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, 20182019

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from______________ _____________ to _______________ ._____________.

 

001-32146

Commission file number

001-32146
Commission file number

 

 

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York 16-1229730

(State or other Jurisdiction of

incorporation- or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300

Rochester, NY 14623

(Address of principal executive offices)

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

 

(585) 325-3610

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(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 filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) [  ][X]

Smaller reporting company [X]
Emerging growth company [  ] 

 

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, 2018,12, 2019, there were 16,813,61336,180,626 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.02 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 

 
 

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1 Financial Statements3
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20182019 (Unaudited) and December 31, 201720183
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20172018 (Unaudited)5

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)

6
  Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)67
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2221
Item 4 Controls and Procedures26
    
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 

Item 1

 

Legal Proceedings

27
Item 1A Risk Factors27
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds27
Item 3 Defaults upon Senior Securities27
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures27
Item 5 Other Information28

Item 6

Exhibits

28
Signatures2927

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of

(unaudited)

  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
 (unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current assets:        
Cash $2,051,800  $4,188,623 
Restricted cash  6,180   256,005 
Accounts receivable, net of $50,000 allowance for doubtful accounts  1,917,576   2,025,284 
Inventory  1,942,575   1,651,246 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  309,755   261,324 
Total current assets  6,227,886   8,382,482 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,736,113   4,805,640 
Investment  484,930   484,930 
Other assets  90,320   83,376 
Goodwill  2,453,597   2,453,597 
Other intangible assets, net  842,385   1,220,752 
         
Total assets $14,835,231  $17,430,777 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,491,058  $728,652 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  831,689   1,105,718 
Other current liabilities  2,295,681   2,953,629 
Short-term debt  -   3,645,760 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  796,734   966,506 
         
Total current liabilities  5,415,162   9,400,265 
         
Long-term debt, net  1,354,264   1,734,171 
Other long-term liabilities  582,653   1,384,500 
Deferred tax liability, net  125,982   125,982 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 16,813,613 shares issued and outstanding (16,599,327 on December 31, 2017)  336,272   331,987 
Additional paid-in capital  107,024,040   106,633,708 
Subscription receivable, net  -   (300,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (5,675)  (23,069)
Accumulated deficit  (99,997,467)  (101,856,767)
Total stockholders’ equity  7,357,170   4,785,859 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $14,835,231  $17,430,777 

  September 30, 2019  December 31, 2018 
       
ASSETS        
         
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $3,916,332  $2,447,985 
Accounts receivable, net of $50,000 allowance for doubtful accounts  2,127,727   2,217,877 
Inventory  1,651,884   1,563,593 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  470,047   285,580 
         
Total current assets  8,165,990   6,515,035 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  5,122,138   5,014,494 
Investment  324,930   324,930 
Other assets  90,319   90,319 
Right-of-use assets  1,344,601   - 
Goodwill  2,453,597   2,453,597 
Other intangible assets, net  1,048,503   881,411 
         
Total assets $18,550,078  $15,279,786 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,341,003  $1,347,491 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  779,638   1,106,346 
Other current liabilities  935,404   2,255,942 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  467,382   713,427 
Current portion of lease liability  361,713   - 
         
Total current liabilities  3,885,140   5,423,206 
         
Long-term debt, net  2,361,696   1,721,936 
Lease liability  1,007,251   - 
Other long-term liabilities  311,986   391,325 
Deferred tax liability, net  168,986   168,986 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)        
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 30,180,626 shares issued and outstanding (17,425,858 on December 31, 2018)  603,613   348,517 
Additional paid-in capital  113,335,147   107,624,666 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  -   (7,052)
Accumulated deficit  (103,123,741)  (100,391,798)
Total stockholders’ equity  10,815,019   7,574,333 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $18,550,078  $15,279,786 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2018 2017 2018 2017  2019 2018 2019 2018 
                  
Revenue:                                
Printed products $3,783,779  $3,767,334  $11,432,038  $11,552,955  $3,035,219  $3,783,779  $11,024,464  $11,432,038 
Technology sales, services and licensing  310,511   431,356   1,126,867   1,276,489   497,700   310,511   1,424,204   1,126,867 
                                
Total revenue  4,094,290   4,198,690   12,558,905   12,829,444   3,532,919   4,094,290   12,448,668   12,558,905 
                                
Costs and expenses:                                
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization  2,551,782   2,400,883   7,889,844   7,380,134   2,217,822   2,551,782   8,275,046   7,889,844 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock based compensation)  1,610,831   1,619,066   5,195,495   4,835,079   2,094,578   1,610,831   5,736,078   5,195,495 
Depreciation and amortization  310,330   352,040   1,002,813   1,041,789   420,063   310,330   1,051,211   1,002,813 
                                
Total costs and expenses  4,472,943   4,371,989   14,088,152   13,257,002   4,732,463   4,472,943   15,062,335   14,088,152 
                                
Operating loss  (378,653)  (173,299)  (1,529,247)  (427,558)  (1,199,544)  (378,653)  (2,613,667)  (1,529,247)
                                
Other income (expense):                                
Interest income  2,308   -   8,415   -   6,983   2,308   11,175   8,415 
Interest expense  (29,554)  (58,164)  (112,460)  (170,565)  (57,759)  (29,554)  (127,900)  (112,460)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  (6,168)  (40,854)  (40,067)  (113,286)  (351)  (6,168)  (1,551)  (40,067)
Gain on extinguishment of liabilities, net  -   -   3,532,659   -   -   -   -   3,532,659 
Income (loss) before income taxes  (412,067)  (272,317)  1,859,300   (711,409)  (1,250,671)  (412,067)  (2,731,943)  1,859,300 
                                
Income tax expense  -   4,734   -   14,208 
Income tax expense (benefit)  -   -   -   - 
                                
Net income (loss) $(412,067) $(277,051) $1,859,300  $(725,617) $(1,250,671) $(412,067) $(2,731,943) $1,859,300 
                                
Other comprehensive income (loss):                                
Foreign currency translation adjustment  (5,088)  -   (5,088)  -   -   (5,088)  -   (5,088.00)
Interest rate swap gain (loss)  (4,458)  3,943   17,394   9,792   -   (4,458)  

(15,431

)  17,394 
Settlement of interest rate swap  22,483   -  22,483  - 
                                
Comprehensive income (loss): $(421,613) $(273,108) $1,871,606  $(715,825) $(1,228,188) $(421,613) $(2,724,891) $1,871,606 
                                
Income (loss) per common share:                
Earnings (loss) per common share:                
Basic $(0.02) $(0.02) $0.11  $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.02) $(0.12) $0.11 
Diluted $(0.02) $(0.02) $0.11  $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.02) $(0.12) $0.11 
                                
Shares used in computing income (loss) per common share:                
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per common share:                
Basic  16,767,992   14,087,849   16,662,907   13,793,946   24,026,417   16,767,992   22,611,189   16,662,907 
Diluted  16,767,992   14,087,849   16,930,812   13,793,946   24,026,417   16,767,992   22,611,189   16,930,812 

 

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)

 

 2018 2017  2019 2018 
          
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income (loss) $1,859,300  $(725,617) $(2,731,943) $1,859,300 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  1,002,813   1,041,789   1,051,211   1,002,813 
Stock based compensation  106,617   203,111   331,264   106,617 
Paid in-kind interest  12,000   54,000   -   12,000 
Change in deferred tax provision  -   14,211 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  40,067   113,286   351   40,067 
Gain on extinguishment of liabilities, net  (3,532,659)  -   -   (3,532,659)
Decrease (increase) in assets:                
Accounts receivable  107,708   91,976   90,150   107,708 
Inventory  (291,329)  (706,735)  (88,291)  (291,329)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (55,374)  70,838   (160,104)  (55,374)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:                
Accounts payable  762,404   (506,749)  (6,485)  762,404 
Accrued expenses  (394,170)  (268,082)  (318,741)  (394,170)
Other liabilities  (1,141,929)  (599,620)  (1,452,876)  (1,141,929)
Net cash used by operating activities  (1,524,552)  (1,217,592)  (3,285,464)  (1,524,552)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (526,251)  (438,350)  (823,348)  (526,251)
Purchase of intangible assets  (45,471)  (4,903)  (357,816)  (45,471)
Net cash used by investing activities  (571,722)  (443,253)  (1,181,164)  (571,722)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Payments of long-term debt  (966,077)  (612,419)  (194,386)  (966,077)
Borrowings from equipment line of credit  87,703   - 
Borrowing from equipment line of credit  587,750   87,703 
Borrowings from convertible note  500,000   - 
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  300,000   783,094   5,041,611   300,000 
Subscription receivable, net  288,000   - 
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities  (290,374)  170,675 
Receipt of subscription receivable, net of issuance costs  -   288,000 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities  5,934,975   (290,374)
                
Net decrease in cash  (2,386,648)  (1,490,170)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period  4,444,628   6,049,347 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  1,468,347   (2,386,648)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  2,447,985   4,444,628 
                
Cash and restricted cash at end of period $2,057,980  $4,559,177 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $3,916,332  $2,057,980 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

  Common Stock  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated Other Comprehensive  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Loss  Deficit  Total 
                   
Balance, December 31, 2018  17,425,858  $348,517  $107,624,666  $(7,052) $(100,391,798) $7,574,333 
                         
Issuance of common stock, net  576,863   11,537   626,453   -   -   637,990 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   30,701   -   -   30,701 
Other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   (778)  -   (778)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (450,450)  (450,450)
Balance, March 31, 2019  18,002,721  $360,054  $108,281,820  $(7,830) $(100,842,248) $7,791,796 
                         
Issuance of common stock, net  11,200,000   224,000   4,662,637   -   -   4,886,637 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   27,909   -   -   27,909 
Other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   (14,653)  -   (14,653)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (1,030,822)  (1,030,822)
Balance, June 30, 2019  29,202,721  $584,054  $112,972,366  $(22,483) $(101,873,070) $11,660,867 
                         
Issuance of common stock, net  519,186   10,384   151,383   -   -   161,767 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  458,719   9,175   211,398   -   -   220,573 
Other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   22,483   -   22,483 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (1,250,671)  (1,250,671)
Balance, September 30, 2019  30,180,626  $603,613  $113,335,147  $-  $(103,123,741) $10,815,019 

  Common Stock  Additional Paid-in  Subscription  Accumulated Other Comprehensive  Accumulated    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Receivable  Loss  Deficit  Total 
                      
Balance, December 31, 2017  16,599,327  $331,987  $106,633,708  $(300,000) $(23,069) $(101,856,767) $4,785,859 
                             
Issuance of common stock, net  -   -   (12,000)  300,000   -   -   288,000 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   1,251   -   -   -   1,251 
Other comprehensive gain  -   -   -   -   14,889   -   14,889 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (406,091)  (406,091)
Balance, March 31, 2018  16,599,327  $331,987  $106,622,959  $-  $(8,180) $(102,262,858) $4,683,908 
                             
Issuance of common stock, net  -   -           -   -   - 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   84,922   -   -   -   84,922 
Other comprehensive gain  -   -   -   -   6,963   -   6,963 
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   2,677,458   2,677,458 
Balance, June 30, 2018  16,599,327  $331,987  $106,707,881  $-  $(1,217) $(99,585,400) $7,453,251 
                             
Issuance of common stock, net  300,000   4,285   295,715       -   -   300,000 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   20,444   -   -   -   20,444 
Other comprehensive gain  -   -   -   -   (4,458)  -   (4,458)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   (412,067)  (412,067)
Balance, September 30, 2018  16,899,327  $336,272  $107,024,040  $-  $(5,675) $(99,997,467) $7,357,170 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 20182019

(Unaudited)

 

1.Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), through two of its subsidiaries, Premier Packaging Corporation, which operates under the assumed name of DSS Packaging Group, and Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc., which operates under the assumed name of DSS Plastics Group, operates in the security and commercial printing, packaging and plastic ID markets. The Company develops, markets, manufactures and sells paper and plastic products designed to protect valuable information from unauthorized scanning, copying, and digital imaging. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Digital Inc., which also operates under the assumed name of DSS Digital Group, develops, markets and sells digital product authentication solutionsinformation services, including data hosting, disaster recovery and digital informationdata back-up and security services. The Company and itsCompany’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management (“DSSTM”), Inc., alsomanages, licenses and acquires intellectual property (“IP”) assets for the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation. In addition, in January 2018, the Company commenced international operations within the Asia Pacific market through its wholly owned subsidiary DSS InternationalAsia Limited, which was formed in 2017. In 2019 DSS created four new, wholly-owned subsidiaries all of which currently have no employees and are in the exploratory stage and looking for opportunities. DSS Blockchain Security, Inc., that intends to specialize in its Hong Kong office.the development of blockchain security technologies for tracking and tracing solutions for supply chain logistics and cyber securities across global markets. Decentralize Sharing Systems, Inc., that amongst other things, intends to provide services to assist companies utilizing blockchain technologies for sharing system solutions in the new economics of the peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. DSS Securities, Inc., anticipates establishing or acquiring two parallel streams of digital asset exchanges in multiple jurisdictions: (i) securitized token exchanges, focusing on digitized assets from different vertical industries and (ii) utilities token exchanges, focusing on "blue-chip" utility tokens from solid businesses. DSS BioHealth Security, Inc., to invest in companies that include, but not limited to, hold bio-medical intellectual property and/or which have, or are securing, strategic alliances, partnerships and distributing rights for biomedical and security products, technologies or enterprises. This new division will focus on open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, among others, in open areas.

 

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 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 include all adjustments considered necessary for their fair presentation in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. For further information regarding the Company’s accounting policies, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

 

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

 

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, 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, 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 recognition or disclosure.making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

Restricted Cash – As of September 30, 2018, cash of $6,180 ($256,005 –

Reclassification- Certain amounts on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for the year ended December 31, 2017) is restricted by a third-party co-investor2018 have been reclassified to payments of costs and expenses associated with one of the Company’s IP monetization programs. For purposes of the statement of cash flow, cash and restricted cash are combined. The break out of these amounts by period are as follows:conform to current year presentation.

  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
Cash $2,051,800  $4,188,623  $4,223,005  $5,871,738 
Restricted Cash  6,180   256,005   336,172   177,609 
Total $2,057,980  $4,444,628  $4,559,177  $6,049,347 

Investment– In accordance with ASC 325-20, the Company records its investment in common stock of Singapore eDevelopment Limited at cost as the fair market value of the investment is not readily determinable. The Company evaluates investment for indications of impairment at least annually.

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 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.

 

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet of cash, accounts receivable, prepaids, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of revolving credit lines promissory 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 estimated fair value based on available market information. The fair value of investments carried at cost, less impairment however, the fair value is not considered readily determinable based on the lack of liquidity for the shares owned.

 

Derivative Instruments -The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporatesmay incorporate the use of interest rate swap contracts to minimize significant fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Company hashad an interest rate swap that changes variable rates into fixed rates on one Citizens Bank term loan relating to the Company’s subsidiary, Premier Packaging. This swap qualifiesqualified as a Level 2 fair value financial instrument. This swap agreement iswas not held for trading purposes and the Company doesdid not intend to sell this derivative swap financial instrument. The Company recordsrecorded the interest swap agreement on the balance sheet at fair value because the agreement qualifies as a cash flow hedge under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Gains and losses on these instruments are recorded in other comprehensive loss until the underlying transaction is recorded in earnings. When the hedged item iswas 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.operations. The valuations of the interest rate swaps have been derived from proprietary models of Citizens Bank, N.A.N.A (Citizens), 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 decreasedecreased over the life of the agreements. The Company iswould be exposed to a credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter parties to the interest rate swap agreements. However, theThe Company doesdid not anticipate non-performance by the counter parties. The cumulative netswap was settled in September 2019 with the effect of the settlement of a loss attributable to this cash flow hedgeof $22,483 recorded in accumulated other comprehensive lossinterest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and other liabilities as of September 30, 2018 was approximately $1,000 ($23,000 - December 31, 2017)Comprehensive Income (Loss).

As of September 30, 2018, the Company has an interest rate swap agreement for its debt with RBS Citizens, N.A. (“Citizens Bank”) (see Note 6) which changes a variable rate into a fixed rate on a term loan as follows:

Amount  Amount  Cost  Date
$880,374   5.26%  5.87% August 30, 2021

 

Impairment of Long-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 an impairment review, include (a) significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changesIf a change in circumstance occurs, the mannerCompany performs a test of or userecoverability by comparing the carrying value of the acquired assetsasset or asset group to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, the strategyCompany will determine whether impairment has occurred for the Company’s overall business; (c) significant negative industrygroup 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 economic trends; (d) significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period; and (e) a decline in the Company’s market capitalization below net bookasset group to its carrying value.

 

Contingent Legal Expenses -Contingent legal fees associated with our commercial litigation involving our IP are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the related revenues are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal fees are paid; however, the Company may be liable for certain out of pocket legal costs incurred pursuant to 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 payment 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.

7

 

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

As ofFor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, and 2017, there were 2,212,773 and 3,297,759 respectively, of2019, common stock share equivalents potentially issuable bywere excluded from the Company pursuant to existing options, warrants, and restricted stock agreements, that could potentially dilute basiccalculation of diluted earnings per share inas the future.Company had a net loss, since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine monthsnine-months ended September 30, 2018, based on the average market price of the Company’s common stock during that period of $1.37, 267,905 common stock equivalents were added to the basic shares outstanding to calculate dilutive earnings per share. For the three monthsthree-months ended September 30, 2018, common stock equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the company had a net loss, since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalents were also excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2017 periods presented in which the Company had a net loss, since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

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.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, two customers accounted for approximately 31% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 29% and 5%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, these two customers accounted for 24.8% and 14.7%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 22% and 6.6%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, these two customers accounted for 25% and 15%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 17% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017. The risk with respect to accounts receivables is mitigated by credit evaluations the Company performs on its customers, the short duration of its payment terms for most of its customer contracts and by the diversification of its customer base.

 

Income Taxes - The Company has approximately $42.3M in federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”)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 to reduce future taxable income, which will expire at various dates from 2022 through 2036. As these NOL’s were generated prior to the enactment of H.R. 1 (“Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” or “TCJA”) they are eligible to fully offset taxable income. While the company generated taxable income due to the extinguishment of certain liabilities, it istax benefits not expected to reoccur. Therefore, duebe realized. We recognize penalties and accrued interest related to the uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxableunrecognized tax benefits in income in the future and utilize the NOLs before they expire, the Company has maintained a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets accordingly.

Reclassifications- Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. All common share and per share figures are presented on a post one-for-four reverse stock split basis.expense.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting PronouncementsIn May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (Topic 606) “Revenue from Contracts with Customer” related to revenue from contracts with customers. Under this standard, revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Topic 606 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted Topic 606 effective January 1, 2018. Topic 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In JanuaryFebruary 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition2016-02 and Measurementits related amendments which introduced Leases (Topic 842, or “ASC 842”), a new comprehensive lease accounting model that supersedes the current lease guidance under Leases (Topic 840). The new accounting standard requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for all leases with lease terms of Financial Assetsgreater than 12 months. It also changes the definition of a lease and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requiresexpands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB added a transition option for implementation that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. Entities will no longer be ableallows companies to continue to use the costlegacy guidance in ASC 840, Leases, including its disclosure requirements, in the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2019. The Company elected the transition package of three practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance and elected the optional transition method of accountingthat allows 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 in the period of adoption, without a restatement of prior periods. Further, the Company elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less) and an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets. As a result of the adoption, the Company adjusted its beginning balance as of January 1, 2019 by recording operating lease ROU asset and liabilities through a cumulative-effect adjustment. The adoption impacted the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, but did not have an impact on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

At the inception of a contractual arrangement, the Company determines whether the contract contains a lease by assessing whether there is an identified asset and whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset in exchange for consideration over a period of time. If both criteria are met, the Company calculates the associated lease liability and corresponding ROU assets upon lease commencement using a discount rate based on a credit-adjusted secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the lease. The Company records lease liabilities within current or noncurrent liabilities based upon the length of time associated with the lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred, if any, and are recorded as noncurrent assets. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The impact of the adoption of ASC 842 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 was a right-of-use asset and a lease liability of $1,489,156.

Continuing Operations and Going Concern – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. This basis of accounting contemplates the beginningrecovery 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 $ 3.9 million in cash, and a positive working capital position of approximately $4.3 million as of September 30, 2019, the Company has incurred negative cash flows from operating and investing activities over the past two years and has projected that the Company will likely incur negative cash flows from operations in 2019. To continue as a going concern, on June 5, 2019, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp., acting as a representative of several underwriters, which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) of 11,200,000 shares of the first reporting period in whichCompany’s common stock. The Company also granted the standard is adopted. The guidance on equity securities without readily determinable fair values will be applied prospectivelyUnderwriters a 45-day option to all equity investments that exist aspurchase up to 1,680,000 additional shares of the dateCompany’s common stock on the same terms and conditions for the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the Offering (519,186 shares were exercised on July 18, 2019.) The net offering proceeds to the Company was approximately $5.0 million, inclusive of the adoptionJuly 18, 2019 transaction and after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. Also, on November 1, 2019,Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, LiquidValue Development Pte LTD, a company owned and controlled by Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, DSS’s Chairman, purchased from the Company, in a private placement, and aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of common stock, for an above market purchase price equal to $0.3037 per share (at the standard. The pronouncement also impacts financial liabilities undertime of LiquidValues’ commitment, the fair value optionclosing stock price was $0.26 per share) for net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.5 millionafter deducting underwriting discounts, commissions 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.other offering expensesThe Company adopted this new accounting standard during the three months ended March 31, 2018. ASU 2016-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.(see Note 14).

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which clarifies the treatment of several typesThe expected use of cash receiptsfor operations in 2019 will be primarily for funding operating losses, working capital, legal expenses associated with its intellectual property related litigation, 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,the costs associated with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period.the global roll-out of the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line. The Company adopted this standard during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.will also use these funds to make capital improvements at its two manufacturing facilities to increase production capacity and create efficiencies, as well as to diversify its revenue streams and take advantage of profit opportunities.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “StatementThe Company’s management intends to take actions necessary to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters includes, among other things, continued growth among our operating segments including international expansion of Cash Flows”, regarding the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The standards update requiresour AuthentiGuard product, and tightly controlling operating costs and reducing spending growth rates wherever possible to return to profitability.

We believe that the reconciliation of the beginning and end of period cash amounts shownour $3.9 million in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash. When restricted cash is presented separately fromaggregate 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 Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2018September 30, 2019 will allow us to fund our four operating segments current and planned operations through 2020. However, we may seek additional capital through the sale of debt or equity securities, if necessary, especially in conjunction with opportunistic acquisitions or licensing arrangements. Based on this, we have concluded that substantial doubt of our ability to continue as a retrospective basis, wherein the statement of cash flow of each period presented was adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new guidance.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Scope of Modification Accounting”, which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. ASU 2017-09 is to be applied on a prospective basis to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted this standard during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The new accounting standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.going concern has been alleviated.

 

Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn 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 elected not to adopt this standard in advance of its required effective date. The Company anticipates the adoption of the standard will result in the recognition of additional assets and corresponding liabilities related to its leases of office and production space, but has not quantified these amounts at this time. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the two-step process that required identification of potential impairment and a separate measure of the actual impairment. The annual assessment of goodwill impairment will be determined by using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The standards update areis effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements and plans to adopt ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This update was issued to clarify certain narrow aspects of guidance concerning the recognition of financial assets and liabilities established in ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This includes an amendment to clarify that an entity measuring an equity security using the measurement alternative may change its measurement approach to a fair valuation method in accordance with Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, through an irrevocable election that would apply to that security and all identical or similar investments of the same issued. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.2.Revenue

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders’ equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. This final rule is effective on November 5, 2018 and expected to be included in the Form 10-Q for the 3 months ended March 31, 2019. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the final rule on its consolidated financial statements.

2.Revenue

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach and applied the guidance to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Adoption of Topic 606 did not impact the timing of revenue recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the current or prior interim or annual periods. Accordingly, no adjustments have been made to opening retained earnings or prior period amounts.

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells printed products including packaging printing and fabrication, commercial and security printing and plastic cards and badges, including cards and badges integrated with technology such as RFID and smart chips. The Company also provides information technology services and digital authentication products and services to its customers. 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. Customers, including distributors, do not have a general right of return. The Company also derives revenue from royalties from third parties which are typically based on licensees’ net sales of products that utilize the Company’s technology, or on a per item usage of the technology on the customers’ printed products. The Company recognizes license revenue at the time it is reported by the licensee. From time to time, the Company generates license revenues through litigation settlements. For these, the Company recognizes revenue upon the execution of the agreement, when collectability is reasonably assured, or upon receipt of the minimum upfront fee for term agreement renewals, and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

 

As of September 30, 2018,2019, 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.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally dodoes not require collateral. Payment terms are generally 30 days but up to net 60 for certain customers. TradeThe Company carries its trade accounts receivable are recorded at their invoiced amounts, net ofinvoice amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. TheOn a periodic basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Accounts outstandingbased upon management’s estimates that include a review of the history of past write-offs and collections and an analysis of current credit conditions. At September 30, 2019, the Company established a reserve for longer than contractual payment terms are considereddoubtful accounts of $50,000 ($50,000 – December 31, 2018). The Company does not accrue interest on past due and are reviewed for collectability. Receivable balances are written off when collection is deemed unlikely.accounts receivable.

 

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, 2018.2019.

 

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 pertaining to these costs are reflected as revenue.

 

See Note 1113 for disaggregated revenue information.

 

3. Inventory

 

Inventory consisted of the following:

 

 Inventory  Inventory 
 September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017  September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 
          
Finished Goods $1,281,853  $965,757  $1,106,803  $1,144,695 
WIP  248,749   383,270   251,807   339,091 
Raw Materials  411,973   302,219   293,274   79,807 
         $1,651,884  $1,563,593 
 $1,942,575  $1,651,246 

 

4. Related Party Investment

 

On September 12, 2017, theThe 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 common stock, which had a market value on that date of $484,930, in exchange forowns 21,196,552 ordinary shares which was 1.92% of the total outstanding common stock of SED as of December 31, 2017, and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,759 of ordinary shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 (US$0.0298) per share of Singapore eDevelopment Limited (“SED”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly-listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. The SEDrestriction on the sale of shares, and warrants were owned by HBD. Oneexecution of the directors of the Company, Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s subsidiary, DSS International Inc., is a related party to each of HBD and SED. The shares and warrants are restricted for two years after the agreement date.expired on September 17, 2019 . At the time of the investment, the cost of the investment was determined to be the fair value of the Company’s common stock issued in the transaction, which was determined to have the most readily determinable fair value. As of December 31, 2017, the Company performed its annual assessment of impairment for the SED shares and warrant. In making this assessment, the Company determined, that the SED shares, which trade on the Singapore Stock Exchange, had a market value of $900,112 and the warrant had an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $1,343,000 based on a share price of SGD $0.057 (US$ 0.042) as of December 31, 2017. However, the Company determined that these values did not represent a readily determinable fair value due to a potential lack of liquidity of the SED shares and warrants due to a low average trading volume of the SED shares and the effect of the time restriction on the ability of the Company to sell the shares until September 17, 2019. In 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” In accordance with ASU No. 2016-01,has and carries its investment in SED at costs. During the 4th quarter of 2018, the Company noteddetermined that its investment in Singapore eDevelopment (“SED”) was impaired due to the decline in the share price of SED, especially since November of 2018, which the Company believes was influenced by a general decline in equity markets in Asia caused by the tariff dispute between the United States and China. As such, in response to the decline in the trading value of the SED share price had changed but such change, evaluated undershares in the practicability electionfourth quarter of ASU 2016-01, did not affect the Company’s determination that this observable price change would cause2018, the Company to change its determination thatperformed an impairment test and determined an impairment of approximately $160,000 was warranted. Similar analysis was performed at September 30, 2019 and no further impairment is deemed necessary as the stock price has rebounded in excess of 15%. The carrying value of the investment cost was the most readily determinable fair value or that such price change was an indicator of impairment. Asas of September 30, 2018, the SED shares had a market value of $724,330 and the warrant had an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $539,420 based on a share price of SGD $0.047 (US$ 0.034).2019 was $324,930.

 

5. Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets are comprised of the following:

 

    September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  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  2,301,300   1,900,658   400,642   1,997,300   1,810,750   186,550 
Acquired intangibles - patents and patent rights    500,000   500,000   -   3,155,000   2,603,942   551,058 
Patent application costs Varied(1)  1,168,155   726,412   441,743   1,148,017   664,873   483,144 
    $3,969,455  $3,127,070  $842,385  $6,300,317  $5,079,565  $1,220,752 

(1)Patent application costs are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2018, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 7 years.
    September 30, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount  Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount 
                     
Acquired intangibles - customer lists, licenses and non-compete agreements 3-10 years  1,778,848   1,097,787   681,061   1,284,065   823,884   460,181 
Acquired intangibles - patents and patent rights    500,000   500,000   -   500,000   500,000   - 
Patent application costs Varied (1)  1,175,971   808,529   367,442   1,168,155   746,925   421,230 
    $3,454,819  $2,406,316  $1,048,503  $2,952,220  $2,070,809  $881,411 

 

Intangible asset amortization(1) Patent application costs are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 7 years.

Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 amounted to $407,034 ($513,881-$335,507($407,034 – September 30, 2017)2018).

 

On June 26, 2018,March 5, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with Fortress Credit Co LLC (“Fortress”), which among other things transferred to Fortress all of the remaining economic rights to certainpaid $350,000 and issued 130,435 shares of the Company’s semi-conductor related patents (See Note 6). Ascommon stock valued at $144,783 in conjunction with the signing of a result,Master Distributor Agreement with Advanced Cyber Security Corp. (“ACS”) to for the Company wrote-off these patents which had an aggregated gross cost of $2,655,000to distribute ACS’s EndpointLockV™ cyber security software exclusively in thirteen countries in Asia and a net unamortized carrying amount of $295,470 onAustralia, and non-exclusively, in the agreement date.

On July 31, 2018, the Company entered into a Non-Compete Letter Agreement (the “Agreement”) with its former PresidentU.S. and Chief Executive Officer of its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Packaging Corporation.Middle East. The Agreement called for payments of $16,000 per month, for a period of 19 months, as consideration for the two-year non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants. The Company recorded the aggregate cost of $494,783 of the Agreement of $304,000agreement was recorded as an intangible asset to be amortized over the 24-month period commencing August 1, 2018.expected useful life of 36 months.

11

 

6. Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

 

Revolving Credit Lines- The Company’s subsidiary Premier Packaging Corporation (“Premier Packaging”) has a revolving credit line with Citizens Bank (“Citizens”) of up to $800,000 that bears interest at 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.75% (5.86%2.0% (4.1% as of SeptemberJune 30, 2018)2019). This revolving line of credit was renewed and expired on July 26, 2018.has a maturity date of May 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2018,2019, and December 31, 2017,2018, the revolving line had a balance of $0.

 

On July 26, 2017, Premier Packaging entered into a Loan Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Citizens pursuant to which Citizens agreed to lend up to $1,200,000 to permit Premier Packaging to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. The aggregate principal balance outstanding under the Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit shall bear interest thereon at a per annum rate of 2% above the LIBOR Advantage Rate until the Conversion Date (as defined in the Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit). Effective on the Conversion Date, the interest shall be adjusted to a fixed rate equal to 2% above the bank’s Cost of Funds, as determined by Citizens. Current maturities of long-term debt are based on an estimated 48-month amortization which will be adjusted upon conversion. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the line had not yet converted into a credit facility and December 31, 2017, the revolving line had a balance of $0.$917,884 ($339,000 at December 31, 2018).

 

On December 1, 2017, the Company’s subsidiary Plastic Printing Professionals entered into a Loan Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Citizens pursuant to which Citizens agreed to lend up to $800,000 to enable Plastic Printing Professionals to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. Advances may be made under this Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit, from time to time, from December 1, 2017 until December 1, 2018. The aggregate principal balance outstanding under the Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit bears interest at 2% above the LIBOR Advantage Rate (as defined in the agreement) (4.11%(4.1% at September 30, 2018)2019) until converted. Effective on conversion, the interest rate payable on the aggregate principal balance outstanding shall be adjusted to a fixed rate equal to 2% above Citizens’ cost of funds as determined by Citizens. Prior to conversion, interest on the outstanding principal is payable in arrears monthly. After conversion, the aggregate principal balance may be repaid in (i) up to 84 installments comprised of principal and interest for new equipment or (ii) up to 60 installments comprised of principal and interest for used equipment. An initial advanceCommencing March 30, 2019, the line was madeconverted into two term notes under which the Company will make monthly payments of $13,657 until November 30, 2023. Interest under the Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit on December 1, 2017, in the amount of $522,000, to fund the purchase of a used 6-color commercial press.term notes is payable monthly at 5.37%. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the balance of the equipment line was $609,703 ($522,000 at December 31, 2017). As of the date of this report, the Company had not yet converted the $609,703 into a term note.

Long-Term Debt - 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 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 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 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, 2018, thecombined balance of the term loannotes was $105,000$610,401 ($325,000684,554 at December 31, 2017)2018).

 

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, 2018, the loan had a balance of $72,943 ($286,560 at December 31, 2017).

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 3.62% 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, 2018,2019, the loan had a balance of $176,781$66,322 ($257,007149,542 at December 31, 2017)2018).

 

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 callscalled for monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $7,658, with interest calculated as 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.15% (5.26% at September 30, 2018). ConcurrentlyThis note, in conjunction with the transaction, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreementConstruction to lock into a 5.87% effective interest rate for the lifePermanent Loan described below, was refinanced as of the loan (see Note 1. “Derivative Instruments”). 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, 2018, the Promissory Note had a balance of $880,374 ($915,107 at December 31, 2017).June 27, 2019.

 

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% (5.26% at September 30, 2018), which payments commenced on July 1, 2014.. The note matureswas set to mature in July 2019 at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance of $300,000 was due. On June 27, 2019 the balloon payment, in conjunction with the remaining balance on promissory note identified above, was refinanced.

On June 27, 2019 Premier Packaging refinanced and consolidated the outstanding principal associated with the two promissory notes for its packaging plant located in Victor, New York, for $1,156,742 with Citizens Bank. The new Promissory Note calls for monthly payments of $7,181, with interest fixed at 4.22%. The new Promissory Note matures on June 27, 2029, at which time a balloon payment of $707,689 is due. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the notenew, consolidated Promissory Note had a balance of $322,500 ($345,000 – December 31, 2017).

$1,150,766.

The Citizens credit facilities to each of the Company’s subsidiaries, Premier Packaging and Plastic Printing Professionals, contain various covenants including fixed charge coverage ratio, tangible net worth and current ratio covenants which are tested annually at December 31. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, both Premier Packaging and Plastic Printing Professionals were in compliance with the annual covenants.

 

Other Debt - On February 13, 2014,October 24, 2018, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (“DSS Technology Management” or “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 defined 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 partiesAsia Limited entered into a First Amendment$100,000 unsecured promissory note with HotApps International Pte Ltd in conjunction with the acquisition of Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd., a Chinese subsidiary of HotApps International Pte Ltd, by DSS Asia Limited. The promissory note does not accrue interest and is payable in full on October 24, 2020.

Effective on February 18, 2019, Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Borrower”) entered into a Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) with LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd (the “Holder”) in the principal sum of $500,000 (the “Principal Amount”), of which up to Investment Agreement and Certain Other Documents (the “Amendment”). The purpose$500,000 of the AmendmentPrincipal Amount can be paid by the conversion of such amount into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.02 per share, up to a maximum of 446,428 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), at a conversion price of $1.12 per share. The Note carried a fixed interest rate of 8% per annum and had a term of 12-months. Accrued interest was to vacate DSSTM’s ongoing non-payment defaultpayable in cash in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter, with the first interest payment due on June 30, 2019, and remains payable until the Principal Amount is paid in full. The Holder is a related party, owned by one of the Company’s directors. Effective on March 25, 2019, the Holder exercised its conversion option and converted the Maximum Conversion Amount under the Agreement, and to amend certain provisions of the Agreement.

The Agreement also 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 was being amortized on a straight-line basis through the amended maturity date of February 13, 2018. The Amendment added a provision whereby DSSTM was 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 and March 2, 2018 deposits were made in a timely manner. The Deposit funds were 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 would apply the then remaining Deposit to the then outstanding Obligations, if any.

Additionally per the Amendment, DSSTM agreed 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 February 13, 2018, DSSTM had made aggregate principal payments of $794,283 on the notes. On February 13, 2018, the Maturity Date, DSS Technology Management defaulted by failing to pay the investors an amount equal to (x) two times the aggregate amount of all advances made by the investors as of such date plus (y) the Capitalized Expenses. The sole recourse available to the investors under the Agreement, as amended, was the establishment of a special purpose entity controlled by the investors which would take ownership of the collateral consisting of the patents covered under the amended Agreement. Each of the investors and the collateral agent had contractually agreed that they would not, individually or collectively, seek to enforce any monetary judgment with respect to or against any assets of the Company other than the patents and the monetization payments and the remaining deposit. On June 26, 2018, the parties agreed that the amounts due under the Agreement having an aggregate remaining balance of $3,714,129 as of the Maturity Date, are discharged, without the assignment to the Investors of any of the collateral that secured the repayment under the Agreement. In addition, the Company confirmed its obligation to pay the Investors $345,000 that remained from an aggregate of $600,000 that had been deposited and restricted to cover expenses related to the IP monetization activities. Furthermore, the parties agreed that in the event there are any future recoveries by DSSTM with respect to monetization activities relating to the collateralized patents or applicable proceed rights set forth in the Agreement, the contractual payment provisions of the original Agreement will apply, and the Investors will be entitled to receive payment of such proceeds.Note. As a result of this agreement,Holder’s election to exercise its full conversion rights under the Company paid $345,000 from restricted cash and recorded a gain of extinguishment of liabilities of $3,372,129 to reflectNote, the discharge of the notes, wrote off contingent equity interests of $459,000 eliminated by the agreement, and wrote-off the underlying patents which had an aggregated gross cost of $2,655,000 and a net unamortized carrying amount of $295,470Note was cancelled effective on the agreement date, all of which resulted in the a net gain on the extinguishment of liabilities of $3,532,659 recorded in the three months ending June 30, 2018.March 25, 2019.

14

 

7. 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 the 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, 2016, the Company received $4,500,000 of the Financing, which was required to be used by the Company to pay for the defense of Inter 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, 2018,2019, an aggregate of approximately $2,385,000$955,388 is recorded as other liabilities by the Company, of which approximately $1,919,000$759,966 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 future Inter Partes Review costs. The Company will reduce this liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to the Inter Partes Review matters involving the LED Patent Portfolio as incurred. The remaining $1,216,000$173,700 in other liabilities is allocated to working capital, which the Company is amortizing on a pro-rata basis over the expected remaining life of the monetization period of the LED Patent Portfolio through November 30, 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, $80,000 per month for the remainder of 2017 through March 2018, and $86,500 per month for the remainder of 2018.2018, and $86,850 per month through November 30, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, there was approximately $300,000$317,350 of Inter Partes Review costs and an aggregate of $761,000$781,650 was recorded as a reduction of the liability allocated to working capital.

 

On July 8, 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, DSSTM, purchased two patents for $500,000 covering certain methods and processes related to Bluetooth devices. In conjunction with the patent purchases, DSSTM entered into a Proceed Right Agreement with certain investors pursuant to which DSSTM 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, 2018,2019, the Company had received an aggregate of $650,000$750,000 ($650,000750,000 in 2017)2018) from the investors pursuant to the agreement of which approximately $376,000$175,000 was in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets ($432,000476,000 as of December 31, 2017)2018). The Company reduces 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.

8. Related Party Transactions

As described in Note 6,

Effective on February 13, 2014, DSSTMMay 31, 2019, Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Borrower”) entered into an Investment Agreementa Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Fortress. Pursuant to this agreement, an aggregateLiquidValue Development Pte Ltd (the “Holder”) in the principal sum of $459,000$650,000 (the “Principal Amount”). The Note was not interest bearing with a maturity date of fixed and contingent equity interests received are recorded in current liabilities.July 31, 2019. The liabilities under the agreement matured on February 13, 2018. Per the agreement, the Investors have the right to take ownershipHolder is a related party, owned by one of the patents as settlement of the liabilities upon maturity. OnCompany’s directors. This Note was paid in full on June 26, 2018, the parties entered into an agreement (see Note 6 “Other Debt”) which among other things eliminated the Company’s obligation for the fixed and contingent equity interests under the agreement.12, 2019.

 

Pursuant to Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan’s employment agreement with a subsidiary of DSS, date September 23, 2019, effective July 15, 2019, Mr. Chan shall receive an annual base salary of $250,000 payable in common stock or cash. Mr. Chan is also eligible to receive and annual performance bonus in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, upon the Company’s achievement of certain net income and gross revenue milestones.

8.

9.Lease Liability

The Company has operating leases predominantly for operating facilities. As of September 30, 2019, the remaining lease terms on our operating leases range from less than one year to approximately five 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, 2019.

Future minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

2019 $106,821 
2020  424,129 
2021  335,097 
2022  315,271 
2023  306,070 
Thereafter  24,208 
Total lease payments  1,511,596 
Less: Imputed Interest  (142,632)
Present value of remaining lease payments $1,368,964 
     
Current $361,713 
Noncurrent $1,007,251 
     
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)  4.0 
     
Weighted-average discount rate  5.4%

10. Commitments and Contingencies

 

On November 26, 2013, DSSTM 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 DSSTM’s patents that relate to systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices. DSSTM 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 two Inter 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. DSSTM then 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. On March 23, 2018, the Federal Circuit reversed the PTAB, finding that the PTAB erred when it found the claims of U.S. Patent No. 6,128,290 to be unpatentable. The Federal Circuit affirmed its decision on July 12, 2018, when it denied Apple’s petition for panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s Opinion and Judgment issued on March 23, 2018. On July 27, 2018, the District Court judge lifted the Stay resuming the litigation. The patent assets underlying this matter had no carrying value aslitigation, which has a trial date set for the week of the date of the PTAB decision and therefore, there were no impairment considerations because of that earlier PTAB decision.

February 24, 2020.

On February 16, 2015, DSSTM 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 allegesalleged patent infringement and seekssought 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, DSSTM filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. Oral arguments forOn January 8, 2019, DSSTM entered into a confidential settlement agreement with Intel Corporation, Dell Inc., GameStop Corp, Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC and AT&T Mobility LLC (collectively, the appeal are scheduled for December 6, 2018.“Defendants”). The Federal Circuit Appeal involving DSSTM and Intel litigation has been stayed bywas dismissed on January 16, 2019, and the District Court pending final determination ofcase against the IPR proceedings.Defendants was dismissed, as to all the Defendants, on February 5, 2019.

 

On July 16, 2015, DSSTM 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 arewere SK Hynix et al., Samsung Electronics et 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, DSSTM 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. DSSTM then appealed this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit on November 17, 2017. The Federal Circuit joined this appeal with the Intel appeal effective on December 7, 2017. The appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report. 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, DSSTM filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. A confidential patent license agreement was executed by DSSTM on November 14, 2018, covering Samsung and Qualcomm. On December 12, 2018, DSSTM and Samsung entered into a confidential release. On December 27, 2018, DSSTM and Qualcomm entered into a confidential settlement agreement. The DSSTM - Samsung District Court case was dismissed on December 17, 2018. The DSSTM - Samsung Federal Circuit Appeal was dismissed on January 2, 2019. The Federal Circuit Appeal involving DSSTM and Qualcomm was dismissed on January 16, 2019. The DSSTM - Qualcomm District Court case was dismissed on January 16, 2019. As indicated above, this joint appeal is still pending asa result, all of DSSTM’s litigation matters originally filed in the dateDistrict Court for the Eastern District of this Report.Texas have been resolved and are now dismissed.

 

On April 13, 2017, the Company 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, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) patents. The Company is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 7, 2017, the Company 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 December 3, 2017, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 6,949,771. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on June 7, 2018. On April 18, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-9 of the ‘771 patent unpatentable. On December 21, 2017, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,256,486. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on June 21, 2018. On June 10, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-3 of the ‘486 patent unpatentable. On August 12, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the PTAB’s decisions. On January 25, 2018, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,524,087. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on July 27, 2018. On July 22, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1, 6-8, 15, and 17 of the ‘087 patent unpatentable. On September 23, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the PtAB’s decisions. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit, which is still pending asbut stayed pending the outcome of the date of this Report.

IPR proceedings.

On April 13, 2017, the Company 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, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, the Company refiled its patent infringement complaint against Everlight in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The case is currently pending as of the date of this Report. On June 8, 2018, Everlight filed IPR petitions challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent Nos. 72564867,256,486 and 7524087.7,524,087. On June 12, 2018, Everlight filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 6949771,6,949,771, and on June 15, 2018, filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No 7919787.7,919,787. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit. On January 18, 2019, the Company and Everlight entered into a confidential settlement agreement resolving the litigation.

 

On April 13, 2017, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. (“Cree”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, the Company 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 as of the date of this Report. On June 6, 2018, Cree filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7256486.7,256,486. This IPR was instituted and joined with the Seoul Semiconductor IPR. On June 7, 2018, Cree filed IPR petitions challenging the validity of certain claims under U.S. Patent Nos. 75240877,524,087 and 6949771. These6,949,771. Both IPRs were denied by the PTAB on November 14, 2018 as time-barred. The challenged patents arepatent is the patentspatent that areis the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit.

On July 13, 2017,lawsuit, which is pending but stayed pending the Company 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 certainoutcome of the Company’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. On February 21, 2018, the Company and Osram executed a confidential settlement agreement ending the litigation between them.IPR.

 

On August 15, 2017, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc., and Lite-On Technology Corporation (collectively, “Lite-On”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending asbut is stayed pending the outcome of the date of this Report.IPR proceedings filed by other parties.

 

On December 7, 2017, the CompanyDSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia Corporation and Nichia America Corporation (collectively, “Nichia”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’sDSS’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgementjudgment 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. On May 10, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7919787.7,919,787. On May 11, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7652297.7,652,297. On May 25, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7524087.7,524,087. On May 29, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 6949771.6,949,771. On May 30, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7256486.7,256,486. The 6,949,771 IPR was denied institution, but the remaining IPRs were instituted by the PTAB. On December 10, 2018, Nichia refiled IPRs relating to 6,949,771, which was denied by the PTAB on April 15, 2019. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit.lawsuit, which is pending but stayed pending the outcome of the IPR proceedings. On September 17, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-14 of the ‘787 patent unpatentable. On October 30, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-17 of the ‘297 patent unpatentable.

On September 18, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Seoul Semiconductor Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,315,119. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements.

On September 19, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,784,460. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements.

On September 20, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia Corp. and Nichia America Corp. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,879,040. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements.

 

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, 2018,2019, and December 31, 2017,2018, 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, 2018,2019, and December 31, 2017,2018, there are no contingent payments due.

 

16

9.11. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Options - During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 405,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock at between $1.30 and $1.55 per share with a term of five years to employees at its technology, corporate and printed products divisions, as well as independent board members. The options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2018 vest pro-ratably as follows: 1/3 on the grant date, 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant date as long as the employee is employed or direct is active on such dates. The options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2018 vest pro-ratably as follows: 1/3 on the first anniversary of the grant date, 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 on the third anniversary of the grant date. The options had an aggregate estimated fair value on the grant date of approximately $335,000 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 98.1% - 98.2%, a risk-free rate of return of 2.67% - 2.96% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates.

Sales of Equity - On August 30, 2017,March 5, 2019, the Company sold 1,200,000issued 130,435 shares of unregisteredits common stock at $1.15 per share as partial consideration for a licensing and five-year warrantsdistribution agreement entered into with Advanced Cyber Security Corp.

On February 18, 2019, the Company had entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd in the principal sum of $500,000, of which up to $500,000 of the Principal Amount could be paid by the conversion of such amount into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.02 per share, up to a maximum of 446,428 shares of common stock (the “Maximum Conversion Amount”), at a conversion price of $1.12 per share. Effective on March 25, 2019, LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd exercised its conversion option and converted the Maximum Conversion Amount under the Note.

On June 5, 2019, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp., acting as representative of the several underwriters, which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) and the purchase by the Underwriters of 11,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.02 par value per share. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, the shares were sold to the Underwriters at a public offering price of $0.50 per share, less certain underwriting discounts and commissions. As part of this transaction, 2,000,000 shares were purchased by Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, Chairman of the Board of directors. The Company also granted the Underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 240,0001,680,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the same terms and conditions for the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the Offering (519,186 shares were exercised on July 18, 2019 at an exercise price of $1.00$0.50 per share, less underwriting discounts and expenses). The net offering proceeds to a total of two related party accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $900,000, of which $300,000 was recorded as a subscription receivable as of December 31, 2017 in the stockholders equity section. On March 29, 2018, the Company received the paymentwas approximately $5.0 million, inclusive of the $300,000 subscription receivableJuly 18, 2019 transaction and after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the investor, which is presented net of $12,000 of financing costs.

On July 3, 2018, the Company sold 214,286 shares of its common stock, par value $0.02 per share, to a related party accredited investor, Heng Fai Holdings Limited. The purchase price was $1.40 per share,Offering for total proceeds of $300,000.research, product and brand development, strategic initiatives and general corporate and working capital purposes.

 

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, 2018,2019, the Company had stock compensation expense of approximately $107,000$331,000 or less than $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share ($203,000;107,000, or less than $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share for the corresponding nine months ended September 30, 2017)2018). Of the $331,000, $52,000 was accrued for the CEO of a subsidiary of the Company.

 

In July 2019, by unanimous written consent, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to issue individual stock grants of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, to certain officers and directors in the amount of 458,719 shares, at $0.42 per share which were immediately vested and issued on September 6, 2019.

10.12. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following table summarizes supplemental cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

Supplemental Cash Information          
 2018  2017  2019 2018 
          
Cash paid for interest $100,000  $127,000  $128,000  $100,000 
                
Non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Gain from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives $17,000  $10,000 
Commons Stock issued for investment      485,000 
Impact of adoption of lease accounting standards $1,616,000  $- 
(Loss) gain from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives $7,000  $17,000 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible note $500,000  $- 
Equity issued to purchase intangible assets $145,000  $- 
Elimination of contingent liabilities through agreement  459,000   -  $-  $459,000 
Purchase of intangible assets to be paid in installments  304,000   -  $-  $304,000 

 

11.13. Segment Information

 

The Company’s businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as five operating segments. Two of these operating segments, Packaging and Printing, and Plastics are engaged in the printing and production of paper, cardboard and plastic documents with a wide range of features, including the Company’s patented technologies and trade secrets designed for the protection of documents against unauthorized duplication and altering. The three other operating segments, DSS Digital Group, DSS Technology Management, and DSS International, which was added in 2018, are engaged in various aspects of developing, acquiring, selling and licensing technology assets and are grouped into one reportable segment called Technology.

 

Approximate information concerning the Company’s operations by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20172018 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, 2019 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $2,119,000   916,000   498,000   -  $3,533,000 
Depreciation and amortization  228,000   122,000   70,000   -   420,000 
Interest expense  (24,000)  (9,000)  (3,000)  (22,000)  (58,000)
Stock based compensation  4,000   -   20,000   249,000   273,000 
Net loss  (322,000)  (29,000)  (64,000)  (836,000)  (1,251,000)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $2,736,000  $1,048,000  $310,000  $-  $4,094,000 
Depreciation and amortization  227,000   60,000   22,000   1,000   310,000 
Interest expense  (20,000)  (6,000)  -   (4,000)  (30,000)
Stock based compensation  1,000   -   15,000   4,000   20,000 
Net Income (loss)  96,000   72,000   (427,000)  (153,000)  (412,000)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total 
           
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total 
Revenue $2,719,000  $1,049,000  $431,000  $-  $4,199,000  $8,434,000   2,591,000   1,424,000   -  $12,449,000 
Depreciation and amortization  169,000   30,000   152,000   1,000   352,000   675,000   208,000   168,000   -   1,051,000 
Interest expense  (28,000)  -   (17,000)  (13,000)  (58,000)  (76,000)  (24,000)  (6,000)  (22,000)  (128,000)
Stock based compensation  -   -   1,000   11,000   12,000   13,000   -   62,000   256,000   331,000 
Net Income (loss)  304,000   53,000   (397,000)  (237,000)  (277,000)
Net Loss  (254,000)  (346,000)  (642,000)  (1,490,000)  (2,732,000)
Identifiable assets  9,156,000   3,884,000   899,000   4,611,000   18,550,000 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total  Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total 
           
Revenue $8,483,000  $2,949,000  $1,127,000  $-  $12,559,000  $8,483,000  $2,949,000  $1,127,000  $-  $12,559,000 
Depreciation and amortization  561,000   119,000   322,000   1,000   1,003,000   561,000   119,000   322,000   1,000   1,003,000 
Interest expense  (66,000)  (17,000)  (12,000)  (17,000)  (112,000)
Interest Expense  (66,000)  (17,000)  (12,000)  (17,000)  (112,000)
Stock based compensation  2,000   -   82,000   23,000   107,000   2,000   -   82,000   23,000   107,000 
Net Income (loss)  378,000   63,000   2,092,000   (674,000)  1,859,000   378,000   63,000   2,092,000   (674,000)  1,859,000 
Identifiable assets  9,381,000   3,141,000   830,000   1,483,000   14,835,000   9,381,000   3,141,000   830,000   1,483,000   14,835,000 

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 
Interest Expense  (83,000)  -   (44,000)  (44,000)  (171,000)
Stock based compensation  -   -   38,000   165,000   203,000 
Net Income (loss)  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 

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

 

Printed Products Revenue Information:

 

 Total 
Three months ended September 30, 2019   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $1,883,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  251,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  306,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  595,000 
Total Printed Products $3,035,000 
 Total     
Three months ended September 30, 2018       
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $2,482,000  $2,482,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  253,000   253,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  409,000    409,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  640,000   640,000 
Total Printed Products $3,784,000  $3,784,000 
        
Three months ended September 30, 2017    
Nine months ended September 30, 2019    
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $2,469,000  $7,619,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  250,000   828,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  528,000    968,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  522,000   1,610,000 
Total Printed Products $3,769,000  $11,025,000 
        
Nine months ended September 30, 2018        
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $7,592,000  $7,592,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  891,000   891,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  915,000    915,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  2,034,000   2,034,000 
Total Printed Products $11,432,000  $11,432,000 
    
Nine months ended September 30, 2017    
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $7,334,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  788,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  1,421,000  
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  2,012,000 
Total Printed Products $11,555,000 

 

Technology Sales, Services and Licensing Revenue Information:

 

  Total 
Three months ended September 30, 2018   
Information Technology Sales and Services $61,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  143,000 
Royalties from Licensees  107,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $311,000 
     
Three months ended September 30, 2017    
Information Technology Sales and Services $103,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  150,000 
Royalties from Licensees  178,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $431,000 
     
Nine months ended September 30, 2018    
Information Technology Sales and Services $269,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  494,000 
Royalties from Licensees  364,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $1,127,000 
     
Nine months ended September 30, 2017    
Information Technology Sales and Services $354,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  404,000 
Royalties from Licensees  518,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $1,276,000 

  Total 
Three months ended September 30, 2019   
Information Technology Sales and Services $46,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  307,000 
Royalties from Licensees  145,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $498,000 
     
Three months ended September 30, 2018    
Information Technology Sales and Services $61,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  143,000 
Royalties from Licensees  107,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $311,000 
     
Nine months ended September 30, 2019    
Information Technology Sales and Services $151,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  857,000 
Royalties from Licensees  416,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $1,424,000 
     
Nine months ended September 30, 2018    
Information Technology Sales and Services $269,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  494,000 
Royalties from Licensees  364,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $1,127,000 

 

11. Subsequent Events14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In October 2019, the Company entered into two separate convertible preferred promissory notes (“Note” or “Notes”) with unaffiliated companies, where the Company loaned a total principal sum of $700,000. The first Note has interest charged at the rate of six percent (6%) and is payable upon demand. The second Note is to be repaid on or before the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the closing date of the Note, together with interest therein at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum. The Company has the right to convert both Notes to equity, in its sole discretion, upon written notice.

 

On October 24, 2018,29, 2019 and subsequently October 30, 2019, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company Global eMacMall Limited,approved the issuance of common stock, not to exceed 6,000,000 shares, via private placement with a privately-ownedrelated party. Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, LiquidValue Development Pte LTD, a company incorporated in Hong Kong (“GEMM”),owned and Li Kin Pong, the sole-stockholder and owner of GEMM and a resident of Hong Kong, entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) wherebycontrolled by Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, DSS’s Chairman, purchased from the Company, will acquire 51%in a private placement, and aggregate of the outstanding common6,000,000 shares of GEMM (the “GEMM Acquisition”). GEMM is a holding company which serves as a platformcommon stock, for the provision of construction equipment and special purpose vehicles through sales and leasing arrangements, primarily in Asia. Pursuantan above market purchase price equal to $0.3037 per share for gross proceeds to the Agreement, the Company will issue 3,200,000 shares of its common stock and $1,121,000 by way of cash or in promissory notes, as determined by Company in its sole discretion in exchange for 51% of the outstanding shares of GEMM. Furthermore if the net earnings of GEMM in calendar year 2018 is less than $1,300,000, then the Purchase Price will be reduced by the amount of the short-fall of the net earnings for calendar year 2018 multiplied by a price to earnings ratio of 7, and a corresponding adjustment will be made to the remaining balance owed in cash or under any existing promissory note. Closing of the GEMM Acquisition is anticipated to occur within 60 days following the date of the Agreement, subject to customary closing conditions, as well as (i) the completion to the satisfaction of Company of a due diligence review of GEMM,$1,822,200 (before deductions for placement agent fees and (ii) additional listing approval by the NYSE American LLC exchange of the DSS Shares to be issued.other expenses). This transaction was executed on November 1, 2019.

20

 

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

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein 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 “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 set forth in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (referred to in this report as “Document Security Systems”, “DSS”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “Company”) 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 documents and digital information. The Company holds numerous patents for optical deterrent technologies that provide protection of printed information from unauthorized scanning and copying. We operate two production facilities, consisting of a combined security printing and packaging facility and a plastic card facility where we produce secure and non-secure documents for our customers. We license our anti-counterfeiting technologies to printers and brand-owners. In addition, we have a digital division which provides cloud computing services for our customers, including disaster recovery, back-up and data security services. In 2013, the Company expanded its business focus by merging with DSS Technology Management, Inc., formerly known as Lexington Technology Group, Inc., which acquires intellectual property assets and interests in companies owning intellectual property assets for the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation. In January 2018, the Company commenced international operations with its wholly owned subsidiary, DSS Asia Limited, in its office in Hong Kong. In December 2018, this division acquired Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd, a Chinese company that enhances the Company’s ability to do business in China. Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd, did not have revenue but has two employees and a license to do business in China.

 

We do business in fivefour operating segments as follows:

 

DSS Packaging and Printing Group - Produces custom paperboard packaging serving clients in the pharmaceutical, beverage, photo packaging, toy, specialty foods and direct marketing industries, among others. The group also provides secure and commercial printing services for end-user customers along with technical support for our technology licensees. The division produces a wide array of printed materials such as security paper, vital records, prescription paper, birth certificates, receipts, manuals, identification materials, entertainment tickets, secure coupons, parts tracking forms, brochures, direct mailing pieces, catalogs, business cards, etc. The division also provides resources and production equipment resources for our ongoing research and development of security printing and related technologies.

 

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 - DevelopsThis division researches, develops, markets and marketssells world wide the Company’s digital products, including and primarily, our AuthentiGuard product, which is a brand authentication solutions, including AuthentiGuard, a smartphone-based application system that integrates traditional printedthe Company’s optical deterrent technologies used in its security printing offerings with proprietary digital data security-based solutions for brand protectionsolutions. The AuthentiGuard product allows customers to implement a security mark utilizing conventional printing methods that is copy and counterfeit resistant that can be read and recorded utilizing smartphones and other digital image capture devices, which can be utilized by that customer’s suppliers, field personnel and customers throughout its global product diversion prevention.supply and distribution chains.

 

DSS and DSS Technology Management - Acquires or internally develops patented technology or intellectual propertySince its acquisition in 2013, DSS Technology Management’s primary mission has been the attempted monetization of its various patent portfolios through commercial litigation. Except for investment in its social networking related patents, DSS Technology Management and the Company have historically partnered with various third-party funding groups in connection with patent monetization programs. While DSS Technology and the Company may continue to consider new patent opportunities in the future, the pursuit of such acquisitions opportunities will be very selective. As to the existing assets, (or interests therein),management will continue to assert and defend the existing patents and purse potential infringements as they are identified.

In connection with the purpose of monetizing these assets throughthis patent acquisition and protection business, we have previously purchased patents in a variety of value-enhancing initiatives,fields, including but not limitedsocial networking, mobile communications, semi-conductors, Bluetooth and LED, and had initiated patent infringement litigation against a wide range of domestic and global companies. In our patent monetization business model, we engage with legal firms that typically work under fee caps and contingency fee arrangements. To date, we have been or are currently in litigation with, among others, Apple, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Intel, NEC, Lenovo, Seoul Semiconductor, Everlight Electronics, Cree, Nichia and Osram, GMBH. During the course of these litigation matters, we typically incur a variety of legal challenges from defendants, including defendants seeking to investmentshave the patents in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation. As previously reportedquestion adjudicated to be invalid by the Company, bothUnited States Patent and Trademark Office through the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, currently maintain activeInter Parts Review process. As a result of these various legal challenges issued by defendants, we have experienced varying levels of success in our efforts to monetize our patent infringement lawsuits against numerousinvestments. In addition, to date, most of settlements or payments received from defendants including, but not limitedhave been remitted to cases against Apple, Inc., Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.et. al., Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd.et. al., Cree, Inc., Lite-On, Inc.et. al. and Nichia Corporationet. al.

DSS International - Assists in development and marketing of the Company’s digital authentication productsthird-party funders in accordance with the Hong Kong market.terms of those respective funding agreements.

 

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 as compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018

 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in this Quarterly Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

 

Revenue

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2018

  

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2017

  % change  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2018

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2017

  % change  Three Months Ended September 30, 2019  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change 
Revenue                                                
Printed products $3,784,000  $3,767,000   0% $11,432,000  $11,553,000   -1% $3,035,000  $3,784,000   -20% $11,025,000  $11,432,000   -4%
Technology sales, services and licensing  310,000   432,000   -28%  1,127,000   1,276,000   -12%  498,000   310,000   61%  1,424,000   1,127,000   26%
                                                
Total revenue $4,094,000  $4,199,000   -3% $12,559,000  $12,829,000   -2% $3,533,000  $4,094,000   -14% $12,449,000  $12,559,000   -1%

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018,2019, total revenue was approximately $4.1 million, a decrease of 3% fromdeclined 14% as compared to the corresponding three months ended September 30, 2017.2018. Revenues from the sale of printedPrinted products were relatively flatdecreased 20% during the three months ended September 30, 2018,2019, as compared to the same period in 2017.2018, primarily due to significant decreased packaging and technology card sales. Technology sales, services and licensing revenue decreased 28%increased 61% during the three months ended September 30, 20182019 as compared to the same period in 2017,2018, primarily due to declinesa significant increase in licensing royalties and general IT services.AuthentiGuard sales. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 decreased from $12.8remained relatively flat at $12.5 million toand $12.6 representing a decline of 2%.million respectively. Printed products revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 were down by 1%4% as compared to the same period in 2017,2018, primarily due to a decline in vinyl card sales forand commercial printing and technology integrated plastic cards and badges,sales, while Technology sales, services and licensing revenue decreasedincreased by 12%26%, primarily resulting from a decline in general IT services and royalty licensing revenues.increased AuthentiGuard sales.

Costs and expenses

 

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  % change 
Costs and expenses                        
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $2,552,000  $2,401,000   6% $7,890,000  $7,380,000   7%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  795,000   920,000   -14%  2,616,000   2,659,000   -2%
Depreciation and amortization  310,000   352,000   -12%  1,003,000   1,042,000   -4%
Professional fees  243,000   198,000   23%  828,000   556,000   49%
Stock based compensation  20,000   12,000   67%  107,000   203,000   -47%
Sales and marketing  137,000   117,000   17%  351,000   292,000   20%
Rent and utilities  173,000   167,000   4%  488,000   462,000   6%
Other operating expenses  241,000   205,000   18%  698,000   561,000   24%
Research and development  2,000   -   N/A   107,000   102,000   5%
                         
Total costs and expenses $4,473,000  $4,372,000   2% $14,088,000  $13,257,000   6%

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2019  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change 
Costs and expenses                        
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $2,218,000  $2,552,000   -13% $8,275,000  $7,890,000   5%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  773,000   795,000   -3%  2,508,000   2,616,000   -4%
Depreciation and amortization  420,000   310,000   35%  1,051,000   1,003,000   5%
Professional fees  544,000   243,000   124%  1,270,000   828,000   53%
Stock based compensation  273,000   20,000   1265%  331,000   107,000   209%
Sales and marketing  111,000   137,000   -19%  392,000   351,000   12%
Rent and utilities  187,000   173,000   8%  551,000   488,000   13%
Other operating expenses  239,000   241,000   -1%  697,000   698,000   0%
Research and development  (32,000)  2,000   -1700%  (13,000)  107,000   -112%
                         
Total costs and expenses $4,733,000  $4,473,000   6% $15,062,000  $14,088,000   7%

 

Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization includes all direct costs of printed products revenues, including materials, direct labor, transportation and manufacturing facility costs. In addition, this category includes all direct costs associated with technology sales, services and licensing including hardware and software that are resold, and fees paid to inventors or others as a result of technology licenses or settlements, if any. Costs of goods sold increaseddecreased by 6%13% during the three months ended September 30, 20182019 as compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due2018. This decrease is attributed to a general increaseboth the decline in material costsrevenue as a percentage ofwell as cost controlling measures put in regarding external warehousing, inter-warehouse shipments, and labor at the printed products groups’ total direct costsDSS Printing and an increase of outside services used by our packaging division.Packaging Group as well as the DSS Plastics Group. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, costs of goods sold increased by 7%5% as compared to the same period in 2017 for2018, resulting from the same reasons as stated forincrease in paper costs, freight costs, and machine maintenance at the three months ended September 30, 2018.Company’s two production facilities.

 

Sales, general and administrative compensation costs, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased 14%3% and 2%4%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, as compared to the same periods in 2017,2018, primarily due to the reduction of senior management headcount and a reduction in commissions and bonus compensation expense.

 

Depreciation and amortization include the depreciation of machinery and equipment used for production, depreciation of office equipment and building and leasehold improvements, amortization of software, and amortization of acquired intangible assets such as customer lists, trademarks, non-compete agreements and patents, and internally developed patent assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, depreciation and amortization expense decreased 12%increased 35% and 4%5%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2017,2018, primarily due to the write-off of the semiconductor patents during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018, (Note 5).as well as the addition of pre-production software and hardware and production equipment at the DSS Printing and Packaging Group.

 

Professional fees increased 23%124% and 49%53%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, as compared to the same periods in 2017, as a result of increases in new consulting services for DSS International and2018, mostly due to increases in legal services for patent litigation.litigation, as well as the outsourcing of corporate legal services.

 

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-basedStock based compensation increased 67% during the three months ended September 30, 2018,1265% and 209%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2017, due to the costsa result of stock optionsbased compensation totaling approximately $52,000 accrued for the CEO of a subsidiary of the Company, as well as an increase in common stock granted to various employeescertain executive members and directors during the third quarter of 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock-based compensation decreased by 47%, as compared to the same period in 2017, due to a decline in stock options granted to employees.2019.

 

Sales and marketing costs, which include internet and trade publication advertising, travel and entertainment costs, sales-broker commissions, and trade show participation expenses decreased 19% during the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, resulting from a decrease in marketing and travel costs for the technology group. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, sales and marketing costs increased 17%12% as compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to travel costs for the associated with the implementation of the AuthentiGuard product at customer sites throughout Europe and 20%Asia.

Rent and utilities increased by 8% and 13%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, resulting from increases in trade show and travel and entertainment costs for the Company.

Rent and utilities increased by 4% and 6%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, as compared to the same periods in 2017,2018, primarily due to an increase in rentalfacilities maintenance costs atand rent expense for the Company’s plastics division.printed products group.

 

Other operating expenses consist primarily of equipment maintenance and repairs, office supplies, IT support bad debt expense and insurance costs. Other operating expenses increased by 18% and 24%, respectively, duringDuring the three and nine months ended September, 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, primarily as the result of increases in dues and subscriptions, equipmentother operating expenses and bank fees.remained relatively flat.

 

Research and developmentcosts consist primarily of compensation costs for research personnel, third-party research costs, and consulting costs. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, research and development costs were approximately $2,000 as compared to no researchResearch and development costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For theand nine months ended September 30, 2018, research2019 declined 1700% and development costs increased 5%112%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2018, primarily due to receipt of the anticipated $33,243 refund on development costs related tofor the development of proprietary block chain solutions for DSS International.

 

Other Income and Expense(Expense)

 

  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2018
  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2017
  %
change
  Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2018
  Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2017
  %
change
 
                   
Other income and expense                        
Interest income $2,000  $-   NA  $8,000  $-   NA 
Interest expense  (30,000)  (58,000)  -48%  (112,000)  (171,000)  -35%
Amortized debt discount  (6,000)  (41,000)  -85%  (40,000)  (113,000)  -65%
Gain on extinguishment of liabilities, net  -   -   0%  3,533,000   -   N/A 
Total other income and expense $(34,000) $(99,000)  -66% $3,389,000  $(284,000)  -1293%

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change 
Other income (expense):                  
Interest income $7,000  $2,000   250% $11,000  $8,000   38%
Interest expense  (58,000)  (30,000)  93%  (128,000)  (112,000)  14%
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  -   (6,000)  -100%  (2,000)  (40,000)  -95%
Gain on extinguishment of liabilities, net  -   -   0%  -   3,533,000   -100%
Total other expense $(51,000) $(34,000)  50% $(119,000) $3,389,000   -104%

 

The company

Interest incomerecognized interest income on the money market account in the amount of $8,000 duringwas $11,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2019.

 

Interest expense decreased 48%increased 93% and 35%, respectively,14% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared2019, respectively,due to the same periodsinterest expense incurred with the settlement of the swap agreement associated with the consolidation of the two Promissory Notes noted in 2017, due to a decrease in the total debt carried by the Company in 2018 as compared to 2017.Note 6.

 

Amortized debt discount decreased 85%100% and 65%, respectively,95% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2017,2018, due to a decrease in the total debt carried by the Company in 2018 as compared to 2017.

Gain on extinguishment of liabilities, net -On June 26, 2018, the Company reached an agreement with one of its third-party IP monetization co-investors that, among other things, discharged the amounts recorded as liabilities by the Company under an agreement executed in 2014. As a result of this agreement, the Company recorded a gain of extinguishment of liabilities of $3,714,129 to reflect the dischargeimpact of the notes, a write down of other current labilities of $114,000 to reflect the elimination the contingent equity interests of $459,000 offset by the repaymentwrite-off of the $345,000 restricted cash, andsemiconductor patents during the Company wrote-off the value of the underlying patents which had a net book value of $295,470, all of which resulted in the a net gain on the extinguishment of liabilities of $3,532,659 recorded in the periodnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2018.

 

Net Income (Loss)(loss)

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  % change 
              Three Months Ended September 30, 2019  Three Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018  % change 
Net income (loss) $(413,000) $(277,000)  49% $1,860,000  $(726,000)  -356% $(1,251,000) $(413,000)  203% $(2,732,000) $1,860,000   -247%
                                                
Income (loss) per common share:                        
Earnings (loss) per common share:                        
Basic $(0.02) $(0.02)  0% $0.11  $(0.05)  -320% $(0.05) $(0.02)  150% $(0.12) $0.11   -209%
Diluted $(0.02) $(0.02)  0% $0.11  $(0.05)  -320% $(0.05) $(0.02)  150% $(0.12) $0.11   -209%
                        
Shares used in computing income (loss) per common share:                        
Basic  16,767,992   14,087,849   19%  16,662,907   13,793,946   21%
Diluted  16,767,992   14,087,849   19%  16,930,812   13,793,946   23%

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018,2019, the Company recorded net loss of approximately $412,000,$1.2 million, as compared to a net loss of $277,000$413,000 during the same period in 2017.2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, the company recorded net loss of $2.7 million, as compared to net income of $1.9 million primarily duefor the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increases in operating losses incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same periods in 2018 primarily reflect the combined impact of a decline in revenues in the Printed products group coupled with an increases in professional fees, stock based compensation, costs associated with the Company’s expansion into Asia, and the impact of the net gain from extinguishment of liabilities of approximately $3.5 million, which occurred during the second quarter of 2018, offset by operating losses incurred during the same period. The increases in operating losses incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the same periods in 2017 primarily reflect the combined impact of a decline in revenues, especially technology-based revenues which carry higher gross margins, coupled with an increase in professional fees and an increase in costs associated with the Company’s expansion into Asia in 2018.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of September 30, 2018,2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,051,800 and restricted cash of $6,180.$3,916,332.

 

Operating Cash Flow – During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, the Company used approximately $1.5 million$3,285,500 of cash for operations as compared to the $1.2 million$1,524,550 in cash used for operations during the first nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. The increase in the use of cash for operations primarily reflects an increase in net operating loss as well as payments toward various accrued liabilities and expenses across all business units.

 

Investing Cash Flow – During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, the Company expended approximately $526,000$823,400 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations, $32,000 for non-compete agreement installment payments,group, and approximately $20,000$350,000 for patent applications.ACS licensing agreement for the DSS International group.

 

Financing Cash Flows - During the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, the Company made aggregate principal payments for long-term debt of approximately $966,000, which included a one-time payment of $345,000 as part of a final settlement of one debt agreement. In addition, the Company also received proceeds of approximately $288,000 from the collection of a subscription receivable, $88,000 in$194,000, and had borrowings from theon its equipment line of credit for the plastics group, and $300,000of approximately $588,000. The Company also received net proceeds of $500,000 from the sale of the Company’s common stock.stock as a result of the conversion of a short-term convertible note that was entered into and converted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. In addition, the Company raised approximately $4.9 million by the sale of common shares that occurred in June 2019. In July 2019, in accordance with the Company’s underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp., Aegis exercised an overallotment of 519,186 shares which brought a net $162,000 to the Company.

 

Future Capital NeedsContinuing Operations and Going Concern -AsThe accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we 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 $ 3.9 million in cash, and a positive working capital position of approximately $4.3 million as of September 30, 2018,2019, the Company hadhas incurred negative cash flows from operating and investing activities over the past two years and has projected that the Company will likely incur negative cash flows from operations in 2019. To continue as a going concern, on June 5, 2019, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp., acting as representative of the several underwriters, which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) of 11,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company also granted the Underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,680,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the same terms and conditions for the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the Offering (519,186 shares were exercised on July 18, 2019.) The net offering proceeds to the Company was approximately $5.0 million, inclusive of the July 18, 2019 transaction and after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. Also, on November 1, 2019, Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, LiquidValue Development Pte LTD, a company owned and controlled by Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, DSS’s Chairman, purchased from the Company, in a private placement, and aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of common stock, for an above market purchase price equal to $0.3037 per share (at the time of LiquidValues’ commitment, the closing stock price was $0.26 per share) for net proceeds to the Company of approximately $2,051,000$1.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and $800,000 available toother offering expenses (see Note 14).

The expected use of cash for operations in 2019 will be primarily for funding operating losses, working capital, legal expenses associated with its packaging division under a revolving creditintellectual property related litigation, and the costs associated with the global roll-out of the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line. The Company believeswill also use these funds to make capital improvements at its two manufacturing facilities to increase production capacity and create efficiencies, as well as to diversify its revenue streams and take advantage of profit opportunities.

The Company’s management intends to take actions necessary to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters includes, among other things, continued growth among our operating segments including international expansion of our AuthentiGuard product, and tightly controlling operating costs and reducing spending growth rates wherever possible to return to profitability.

We believe that its currentour $3.9 million in aggregate cash resources and credit line resources provide it with sufficient resources to fund its operations and meet its obligations for at least the next twelve months, provided that the Company achieves or substantially achieves the key factorsequivalents as of its business plan over the next twelve months, including but not limited to (i) increasing sales of the Company’s digital products, especially of its AuthentiGuard products; (ii) continuing to decrease legal and professional expenses for the Company’s intellectual property monetization business; and (iii) continuing to generate operating profits from the Company’s packaging and plastic printing operations. In the absence of any of these, weSeptember 30, 2019 will likely need to raise capital of approximately $500,000 to $1,000,000allow us to fund our four operating segments current and planned operations for the twelve months. The Company believes that it will be able to raisethrough 2020. However, we may seek additional equity and/or debt funding if necessary to fund working capital requirements not met by its current cash and credit resources. The Company has been able to obtain equity and/or debt-based financing in the past, including most recently when the Company raised gross proceeds of $1,050,000 in September 2017 and an $300,000 in July 2018 fromthrough the sale of its equity. However, there is no assurance the Company will be able to raise sufficient funds in the futuredebt or equity securities, if necessary, especially in conjunction with opportunistic acquisitions or licensing arrangements. Based on this, we have concluded that substantial doubt of our ability to do so.continue as a going concern has been alleviated.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any 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

 

The preparation of 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, 2018 describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the financial statements. Additionally, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and its related amendments which introduced Leases (Topic 842, or “ASC 842”), as required, effective January 1, 2019 and elected the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption, without a restatement of prior periods. The new accounting standard requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for all leases with lease terms of greater than 12 months. Further, the Company elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less) and an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets. As a result of September 30, 2018,the adoption, the Company adjusted its balance sheet by recording an ROU asset and lease liability. The adoption impacted the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, but did not have an impact on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company uses a discount rate to determine the present value based on the rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable, or its incremental borrowing rate. Critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. A discussion of such critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from those set forthcan be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Refer2018. Other than the adoption of Topic ASC 842, there have been no material changes to Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in this report for the Company’s Critical accounting policies with respect to revenue recognition. For a complete discussion of the Company’s othersuch critical accounting policies refer toas of the Company’s AnnualQuarterly Report on Form 10-K10-Q for the yearquarter ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2019.

 

ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer andwho is also our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures for the quarter ended September 30, 2018,2019, 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, 20172018 which remained asAs of September 30, 2018,2019, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2018,2019, 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 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 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, 2018, 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, 2019 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 third quarter of 2018ended September 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ourthe Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As previously reportedSee commentary in our Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2018, on March 23, 2018, in connection with the pending patent infringement litigation matter between the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (“DSSTM”)Note 10 Commitments and defendant Apple, Inc. (“Apple”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) entered judgment in favor of DSSTM reversing a previous ruling made by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (the “PTAB”), which was favorable to defendant Apple, finding that PTAB erred when it found certain claims of DSSTM’s U.S. Patent No. 6,128,290 to be unpatentable. The Federal Circuit affirmed its decision on July 12, 2018, when it denied Apple’s petition for panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s Opinion and Judgement issued on March 23, 2018. On July 27, 2018, the District Court judge lifted the Stay resuming the litigation.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 for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

 

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

 

As previously reported in our Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2018, on July 3, 2018, the Company closed the sale of 214,286 shares of its common stock, par value $0.02 per share, to a related party accredited investor, Heng Fai Holdings Limited. The purchase price was $1.40 per share, for total proceeds of $300,000. The common stock sold in this transaction has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and was sold in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.None.

 

ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

On August 27, 2019, the Company entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Frank D. Heuszel, Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Heuszel shall receive an annual base salary of $165,000, payable bi-weekly, and shall be eligible to an annual performance bonus in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, upon the Company’s achievement of certain net income and gross revenue milestones In the event of a change in control of the Company or the termination of Mr. Heuszel’s employment without cause, Mr. Heuszel shall receive four-months’ salary, payable monthly. The terms of Mr. Heuszel’s agreement were previously disclosed in our Form 8-K filed July 16, 2019.

On September 5, 2019, the Company entered in an executive employment agreement with Mr. Jason Grady, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Grady shall receive an annual base salary of $200,000 and shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus, in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, upon the Company’s achievement of certain net income and gross revenue milestones. In the event of a change in control of the Company or the termination of Mr. Grady’s employment without cause, he shall be entitled to receive four-month’s base salary. The terms of Mr. Grady’s agreement were previously disclosed in our Form 8-K filed July 16, 2019.

On September 23, 2019, the Company entered in an executive employment agreement with Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, a director of the Company, Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary DSS International Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of DSS Asia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSS International Inc., Pursuant to the agreement,, Mr. Chan  shall receive an annual base salary of $250,000, payable quarterly in either cash or common stock, subject to availability of shares under a shareholder-approved stock plan. The calculation of each quarterly payment of common stock shall be the Company’s average trading price for the last ten trading days of that quarter. Mr. Chan is also eligible to receive an annual performance bonus, in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, upon the Company’s achievement of certain net income and gross revenue milestones. Mr. Chan has the option to have the bonus paid in Company common stock. In the event of a change in control of the Company or the termination of Mr. Chan’s employment without cause, Mr. Chan shall receive four-months’ salary, payable monthly. The terms of Mr. Chan’s agreement were previously disclosed in our Form 8-K filed July 16, 2019.

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number 

Exhibit Description

   
10.1Executive Employment Agreement dated August 27, 2019, 2019, between the Registrant and Frank D. Heuszel
10.2Executive Employment Agreement dated September 5, 2019, between the Registrant and Jason Grady
10.3Executive Employment Agreement dated September 23, 2019, between the Registrant and Chan Heng Fai
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer.*
31.2Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.32.1**
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer as required by 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*

101.INS XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

 

*Filed herewith.

*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith. This certification will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

 

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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, INC.
   
November 14, 201813, 2019By:/s/ Jeffrey RonaldiFrank D. Heuszel
  Jeffrey Ronaldi

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

November 14, 2018By:/s/ Philip Jones
Philip JonesFrank D. Heuszel
  Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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