductor patents. The defendants are SK Hynixet al.,Samsung Electronicset al.,and Qualcomm Incorporated. Each respective complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement, injunctive relief and money damages. On November 12, 2015, SK Hynix filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patent at issue in their case. SK Hynix’s IPR was instituted by the PTAB on May 11, 2016. On August 16, 2016, DSS Technology Management and SK Hynix entered into a confidential settlement agreement ending the litigation between them. The pending SK Hynix IPR was then terminated by mutual agreement of the parties on August 31, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung also filed an IPR petition, which was instituted by the PTAB. On September 20, 2017, PTAB ruled in favor of Samsung for all the challenged claims relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552. DSS Technology Management intends to appeal this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit. Qualcomm filed its IPR proceeding on July 1, 2016, which was then later joined with Intel’s IPRs in August 2016 by PTAB. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel/Qualcomm for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report.

In April and July of 2017, Document Security Systems filed patent infringement lawsuits against various defendants relating to DSS’s Light-Emitting Diode patents. Those cases were previously disclosed in the Company’s second quarter Report on Form 10-Q In August of 2017, Document Security Systems filed another patent infringement suit relating to its Light-Emitting Diode patents, the specifics of which are disclosed in this Report in Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings.

Results of Operationsoperations for the Threethree and Nine Months Endednine months ended September 30, 20172023, as compared to the Threethree and Nine Months Endednine months ended September 30, 20162022.

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in this quarterly reportQuarterly Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2022.

Revenue

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change 
Revenue                        
Printed products $3,767,000  $4,449,000   -15% $11,553,000  $12,148,000   -5%
Technology sales, services and licensing  432,000   531,000   -19%  1,276,000   1,243,000   3%
Total revenue $4,199,000  $4,980,000   -16% $12,829,000  $13,391,000   -4%

Revenue

  Three months ended
September 30,
2023
  Three months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change  Nine months ended
September 30,
2023
  Nine months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change 
                   
Printed products $3,315,000  $5,032,000   -34% $12,976,000  $12,650,000   3%
Rental income  236,000   1,485,000   -84%  3,464,000   4,656,000   -26%
Management fee income  -   38,000   -100%  -   38,000   -100%
Net investment income  108,000   370,000   -71%  422,000   644,000   -34%
Commission revenue  -   -   N/A   295,000   -N/A     
Direct marketing  523,000   4,937,000   -89%  6,088,000   17,939,000   -66%
                         
Total Revenue $4,182,000  $11,862,000   -65% $23,245,000  $35,927,000   -35%

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, total revenue was approximately $4.2 million, a decrease of 16% fromdecreased 65% and 35% respectively, as compared to the corresponding three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2022. Revenues from the sale of printedPrinted products decreased 15%34% during the three months but increased 3% during nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, as compared to the same period in 2016,2022 due primarily due to a decreaseorders expected to ship during the 3rd quarter 2023 being pushed to the 4th quarter 2023. The decreases in orders from the Company’s largest packaging customer. Technology sales, servicesRental income, $236,000, and licensing revenue decreased 19% during$3,464,000 respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared2023 and $1,485,000, and $4,656,000, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, is driven by the tenants at AMRE LifeCare being unable to the same periodmake full rental payments on a monthly basis. The decreases in 2016, which primarily reflected the impactNet investment income of a $150,000 one-time license the Company realized in the 2016 period that did not occur in the 2017 period. Absent this item, this revenue category would have increased approximately 13% during the$108,000 for three months ended September 30, 2107 primarily due to an increase in revenue generated by the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line.

For the2023 and $422,000 for nine months ended September 30, 2017, total revenue was approximately $12.8 million, a decrease of 4% from2023 as compared to $370,000 and $644,000 for the correspondingthree and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Revenues from2022 is due to a number of loans made going on non-accrual as borrowers have struggled to make expect payments. The Company’s Direct Marketing revenues decreased 89% and 66% for the sale of printed products decreased 5% during thethree and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023 as compared to the same period in 2016,2022 due primarily due to a decrease in orders from the Company’s largest packaging customer. Technology sales, services and licensing revenue increased 3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same periodDeconsolidation of SHRG as described in 2016, which primarily reflected an increase in revenue generated by the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line.Note 1.

36

Costs and expenses

 Three Months
Ended September 30, 2017
 Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
 % change Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 % change  Three months ended
September 30,
2023
  Three months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change  Nine months ended
September 30,
2023
  Nine months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change 
Costs and expenses                        
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $2,401,000  $2,875,000   -16% $7,380,000  $7,816,000   -6%
             
Cost of revenue                        
Printed products $3,871,000  $5,174,000   -25% $10,952,000  $11,201,000   -2%
Securities  1,922,000   3,541,000   -46%  6,046,000   10,837,000   -44%
Direct marketing  271,000   2,926,000   -91%  2,077,000   7,160,000   -71%
Other  8,000   292,000   -97%  362,000   460,000   -21%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  920,000   1,081,000   -15%  2,761,000   3,082,000   -10%  1,132,000   6,968,000   -84%  7,493,000   20,177,000   -63%
Depreciation and amortization  352,000   349,000   1%  1,042,000   1,049,000   -1%
Professional fees  198,000   162,000   22%  556,000   704,000   -21%  1,139,000   2,919,000   -61%  3,248,000   6,416,000   -49%
Stock based compensation  12,000   2,000   500%  203,000   88,000   131%  -   -   N/A   -   4,000   -100%
Sales and marketing  117,000   79,000   48%  292,000   245,000   19%  483,000   3,110,000   -84%  3,534,000   9,952,000   -64%
Rent and utilities  167,000   164,000   2%  462,000   449,000   3%  156,000   295,000   -47%  656,000   632,000   4%
Research and development  239,000   331,000   -28%  684,000   705,000   -3%
Other operating expenses  205,000   222,000   -8%  561,000   695,000   -19%  64,000   1,054,000   -94%  5,421,000   

2,431,000

   123%
                                                
Total costs and expenses $4,372,000  $4,934,000   -11% $13,257,000  $14,128,000   -6% $9,285,000  $26,610,000   -65% $40,473,000  $69,974,000   -42%

Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization includesrevenue include all direct costs of the Company’s printed products, revenues, including its packaging and printing sales and its direct marketing sales, materials, direct labor, transportation, and manufacturing facility costs. In addition, this category includes all direct costs associated with the Company’s technology sales, services and licensing including hardware and software that are resold, third-party fees, and fees paid to inventors or others as a resultbecause of technology licenses or settlements, if any. CostsCost of goods soldrevenue for our Securities operating segments is comprised mainly of our REIT line of business and includes all direct cost associated with the maintenance and upkeep of the related facilities, depreciation, amortization, and the costs to acquire the facilities. Our Commercial Lending operating segment has costs of revenue associated with the impairment of notes receivable for those amounts at risk of collection. Total costs of revenue decreased by 16% during49% for three-months ended September 2023 as compared to 2022 and decreased 34% for nine-months ended September 2023 as compared to September 2022 primarily related to the Deconsolidation of SHRG as described in Note 1.

Sales, general and administrative compensation costs, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased 84% and 63% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172023 as compared to the same periodperiods in 2016. The decrease on a percentage basis was offset by a 16% decrease2022 due primarily to the Deconsolidation of SHRG as described in revenues over the same period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, costs of goods soldNote 1.

Professional fees decreased by 6%, which was greater than the decrease in revenue on a percentage basis, for the same period which reflected the improving gross margin of the Company’s sales mix as it sees a higher percentage of its sales derived from technology based products.

Sales, general61% and administrative compensation costs, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased 15% and 10%49%, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, as compared to the same periods in 2016,2022 respectively, primarily due to the impact of $207,500 of compensation cost sharing amounts received by the Companya decrease in conjunction with an intellectual property monetization program management arrangement the Company entered into in November of 2016 for which the Company received funds to offset certain of its compensation expenseslegal fees associated with the monetization program.direct marketing segment, accounting fees, and due diligence fees related to potential acquisitions.

Professional fees increased 22% during the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase is primarily due to the addition of investor relations and sales and marketing consultants. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, professional fees decreased by 21% as compared to the same period in 2016 as a result of a significant reduction in legal fees incurred by the Company.

Stock-basedStock based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees, directors, and consultants. Such awards include option grants, warrant grants, and restricted stock awards. Stock-basedThere was no stock based compensation increased 500% and 131%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same periods in 2016, due to the costs of restricted stock grants to certain management members during the fourth quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017 that have vested during 2017.2023.

Sales and marketing costs, which includesinclude internet and trade publication advertising, travel and entertainment costs, sales-broker commissions, and trade show participation expenses increased 48%expenses. Sales and 19%, respectively,marketing decreased 84% and 64% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172023 as compared to the same periods in 2022 respectively, due primarily to the Deconsolidation of SHRG as described in Note 1.

Rent and utilities decreased 47% during the three andmonths period but increased 4% for nine months ended September 30, 2016,2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 respectively, primarily due to increased travelend of the lease in Tennessee for AMRE office space and entertainment costs related toCalifornia for the Company’s 2017 shareholders’ meeting.DSS Wealth Management subsidiary. The company rented additional space at our facility leased in Houston, Texas started during the 2022 as well as Premier Packaging’s leased facility beginning in March 2022.

RentResearch and utilities increased by 2%development costs decreased 28% and 3%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, as compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016, primarily2022 respectively, due to increasesa decrease in rent costs for the Company.such activities at our Impact Biomedical, Inc. subsidiary.

Other operating expensesconsist primarily of equipment maintenance and repairs, office supplies, IT support, bad debt expense and insurance costs. OtherDuring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, other operating expenses decreased 94% but increased 123% as compared to the same period in 2022 respectively, due primarily to the reserves put against rent receivables during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 at our AMRE subsidiary approximating $3.4 million.

37

Other Income (Expense)

  Three months ended
September 30,
2023
  Three months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change  Nine months ended
September 30,
2023
  Nine months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change 
                   
Interest Income $682,000  $319,000   114% $1,220,000  $613,000   99%
Dividend Income  -   -   N/A   12,000   -   N/A 
Interest Expense  (51,000)  (42,000)  21%  (438,000)  (100,000)  338%
Other Income (expense)  (44,000)  3,627,000   -101%  44,000   4,203,000   -99%
Loss on investments  301,000   (14,302,000)  -102%  (30,490,000)  (10,479,000)  191%
Gain/(loss) on equity method investment  (6,000)  344,000   -102%  (28,000)  134,000   -121%
Gain/(Loss) on extinguishment of debt  -   -   N/A   -   110,000   -100%
Provision for loan losses  (1,179,000)  -   N/A   (4,936,000)  -   N/A 
Loss on disposal of operations, net of taxes  (1,281,000)  -   N/A   (1,281,000)  405,000   -415%
                         
Total other income $(1,578,000) $(10,054,000)  -84% $(35,897,000) $(5,114,000)  602%

Interest income is recognized on the Company’s money markets, and a portion of notes receivable, identified in Note 4.

Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 is driven by 7%the impairment of investments and 19%, respectively,notes receivables for SHRG approximating $1,745,000. No similar activity occurred in 2023.

Interest expenses increased 21% and 338% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, as compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016, primarily2022, due to decreasing debt balances.

Loss on investments consists of net realized losses on marketable securities which are recognized as the resultdifference between the purchase price and sale price of the common stock investment, and net unrealized losses on marketable securities which are recognized on the change in fair market value on our common stock investment. Also included is a decrease in insurance costs, office expenses andloss approximating $29.2 million associated with the write-offDeconsolidation of previously expensed customer related fees.SHRG (see Note 1).

Other Income and Expense

  Three Months
Ended September 30, 2017
  Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  % change  Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2017
  Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  % change 
                   
Other expenses                        
Interest expense $(58,000) $(68,000)  -15% $(171,000) $(218,000)  -22%
Amortized debt discount  (41,000)  -   100%  (113,000)  -   100%
Other expense $(99,000) $(68,000)  46% $(284,000) $(218,000)  30%

Interest expense decreased 15% and 22%, respectively, duringLoss on equity method investment is the Company’s prorated portion of earnings on its investments treated under the equity method of account for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same periods in 2016, due to a decrease in the total debt carried by the Company in 2017 as compared to 2016. Amortized debt discount amounts in 2017 are due to the commencement2023.

Gain on extinguishment of debt discount amortization related to a funding agreement entered into by the Company during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net Loss

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change 
                   
Net loss $(277,000) $(27,000)  926% $(726,000) $(969,000)  -25%
                         
Loss per common share:                        
Basic and diluted $(0.02) $(0.00)  100% $(0.05) $(0.07)  -29%

For During the three months ended June 30, 2022, SHRG’s $110,000 SBA Paycheck Protection Program was forgiven in full.

Loss on sale of assets is driven by the Company’s loss on the sale of equity of HWH Holdings Inc and loss on sale of assets of HWH World as identified in Note 7.

Net Loss

  Three months ended
September 30,
2023
  Three months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change  Nine months ended
September 30,
2023
  Nine months ended
September 30,
2022
  % Change 
                   
Loss from continuing operations $(6,681,000) $(24,802,000)  73% $(53,039,000) $(39,161,000)  -35%
                         
Net loss $(6,681,000) $(24,802,000)  73% $(53,039,000) $(39,161,000)  -35%

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, the Company recorded net loss was approximately $277,000, a 926% increase from alosses of $6,681,000 and $53,039,000, respectively as compared to net losslosses of $27,000$24,802,000 and $39,161,000, respectively for September 30, 2022. The decrease in net loss during the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase2023, is driven by the Deconsolidation of SHRG as described in net loss is primarily due to the impact of significant decreases in packaging sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net loss was approximately $726,000, a decrease of 25% from a net loss of $969,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in net loss is primarily due to the combined impact of increases in technology card sales and AuthentiGuard sales, in addition to an overall reduction in operating costs.Note 1.

 

38

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has historically met its liquidity and capital requirements primarily through the sale of its equity securities and debt financing. As of September 30, 2017,2023 the Company had cash of approximately $4,223,000 and restricted cash of approximately $336,000. In addition, the Company had $800,000 available to its packaging division under a revolving credit line. While the Company has a negative net working capital of approximately $1.5 million as of September 30, 2017, approximately $3,612,000 of short-term debt and $450,000 of short term other liabilities which are due in February 2018 can be settled by the Company by the transfer and assignment of certain of the Company’s patent assets and therefore, will not require the use of the Company’s cash or other current assets to settle.$6.9 million. As of September 30, 2017,2023, the Company believes that it has sufficient cash to meet its cash requirements for at least the next 12 months from the filing date of this Annual Report. In addition, the Company believes that it will have access if needed, to sources of capital from the sale of its equity securities and debt financings.financing. The deconsolidation of SHRG and sale of HWH Holdings, Inc, two companies with historical losses, will also is expected to improve future cash flows.

Operating Cash Flow – During from Continuing Operating Activities

Net cash used from continuing operating activities was $21,035,000 for the first nine months of 2017, the Company used approximately $1.4 million of cash for operationsended September 30, 2023 as compared to $23,251,000 for the generation of cash by operation during the first nine months ended September 30, 2022. This fluctuation is driven by increases in net loss and decrease in inventory of 2016$5,270,000, accounts receivable of approximately $384,000. The significant increase in operating cash use in 2017 was primarily due to the use of cash to pay-down accounts payable and$2,520,000 off-set by accrued expenses an increase in net restrictedof $15,549,000 during 2023.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Net cash of approximately $159,000 during 2017, andprovided by investing activities was $11,885,000 for the build-up of inventory by the Company’s packaging division in anticipation of sales in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Investing Cash Flow – During the first nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to net cash used of 2017, the Company expended approximately $438,000 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations and approximately $5,000$17,816,000 for the prosecution of several patent applications. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company expended approximately $193,000 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations and approximately $73,000 for the prosecution of several patent applications. The Company also received $495,000 forended September 30, 2022. This fluctuation is driven by the sale of certainmarketable securities approximating $11,330,000 during 2023 versus the purchase of its patent assets in conjunction with a settlement with a former litigant in onemarketable securities approximating $14,254,000 during 2022.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used from financing activities was $3,243,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and represents payment of the Company’s patent infringement suits.

Financing Cash Flows -debt of $4,056,000 offset by borrowings of debt of $813,000. During the first nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was driven by borrowings of 2017, the Company made aggregate principal payments for long-term debt of approximately $612,000,$6,360,000 and received proceedsissuance of approximately $783,000 from the salecommon stock of the Company’s common stock.$1,518,000.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, an effect on our financial condition, financial statements, revenues, or expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

AsThe preparation of September 30, 2017,financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. The financial statements as of December 31, 2021, describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the financial statements. There have been no material changes to such critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from those set forth in our Annualas of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K10-Q for the yearquarter ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2023.

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ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017,2023, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation and on the material weaknessweaknesses disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162022 which remained as of September 30, 2017,2023, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2017,2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is being recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that our disclosure controls are not effectively designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is being accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Plan for Remediation of Material Weaknesses

In responseAs discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has a remediation plan and is committed to the identified material weaknesses identified above, management, with oversight from the Company’s audit committee, plans to continue to monitor and review ourmaintaining a strong internal control environment and believes that these remediation efforts will represent significant improvements in our controls. The Company has started to evaluate whether costimplement these steps, however, some of these steps will take time to be fully integrated and confirmed to be effective solutionsand sustainable. Additional controls may also be required over time. Until the remediation steps set forth above are available to remedyfully implemented and tested, the identified material weaknesses by expanding the resources availabledescribed above will continue to the financial reporting process.exist.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been noWhile changes to ourin the Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f)the Company began implementation of the Exchange Actremediation steps described above, we believe that there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of 2017ended September 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ourthe Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting.

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On August 15, 2017, Document Security Systems, Inc. (“DSS”) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc.,See commentary in Note 12 Commitments and Lite-On Technology Corporation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending as of the date of this Report.Contingencies.

ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the discussion of risk factors previously disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On November 1, 2017,January 25, 2022, the Company issued 500,000 shares of its commonentered into a stock par value $0.02 per sharepurchase agreement with Alset EHome International, Inc. (the “Common Stock”“January 25, 2022 SPA”) and a three-year warrant, pursuant to purchasewhich the Company agreed to issue to Alset EHome International, Inc. (“AEI”) up to 125,000 additional44,619,423 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercisecommon stock (the “Shares”) for a purchase price of $1.00$0.3810 per share (the “Warrant”share. On February 28, 2022, the Company entered into an Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company and AEI agreed to amend certain terms of the January 25, 2022 SPA. Pursuant to the Amendment, the number of shares of the common stock of the Company that the AEI will purchase has been reduced from 44,619,423 to 3,986,877 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,519,000.

On January 18, 2022, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with AEI, pursuant to which AEI sold to the Company 100% of the shares of common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary True Partner International Limited (HK) (“TP”), and also madeall of TP’s 62,122,908 ordinary shares of True Partner Capital Holding Limited, for a cash paymentpurchase price of $125,000, to Nix, Patterson & Roach LLP (“NPR”), a law firm, for11,397,080 newly issued shares of the purpose of settling all accrued and outstanding billed and unbilled invoices for expenses owed byCompany’s common stock. This agreement was terminated on February 25, 2022. On February 28, 2022, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Alset EHome International Inc. (the “True Partner Revised Stock Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to NPRwhich AEI has agreed to sell a subsidiary holding 62,122,908 shares of stock of True Partner Capital Holding Limited in connection with various litigation matters handled by NPR on behalfexchange for 17,570,948 shares of common stock of the Company. The total amount owed to NPR for litigation related expenses was approximately $714,000. The Warrant does not provide for a cashless exercise feature.

Neither the Common Stock, the Warrant, nor the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (collectively, the “Securities”) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. These Securities may not be offered or sold by the recipient in the United States in the absence of an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.Not applicable.

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
31.1
3.1Certificate of Incorporation *
3.2Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws *
3.3Amendment 1 to Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws
10.1Securities Purchase Agreement between Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. and Sharing Services Global Corporation for the sale of HWH Holdings, Inc.
10.2Securities Purchase Agreement between Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. and Sharing Services Global Corporation for the sale of HWH World, Inc.
31.1Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.*
31.2
31.2Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of ChiefPrincipal Financial Officer.*
32.1
32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2
32.2Certification of ChiefPrincipal Financial Officer as required bypursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*

101.INS
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)*

*Filed herewith.

2340

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS,DSS, INC.
November 14, 20172023By:/s/ Jeffrey RonaldiFrank D. Heuszel

Jeffrey Ronaldi

Frank D. Heuszel

Chief Executive Officer (Principal
(Principal Executive Officer)

November 14, 20172023By:/s/ Philip JonesTodd D. Macko

Philip Jones

Todd D. Macko

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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