UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-FUNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

      ☐

FORM 20-F

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

     ☒ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal year endedSeptember 30, 2017

 

OR

 

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

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

OR

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

 

For the transition period from ________________ to _________________

 

   ☐SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report            

 

Commission file number:001-34738

 

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding LtdLuokung Technology Corp.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

British Virgin Islands 

3rd Floor, Borough A,B9-8, Block A. No.181, South Taibai
B, SOHO Phase II, No. 9, Guanghua Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China, 710065100020

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Address of principal executive offices)

 

Ms. Li Wu

3rd Floor, Borough A,Miss. Qinyu ZhaoB9-8, Block A. No.181, South TaibaiB, SOHO Phase II, No. 9, Guanghua Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing
People’s Republic of China 710065100020
Tel: (86) 29-88266368

(Name,10-65065217 (Name, telephone, Email and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

 

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

 

Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered

Ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share

American Depositary Shares, each representing

one Ordinary Share

 

None

NASDAQ Capital Market

Preferred shares, par value $0.01 per shareNone

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

none

(Title of Class)

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

 

none

(Title of Class)

 

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. 1,405,000209,081,533 Ordinary Shares including 714,375 Ordinary Shares represented by 714,375 American Depositaryand 22,794,872 Preferred Shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017. (The numbers reflected the effect from a 1-for-10 reverse split effective November 6, 2012)December 31, 2019.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   ☐   Yes      No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    ☐  Yes      No

 

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    ☐  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data 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   ☐   No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.filer or an “emerging growth company.” See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ☐                 Accelerated filer  ☐                 Non-accelerated filer  ☒

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.

 

U.S. GAAP   

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

by the International Accounting Standards Board  ☐

 Other  ☐

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  ☐    Item 18  ☐

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes No

 

 

 

 

In this annual report:

References to the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” are to Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding LtdLuokung Technology Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, subsidiaries controlled by contract and variable interest entity,entities, except as the context otherwise requires;

 

References to an “ADS” are to an American Depositary Share, each of which representsrepresented one of our Ordinary Shares with a par value of $.01 per share;

 

References to a particular “fiscal” year, such as “fiscal 2017”2019”, are to our fiscal year ended on September 30,December 31, of that yearyear.

 

Note Regarding Reliance on SEC Order

On April 29, 2020, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 6-K (the “Form 6-K) to indicate its intention to rely on the order issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on  March 25, 2020 (the “SEC Order”) to delay the filing of its Annual Report on Form 20-F because the Company’s operations and business were experiencing disruption due to the unprecedented conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Consistent with the Company’s statements in the Form 6-K,  the Company was unable to file its Annual Report on Form 20-F on or before April 30, 2020  because the Company followed the recommendations of local health authorities to minimize exposure risk for its employees, including the temporary closures of our offices, and having many employees work remotely. There was a country wide lockdown in China from January 23, 2020 to April 8, 2020. As a result of the above-mentioned factors, the Company’s books and records were not easily accessible, resulting in delay in preparation, compilation and completion of our annual financial statements for the 2019 fiscal year.  On June 15, 2020, the Company filed a “Notification of Late Filing” on Form 12b-25 pursuant to Rule 12b-25 of the Exchange Act to further delay the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

 

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995.

 

You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this annual report. These forward-looking statements include:include, but are not limited to, statements about: 

 

our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;

 

expected changes in our net revenues and certain cost or expense items;

 

our ability to attract and retain customers; and

 

trends and competition in the enterprise mobile software applicationspatial-temporal big-data processing and interactive location-based services market.

 

You should read this annual report thoroughlyand the documents that we refer to in this annual report and have filed as exhibits to this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and/or worse, than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Other sections of this annual report include additionaldiscuss factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

This annual report also contains estimates, projections and statistical data related to the enterprise mobile software and IT services market in China. This market data, including data from IDC, a leading provider of market data and intelligence, speaks as of the date it was published and includes projections that are based on a number of assumptions and are not representations of fact. The enterprise mobile software and IT services market may not grow at the rates projected by the market data, or at all. The failure of the market to grow at the projected rates may materially and adversely affect our business and the market price We qualify all of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the software and IT services market subjects any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market to significant uncertainties. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data proves to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based onforward-looking statements by these assumptions.cautionary statements. 

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. WeThe forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I   
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers.Advisers1
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.Timetable1
Item 3. Key Information.Information1
 A.Selected Financial Data.Data1
 B.Capitalization and Indebtedness.Indebtedness43
 C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds.Proceeds43
 D.Risk Factors.Factors43
Item 4. Information on the Company.Company2419
 A.History and Development of the Company.Company2419
 B.Business Overview.Overview2520
 C.Organizational Structure.Structure3633
 D.Property, Plants and Equipment.Equipment3835
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments.Comments3835
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.Prospects3835
 A.Operating Results.Results3835
 B.Liquidity and Capital Resources.Resources5350
 C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.5352
 D.Trend Information.Information5352
 E.Off-balance Sheet Arrangements.Arrangements5452
 F.Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations.Obligations5453
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.Employees54
 A.Directors and Senior Management.Management54
 B.Compensation.Compensation5556
 C.Board Practices.Practices58
 D.Employees.Employees6261
 E.Share Ownership.Ownership6261
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.Transactions62
A.Major Shareholders62
B.Related Party Transactions63
 A.C.Major Shareholders.Interests of Experts and Counsel63
Item 8.Financial Information63
 B.Related Party Transactions.A.64
C.Interests of Experts and Counsel.66
Item 8.Financial Information.66
A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.Information6663
 B.Significant Changes.Changes6664
Item 9. The Offer and Listing.Listing64
A.Offer and Listing Details64
B.Plan of Distribution65
C.Markets65
D.Selling shareholders66
 A.E.Offer and Listing Details.Dilution66
 B.Plan of Distribution.F.67
C.Markets.67
D.Selling shareholders.67
E.Dilution.67
F.Expenses of the issue.issue6766

Item 10. Additional Information.Information6866
 A.Share Capital.Capital6866
 B.Memorandum and Articles of Association.Association6866
 C.Material Contracts.Contracts6871
 D.Exchange Controls.68
E.Taxation.Controls72
 F.E.Dividends and Paying Agents.Taxation78
 F.Dividends and Paying Agents84
G.Statement by Experts.Experts7884
 H.Documents on Display.Display7884
 I.Subsidiary Information.Information7884
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.Risk7985
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.Securities8086
 A.Debt Securities.Securities8086
 B.Warrants and Rights.Rights8086
 C.Other Securities.Securities8086
 B.D.American Depositary Shares.Shares8086

i

Part II   
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.Delinquencies8287
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.Proceeds8287
Item 15. Controls and Procedures.Procedures8387
Item 16. [Reserved.]8488
Item 16A.Audit Committee Financial Expert.Expert8488
Item 16B. Code of Ethics.Ethics8489
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.Services8589
Item 16D.Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.Committees8589
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.Purchasers8589
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.Accountant8589
Item 16G. Corporate Governance.Governance8589
Item 16H.Mine Safety Disclosure.Disclosure8589
    
Part III   
Item 17. Financial Statements.Statements8690
Item 18. Financial Statements.Statements8690
Item 19. Exhibits.Exhibits8690
Index to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-1

 

ii 

ii

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.  IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2.  OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.  KEY INFORMATION.

 

A.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding LtdLuokung Technology Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Kingtone Wireless”Luokung Technology”, “we”, “us”, or “the Company”) and Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company (“Kingtone Information”),consummated an asset exchange agreement pursuant to which was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China on December 28, 2001, are under common control from the earliest date presented. On October 27, 2009, we were incorporatedexchanged our existing assets with a fiscal year end of November 30, and on December 15, 2009, we consummated a number of related transactions to acquire contractual control of Kingtone Information (the “Reorganization”). The selected financial data are solely those of C Media Limited (the “Asset Exchange”) on August 17, 2018, and we changed our name from Kingtone Information for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, and then they are combined with Kingtone Wireless through December 15, 2009, the date of the Reorganization, and they are consolidated with Kingtone Wireless following the date of the Reorganization.Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd. to our current name on August 20, 2018. 

 

In March 2010,On October 4, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Asset Exchange, we changed our fiscal year end from November 30 to September 30 to have the same fiscal year end as Kingtone Information. As we and our wholly-owned subsidiaries had no operations from October 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009, except for our initial capitalization and our preparation for our initial public offering, the statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended September 30, 2009 is the same as those for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2009.December 31.


The selected financial data for the fiscal years 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 20132017 have been derived from our audited consolidated and combined financial statements. The selected consolidated and combined financial data should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the accompanying notes and “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” Our consolidated and combined financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our results expected for any future periods. You should not view our historical results as an indicator of our future performance.

 

1

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS DATA

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd and Subsidiaries

Selected Consolidated And Combined Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Data(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

 

  For the Years Ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated 
  ($ in Thousands, Except per Share Data) 
Total revenues $173  $1,192  $8,819  $6,186  $11,562 
Cost of sales  349   988   5,618   4,222   10,544 
Gross (loss) profit  (176)  204   3,201   1,964   1,018 
Operating expenses:                    
Selling and marketing expenses  101   134   153   364   557 
General and administrative expenses  1,471   1,917   3,355   1,940   2,805 
Research and development expenses  -   55   288   202   249 
Total operating expenses  1,572   2,106   3,796   2,506   3,611 
Operating (loss) income  (1,748)  (1,902)  (595)  (542)  (2,593)
Interest income  289   400   29   32   79 
loss of net investment in sales-type leases          -   -   (1,443)
Other income (expense), net  1,240   1,342   1,593   509   (1,176)
Income (Loss) before income tax expense  (219)  (160)  1,027   (1)  (5,133)
Income tax expenses          -   -   - 
Net (loss) income  (219) $(160) $1,027  $(1) $(5,133)
Other comprehensive income                    
Foreign currency translation gain(loss)  48   (867)  (686)  (38)  616 
Comprehensive (loss) income  (171) $(1,027) $341  $(39) $(4,517)
(Loss) Earnings per share:                    
Basic and Diluted $(0.16) $(0.11) $0.73  $(0.00) $(3.65)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding(1)                    
Basic and Diluted  1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000 

  For the years ended December 31, 
  2019  2018  2017 
          
Revenues $18,779,172  $21,042,363  $26,082,417 
Less: Cost of revenues  14,976,016   6,938,063   5,547,779 
Less: Operating expenses:            
Selling and marketing  3,764,792   14,695,165   23,908,733 
General and administrative  22,844,383   6,750,417   2,451,249 
Research and development  8,710,746   3,478,570   1,046,198 
Total operating expenses  35,319,921   24,924,152   27,406,180 
Loss from operations  (31,516,765)  (10,819,852)  (6,871,542)
Total other income (expense), net  (505,438)  (1,033,675)  61,088 
Loss before income taxes  (32,022,203)  (11,853,527)  (6,810,454)
Income tax benefit (expense)  70,992   (74,009)  - 
Net loss $(31,951,211) $(11,927,536) $(6,810,454)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  438,033   -   - 
Other comprehensive income:            
Foreign currency translation adjustment  541,489   447,246   90,671 
Total comprehensive loss $(31,409,722) $(11,480,290) $(6,719,783)
Net loss per ordinary share, basic and diluted $(0.16) $(0.16) $(6,810,454)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted  201,005,995   72,919,624   1 
2


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DATA

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd and Subsidiaries

Selected Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets Data(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

 

  As of September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated  Consolidated 
  ($ in Thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents  902   1,239   2,743   4,166   6,132 
Total current assets  5,568   12,334   7,489   19,393   19,591 
Total assets  23,001   23,724   25,694   32,894   33,581 
Advances from customers  368   381   392   8,365   9,062 
Dividend payable  777   775   812   840   842 
Total current liabilities  3,482   4,034   4,977   12,518   13,168 
Total shareholders’ equity  19,519   19,690   20,717   20,376   20,413 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  23,001   23,724   25,694   32,894   33,581 

3

  As of December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Cash  3,695,687   1,192,218 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts  10,004,951   22,661,594 
Amounts due from related parties  200,682   4,935,698 
Property and equipment, net  588,881   898,007 
Other receivables, net  27,071,241   2,749,000 
Intangible assets  47,299,120   52,763,998 
Other receivables (non-current)  16,636,403   150,286 
Goodwill  11,728,600   11,728,600 
TOTAL ASSETS  117,896,169   97,079,401 
Accounts payable  4,314,162   758,386 
Accrued liabilities and other payables  23,697,143   28,239,477 
Accrued liabilities and other payables(non-current)  32,938,926   244,755 
Total liabilities  63,923,166   33,978,642 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  54,406,158   63,100,759 

 

B.  CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS.

 

Not applicable.

 

C.  REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

Not applicable.

 

D.  RISK FACTORS.

 

An investment in our ADSsordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all other information contained in this annual report, including the matters discussed under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” before you decide to invest in our ADSs.ordinary shares. You should pay particular attention to the fact that we are a holding company with substantial operations in China and are subject to legal and regulatory environments that in many respects differ from those of the United States. If any of the following risks, or any other risks and uncertainties that are not presently foreseeable to us, actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our future growth prospects would be materially and adversely affected. You should also consider all other information contained in this annual report before deciding to invest in our ADSs.ordinary shares.


Our business activities for fiscal 2020 are expected to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus causing respiratory illness, or COVID-19, has surfaced in Wuhan, China, spreading at a fast rate in January and February of 2020, and confirmed cases were also reported in other parts of the world. In reaction to this outbreak, an increasing number of countries imposed travel suspensions to and from China following the World Health Organization’s “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) announcement on January 30, 2020. Since this outbreak, domestic business activities in China have been disrupted by a series of emergency quarantine measures taken by the government. 

 

Risks Related toEmergency quarantine measures and travel restrictions caused business disruptions in many sectors across China, which seriously slowed down our business operation for the first quarter of 2020. Our Companysales have been and Our Industry

If demand for enterprise remote and mobile connectivity does notwill continue to expand in China, we may experience a shortfall in revenues or earnings or otherwise fail to meet public market expectations.

The growth of our business is dependent, in part, upon the increased migration by enterprises to wireless connectivity services in China and our ability to capture a higher proportion of this market. If the demand in China for enterprise connectivity services does not continue to grow, or grows in ways that do not use our services, then we may not be able to grow our business, maintain our profitability or meet public market expectations. Increased usage of enterprise connectivity services depends on numerous factors, including:

1.the willingness of enterprises to make additional information technology expenditures;
2.the availability of security products necessary to ensure data privacy over the public networks;
3.the quality, cost and functionality of these services and competing services;
4.the increased adoption of wired and wireless broadband access methods; and
5.the proliferation of electronic devices such as handhelds and smart-phones and related applications; and

The Company had incurred negative cash flows from operative activities and net losses as of September 30, 2017. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of and for the year ended September 30, 2017, the Company had incurred significant operating losses and working capital deficit. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate capital, it could be forced to cease operations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

In order to continue as a going concern, the Company will need, among other things, additional capital resources. Management’s plans to obtain such resources for the Company include (1) obtaining contracts with higher gross margin, (2) proceeds from the related-party loans lent to its related parties, and (3) short-term or long-term borrowings from banks, stockholders or other parties when needed. However, management cannot provide any assurance that the Company will be successful in accomplishing any of these plans.

4

We face intense competition from other software development and IT service companies and, if we are unable to compete effectively, we may lose customers and our revenues may decline.

The market for software products and IT services, including wireless IT application products and solutions, is highly competitive and subject to rapid changes in technology. In fiscal year 2017, we faced significant competition from both established and emerging software companies which contributed to the decline in our revenues and we expect to continue to face significant competition in the future. In addition, our growth opportunities in new product markets could be limited to the extent established and emerging software companies enter or have entered those markets. We believe the principal competitive factors in our markets are industry experience, quality of the products and services offered, reputation, marketing and selling skills, as well as price. We face significant competition from various competitors, including:

1.other Chinese wireless data communication and exchange software application and service providers, such as Beijing CEICT Technology Co., Ltd., Xi’an Future Technology Information Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Shi Ji An Ruan Technology Co., Ltd. and Cyber Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.;
2.other Chinese software developers and IT service providers, that may decide to add wireless data communication and exchange programming capability;
3.telecommunication equipment producers and suppliers; and
4.multi-national service providers.

Many of our current and prospective competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources than we do. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly than us to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products. Announcements of competing products by large competitors or other vendors could result in the cancellation of orders by customers in anticipation of the introduction of such new products. Smaller competitors can also compete against us in terms of price, and some regional small competitors have a closer relationship with the local government. In addition, some of our competitors currently make complementary products that are sold separately. Such competitors could decide to enhance their competitive position by bundling their products to attract customers seeking integrated, cost-effective software applications. We also expect competition to increaseadversely affected as a result of software industry consolidations, which may leadthese measures. The Company rolled out active precautionary measures and has gradually resumed work since early March to reduce the birth of additional largeimpact on the Company’s production and well-financed competitors. Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced margins and loss of market share.operation. 

 

The extent to which COVID-19 negatively impacts our business is highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted. We believe that the coronavirus outbreak and the measures taken to control it may have a significant negative impact on economic activities in China. Our revenues are generated in China. The magnitude of this negative effect on the continuity of our business operation in China remains uncertain. These uncertainties impede our ability to conduct our daily operations and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We expect our full year 2020 results of operations to be adversely affected.

We may undertake acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or other strategic alliances, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. In addition, such undertakings may not be successful.

 

Our strategy includes plans to grow both organically and through acquisitions, participation in joint ventures or other strategic alliances. Joint ventures and strategic alliances may expose us to new operational, regulatory and market risks, as well as risks associated with additional capital requirements. We may not be able, however, to identify suitable future acquisition candidates or alliance partners. Even if we identify suitable candidates or partners, we may be unable to complete an acquisition or alliance on terms commercially acceptable to us. If we fail to identify appropriate candidates or partners, or complete desired acquisitions, we may not be able to implement our strategies effectively or efficiently. 

 

In addition, our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies and their operations may be adversely affected by several factors. These factors include:

 

 1.diversion of management’s attention;
   
 2.difficulties in retaining customers of the acquired companies;
   
 3.difficulties in retaining personnel of the acquired companies;
   
 4.entry into unfamiliar markets;
   
 5.unanticipated problems or legal liabilities; and
   
 6.tax and accounting issues.

 

If we fail to integrate acquired companies efficiently, our earnings, revenue growth and business could be negatively affected.

  

The contemplated assets exchange transaction is subject to several closing conditions including the NASDAQ approval and there is no guarantee that any of the closing conditions will meet.

As referenced under Section 10C Material Contracts section of this report, on January 25, 2018, the Company executed an Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“C Media”), whereby the Company agreed to purchase all the capital stock and equity interests of LK Technology Ltd, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries MMB Limited and Mobile Media (China) Limited and all respective subsidiaries from C Media in exchange for (i) 185,412,599 ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Ordinary Shares”), (ii) 1,000,000 preferred shares of Kingtone (“Preferred Shares”) and (iii) all issued and outstanding capital stock or equity interests of the Company’s subsidiary, Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., and its wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., including all entities effectively controlled by Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. through contractual arrangements and variable business entities.

5

In order to consummate the contemplated transactions described above, the Company must obtain shareholders’ consent (i) to authorize 1,000,000 Preferred Shares, (ii) to authorize additional Ordinary Shares so that total authorized Ordinary Shares is equal to 250,000,000 shares, (iii) to list such Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, and (iv) to approve the transactions contemplated in the Asset Exchange Agreement. Additionally, NASDAQ must approve the contemplated transactions prior to consummation thereof. C Media has the right to terminate the AEA if the closing has not occurred (other than through the failure of C Media to comply fully with its obligations under the AEA) on or before July 31, 2018.

There is no assurance that the closing conditions of the transaction above would be satisfied and to the extent any of them fails to meet, the transactions may not close and there may be material negative impact on the Company and the value of the shares may be significantly impacted.

Due to intense competition for highly-skilled personnel, we may fail to attract and retain enough sufficiently trained employees to support our operations; our ability to bid for and obtain new projects may be negatively affected and our revenues could decline as a result.

 

The IT industry relies on skilled employees, and our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to attract, hire, train and retain qualified employees. Wireless information management application development is a relatively new area in the IT industry. There is a small pool of experienced developers. As the market demand picks up and more IT companies enter this market, there is significant competition in China for professionals with the skills necessary to develop the products and perform the services we offer to our customers. Increased competition for these professionals, in the wireless information managementmobile application development areasdesign area or otherwise, could have an adverse effect on us if we experience significant increase in the attrition rate among employees with specialized skills, which could decrease our operating efficiency and productivity and could lead to a decline in demand for our services.

 

In addition, our ability to serve existing customers and business partners and obtain new business will depend, in large part, on our ability to attract, train and retain skilled personnel that enable us to keep pace with growing demands for wireless information management application,spatial-temporal big-data processing and interactive location-based services, evolving industry standards and changing customer preferences. Our failure to attract, train and retain personnel with the qualifications necessary to fulfill the needs of our existing and future customers or to assimilate new employees successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our failure to retain our key personnel on business development or find suitable replacements of the key personnel upon their departure may lead to shrinking new implementation projects, which could materially adversely affect our business.


Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior executives and other key personnel, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.

 

Our future success heavily depends upon the continued services of our senior executives and other key employees, particularly since we recently appointed a new chairman.Chairman. We are reliant on the services of Mr. Tao Li was chairman until his death on December 15, 2017. On December 21, 2017, the remaining directorsXuesong Song, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and member of theour board appointed Mr. Zhuoyu Li as chairman. During this time of transition, we will rely particularly on Mr. Peng Zhang, our chief executive officer, Ms. Li Wu, our chief financial officer.directors. If one or more of our senior executives or key employees is unable or unwilling to continue in his or her present position, we may not be able to replace such employee easily, or at all, we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain replacement personnel, our business may be severely disrupted, and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

If Mr. Li’s other professional duties interfere or conflict with his duties for our company, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Mr. Li, our chairman, currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Green Agriculture, Inc. (“CGA”), a producer of humic acid based compound fertilizer in the PRC whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Li’s duties as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CGA require the devotion of a substantial amount of his professional time and attention. Mr. Li currently devotes approximately 70% of his professional time to his duties for CGA. Similarly, our success and the execution of our growth strategy will require his significant efforts and the devotion of a substantial amount of his professional time and attention. If the performance of his duties on behalf of CGA interferes or conflict with his duties as Chairman of our company, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated growth and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

6

Our business could suffer if our executives and directors compete against us and our non-competition agreements with them cannot be enforced.

 

If any of our senior executives or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, know-how and key professionals and staff members to them. Also, if any of our business development managers who keep a close relationship with our customers and business partners joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, and our revenues may be materially adversely affected. Most of our executives have entered, or will soon enter, into employment agreements with us that contain or will contain non-competition provisions. However, if any dispute arises between our executive officers and us, such non-competition provisions may not be enforceable, especially in China, where all of these executive officers and key employees reside, in light of the uncertainties with China’s legal system. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”

 

A significant portion of the software development, ongoing system support and enhancement service revenues we generate are fixed amounts according to our sales contracts. If we fail to accurately estimate costs and determine resource requirements in relation to our projects, our margins and profitability could be materially and adversely affected.

A significant portion of the software development, ongoing system support and enhancement service revenues we generate are fixed amounts according to our sales contracts or bids we submit. Our projects often involve complex technologies and must often be completed within compressed timeframes and meet increasingly sophisticated customer requirements. We may be unable to accurately assess the time and resources required for completing projects and price our projects accordingly. If we underestimate the time or resources required, we may experience cost overruns and mismatches in project staffing. Conversely, if we over-estimate requirements, our bids may become uncompetitive and we may lose business as a result. Furthermore, any failure to complete a project within the stipulated timeframe could expose us to contractual and other liabilities and damage our reputation.

Our computer networks may be vulnerable to security risks that could disrupt our services and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our computer networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses and other security problems caused by unauthorized access to, or improper use of, systems by third parties or employees. A hacker who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations. Computer attacks or disruptions may jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through computer systems and mobile devices of our customers. Actual or perceived concerns that our systems may be vulnerable to such attacks or disruptions may deter telecom operators and consumerscustomers from using our solutions or services. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these breaches, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

If we do not continually enhance our solutions and service offerings, we may have difficulty in retaining existing customers and attracting new customers.

 

We believe that our future success will depend, to a significant extent, upon our ability to enhance our existing solutionstechnologies, applications and platform, and to introduce new solutions and features to meet the preferences and requirements of our customers in a rapidly developing and evolving market. We currently devote significant resources to refining and expanding our base software modules and to developing solutions that operate in accordance with our customers’ networks and systems. Unexpected technical, operational, distribution or other problems could delay or prevent the introduction of one or more of these products or services, or any products or services that we may plan to introduce in the future. Our present or future products may not satisfy the evolving needspreferences and tastes of the telecom industry,our customers, and these solutions and services may not achieve anticipated market acceptance or generate incremental revenue. If we are unable to anticipate or respond adequately to the need for solutions and service or product enhancements due to resource, technological or other constraints, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

7

5

 

 

If we are unable to develop competitive new products and service offerings our future results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Our future revenue stream depends to a large degree on our ability to utilize our technology in a way that will allow us to offer new types of softwareproducts in relation to maps and geospatial data processing, mobile applications and services to a broader clientcustomer base. We will be required to make investments in research and development in order to continually develop new products, software applications and related service offerings, enhance our existing softwareproducts, platform, mobile applications and related service offerings and achieve market acceptance of our softwaremobile applications and service offerings. We may incur problems in the future in innovating and introducing new softwareproducts, mobile applications and service offerings. Our development-stage softwareproducts, mobile applications may not be successfully completed or, if developed, may not achieve significant customer acceptance. If we are unable to successfully define, develop and introduce competitive new softwaremobile applications, and enhance existing softwaremobile applications, our future results of operations would be adversely affected. Development schedules for software applications are difficult to predict. The timely availability of new applications and their acceptance by customers are important to our future success. A delay in the development of new applications could have a significant impact on its results of operations.

 

Changes in technology could adversely affect our business by increasing our costs, reducing our profit margins and causing a decline in our competitiveness.

 

China’s wireless telecomspatial-temporal big-data processing and interactive location-based services industry, in which we operate, is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent introductions of new services and solutions and enhancements as well as changing customer demands. New solutions and new technologies often render existing solutions and services obsolete, excessively costly or otherwise unmarketable. As a result, our success depends on our ability to adapt to the latest technological progress, such as the 4G5G standard and technologies, and to develop or acquire and integrate new technologies into our software solutionsproducts, mobile applications and IT-relatedrelated services. Advances in technology also require us to commit substantial resources to developing or acquiring and then deploying new technologies for use in our operations. We must continuously train personnel in new technologies and in how to integrate existing hardware and software systems with these new technologies. We may not be able to adapt quickly to new technologies or commit sufficient resources to compete successfully against existing or new competitors in bringing to market solutions and services that incorporate these new technologies. We may incur problems in the future in innovating and introducing new softwaremobile applications and service offerings. Our development-stage softwaredevelopment of new mobile applications and platform enhancements may not be successfully completed or, if developed, may not achieve significant customer acceptance. If we fail to adapt to changes in technologies and compete successfully against established or new competitors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Returns on our investment in new technologies, such as 4G technology, and new solutions may not materialize as expected.

We have invested and will invest in the future a substantial amount of capital, manpower and other resources to develop new solutions and acquire technologies in preparation for the adoption by the wireless telecom industry in China of new standards and technologies, such as the 4G standard and technologies. However, our abilities to successfully develop and commercialize these new solutions and technologies are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including uncertainty surrounding the timing of the adoption of these new standards and technologies by China’s telecom industry and the receptiveness to these new technologies by their customer base, as well as our abilities to develop and market these new solutions cost-effectively and to deliver these solutions ahead of our competitors. Any of the above risks and uncertainties could jeopardize our ability to successfully realize a significant return on our investment in the 4G and other new technologies and solutions, if at all.

8

Problems with the quality or performance of our solutionssoftware or other systems may cause delays in the introduction of new solutions or result in the loss of customers and revenues, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our software solutionsproducts are complex and may contain defects, errors or bugs when first introduced to the market or to a particular customer, or as new versions are released. Because we cannot test for all possible scenarios, our solutionssystems may contain errors whichthat are not discovered until after they have been installed or implemented, and we may not be able to timely correct these problems. These defects, errors or bugs could interrupt or delay the completion of projects or sales to our customers. In addition, our reputation may be damaged and we may fail to acquire new projects from existing customers or new customers. Errors may occur when we provide systems integration and maintenance services. Some of the contracts with our customers do not have provisions setting forth limitations on liability for consequential damages. Even in cases where we have agreements with our customers that contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential claims and liabilities arising from customer problems, these provisions may not effectively protect us against such claims in all cases and in all jurisdictions. In addition, as a result of business and other considerations, we may undertake to compensate our customers for damages arising from the use of our solutions, even if our liability is limited by these provisions. Moreover, claims and liabilities arising from customer problems could also result in adverse publicity and materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We currently do not carry any product or service liability insurance and any imposition of liability on us may materially and adversely affect our business and increase our costs, resulting in reduced revenues and profitability.

 

Our products may contain undetected software defects, which could negatively affect our revenues.

 

Our software products are complex and may contain undetected defects. In the past, we have discovered software defects in certain of our products and have experienced delayed or lost revenues during the period it took to correct these problems. Although we test our products, it is possible that errors may be found or occur in our new or existing products after we have commenced commercial shipment ofdelivered those products.products to the customers. Defects, whether actual or perceived, could result in adverse publicity, loss of revenues, product returns, a delay in market acceptance of our products, loss of competitive position or claims against us by customers. Any such problems could be costly to remedy and could cause interruptions, delays, or cessation of our product sales, which could cause us to lose existing or prospective customers and could negatively affect our results of operations.


We may be subject to infringement, misappropriation and indemnity claims in the future, which may cause us to incur significant expenses, pay substantial damages and be prevented from providing our services or technologies.

 

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to carry out our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. Patent and copyright law covering software-related technologies and IT marketing is evolving rapidly and is subject to a great deal of uncertainty. Our self-developed or licensed technologies, processes or methods may be covered by third-party patents or copyrights, either now existing or to be issued in the future. Any potential litigation may cause us to incur significant expenses. Third-party claims, if successfully asserted against us may cause us to pay substantial damages, seek licenses from third parties, pay ongoing royalties, redesign our services or technologies, or prevent us from providing services or technologies subject to these claims. Even if we were to prevail, any litigation would likely be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations.

 

Additionally, most of our software development contracts signed with our customers contain indemnity clauses whereby we will indemnify our customers for any loss or damages suffered as a result of any third-party claims against them for any infringement of intellectual property rights in connection with the installation and use of the customized software solutions we develop for them. We may still be exposed to significant liabilities under these indemnity clauses to which we’ve agreed with our customers.

Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and subject us to costly litigation to protect our intellectual property rights.

 

Any misappropriation of our technology or the development of competitive technology could seriously harm our business. We regard a substantial portion of our hardware and software solutions and systems as proprietary and rely on statutory copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret laws, customer license agreements, employee and third-party non-disclosure agreements and other methods to protect our proprietary rights. Nevertheless, these resources afford only limited protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate. In particular, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protection in China may not be as effective as in the United States, and policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and expensive. In addition,Further, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. The outcome of any such litigation may not be in our favor. Furthermore, anyAny such litigation may be costly and may divert management attention, as well as our other resources, away from our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation will impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, prospects and reputation. In addition, we have no insurance coverage against litigation costs and would have to bear all litigation costs in excess of the amount recoverable from other parties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

 

9

Our solutions incorporate a portion of, and work in conjunction with, third-party hardware and software solutions. If these third-party hardware or software solutions are not available to us at reasonable costs, or at all, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.

 

Although our solutionshardware and software systems and mobile applications primarily rely on our own core technologies, some elements of our solutionssystems incorporate a small portion of third-party hardware and software solutions. In addition, our solutions are designed to work in conjunction with the third-party hardware and software in our customers’ existing systems. If any third party were to discontinue making their solutionsintellectual property available to us or our customers on a timely basis, or increase materially the cost of their solutions,licensing such intellectual property, or if our solutionssystems or applications failed to properly function or interoperate with replacement hardware or software solutions,intellectual property, we may need to incur costs in finding replacement third-party solutions and/or redesigning our solutionssystems or applications to replace or function with or on replacement third-party solutions.proprietary technology. Replacement solutionstechnology may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all, and we may be unable to develop alternative solutions or redesign our solutionssystems or applications on a timely basis or at a reasonable cost. If any of these were to occur, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.


Our ability to sell our products is highly dependent on the quality of our service and support offerings, and our failure to offer high quality service could have a material adverse effect on our ability to market and sell our products.

 

Our customers depend upon our customer service and support staff to resolve issues relating to our products. High-quality support services are critical for the successful marketing and sale of our products. If we fail to provide high-quality support on an ongoing basis, our customers may react negatively and we may be materially and adversely affected in our ability to sell additional products to these customers. This could also damage our reputation and prospects with potential customers. Our failure to maintain high-quality support services could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Weaknesses In Our Internal Controls Over Financial Reportingin our internal controls over financial reporting or Disclosure Controlsdisclosure controls and Procedures May Have A Material Adverse Effect On Our Business, The Price Of Our ADSs, Operating Results And Financial Condition.procedures may have a material adverse effect on our business, the price of our ordinary shares, operating results and financial condition.

 

We are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, every public company is required to include a management report on its internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting.  This requirement first applied to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended on September 30, 2011. In connection with our assessments of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, management concluded that as of September 30, 2017,December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective due to lack of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) expertise in our current accounting team. Please refer to the discussion under Item 15, “Controls and Procedures” for further discussion of our material weakness as of September 30, 2017.December 31, 2019. Should we be unable to remediate the material weakness promptly and effectively, such weakness could harm our operating results, result in a material misstatement of our financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations or prevent us from providing reliable and accurate financial reports or avoiding or detecting fraud. This, in turn, could result in a loss of investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.ordinary shares. Any litigation or other proceeding or adverse publicity relating to the material weaknesses could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

 

10

We have very limited insurance coverage which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

 

We do not maintain any insurance coverage for our leased properties. Should any natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, typhoons or any acts of terrorism occur in Shaanxi Province,Beijing, China, where our head office is located and most of our employees are based, or elsewhere in China, we might suffer not only significant property damages, but also loss of revenues due to interruptions in our business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

 

The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited business insurance products, and do not, to our knowledge, offer business liability insurance. As a result, we do not have any business liability insurance coverage for our operations. Moreover, while business disruption insurance is available, we have determined that the risks of disruption and cost of the insurance are such that we do not require it at this time. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, particularly if it affects our technology platforms which we depend on for delivery of our software and services, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may be liable to our customers for damages caused by unauthorized disclosure of sensitive and confidential information, whether through our employees or otherwise.

 

We are typically required to manage, utilize and store sensitive or confidential customer data in connection with the products and services we provide. Under the terms of our customer contracts, we are required to keep such information strictly confidential. We seek to implement specific measures to protect sensitive and confidential customer data. We require our employees to enter into non-disclosure agreements to limit such employees’ access to, and distribution of, our customers’ sensitive and confidential information and our own trade secrets. We can give no assurance that the steps taken by us in this regard will be adequate to protect our customers’ confidential information. If our customers’ proprietary rights are misappropriated by our employees, in violation of any applicable confidentiality agreements or otherwise, our customers may consider us liable for that act and seek damages and compensation from us. However, we currently do not have any insurance coverage for mismanagement or misappropriation of such information by our employees. Any litigation with respect to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive and confidential information might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.


We may face intellectual property infringement claims that could be time-consuming and costly to defend. If we fail to defend ourselves against such claims, we may lose significant intellectual property rights and may be unable to continue providing our existing products and services.

 

It is critical that we use and develop our technology and products without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, including patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks. Intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming and could divert management’s attention from our business. A successful infringement claim against us, whether with or without merit, could, among others things, require us to pay substantial damages, develop non-infringing technology, or re-brand our name or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, and cease making, licensing or using products that have infringed a third party’s intellectual property rights. Protracted litigation could also result in existing or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products until resolution of such litigation, or could require us to indemnify our customers against infringement claims in certain instances. Also, we may be unaware of intellectual property registrations or applications relating to our services that may give rise to potential infringement claims against us. Parties making infringement claims may be able to obtain an injunction to prevent us from delivering our services or using technology containing the allegedly infringing intellectual property. Any intellectual property litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. 

 

11

We have transferred intellectual propertyOn February 15, 2019, Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd. filed lawsuits with Beijing Internet Court alleging Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited and Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited are in infringement of exclusive rights to a numbercommunication through information network of our customized software solutionscertain works, performances, audio and video products and claiming the economic loss amounts to our customers in the past and may not own all these intellectual property rights. We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims from these customers and others, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, may disrupt our business and materially and adversely affect our revenues and net income.approximately $562,000 (RMB 3,920,000).

 

Our business involvesOn December 14, 2019, Beijing Internet Court arranged a trial; Beijing iQIYI and the development and customization of software solutions for customers. While we retain ownership inCompany are negotiating a potential settlement while expecting a verdict from the intellectual property rights underlying the core technologies requiredcourt. According to develop our customized finished software solutions, in most cases, our contracts for custom-designed projects provided that our customers own, or share with us, intellectual property rights to the finished software solutions developed under such contracts. Under these circumstances, we may not have the right to reuse the related finished software in projects involving other customers nor can we unilaterally apply for copyright registrations, patents or other intellectual property rights for these software solutions. To the extent that we are unable to reuse the software and to the extentlegal counsel, it is probable that the use of such software is importantsettlement will amount to the growth of our business with other customers, the inability to reuse such software could hinder the growth of our business. Furthermore, a portion of these contracts provide that our customers have ownership rights to any substantial improvements we subsequently make to the software solutions developed under these contracts. As a result, we may be subject to intellectual property infringement or profit sharing claims in the future from these customers. Any such claims could subject us to costly litigation and may require us to pay damages and develop non-infringing intellectual property, or acquire licenses to the intellectual property that is the subject of the alleged infringement. These could harm our reputation and materially and adversely affect our business and net income.approximately $93,000 (RMB650,000).

 

Seasonality and fluctuations in our customers’ annual IT budget and spending cyclecycles and other factors can cause our revenues and operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year.

 

Our revenues and operating results will vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year due to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. A large numberOur new lines of our engineers take vacation aroundbusiness acquired upon the consummation of the asset exchange transaction discussed below see higher customer use and activity during the Chinese New Year holiday than other times during the year, which typically falls between late January and February of each year. The lack of man-hourslead to higher revenue during this holiday period usually leadsas more customers would like to relatively lower revenues duringplace more advertising. Historically, the products of our subsidiary Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd (“Superengine”) have a pattern of decreased sales in the first calendar quarter. Due to the annual budget cyclesfiscal quarter as a result of most of our customers, we may be unable to accurately estimate the demand for our solutions and services beyond the immediate calendar year, which could adversely affect our business planning. Moreover, our results will vary depending on our customers’ business needs from year to year.industry buying patterns. Due to these and other factors, our operating results have fluctuated significantlymay fluctuate from quarter to quarter and from year to year. These fluctuations are likely to continue in the future, and operating results for any period may not be indicative of our future performance in any future period.

 

Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by Mr. Xuesong Song, our principal shareholders,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who can cause us to take actions in ways you may not agree with.

 

Mr. Tao Li,Xuesong Song, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owned and had voting control over approximately 47.9%owns 18.25% of our outstanding ordinary shares and our officers1,000,000 preferred shares, and directors aseach preferred share has the right to 399 votes at a group beneficially own and havemeeting of the shareholders of the Company. As a result, Mr. Song has approximately 71.89% of the voting control over an aggregaterights of approximately 48.9%the shareholders of our ordinary shares. These shareholders, acting individually or as a group, couldthe Company. Mr. Song can exert control and substantial influence over matters such as electing directors, amending our constitutional documents, and approving acquisitions, mergers or other business combination transactions. This concentration of ownership and voting power may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our shares. Alternatively, our controlling shareholders may cause a merger, consolidation or change of control transaction even if it is opposed by our other shareholders, including those who purchase shares in this offering.

offering

12


We depend on a small number of customers to derive a significant portion of our revenues.  If we were to becomecontinue being dependent again upon a few customers, such dependency could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

We derived a material portion of our revenues from a small number of customers.  In the years ended September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, our five largest customers accounted for 97.7%69.3%, 94.4% and 46.1%99.8% of our total sales, respectively, and our largest customer - Hunan Huanan Photoelectricity Science & Technology Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 23.9% of our total sales during for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.respectively. As our customer base may change from year-to-year, during such years that the customer base is highly concentrated, the fluctuation of our sales to any of such major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Moreover, our high customer base concentration may also adversely affect our ability to negotiate contract prices with these customers, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our historical outstanding accounts receivable have been relatively high. Inability to collect our accounts receivable on a timely basis, if at all, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Historically, our outstanding accounts receivable have been relatively high.  As of September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, our outstanding accounts receivable before impairment were $3.4$23.8 million $25.0 million and $4.2$10.4 million, respectively. Although we conduct credit evaluations of our customers, we generally do not require collateral or other security from our customers. In addition, we have had a relatively high customer concentration. The largest outstanding accounts receivable balance accounted for our largest customer was 64.3%31.8%, 24.4% and 72.6%48.5% of theour total accounts receivable balance as of September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. As a result, an extended delay or default in payment relating to a significant account willwould likely have a material and adverse effect on the aging schedule and turnover days of our accounts receivable. Our inability to collect our accounts receivable on a timely basis, if at all, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our services and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.

 

Substantially all of our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to a significant degree to economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the Chinese economy is no longer a planned economy, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over China’s economic growth through direct allocation of resources, monetary and tax policies, and a host of other government policies such as those that encourage or restrict investment in certain industries by foreign investors, control the exchange between RMB and foreign currencies, and regulate the growth of the general or specific market. These government involvements have been instrumental in China’s significant growth in the past 30 years. The reorganization of the telecommunications industry encouraged by the PRC government has directly affected our industry and our growth prospect. In response to the recent global

Growth of China’s economy has been uneven, both geographically and Chinese economic downturn, the PRC government has adopted policy measures aimed at stimulating the economic growth in China. If the PRC government’s current or future policies fail to help the Chinese economy achieve further growth or if any aspectamong various sectors of the PRC government’s policies limitseconomy, and the growth of the telecommunications industryChinese economy has slowed down in Chinarecent years. Some of the government measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or our industry or otherwise negatively affects our business, our growth rate or strategy,changes in tax regulations. Any stimulus measures designed to boost the Chinese economy may contribute to higher inflation, which could adversely affect our results of operations could be adversely affectedand financial condition. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and office operating expenses, may increase as a result. result of higher inflation.

 

13

Our business benefits from certain government tax incentives. Expiration, reduction or discontinuation of, or changes to, these incentives will increase our tax burden and reduce our net income.

 

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law passed in 2007 and the implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008, or the New EIT Law, a unified enterprise income tax rate of 25% and unified tax deduction standard is applied equally to both domestic-invested enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs. Enterprises established prior to March 16, 2007 eligible for preferential tax treatment in accordance with the then tax laws and administrative regulations shall gradually become subject to the New EIT Law rate over a five-year transition period starting from the date of effectiveness of the New EIT Law. However, certain qualifying high-technology enterprises may still benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% if they own their core intellectual properties and they are enterprises in certain State-supported high-tech industries to be later specified by the government. As a result, if our PRC subsidiaries qualify as “high-technology enterprises,” they will continue to benefit from the preferential tax rate of 15%, subject to transitional rules implemented from January 1, 2008. Kingtone Information isOur subsidiaries, Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited and Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, are qualified as a “high-technology enterprise” until 2017the end of the November 2021 and October 2021, respectively, and therefore it hadthey have benefited from the preferential tax rate of 15%, subject to transitional rules implemented on January 1, 2008. Currently, the value-added taxesAlthough we pay on our software products are refundedintend to us by the tax authorities as partapply for a renewal of the PRC state policies to encourage the development of the PRC software industry. If Kingtone Information ceasesthis qualification, if Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun and Suzhou Superengine cease to qualify as a “high-technology enterprise”, or if the refund of the value-added taxes ceases to apply, or the tax authorities change their position on our preferential tax treatments in the future, our future tax liabilities may materially increase, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations .operations.


If we and/or Topsky were deemed a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we and/or Topsky could be subject to tax on our global income at the rate of 25% under the New EIT Law and our non-PRC shareholders could be subject to certain PRC taxes.

 

Under the New EIT Law and the implementing rules, both of which became effective January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC may be considered a PRC “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. The implementing rules of the New EIT Law define “de facto management” as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. However, as of the date of this annual report, no final interpretations on the implementation of the “resident enterprise” designation are available. Moreover, any such designation, when made by PRC tax authorities, will be determined based on the facts and circumstances of individual cases. Therefore, if we and/or Topsky were to be considered a “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities, our and/or Topsky’s global income would be taxable under the New EIT Law at the rate of 25% and, to the extent we and/or Topsky were to generate a substantial amount of income outside of PRC in the future, we and/or Topsky would be subject to additional taxes. In addition, the dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders and gains derived by such shareholders or ADS holders from the transfer of our shares or ADSs may also be subject to PRC withholding tax at the rate up to 10%, if such income were regarded as China-sourced income.

 

Our holding company structure may limit the payment of dividends.

 

We have no direct business operations, other than our ownership of our subsidiaries and our contractual control of Kingtone Information.subsidiaries. While we have no current intention of paying dividends, should we decide in the future to do so, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. As a result, there may be limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

 

14

In addition, under the New EIT Law and the implementing rules that became effective on January 1, 2008, dividends generated from the business of our PRC subsidiaries after January 1, 2008 and payable to us and/or Topsky may be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10% if the PRC tax authorities subsequently determine that we and/or Topsky isare a non-resident enterprise, unless there is a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. Topsky, the direct holder of 100% of the equity interests of Softech, is organized in Singapore. Under the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Delivering the Table of Negotiated Dividends and Interest Rates to Lower Levels of People’s Republic of China, such dividend withholding tax rate is reduced to 5% if a Singapore resident enterprise owns over 25% of the PRC Company distributing the dividends. As Topsky is a Singapore company and owns 100% of Softech, under the aforesaid notice, any dividends that Softech pays to Topsky will be subject to a withholding tax at the rate of 5%, provided that Topsky is not considered to be PRC tax resident enterprises. If, however, Topsky is regarded as a resident enterprise, the dividends payable to Topsky from Softech may be exempt from the PRC income tax, and the dividends payable from Topsky to us will be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax (unless we are considered to be a PRC tax resident enterprise). Any such taxes could thus materially reduce the amount of funds available to us to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders.

 

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

 

We conduct all of our business through our subsidiaries in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.


Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until some time after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our May 2010 public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

In utilizing the proceeds of our May 2010 public offering as an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans by us to our subsidiaries in China, which are FIEs, to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated Circular 142, a notice regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested company of foreign currency into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. The notice requires that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC unless specifically provided for otherwise. The foreign currency-denominated capital shall be verified by an accounting firm before converting into RMB. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight over the flow and use of RMB funds converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company. To convert such capital into RMB, the foreign-invested company must report the use of such RMB to the bank, and the RMB must be used to the reported purposes. According to Circular 142, change of the use of such RMB without approval is prohibited. In addition, such RMB may not be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not yet been used. Violations of Circular 142 may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines as set forth in the Foreign Exchange Administration Rules.

We may also decide to finance our subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, or its local counterpart. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of our May 2010 public offering and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

15

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

 

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.shareholders.


Fluctuation in the value of the RMB may have a material adverse effect on the value of your investment.

 

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in an approximate 26.8% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar between July 21, 2005 and September 30, 2015. Provisions on Administration of Foreign Exchange, as amended in August 2008, further changed China’s exchange regime to a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand. Since reaching a high against the U.S. dollar in July 2008, however, the RMB has traded within a narrow band against the U.S. dollar, remaining within 1% of its July 2008 high but never exceeding it. As a consequence, the RMB has fluctuated sharply since July 2008 against other freely-traded currencies, in tandem with the U.S. dollar. In August 2015, the PRC Government devalued its currency by approximately 3%, representing the largest yuan depreciation for 20 years. Concerns remain that China’s slowing economy, and in particular its exports, will need a stimulus that can only come from further cuts in the exchange rate.

 

It is difficult to predict how long the current situation may continue and when and how it may change again as the People’s Bank of China may regularly intervene in the foreign exchange market to achieve economic policy goals. Substantially all of our revenues and costs are denominated in the RMB, and a significant portion of our financial assets are also denominated in RMB. We principally rely on dividends and other distributions paid to us by our subsidiaries in China. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs or ordinary shares in U.S. dollars. Any fluctuations of the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar could also result in foreign currency translation losses for financial reporting purposes.

 

16

We control Kingtone Information through contractual arrangements which may not be as effective in providing control over Kingtone Information as direct ownership, and if Kingtone Information or its shareholders breach the contractual arrangements, we would have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, which may not be available or effective, to enforce or protect our rights.

We conduct substantially all of our operations, and generate substantially all of our revenues, through contractual arrangements with Kingtone Information, our variable interest entity, or VIE, that provide us, through our ownership of Topsky and its ownership of Softech, with effective control over Kingtone Information. We have no direct ownership interest in Kingtone Information. We depend on Kingtone Information to hold and maintain contracts with our customers. Kingtone Information also owns substantially all of our intellectual property, facilities and other assets relating to the operation of our business, and employs the personnel for substantially all of our business. Neither our company nor Softech has any ownership interest in Kingtone Information. Although we believe that that each contract under Softech’s contractual arrangements with Kingtone Information is valid, binding and enforceable under current PRC laws and regulations in effect, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over Kingtone Information as direct ownership of Kingtone Information would be. In addition, Kingtone Information may breach the contractual arrangements. For example, Kingtone Information may decide not to make contractual payments to Softech, and consequently to our company, in accordance with the existing contractual arrangements. In the event of any such breach, we would have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law. These remedies may not always be available or effective, particularly in light of uncertainties in the PRC legal system.

Softech’s contractual arrangements with Kingtone Information may result in adverse tax consequences to us.

We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that Softech’s contractual arrangements with Kingtone Information were not made on an arm’s length basis and adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of adjustments recorded by Kingtone Information, which could adversely affect us by increasing Kingtone Information’s tax liability without reducing Softech’s tax liability, which could further result in late payment fees and other penalties to Kingtone Information for underpaid taxes.

PRC laws and regulations governing our businesses and the validity of certain of our contractual arrangements are uncertain.businesses. If we are found to be in violation of such PRC laws and regulations, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition, changes in such PRC laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business.

 

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of Softech’s contractual arrangements with Kingtone Information. Softech is considered a foreign invested enterprise under PRC law. As a result, Softech is subject to PRC law limitations on its businesses and foreign ownership of Chinese companies.business. These laws and regulations are relatively new and may be subject to change, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. The effectiveness of newly enacted laws, regulations or amendments may be delayed, resulting in detrimental reliance by foreign investors. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. In January 2015, China’s Ministry of Commerce unveiled a draft legislation that could change how the government is regulating corporate structures, especially for VIEs controlled by foreign investments. Instead of looking at “ownership”, the draft law focused on the entities or individuals hold control of a VIE. If a VIE is deemed to be controlled by foreign investors, it may be barred from operating in restricted sectors or the prohibited sectors listed on a “negative list”, where only companies controlled by Chinese nationals could operate, even if structured as VIEs.

In the event that the draft law is implemented in any form, and that the Company’s business is characterized as one of the “restricted” or “prohibited” sectors, Kingtone Information may be barred from operation which will materially adversely affect our business.

 

The PRC government has broad discretion in dealing with violations of laws and regulations, including levying fines, revoking business and other licenses and requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses and permits issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time by higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the effect of the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations on our businesses. We cannot assure you that our current ownership and operating structure would not be found in violation of any current or future PRC laws or regulations. As a result, we may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required to restructure our operations or cease to provide certain services. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Any of these or similar actions could significantly disrupt our business operations or restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

17

On February 15, 2019, Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd. filed lawsuits with Beijing Internet Court alleging Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited and Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited are in infringement of exclusive rights to communication through information network of certain works, performances, audio and video products and claiming the economic loss amounts to approximately $562,000 (RMB 3,920,000).

 

On December 14, 2019, Beijing Internet Court arranged a trial; Beijing iQIYI and the Company are negotiating a potential settlement while expecting a verdict from the court. According to legal counsel, it is probable that the settlement will amount to approximately $93,000 (RMB650,000).


If we were required to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, of the listing and trading of our ADSsordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies.

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the CSRC and the SAFE, jointly issued the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, which became effective on September 8, 2006 (the “New M&A Rules”). This regulation, among other things, includes provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for the purposes of overseas listing of equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. The CSRC approval procedures require the filing of a number of documents with the CSRC and it would take several months to complete the approval process, if practicable at all. The application of this new PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among leading PRC law firms regarding the scope of the applicability of the CSRC approval requirement. 

 

Prior to our May 2010 initial public offering, our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations as well as the procedures announced on September 21, 2006: (i) Softech was directly incorporated by Topsky as a foreign investment enterprise under PRC law; therefore, there was no acquisition of the equity of a “PRC domestic company” as defined under the New M&A Rules; and (ii) the contractual arrangements between Kingtone Information and Softech arewere not clearly defined and considered as the transaction which shall be applied to the New M&A Rules. Therefore, we did not seek prior CSRC approval for our initial public offering.

 

However, if the CSRC required that we obtain its approval prior to the completion of our initial public offering and the listing of our ADSsordinary shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our initial public offering into the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our shares.

 

Also, if the CSRC requires that we obtain its approval, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of the CSRC approval requirements if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding this CSRC approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our shares.

 

PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to penalties and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary,subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiary’ssubsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.

 

On October 21, 2005, the SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Reverse Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005. According to Notice 75, prior registration with the local SAFE branch is required for PRC residents to establish or to control an offshore company for the purposes of financing such offshore company with assets or equity interests in an onshore enterprise located in the PRC, or an offshore special purpose company. An amendment to registration or filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required for the injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise in the offshore special purpose company or overseas funds raised by such offshore company, or any other material change involving a change in the capital of the offshore special purpose company. Moreover, Notice 75 applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have established or acquired control of offshore special purpose companies that have made onshore investments in the PRC in the past are required to have completed the relevant registration procedures with the local SAFE branch by March 31, 2006. To further clarify the implementation of Notice 75, the SAFE issued Circular 106 on May 29, 2007. Under Circular 106, PRC subsidiaries of an offshore special purpose company are required to coordinate and supervise the filing of SAFE registrations by the offshore holding company’s shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents in a timely manner.

18

Some of our current shareholders and/or beneficial owners may fall within the ambit of the SAFE notice and be required to register with the local SAFE branch as required under the SAFE notice. If so required, and if such shareholders and/or beneficial owners fail to timely register their SAFE registrations pursuant to the SAFE notice, or if future shareholders and/or beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents fail to comply with the registration procedures set forth in the SAFE notice, this may subject such shareholders, beneficial owners and/or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to our company, or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

The independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that has the securities traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is currently not inspected by PCAOB. Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

On May 24, 2013, the PCAOB announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) and the Ministry of Finance (the “MOF”).  The MOU establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in both countries’ respective jurisdictions.  More specifically, it provides a mechanism for the parties to request and receive from each other assistance in obtaining documents and information in furtherance of their investigative duties.  In addition to developing enforcement MOU, the PCAOB has been engaged in continuing discussions with the CSRC and MOF to permit joint inspections in China of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. Despite of the foregoing, until PCAOB can inspect its registered firms in China as it can do on the firms in the United States, the shareholders are still less advantageous in obtaining the benefits of PCAOB inspections comparing to the shareholders of a company that retains a PCAOB registered audit firm domiciled in the United States.

19

Risks Associated with our ADSsOrdinary Shares

 

The market price of our ADSs may beOrdinary Shares has historically been highly volatile, and you may not be able to resell our ordinary shares at or above your initial purchase price.

 

There is a limited public market for our shares and ADSs.ordinary shares. We cannot assure you that there will be an active trading market for our ADSs.ordinary shares. You may not be able to sell your ADSsordinary shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our ADSsordinary shares is not active.

 

The trading price of our ADSsordinary shares may be volatile. The price of our ADSsordinary shares could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including the following:

 

 1.Introduction of new products, services or technologies offered by us or our competitors;
 
2.Failure to meet or exceed revenue and financial projections we provide to the public;
 
3.Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;
 4.Failure to meet or exceed the estimates and projections of the investment community;
 
5.General market conditions and overall fluctuations in United States equity markets;
 6.Announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors;
 7.Disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies;
 
8.Additions or departures of key management personnel;
 9.Issuances of debt or equity securities;
 
10.Significant lawsuits, including patent or shareholder litigation;
 11.Changes in the market valuations of similar companies;
 
12.Sales of additional ADSsordinary shares or other securities by us or our shareholders in the future;
 
13.Trading volume of our ADSs;ordinary shares;
 14.Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi;
 15.Negative market perception and media coverage of our company or other companies in the same or similar industry with us; and
 
16.Other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.


In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQ Capital Market and software products and services companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our ADS,ordinary shares, regardless of our actual operating performance. 

 

Our ADSs areordinary shares may be subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules which may make it difficult for broker-dealers to complete customer transactions and trading activity in our securities.

 

Our ADSs areordinary shares may be deemed to be “penny stock” as that term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system).  Penny stock rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors.” The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse in each of the prior two years.

 

The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market.  Moreover, broker-dealers are required to determine whether an investment in a penny stock is a suitable investment for a prospective investor. A broker-dealer must receive a written agreement to the transaction from the investor setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.  These requirements may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities. As a result, the market price of our ADSsordinary shares may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our ADSs.ordinary shares.

 

20

Sales of a substantial number of ordinary shares or ADSs in the public market by our existing shareholders could cause the price of our ADSsordinary shares to fall.

 

Sales of a substantial number of our ordinary shares or ADSs in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our ADSsordinary shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our ADSs.ordinary shares.

 

All of our existing shareholders prior to our May 2010 offering were subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters of the offering that restricted the shareholders’ ability to transfer ordinary shares or ADSs until expiration of the lock-up period in November 2010. The lock-up agreements limited the number of ordinary shares or ADSs that may be sold immediately following the public offering. Subject to certain limitations approximately 1,000,000all of our total outstanding shares are now eligible for sale. Sales of ordinary shares by these shareholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.ordinary shares.

 

Future sales and issuances of our ordinary shares, or ADSs, or rights to purchase our ordinary shares, or ADSs, including pursuant to our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause the price of our ADSsordinary shares to fall.

 

We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience substantial dilution. We may sell ordinary shares, ADSs, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell ordinary shares, ADSs, convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors may be materially diluted by subsequent sales. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing shareholders, and new investors could gain rights superior to our existing shareholders.


We do not intend to pay dividends on our ordinary shares, so any returns will be limited to the value of our ADSs.ordinary shares.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our ordinary shares. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any return shareholders will therefore be limited to the value of their ADSs.ordinary shares.

 

As the rights of shareholders under British Virgin Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, you may have fewer protections as a shareholder.

 

Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum of association and articles of association, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, or the BVI Act, of the British Virgin Islands and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the BVI Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states (such as Delaware) have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law.

 

As a result of all of the above, holders of our ADSsordinary shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.

 

21

British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.

 

British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

 

The laws of the British Virgin Islands provide little protection for minority shareholders, so minority shareholders will have little or no recourse if the shareholders are dissatisfied with the conduct of our affairs.

 

Under the law of the British Virgin Islands, there is little statutory law for the protection of minority shareholders other than the provisions of the BVI Act dealing with shareholder remedies. The principal protection under statutory law is that shareholders may bring an action to enforce the constituent documents of the corporation,Company, our memorandum of association and articles of association. Shareholders are entitled to have the affairs of the companyCompany conducted in accordance with the general law and the memorandum of association and articles of association.


There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English company law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the company’s constituent documents. As such, if those who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s memorandum of association and articles of association, then the courts will grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following: (1) an act complained of which is outside the scope of the authorized business or is illegal or not capable of ratification by the majority; (2) acts that constitute fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers control the company; (3) acts that infringe on the personal rights of the shareholders, such as the right to vote; and (4) where the company has not complied with provisions requiring approval of a majority of shareholders, which are more limited than the rights afforded minority shareholders under the laws of many states in the United States.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our memorandum of association and articles of association and our right to issue preference shares could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.

 

Some provisions of our memorandum of association and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares.

 

22

You may not have the same voting rights as the holders of our ordinary shares and must act through the depositary to exercise your rights.

Holders of our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs will appoint the depositary or its nominee as their representative to exercise the voting rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. You may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Upon our written request, the depositary will mail to you a shareholder meeting notice which contains, among other things, a statement as to the manner in which your voting instructions may be given, including an express indication that such instructions may be given or deemed given to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us if no instructions are received by the depositary from you on or before the response date established by the depositary. However, no voting instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which we inform the depositary that (i) we do not wish such proxy given, (ii) substantial opposition exists, or (iii) such matter materially and adversely affects the rights of shareholders. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but you may not receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting.

You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings as a result.

 

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we may not and under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will not, offer those rights to ADS holdersordinary shareholders unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holdersordinary shareholders are registered under the Securities Act, or the distribution of them to ADS holdersordinary shareholders is exempted from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs.ordinary shareholders. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. In addition, we may not be able to rely on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act to distribute such rights and securities. Accordingly, holders of our ADSsordinary shareholders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their holdings as a result.


You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

We may be a passive foreign investment company, ofor PFIC, which could lead to additional taxes for U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

We do not expect to be, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, which is a foreign company for which, in any given taxable year, either at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, or investment income in general, or at least 50% of its assets produce or are held to produce passive income, for the current taxable year, and we expect to operate in such a manner so as not to become a PFIC for any future taxable year. However, because the determination of PFIC status for any taxable year cannot be made until after the close of such year and requires extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of our assets on a quarterly basis and determining whether each item of gross income that we earn is passive income, we cannot assure you that we will not become a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are or become a PFIC, a U.S. holder of our ADSs orholder’s ordinary shares could be subject to additional U.S. federal income taxes on gain recognized with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares and on certain distributions, plus an interest charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred under the PFIC rules. Non-corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.

 

23

If the trading price of our ADSsordinary shares fails to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market, we would face possible delisting, which would result in a limited public market for our ADSordinary shares and make obtaining future debt or equity financing more difficult for us.

 

Companies listed on NASDAQ are subject to delisting for, among other things, failure to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. On December 19, 2011,April 13, 2020, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price of our ADSsordinary shares fell below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market. We have regainedUnder Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been granted a 180 calendar day grace period, or until October 12, 2020, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement forrequirement. The continued listing set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), as its ADS with its underlying ordinary share has achievedstandard will be met if the Company evidences a closing bid price of at least $1.00 or greaterper share for thea minimum of 10 consecutive business days from November 6during the 180 calendar day grace period. In order for Nasdaq to November 23, 2012 by implementing a 1-for-10 combination, or reverse splitconsider granting the Company additional time beyond October 12, 2020, the Company would be required, among other things, to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares as well as all other standards for initial listing on Nasdaq, with the exception of the ordinary shares effective November 6, 2012,weminimum bid price requirement. In the event the Company does not regain compliance with the $1.00 bid price requirement by October 12, 2020, eligibility for Nasdaq’s consideration of a second 180 day grace period would be determined on the Company’s compliance with the above referenced criteria on October 12, 2020. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance or that Nasdaq will grant the Company a further extension of time to regain compliance, if necessary. We cannot be sure that the price of our ADSsordinary shares will comply with this requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market in the future. If we were not able to do so, our ADSsordinary shares would be subject to delisting and would likely trade on the over-the-counter market. If our ADSsordinary shares were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our ADSsordinary shares could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts’ coverage of us may be reduced. In addition, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our ADSs,ordinary shares, further limiting the liquidity of our ADS.ordinary shares. As a result, the market price of our ADSsordinary shares may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our ADSs.ordinary shares. Such delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market and continued or further declines in our share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing.

 

ITEM 4.  INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.

 

A.  HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company and conduct our operations through a contractually-controlled entity in the PRCour wholly-owned subsidiary named Xi’an Kingtone InformationLK Technology Co., Ltd., a PRCBritish Virgin Islands limited liability company (“Kingtone Information”LK Technology”) that develops, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MMB Limited and its respective subsidiaries, which possess two core brands “Luokuang” and “SuperEngine”. “Luokuang” is a mobile application to provide Business to Customer (B2C) location-based services and “SuperEngine” provides mobile enterprise solutionsBusiness to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) services in the PRC.connection with spatial-temporal big data processing. In May 2010, we consummated an initial public offering of our American Depository Shares, or ADSs, for gross proceeds of $16 million, and our ADSs were listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “KONE”. On August 17, 2018, we completed the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited (“C Media”) entered into on January 25, 2018. On August 20, 2018, we changed our name to Luokung Technology Corp., our American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) were voluntarily delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 19, 2018 and on January 3, 2019 our ordinary shares started trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “LKCO”.


On August 17, 2018, we consummated an asset exchange transaction, pursuant to which we exchanged all issued and outstanding capital stock in Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., the parent of Softech, for the issued and outstanding capital stock of LK Technology (the “Asset Exchange”). In connection with the Asset Exchange, we changed our name on August 20, 2018, and on September 20, 2018, issued to the shareholders of C Media Limited, the former parent of LK Technology, (i) 185,412,599 of our ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share and (ii) 1,000,000 of our preferred shares. Upon the consummation of the Asset Exchange, we ceased our previous business operations and became a company focused on the provision of location-based service and mobile application products for long distance rail travelers in China.

 

Kingtone Information was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, as a company limited by stocks on December 28, 2001. When it was incorporated, it had a registered capital of RMB50 million and its name was Xi’an TechTeam IntelligentOn August 25, 2018, LK Technology Stock Co., Ltd. Kingtone Information increased its registered capital to RMB56,000,000 on June 16, 2008 and changed its name to the current name on November 5, 2003. Kingtone Information is majority-owned by Mr. Tao Li, our former chairman.

In December 2009, we consummated a number of related transactions through which we acquired control of Kingtone Information. Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. (“Softech”), a company incorporated on November 27, 2009 under the laws of the PRC as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (“WFOE”), entered into a series of agreementsStock Purchase Agreement (the “Control Agreements”“Agreement”) with Kingtone Information and the shareholders (“Shareholders”) of Kingtone Information pursuant to which Softech was granted full managerial and economic control over Kingtone Information, effectively rendering Kingtone InformationSuperengine Holding Limited, a contractual subsidiary of Softech. We entered into this contractual-control relationship in order to comply with certain PRC regulations relating to the nature and sensitivity of certain aspects of Kingtone Information’s business; namely, its work on PRC government projects. See “Item 4. – Information on the Company – C.  Organizational Structure – Contractual Arrangements with Kingtone Information and Its Respective Shareholders” for further information on these contractual arrangements.

Softech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Topsky Info-tech Holdings Pte Ltd. (“Topsky”), alimited liability company incorporated under the laws of Singapore on November 3, 2009. Topsky, in turn, is our wholly-owned subsidiary. We were incorporated under the name Reizii Capital Management Ltd. in the British Virgin Islands on October 27, 2009(the “Superengine”), pursuant to which LK Technology acquired all of the issued and changed our name to KingtoneWirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd (“Kingtone Wireless”) on December 17, 2009.

24

In exchange for causing Kingtone Information to enter into the Control Agreements, the shareholders of Kingtone Information received beneficial ownership of ordinaryoutstanding shares of Kingtone Wireless, throughSuperengine for an aggregate purchase price of US$60 million (the “Purchase Price”), which was paid by the issuance of our Ordinary Shares in an amount equal to the quotient of (x) the Purchase Price divided by (y) the average of the closing prices of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 12 months period preceding July 31, 2018. We are a party to the Agreement in connection with the issuance of the Ordinary Shares and certain nominee entities, in the same relative ownership percentage as they held in Kingtone Information prior to our May 2010 public offering.other limited purposes.

  

Corporate InformationOn August 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will acquire 100% of the equity interests of Saleya from Saleya’s shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of RMB 836 million (approximately equivalent to $120 million), which includes approximately RMB 709 million (approximately equivalent to $101 million) in cash and the remaining RMB 127 million (approximately equivalent to $18 million) will be paid by issuance of the Company’s common stock at the conversion rate of $7 per share. In connection with its acquisition of Saleya, as of December 31, 2019 and on January 21, 2020, the Company made a partial cash payment of $14,334,451 and $18,539,343, respectively, and on February 5, 2020 it issued 2,708,498 common shares to certain shareholders of Saleya in accordance with Share Purchase Agreement. On February 24, 2020, the Company reached an agreement with two of the Saleya’s shareholders to issue 1,500,310 of Series B preferred shares instead of a cash payment of $6,182,000 (RMB43,128,000) as a change of consideration for the acquisition of Saleya,

 

On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement with Geely Technology Group Co., Ltd. (“Geely Technology”) to issue 21,794,872 series A preferred shares at a purchase price of $1.95 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $42,500,000. Per the terms of the agreement and in accordance with ASC Topic 480-10, the Company recognized $32,910,257 as loan. The Company received $21,743,857 as of December 31, 2019 and the remaining amount was received in January 2020. Geely Technology may request the repayment after November of 2020, under such circumstance, the Company shall pay it back in January of 2021.

On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Acuitas Capital, LLC. and a Warrant to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares pursuant to which the Purchaser subscribed to purchase up to $100,000,000 of units with up to a $10,000,000 subscription at each closing, with each Unit consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant, where each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share. The Securities Purchase Agreement contemplates periodic closings of $10,000,000. The first closing has not yet occurred.

On June 17, 2020, the Company entered into preferred stock subscription agreement with Daci Haojin Foundation Limited to issue 15,000,000 preferred shares for $45,000,000. Pursuant to the preferred stock subscription agreement the first closing will not occur until July 2020 and such closing will be for $13,500,000. Subsequent closings will occur on August 31 and September 30, 2020 for $13,500,000 and $18,000,000, respectively.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 3/F, Borough A,B9-8, Block A,B, SOHO Phase II, No. 181 South Taibai9, Guanghua Road, in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 710065.100020.  Our website iswww.kingtoneinfo.com. www.luokung.com. We routinely post important information on our website. The information contained on our website is not a part of this annual report.

 

Our agent for service of process in the United States is Vcorp ServicesWorldwide Stock Transfer, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with ana mailing address at 20 Robert Pitt Drive,of One University Plaza, Suite 214, Monsey, NY10952.505, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.

 

B.  BUSINESS OVERVIEW.

 

We are a China-based developer and provider of location-based services and mobile enterprise solutions. Mobile enterprise solutions allow company personnel whose work function requires mobility (as opposedapplication products for long distance travelers in China. Our primary mobile application, the Luokuang platform, consists of the Luokuang mobile applications, a series of supporting software at the server end, and rail-Wi-Fi hardware and equipment on the trains that we serve. The Luokuang platform incorporates technologies covered by 22 patents and about 34 software copyrights, and serves as a content and service distribution platform that is tailored for particular travel stages featuring geographic location and social interactions. The content and services distributed by Luokuang contain information, entertainment, travel, e-commerce, online to operating fromoffline (“O2O”), advertisement and other marketing features. 


Luokuang mainly provides personalized and targeted services to long distance travelers in two locations: on the train and at the destination. Based on the travel environment, the core elements of our users’ needs include staving off boredom on trains and discovering and exploring new locations upon arrival. The main services contain entertainment services (videos and audio, digital readings, games specific and tailored to the travel stage) and social services (satisfying the demand for value discovery of unfamiliar destinations through social interaction among strangers based on locations). 

We use the most valuable Wi-Fi location—the train Wi-Fi setting—as the entrance of our Luokuang platform and mobile applications. Passengers typically ride trains for long-distance and inter-provincial travel purposes. The long periods of monotonous journeys and the cost concerns for roaming traffic fees enable the combination of entertainment content service needs and Wi-Fi access needs. Our rail-Wi-Fi becomes a single work station)valuable and sophisticated Wi-Fi service in this setting—not just Wi-Fi connection service, but a provider of sophisticated services through a Wi-Fi connection. We do not define ourselves as a train Wi-Fi communication service operator but as a long-distance travel mobile service and location-based service provider. The rail Wi-Fi is our access point to be connected with enterprisea significant pool of users and the entrance to acquiring additional users.

The recommended services focus on providing targeted push services to users while travelling in unfamiliar cities. Local information technology, or IT systems,and guidance service are precisely pushed according to individual user’s interest and taste, including Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM),restaurants, entertainment, living styles, local snacks, local products, scenic spots, cultural history and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Our software enables such systems to get extended to personnel in the field using wireless devices such as smart phones, PDAs (or Personal Digital Assistant), cameras, barcode scanners, portable printers, GPS devices,stories. The guidance service is User Generated Content which is shared and tablet computers. Mobile enterprise solutions also contain custom software applications for specific industriesdistributed by individual users including travelers, local residents and local businesses.

 

 Our mobile enterprise solutions are builtIn June 2018, China Railway Gecent Technology Co., Ltd. (or “Gecent”) (established jointly by China Railway Investment Co., Ltd., Geely Holding Group and Tencent Holdings Ltd.) obtained the exclusive right to build and operate on-train Wi-Fi for all the High-speed trains in China. It provides a full-travelling service including on-train Wi-Fi, entertainments, news, online meals order, online specialty retailer and connecting travel. As the pathfinder in on-train Wi-Fi market in China, we have accumulated great experiences and resources in construction and operation on our proprietary core middleware platform consisting of standardized modules. This core middleware platform allows our solutions to seamlessly integrate with our customers’ existing information management systems. The core middleware platform can host an array of standardized and scalable applications developed by us or by others. This structured design allowstrain Wi-Fi on express trains in China, which enable us to timelycooperate with Gecent to provide location-based services through the provision of our map SDKs (“Software Development Kit”) and cost-effectively meet our customers’ specific requirements,APIs (“Application-programming Interface”), including services at train stations covering navigation and OTO services, and to respondprovide movie content SDK, movie copyrights and operating services to their changing needs.

Mobile enterprise solutions are generally aimed at reducing processing times and facilitating the flowusers of information among people and systems. Mobile computing allows field workers to communicate and interact more efficientlyGecent’s mobile application. Through the cooperation with their central operations, and vice versa. EnterprisesGecent, we are able to captureexpand our services to more accurate and timelyvaluable high-speed train passengers, while the high-speed train Wi-Fi in China will cover about 3 billion passenger trips till the year of 2020.

In the first half of 2019, we gradually terminated the Wi-Fi provision for express trains because the increase in numbers of High-speed trains led to the shrinkage of the passenger trips on express trains. At the beginning of 2019, we established a Luokung Location-based services Data Marketing Platform (“LLDMP”), Luokung Location-based services (“LBS”) Data Marketing Platform, that combines our LBS strength with existing advertising tools. Our LBS capability including indoor floor maps, location information, and to achieve major reductionspoint of interest for more than twenty thousand commercial buildings covers high speed train stations, shopping malls, airports and so on.

Through the acquisition of Superengine, we obtained patented technologies in paperworkspatial-temporal big data indexing, storage, transmission and administration. Mobile enterprise solutionsvisualization that can support the full vector maps without tile, which can be usedeffectively applied to put important datahigh-definition (HD) maps, location-based services, smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, mapping and surveying, remote sensing and monitoring. We possess fifteen patents and nine patent application rights in the hands of field workers, thus improving decision-makingU.S., Europe, Japan and productivity in the field. They improve efficiency in everyday functions including work dispatch, sales, inspections, repairs, deliveries, tracking and scheduling. They can also be used within factory settings, where wireless data connections are used to improve central control and monitoring of production and automations systems. For example, we designed and implemented solutions for a PRC-based petroleum company that allows plant managers to wirelessly monitor its production lines from off-site or remote locations.

According to latest data from China's three mobile operators as quoted by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on April 19, 2015, China, the world’s largest mobile phone market by subscribers, posted a 0.3 percent monthly increase in the number of mobile subscribers to 1.29 billion from 1.24 billion at February 20, 2014. The number of subscribers reached 1.24 billion in February 2014, up from 1.15 billion at ended of March 2013; it reached 1.15 billon at the end of March 2013, up from 1.11 billion at end-December 2012. The Chinese mobile market recorded the highest annual net additions with 135 million in 2012, up from 134 million in 2011, bringing the total to 1.11 billion. By the end of 2017, it is estimated that there will be 1.57 billion mobile subscribers in the country, representing a 114.0% penetration rate, with the growth rate averaging 7.2% between 2013 and 2017. It also forecasted the number of 3G/4G subscribers to increase to 768.7 million in 2017.

25

As the foundation of the mobile Internet, mobile networks play a crucial role in the development of the entire market. Thus, China’s high bandwidth mobile application market has been developing slowly, limited by the mobile bandwidth. However, with the formal commercial application of the 4G service, the download rate of 100Mbps will be provided for users, effectively breaking the bandwidth limitation and laying a foundation for the development of China’s high bandwidth mobile application market. Internet Data Centre (IDC) is optimistic about the development prospect of high bandwidth mobile applications such as mobile videos, mobile music and mobile online games. According to the planning of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (“MIIT”), the executive bodies of "Broadband China" are the three major telecom operators, with China Telecom and China Unicom undertaking most of the tasks. With the formal commercial application of the 4G service, China Telecom and China Unicom have adjusted their core services and taken the 4G service as new key focus of investment and development. This will affect the investment and operation of the broadband service and have certain effects on the entire development process of “Broadband China”. To cooperate with our telecom partners, we are offering solutions to enable wider forms of mobile computing that take advantage of the 4G bandwidth. We also plan to devote resources to 4G products in anticipation of future government approval and commercial deployment.

We typically act as a total solutions provider, packaging our software with various third-party hardware and related equipment. We are headquartered in Xi’an, China and sell our products widely throughout China.

Our Industry — Mobile Enterprise Software Industry

We operate in the mobile enterprise software industry in China. We believe our graphics processing system is a thousand times more efficient than competing technologies in querying, retrieving, transmitting and rendering graphical information, and allowing Terabyte (TB) sized data to be released in seconds, which enable our customers to obtain real-time operational intelligence by harnessing the mobile enterprise market in China benefits from compelling industry fundamentals such as increasing investment in IT, the country’s 4G rollout, and increasing demand for wireless applications within working environments. However, as the macro economy is slowing down, the government will be more conservative on the investment on the mobile enterprise software, especially mobile enterprise software for some vertical industries such as police and emergency.value of their database.

 

“Internet of Things” (“IOT”) Development in China

There has been a boom in research and development of China's IOT industry since the second half of 2009 when the government decided to promote the promising industry as well as other progressive industries including new energy, new materials and information networks.

China's State Council, the cabinet, issued guiding opinions for the orderly and healthy development of IOT, targeting breakthroughs in core technologies, shaping an IOT industry system Under the guiding opinions, China will form a group of leading companies as well as small and medium-sized firms with creativity and innovation, and establish a complete IOT industrial chain. China promises to offer stronger financial and tax-related support to the IOT industry.

The Chinese government has been gradually increasing its financial support for the development of the IOT. In April 2011, the Ministry of Finance and the MIIT promulgated the Interim Measures for the Management of Special Funds for the Development of the Internet of Things. The government earmarked over RMB 5 billion ($750 million) for IOT investment by 2015. China’s IOT market hit 500 billion ($80 billion USD) by 2015, and MIIT estimates it will double to RMB 1 trillion ($166 billion USD) by 2020.

Information Technology Development in China

The IDC study presents forecasts and analysis for the China IT services market for the period 2012-2017."China's focus on economic development could promote strong development in tertiary industries, especially the services industry. Technology development is an important focus in the economy. China's economic transformation leads to a strong need for IT services. According to an IDC report, revenue for the IT Services industry has been growing at an annualized rate of 8.4% over the past five years. In 2017, revenue is expected to total $144.4 billion, up 6.8% from 2016.. Although the IT services industry in China has a short history, it has been expanding quickly.

26

This supports our belief that market acceptance of enterprise mobility applications, solutions and systems usually accelerates when potential customers’ back-end information technology systems are fairly developed and they start to invest in applications. By identifying sectors with high growth rates of IT investment, we can exploit opportunities to expand our business by capturing the growth in targeted vertical industry markets.

Mobile Enterprise Solutions in China

We believe that China's enterprise mobility market is experiencing rapid development, driven primarily by the development of the mobile industry.

The growth of mobile enterprise solutions is driven by the demand for increased business efficiencies and new functionalities. In many modern businesses, operations are distributed over a large area, with individual operating elements. Mobile enterprise solutions allow organizations to enable mission-specific field and long-distance information management on a real-time basis. Mobile enterprise solutions consist of packaged, mission-specific and industry-specific applications and software designed especially for enterprise using wireless connectivity.

Enterprise wireless applications can be tailored to meet the specific needs of many industry sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, logistics, utilities, healthcare, and government agencies (such as police and emergency services). These custom software solutions include production control automation, sales force automation, field force automation, customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, operations management, inventory management, time and expense, logistics, and other collaborative items.

Wireless enablement for an enterprise and its many activities is a prominent trend according to the IDC report. With the growth of the domestic economy, improvements in bandwidth, and increased mobility in working environments, enterprises and government agencies are increasing spending on the construction of mobile platforms and applications to extend their functionality outside of stationary locations. Mobile enterprise solutions including mobile middleware software, mobile security software, mobile device management software, and mobile enterprise applications have fueled the growth of both business data and video/voice usage, which are also major driving factors in communication spending.

Our Strengths

We believe the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors:

Proprietary suite of mobile enterprise solutions offerings

We are among the first of Chinese companies to focus predominantly on developing mobile enterprise solutions. Since we began our operations in 2001, we have completed many successful client installations (approximately 172) and have accumulated special knowledge and expertise that has directly resulted in the creation and development of our proprietary adaptable middleware platform, and an array of software applications. A client installation is considered “successful” when we have developed the solutions/systems according to the customer’s contractual specifications and have otherwise fulfilled all other material terms set forth in the sales contract, including installing, configuring and making the solutions/systems operational within the specified time periods. Additionally, to be considered “successful”, a customer must have test run the solutions/systems and indicated its satisfaction by signing the acceptance letter.Key Technologies

 

We believe our mobile enterprise software is superiorinvestments in breadth of application. Our middleware platform and software applications can be selectively packaged to create tailored solutions that can be installed on both new systems and existing frameworks.

Strong development capability

We have taken advantage of the significant talent pool within the universities and research institutes in Xi’an China, where our operations are located, to establish a dedicated research and development team. As of September 30, 2017, we had 10 engineers dedicated to technology development and customer implementations. Our development engineers have diverse technical backgrounds and are led by experienced development practitioners. We have been able to track and incorporate the latest technologies into our software to continuously improve our core middleware platform and applications, and to develop new functionalities.

27

Industry knowledge

We work closely with our customers to build upon our understanding of our customers’ operational processes and requirements. Our sales teams coordinate closely with our development teams to reflect those requirements in our solutions. As a result, our mobile enterprise solutions fit smoothly into our customers’ operations. In addition, our presence in the mobile enterprise solution market since its inception provides us with domain knowledge which we use to help position ourselves for future growth. We continually receive feedbacks from this evolving market and are able to anticipate emerging sectors and future product requirements.

Good track record

Virtually all businesses and public service operations have the potential to experience efficiencies and new functionalities with mobile enterprise solutions. We have successfully completed projects for clients, such as the Central Government Security Bureau and Beijing Emergency Response Center, from many verticals. These serve as high-profile case studies and enhance our reputation in the marketplace and, thus, provide a key endorsement for the quality and stability of our product offerings. Moreover, by having our main corporate office in Xi’an, China, we benefit from the continued surge in IT investment by the Western provinces.

Joint efforts with Chinese wireless telecom carriers

We benefit from joint business development efforts with China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom. These wireless telecom carriers have a strategic interest in the advancement of the mobile enterprise in China. Our sales professionals work closely with those companies to access their large pools of corporate customers. Together we make joint presentations to candidate customers, where the carrier will provide the wireless network and we will provide the mobile enterprise solution. We have unwritten cooperative relationships with all three telecom carriers to co-promote next-generation mobile solutions for various other applications in China. In addition we have a formal co-marketing agreement with China Telecom to co-promote next-generation mobile solutions for law enforcement applications in Shaanxi province. For the year ended September 30, 2017, we completed a total of seven customer projects with the three telecom carriers. Typically under these arrangements, we jointly market our products and services for customer applications as customer’s contractkey technologies provide significant competitive differentiation and our technologies are disruptive innovations in computer graphics systems, spatial-temporal data analysis and processing. Our proprietary algorithms can eliminate certain time-consuming steps in data preprocessing, and maintain same level of high system performance with the telecom carrieramount of data increasing by orders of magnitude. It enables a new wave of technological upgrades in related industries to do more with us providing our solutionsless time and less power consumption.


Spatial temporal indexing technology.

This technology provides an effective indexing technique, covering both spatial dimension and temporal dimension. It separates the data and indexes, and solves the technological difficulties in spatial temporal big data processing, including storage, updating, management, indexing, reading, spatial relationship computation and analysis. This technology allows the users to efficiently and accurately obtain the customerdata they need, and receiving our remuneration fromminimizes the telecom carrier.transmission of unnecessary data, which achieves application efficiency not being affected even with explosive growth of data volume.

Adaptive reduction and compression technology

 

This technology allows full vector spatial data to be processed directly through the adaptive reduction and compression to meet the requirements of transmission performance for internet application. Our Strategy

Seize the opportunity presented by 4G adoption in China

As the foundation of the mobile Internet, mobile networks play a crucial role in the development of the entire market. China’s high bandwidth mobile application market has been developing slowly, limited by the mobile bandwidth. However, with the formal commercial application of the 4G service, the download rate of 100Mbps will be provided for users, effectively breaking the bandwidth limitation and laying a foundation for the development of China’s high bandwidth mobile application market. IDC is optimistic about the development prospect of high bandwidth mobile applications such as mobile videos, mobile music and mobile online games. According to the planning of MIIT, the executive bodies of "Broadband China" are the three major telecom operators, with China Telecom and China Unicom undertaking most of the tasks. With the formal commercial application of the 4G service, China Telecom and China Unicom have adjusted their core services and taken the 4G service as new key focus of investment and development. This will affect the investment and operation of the broadband service and have certain effects on the entire development process of “Broadband China”. To cooperate with our telecom partners, we are offering solutions to enable wider forms of mobile computing that take advantage of the 4G bandwidth. We also plan to devote resources to 4G products in anticipation of future government approval and commercial deployment.

Recruit, train and retain engineering professionals

We must train and retain our technical and business development teams. Once employed, we provide our technical employees with a comprehensive training program to understand ourcompeting technologies market and product offerings.

28

Pursue strategic acquisition opportunities

We will from time to time consider acquisitions or alliances that enable us to acquire talented and experienced software development personnel, enhance our technological capabilities and competitive advantages or provide licensing or recurring revenue opportunities, and propel our expansion.

Our Products and Solutions

We use various combinations of our existing middleware software modules, together with custom application software that we develop, to create a complete mobile enterprise software solution. For some customers, we provide the mobile enterprise software solution only. For other customers, we provide a complete wireless system solution, including mobile enterprise software and all hardware (our own hardware in addition to third party hardware such as servers or wireless devices).

An example of our mobile enterprise software products is an insurance industry application that we developed with China Mobile. Our mobile enterprise software for this application enables an insurance company’s field personnel to receive their dispatch information and proceed accident reporting and claim processing while in the field. Formrequire preprocessing full vector data is input electronically and high-resolution photos can be collected and filed wirelessly, from the accident site. For this application, we provide the software only, while China Mobile provides hardware and the network services.

Our mobile enterprise software consists of core middleware and a broad array of software applications. Our middleware serves as an intelligent platform that operates on top of our customers’ operating systems and management information systems. Our software applications can be integrated onto our middleware platform as well as attached mobile devices (mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, etc.) to perform essential tasks or extend our customers’ existing applications over wireless communications to fixed or mobile nodes. We have combined elements of both browser/server and client/server frameworks in our software design to allow for both reliable and flexible access by authorized personnel, at virtually anytime and from anywhere.

An example of our complete wireless systems (software and hardware) is a mobile video surveillance system that we developed for the Beijing Emergency Response Center. Using servers and cameras combined with our mobile enterprise software, we provided a complete wireless system that enables the Beijing Emergency Response Center to collect and monitor video from its patrol cars. This system improved the speed and quality of the emergency response by enabling supervisors to approach an emergency situationinto tiles in a faster and more thorough way.

Core Middleware Platform

Our core middleware platform resides on the customers’ servers. It is comprised of two layers of modules. TheGeneral Purpose Layer consists of mandatory software modules required to support the application software plugged into the middleware platform. TheBasic Layer modules are also mandatory components that perform basic functions, such as communicating with a variety of hardware and software platforms, computer operating systems, networking and database products, coordinating and synchronizing the tasks performed by our solutions, and adding information security to data transmission.

Software Applications

We have developed two types of software applications that can be selectively overlaid with middleware to complete a packaged solution, namely, Information and Communication-Technology Converged,rasterized format or ICT-converged, and Vertical Industry Applications.

29

ICT-converged applications perform generic functionalities that may be applied across multiple industries. Vertical Industry Applications, on the other hand, are non-generic and perform a specific task required by a particular industry. Both types of applications can reside on converged mobile devices (“Terminal-end Applications”), or on computer servers (“Server-end Applications”). Our Terminal-end Applications work on a variety of mobile devices and mobile operating systems.

In the terminal-end, we have information security, Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), location-based service, steam media, information exchange, and management and configuration applications. The information security application encrypts or decrypts the information to ensure sensitive or classified information of our vertical industry customers can be transmitted over the public wireless telecommunication network safely. Installed with our RFID application and appropriate chips, a mobile phone can be turned into a RFID reader and writer for faster information input in certain vertical industry customers, such as the police and administration of industry and commerce. Our location-based service application enables a mobile phone to receive information relevant to its location. This application can greatly improve the operating efficiency of the mobile workforce of some of our vertical industry customers’ by pushing timely information to them. Our steam media application turns a mobile phone into a moveable video monitor and collector to facilitate decision-making by delivering live pictures anywhere anytime to the decision-maker. The information exchange application automatically synchronizes information in the mobile phone and in the back-end database.

Our Hardware Products

Portable Video Server. Our portable video server for vehicles or individuals can be integrated into our overall solutions package or purchased separately to add live mobile video surveillance or transmission functions to our customers’ existing systems.

We design the server, including the breadboard, the layout of internal structures, the specifications of the electronic components, and the I/O specifications. We currently outsource the production of our hardware to third-party manufacturers. We program the embedded software and write the software into the portable video servers. We also program the software loaded on our customers’ central servers to work with our portable video servers. By using our portable video server solution, our customers enjoy higher quality video and experience better transmission compared to the generic webcam solutions available elsewhere in the marketplace. Many industries and applications require this superior quality. 

Tailoring Our Solutions

The engineers in our internal solutions implementation department develop the tailored mobile enterprise solution according to our customer’s requirements. Tailored solutions includes our core middleware platform and a selected combination of our software applications, and sometimes hardware we develop ourselves or outsource to third-party vendors. Tailored solutions are delivered as a turn-key package.

Research and Development

As of September 30, 2017, we had 6 engineers devoted to developing our software products. They are currently all located in our main corporate office in Xi’an, China.

Our success depends on continued enhancement of our current products and our ability to develop new technologically advanced products that meet the increasingly sophisticated requirements of our customers.  Our research and development center is responsible for conducting all of our basic research and development activities. The focus of our research and development personnel is on developing and improving our core middleware platform, our CIT-converged applications and our hardware products. Currently, there are 4 employees with post-graduate educations out of the total 6 engineers in our research and development center, including two with doctorate degrees and two with other post-graduate degrees, with diverse backgrounds in computer science and technology, telecommunication engineering, software engineering and physical electronics.

30

We believe our professionals are adept at utilizing the latest technical developments in our industry to create new products and functionality. They also receive customer feedback from the sales and marketing team to develop applications demanded by our customers in certain sectors.  

As of September 30, 2017, we had three engineers in our Vertical Industry Application Development Department, which is responsible for developing vertical industry applications. As of September 30, 2017, we had three engineers out of the aforementioned four engineers in our Automation Telematics Application Development Department that are responsible for developing automation telematics applications, which is a sub-group of vertical industry applications required by customers in manufacturing sectors with high degree of automation in their operations. Engineers in these two departments are also responsible for implementing the solutions for our customers.

Sales and Marketing

We sell our products and services mainly through our sales and marketing team, which is primarily based at our headquarters in Xi’an, China and our branch office in Beijing, China. We had seven professionals in sales and marketing as of September 30, 2017.

To date, we have sold our mobile enterprise solutions to customers in 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the PRC. In addition to those in Xi’an and Beijing, we have local sales teams that maintain close contact with our business partners and customers. We ensure that most of our sales and marketing professionals also have a technical background to make them competent for specialized IT sales, such as mobile enterprise solutions. Our sales and marketing professionals are organized into two teams: (i) Vertical Industry Application. and (ii) Automation Telematics.

The Vertical Industry Application sales force targets general business and government customers. They work closely with sales professionals at China’s wireless telecommunication carriers (China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom), under general cooperation framework agreements to develop new customers. We believe the carriers are motivated to improve their average revenue per user, or ARPU, by selling integrated services to enterprise customers. However, they generally lack the ability to develop applications to overlay on their basic data communication network. In most cases, the carriers directly contract with us to provide the wireless application solution. In other cases, we sell directly to our enterprise customers or are engaged as a sub-contractor or by other IT companies with the customer relationship.

Our Automation Telematics Application sales team focuses on industrial automation projects. These are mainly factory-specific wireless solutions that enable automated or semi-automated factory production lines, using our proprietary middleware and wireless capability. Automation Telematics utilizes wireless over short distances in a wide variety of usages that enable great automation control and production line monitoring and management. For such projects, typically we are contracted directly by the project owners or sub-contracted by the general contractors to provide automation telematics solutions. In most cases, building our software into large and complex physical systems (such as automated production lines) enables us to make a greater profit than if we sold our software independently. 

Sales Process

Our sales process begins by explaining to our potential customers the benefit of our wireless application products to the customer’s particular business. Some companies seek mobile functionality for their sales force, some seek cross-company, real-time networking across all fixed and mobile nodes, while others seek a particular functionality specific to their own trade or business. Our team first seeks to understand each company’s particular needs and then develops a product design proposal. For each project or mandate, we will typically compete against several other companies in an open bid invitation process.

31

Major Customers

On March 20, 2017, we entered into a contract with Shaanxi Huajian Energy Co., Ltd. ("Huajian") to provide monitoring system service to the Yanchang Energy project in Yanan, Shaanxi Province. Pursuant to the agreement, we provide engineering services to the Yanchang Energy project. The services performed under this contract include installation, debugging and initial training of staff, and operating the tank, engineering instruments and telecommunications. This contract generated RMB 0.8 million, or approximately $110,680 in revenue to the Company as of September 30, 2017.

Competition

The wireless applications software market is currently a highly-fragmented industry with many players offering industry-specific solutions. We compete with a variety of different companies, some of which do not have a proprietary wireless platform and must therefore outsource and/or do more development and testing. Other companies have developed a wireless system for a single application that is not widely adaptable to usages across many industries. We believe one of our competitive advantages is the versatility of our platform, which allows for its application across numerous industries without significant ground-up redevelopment for each customer.

Our main competitors in the wireless application market in China are:vector format.

 

 1.International IT consultingSpatial relationship could still be strictly maintained and service providers that have a strong foothold in customized enterprise softwarecorrectly displayed after the reduction and information system design and implementation, such as Syclo and Accenture;compression

 2.International mobile enterprise softwareThe adaptive reduction and solution providerscompression are lossless so that have a significant presence in China, such as SAP and CDC Software; andthe display effect remains the same

 3.Domestic mobile enterprise solution developers, such as Beijing Silu Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., a mobile application provider that focuses solely on environmental protection areas,The reduction and Cyber Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a wireless application software and IT service provider that focuses solely on public securities areas.compression allow rapid display of map in any network speed, adaptive to the network speed with dynamic adjustment of the display effect.

 

Progressive transmission technology

Progressive transmission technology is one of the key technologies to realize fast response in spatial data application. It supports lossless adaptive progressive transmission of spatial data, and the display and operation of map can be conducted with any network speed, for instance, by scaling, rotating, or translating. The display of map could be adjusted automatically in accordance with the network speed and users’ operation.

Progressive transmission technology makes system response time independent from the growth of spatial data, and also solves the performance problem in dealing with spatial temporal big data. The data integrity between users’ end and server is not compromised as the spatial relationship remains unchanged.

Full vector non-tiled technology

On the strength of our technologies, we support real-time release and real-time update of spatial vector data without the preprocessing step to rasterize the vector data, and we also support personalized display and analysis for the application of spatial data in real-time dynamic environment. Our indexing technology enables clients to establish a fast transmission channel between user and server, for both the large scope analysis and accurately pinning down details. Because the client can access the complete vector data, it solves the problem that only partial analysis could be performed on tiles. This will greatly expand the data computing capability of the client. In most scenarios, indexing can fulfill most of analysis requirements and application functions.


Our Services

Luokuang mobile application.We provide display-based online advertising services to customers by integrating text description, image and video, and displaying the advertisements in prominent positions on Luokuang Application.

Luokung SDKs and APIs.Our location based products, Luokung SDKs and APIs, provide spatial-temporal big data analysis and customized map to software and mobile application developers, and allow location-based contents and information to be integrated and presented on the map, which enables software and mobile application developers to create more diversified business models and service functions. Our proprietary full vector map presents refreshingly new and customizable location-based services to our business partners.

Spatial temporal indexing cloud.The spatial temporal indexing cloud service is a data-level virtualization technology we offer to our clients with high availability, extensibility and granular permission control. Our indexing cloud data centers offer highly integrated, dependable, efficient and secure services to meet the needs of varied spatial temporal requirements covering all types of clients, while shielding the details of data from disclosure to honor requested data protection.

Information SuperEngine.Our information SuperEngine includes the server engine and web graphics image engine. The server engine enables our clients to improve their ability and functions to store, manage and index the spatial temporal big data on the server side, and by establishing spatial temporal index on the server, our clients can rapidly and more efficiently obtain their requested data. Web graphics image engine, supports the rapid transmission of graphics image, and rapid display and edge computing ability for multi-terminal and cross-platform.

Spatial temporal cloud platform. Spatial temporal cloud platform supports deployment on public and private clouds to provide services for both industry users and public users. It provides comprehensive online cloud services including data storage, data resource and platform support, and it supports users to aggregate multi-source spatial data, map services, and Internet of things streaming data. By leveraging variety of industry templates, simple and easy-to-use tools for data editing, analysis and searching, users will be able to generate application systems for specific application scenarios. Various application operations can be performed through the mobile devices and Web browsers.


Our Strategy

We put more effort on continually improving the quality of our products and services, and the user’s experience of our products, as we believe satisfied users and customers are more likely to recommend our products and services to others. Through these efforts and with the increased use of internet in China, we will build our brand with modest marketing expenditures. We have implemented a number of marketing initiatives to promote our brand awareness among potential users, customers. In addition to our brand positioning in the market, we have also initiated a superior understandingseries of marketing activities to promote our products and technologies among existing and potential users and customers.

We intend to invest heavily in product development to deliver additional features and performance enhancements, deployment models and solutions that can address new end markets. Our investments may involve hiring and associated development, acquisitions and licensing of third-party technology.

We will continue to increase investments in our sales and marketing organizations to expand our current customer base. Our investments will be spread across geographies, customer tiers and industries. We will continue to invest in and foster the growth of our vertical industry markets comparedchannel relationships in China.

We will continue to drive customer satisfaction and renewals by offering community, standard, enterprise and global support to ensure our international competitorscustomers’ success with our offerings.

We intend to continue our investments in SDKs and APIs that help software developers leverage our platform. Our SDKs enable developers to build solutions that deeply integrate the analytics functionality of our offerings across the enterprise. Through our investments in SDKs and APIs, we intend to promote and extend the capabilities of our offerings to customers who wish to build sophisticated applications and interfaces that leverage our software products have much wider application areas than those of our domestic competitors. We also bring mobile applications to industrial automation management and control, an area in which we believe we have a higher level of sophistication than our competitors.services.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We have registered the following software copyrights, patents and trademarks for our business operations. We believe this intellectual property forms an integral part of our competitive strength.


Patents:

 

Through Kingtone Information, weWe have been granted an invention patentsome inventions by the State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”) of PRCPRC. We possess a complete set of technology system including network, client-end and service and operation platform. We have patent protections for Wi-Fi equipment on September 23, 2009. This patent is “wireless video transmission system based on BREW platform”. The patent code is ZL 200710018138.4.trains and for spatial-temporal big data processing technology. We enjoy a 20-year protection period starting fromhave received the grant date of the patent.following patents:

No. Name of patent Type  Registration
Number
 Date of Issuance 
1. Wireless communication multimedia chip business consumer information acquisition terminal device Invention  ZL 2010 2 0528767.9 Sep 21, 2011 
2. A user behavior processing method and device for intelligent terminal Invention  ZL 2013 1 0301728.3 May 27, 2015 
3. A global positioning system terminal device Invention  ZL 2010 2 0253452.8 Nov 7, 2011 
4. A wireless multimedia server Invention  ZL 2013 2 0220183.9 Nov 13, 2013 
5. Ordering system of passengers on train Invention  ZL 2015 2 0095381.6 Aug 5, 2015 
6. A wireless multimedia server Invention  ZL 2015 2 0201382.4 Oct 28, 2015 
7. An antenna structure Invention  ZL 2016 2 0424352.4 Mar 1, 2017 
8. Spatial data progressive transmission method and device Invention  201010617383.9  Jun 15, 2016 
9. Methods and devices for conflict detection and avoidance of spatial entity element labeling Invention  201010617385.8  Mar 26, 2014 
10. Spatial data processing method and device Invention  201010617399.X  Jun 26, 2013 
11. Method and device of spatial data simplification Invention  201010617400.9  Mar 13, 2013 
12. Method and device for judging the occlusion type of space entity Invention  201010617403.2  Sep 25, 2013 
13. A method and device for distributed mapping of 3d model data Invention  201110274924.7  Mar 26, 2014 
14. Data simplification of 3d model, gradual transmission method and device Invention  201110275336.5  Mar 25, 2015 
15. Spatial data transmission method and device Invention  201110306393.5  Dec 13, 2014 
16. Methods and devices for spatial data processing, simplification and progressive transmission Invention  201210104250.0  Jun 10, 2015 
17. Spatial data progressive transmission method and device Invention  201310367021.2  Jun 23, 2017 
18. Simplification method and device of spatial data Invention  201310367128.7  Sep 22, 2017 
19. The method and device to accelerate transmission and display of graphic data across platforms Invention  201210116149.7  Aug 10, 2016 
20. Methods and devices related to spatial data compression, decompression and progressive transmission Invention  201310136682.4  Nov 10, 2017 

 

We also have also been granted a utility model patent (application number: 200820228566.X) on December 9, 2009. The nametwo patents outside of this utility model invention is “Multi-business Data Collection Equipment”.China.

 

A third patent for “multilink wireless mobile industrial management and control integrated data transmission system” with the application number 200810150072.9 was granted to us on March 30, 2011.

No. 32Name of patentCountryNational Registration NumberDate of Issuance
1.Spatial data processing method and deviceJapan2012-547439Jun 20, 2014
2.Methods and devices related to spatial data compression, decompression and progressive transmissionU.S.A.14/394,610Sep 5, 2017 


Software Copyrights:

 

Through Kingtone Information, weWe have received the following software copyrights from the National Copyright Administration (“NCA”) of PRC:

 

No.Name of SoftwareCopyrightAchievement approach Registration Numbernumber 

Registration

date

Date of IssuanceDuration
Wireless video monitoring1.WAP PUSH Business operation platform systemIndependent research and development2007SRBJ1464Jul 23, 200750 years
2.TD-SCDMA Streaming media business management platform software V1.0 2007SR12909Independent research and development August 28, 20072009SRBJ0412Jan 22, 200950 years
RFID based wireless transportation administration monitoring3.Content management platform system software V1.0 2007SR17240Independent research and development November2009SRBJ1374Apr 1, 2007200950 years
Wireless emergency command and management4.Mobile multimedia broadcast electronic service guide system software V1.0 2008SR04120Independent research and development February 26, 2008
Mobile industry management and control integrated system V1.02009SRBJ1365 2008SR18892Apr 1, 2009 September 10, 200850 years
Wireless mobile news dispatches system V1.05. 2008SR18893September 10, 2008
Wireless police affairs system V1.02009SR04756November 10, 2009

Wireless OA system V1.0

2009SR07729February 25, 2009
Vertical industrial application software platform2010SR031071June 26, 2010
Third-grade unattendedMobile video business operation platform system V1.0 2014SR149914Independent research and development 

May 1, 2011

Wireless police system V2.02007SRBJ1463 2014SR149829Jul 23, 2007 June 1, 201250 years
Wireless6.Mobile multimedia broadcast emergency broadcast platform software V1.0Independent research and development2010SRBJ0720Mar 5, 201050 years
7.Mobile multimedia broadcast audio rich media interactive platform softwareV1.0Independent research and development2010SRBJ0719Mar 5, 201050 years
8.Printer typesetting and printing software V1.0Independent research and development2011SRBJ4190Sep 28, 201150 years
9.Electronic newspaper business support platform software V1.0Independent research and development2011SRBJ4186Sep 28, 201150 years
10.Public information business platform software V1.0Independent research and development2011SRBJ3810Sep 27, 201150 years
11.User interface scripting software V1.0Independent research and development2011SRBJ3809Sep 27, 201150 years
12.Integrated business management platform software V1.0Independent research and development2012SR003002Jan 16, 201250 years
13.Interactive business development platform softwareIndependent research and development2011SRBJ4593Nov 29, 201150 years
14.Instant messaging and messaging system based on Windows Phone 8softwareIndependent research and development2014SR122231Aug 5, 201450 years
15.General statistical platform software for client productsIndependent research and development2014SR216662Dec 30, 201450 years
16.CMMB Data broadcast management platform softwareIndependent research and development2009SRBJ0391Jan 22, 200950 years
17.Integrated passenger train service system 2014SR149864Independent research and development July 20, 20142012SR083665Sep 5, 201250 years

No.Name of CopyrightAchievement approachRegistration numberRegistration dateDuration
Mobile monitor terminals18.JHBY Train inspection management systemIndependent research and development2013SR015105Feb 21, 201350 years
19.Integrated information engine platform software iOS version V1.0 2015SR038094Independent research and development October2014SR040347Nov 30, 200150 years
20.Super information engine development platform software V5.0Independent research and development2014SR036792Mar 5, 200350 years
21.Core map super network information engine platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036772Sep 15, 200750 years
22.Integrated management of the grid gis software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036808Jun 20, 200850 years
23.Core map rural power grid equipment GPS patrol system software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036810Dec 10, 200850 years
24.Diagram grid patrol PDA system software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036778Dec 12, 200850 years
25.Core map geographic information engine desktop platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036614Jan 15, 200950 years
26.Integrated management of the grid geographic information Web system software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036799Mar 10, 200950 years
27.Core map railway power supply equipment GPS patrol system software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036783Mar 25, 201050 years
28.Core map network 3 d map server software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036788Feb 20, 201150 years
29.Core map network 3d map client softwareV1.0Independent research and development2014SR036637Feb 22, 201150 years
30.Core map 3d map network publishing platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036633Mar 10, 201150 years
31.Core map 3d map network release plug-in system software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036622Mar 15, 201150 years
32.Core map network 3d map smartphone platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036638Apr 28, 201150 years
33.Core map network GIS Shared mobile platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036634Oct 31, 2014201150 years
34.Core map network GIS sharing platform software V1.0Independent research and development2014SR036639Dec 16, 201150 years

 


Trademarks:

 

We have registered the following trademarks with the Trademark Office, State Administration for Industry and Commerce in the PRC:

 

RegistrationClassification
Registered TrademarkNumberNumberValid Period
KingTone439229142*July 28, 2008 to July 27, 2018
Kingtone439229435*July 28, 2008 to July 27, 2018
联合信息740293045*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
KINGTONE
INFORMATION”
740292737*November 21, 2010 to November 20, 2020
KINGTONE
INFORMATION”
74029289*December 21, 2010 to December 20, 2020
KINGTONE
INFORMATION”
740292645*October 21, 2010 to October 20, 2020
KINGTONE
INFORMATION”
740292541*July 7, 2011 to July 6, 2021
联合信息740291135*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
联合信息740291237*June 4, 2011 to June 3, 2021

No Trademark Classification
Number
 Valid Period Registration
Number
1 Y-图形 38 2010.04.21-2020.04.20 6746069
2 Y-图形 41 2010.09.07-2020.09.06 6746067
3 YRADIO-文字 35 2010.07.21-2020.07.20 6733437
4 YRADIO-文字 38 2010.04.21.2020.04.20 6733438
5 YRADIO-文字 41 2010.09.07-2020.09.06 6733439
6 LookLook-图形 38 2009.04.07-2019.04.06 4666051
7 LookLook-图形 42 2008.12.21-2028.12.20 4666050
8 YTV-文字 35 2010.07.21-2020.07.20 6733579
9 YTV-文字 38 2010.05.28-2020.05.27 6733578
10 YTV-文字 41 2010.09.07-2020.09.06 6733581
11 YTV-文字 42 2010.09.07-2020.09.06 6733580
12 YOUTV-文字 35 2010.07.21-2020.07.20 6733440
13 YOUTV-文字 38 2010.05.28-2020.05.27 6733441
14 xfeng-文字 35 2012.03.28-2022.03.27 9229145
33

No Trademark Classification
Number
 Valid Period Registration
Number
15 xfeng-文字 38 2012.03.28-2022.03.27 9229160
16 xfeng-文字 41 2012.03.28-2022.03.27 9229190
17 xfeng-文字 42 2012.03.28-2022.03.27 9229221
18 中传视讯-文字+图形 42 2008.12.21-2028.12.20 4666047
19 中传视讯-文字 42 2008.12.21-2028.12.20 4666048
20 中传视讯-文字 38 2008.12.21-2028.12.20 4666049
21 新蜂-文字 38 2011.08.21-2021.08.20 8538907
22 新蜂-文字 42 2012.01.28-2022.01.27 8539078
23 新蜂.潮-文字 38 2011.08.21-2021.08.20 8539104
24 新蜂.潮-文字 42 2012.01.28-2022.01.27 8539141
25 新影力 41 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288643
26 小人-图形 35 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12287985
27 小人-图形 38 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288580
28 小人-图形 41 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288629
29 小人-图形 42 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288435
30 中传-文字 38 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288267
31 中传-图形 38 2014.08.28-2024.08.27 12288289
32 中童-文字 41 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214085
33 中童在线-文字 41 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214092
34 翠鸟-文字 38 2014.08.07-2014.08.06 12214058
35 翠鸟-文字 42 2014.08.07-2014.08.06 12214125
36 爱翠鸟-文字 38 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214066
37 爱翠鸟-文字 41 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214096
38 爱翠鸟-文字 42 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214126
39 翠鸟-图形 35 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214040
40 翠鸟-图形 38 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214074
41 翠鸟-图形 41 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214100
42 翠鸟-图形 42 2014.08.07-2024.08.06 12214131
43 信号小喇叭图形+CMEDIA 41 2015.03.21-2025.03.20 12480439
44 LookLook-图形 38 2015.11.14-2025.11.13 11533428
45 LookLook-图形 42 2014.06.21-2024.06.20 11533720
46 LookLook-文字 38 2014.07.14-2024.07.13 11534067
47 LookLook-文字 42 2014.04.14-2024.04.13 11534227
48 箩筐-图形 41 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580228
49 箩筐-图形 42 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580227
50 箩筐-文字 42 2016.09.28-2026.09.27 16580249
51 箩筐-文字 41 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580250
52 箩筐-文字 35 2016.09.21-2026.09.20 16580252
53 箩筐-文字 9 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580253


No Trademark Classification
Number
 Valid Period Registration
Number
54 箩筐-图形 38 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580229
55 箩筐-图形 35 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580230
56 箩筐-图形 9 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16580231
57 微时光-文字 42 2016.09.28-2026.09.27 16580247
58 传游录屏-文字 9 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782144
59 传游录屏-文字 35 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782143
60 传游录屏-文字 38 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782142
61 传游录屏-文字 41 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782141
62 传游录屏-文字 42 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782140
63 录游器-文字 9 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782135
64 录游器-文字 35 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782136
65 录游器-文字 38 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782137
66 录游器-文字 41 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782138
67 录游器-文字 42 2016.06.14-2026.06.13 16782139
68 畅联TV-文字 41 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 15792467
69 畅联TV-文字 38 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 15792468
70 SuperEngine 9 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 8125722
71 SuperEngine 42 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 8125728
72 超擎 9/42 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 16473205
73 SUPERENGINE 9/42 2016.01.21-2026.01.20 16473185
74 WhooCine-文字 9 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36049237
75 WhooCine-文字 35 2019.09.07-2029.09.06 36071274
76 WhooCine-文字 38 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36059065
77 WhooCine-文字 41 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36046824
78 WhooCine-文字 42 2019.09.07-2029.09.06 36059525
79 速映-文字 9 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36070079
80 速映-文字 35 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36064784
81 速映-文字 38 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36062805
82 速映-文字 41 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36054899
83 速映-文字 42 2019.09.14-2029.09.13 36047495

 

 74029019*December 21, 2010 to December 20, 2020
740291645*October 21, 2010 to October 20, 2020
740291735*October 28, 2010 to October 27, 2020
740291837*October 21, 2010 to October 20, 2020
740291942*January 28, 2011 to January 27, 2021
740291541*January 28, 2011 to January 27, 2021
翼讯770361437*January 21, 2011 to January 20, 2021
翼讯770361335*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
翼讯770361245*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
翼讯770361141*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
翼讯77036179*April 21, 2011 to April 20, 2021
翼讯770361542*August 21, 2011 to August 20, 2021
鼎翼770362345*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
鼎翼770362435*January 7, 2011 to January 6, 2021
鼎翼770362537*January 21, 2011 to January 20, 2021
鼎翼770362642*February 21, 2011 to February 20, 2021
鼎翼77036109*March 14, 2011 to March 13, 2021
鼎翼770362241*February 21, 2011 to February 20, 2021
鼎翼770361141*February 21, 2011 to February 20, 2021
联合信息74029149*October 14, 2011 to October 13, 2021
联合信息740291237*February 14, 2012 to February 13, 2022
Konelive90423539*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Konelive904245535*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Konelive904253937*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Konelive904267541*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Konelive904260542*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Konelive904264345*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Superlive90463469*
Superlive904638535*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Superlive904640437*January 21, 2012 to January 20, 2022
Superlive904647141*April 7, 2012 to April 6, 2022
Superlive904666642*July 14, 2012 to July 3, 2022
Superlive904673345*February 14, 2012 to February 13, 2022

*See below for an explanation of each classification number used in the table above.

34

We have submitted applications for the following trademarks to the Trademark Office of State Administration for Industry and Commerce in the PRC:

Pending TrademarkApplication Number

Classification
Number

Application Date

Date of Acceptance
for Application

联合信息740291342*May 18, 2009June 4, 2009
联合信息74029149*May 18, 2009June 4, 2009
联合信息740292941*May 18, 2009June 4, 2009
Superlive904666642*January 12, 2011January 19, 2011
Superlive90463469*January 12, 2011January 19, 2011

*See below for an explanation of each classification number used in the table above.

 

Classification No. 9:  data processing apparatus, couplers (data processing equipment), computer software (recorded), monitors (computer programs), smart cards (integrated circuit cards), electro-dynamic apparatus for the remote control of signals, alarms, and electric installations for the remote control of industrial operations.


Classification No. 35:  auctioneering, sales promotion for others, marketing analysis, marketing research, import-export agencies, advisory services for business management, business management for franchise, personnel management consultancy, relocation services for businesses, and systemization of information into computer databases.

 

Classification No. 37:  building construction supervision, electric appliance installation38: include services that enable at least sensory communication between two people. Such services allow one person to talk to another, send messages from one person to another, and repair, installation, maintenancemake verbal or visual contact between one person and repair of computer hardware, interference suppression in electrical apparatus, machinery installation, maintenancethe other. This classification especially includes the service for broadcasting radio or television programs, except for radio advertising services and repair, burglar alarm installation and repair, and telephone installation and repair.telemarketing services.

  

Classification No. 41:  instruction services, teaching, education information, tuition, arranging and conducting of colloquiums, publication of electronic books and journals on-line, amusements, and vocational guidance.

  

Classification No. 42:  technical research, studies (technical project), computer software design, updating of computer software, recovery of computer data, computer systems analysis, installation of computer software, computer anti-virus protection, and research and development for others.


Classification No. 45:  security consultancy, monitoring of burglar and security alarms, computer software permit (legal service), factory security inspection, household service security consultancy, copyright management, and baggage examination for safety.

Business Certificates and Qualifications

 

We have obtained all necessary regulatory certifications to conduct our business in the PRC, including without limitation, the following: Software Enterprise Recognition Certificate, Computer Information System Integration Qualification Certificate, Construction Enterprise Qualification Certificate, and Security Technology & Protection Enterprise Certificate. We have also been properly certified as a high-tech enterprise and have met the ISO 9001:2000 qualification management system.

 

35

Legal Proceedings

 

Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that we are a party to any litigation that will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations. WeTo our knowledge, other than as described below there are not awareno material legal proceedings threatened against us. From time to time, we may be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of any significantbusiness. Following the consummation of the AEA, we became successor in interest to the legal or governmental proceedings against us, or contemplated to be brought against us.described below.

  

Lawsuit with Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd.

On August 22, 2014, Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Gansu Jinlun”) signed a “Lanzhou Railway Bureau Air-conditioned Train Wi-Fi Network System Advertising Operation Rights Agreement” for advertising on 72 trains for $1,467,880 (RMB9,604,633). Due to the dispute on the project implementation, Zhong Chuan Rui You did not pay the advertising fee. On August 23, 2017, Gansu Jinlun filed a lawsuit with Gansu Intermediate People’s Court. On December 19, 2017, Gansu Intermediate People’s Court issued a verdict, ruling that Zhong Chuan Rui You settle the overdue advertising fee. Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun agreed on the settlement amount of approximately $502,000 (RMB3,500,000).

Lawsuit with Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd.

On February 15, 2019, Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd. filed lawsuits with Beijing Internet Court alleging Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited and Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited are in infringement of exclusive rights to communication through an information network of certain works, performances, audio and video products and claiming the economic loss amounts to approximately $562,000 (RMB 3,920,000).

On December 14, 2019, Beijing Internet Court arranged a trial; Beijing iQIYI and the Company are negotiating a potential settlement while expecting a verdict from the court. According to legal counsel, it is probable that the settlement will amount to approximately $93,000 (RMB650,000). 


C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure and the place of formation and affiliation of each of our subsidiaries and affiliates.

affiliates as of December 31, 2019.

 

Contractual


VIE Arrangements with Kingtone Information anditsBeijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited’s Subsidiaries and Their Respective Shareholders

 

Our relationshipTo comply with Kingtonethe PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that operate mobile application services, our subsidiaries operate in such restricted service areas in the PRC through certain PRC domestic companies, whose equity interests are held by certain management members or founders of LK Technology Ltd. Part of the registered capital of these PRC domestic companies was funded by certain management members or founders of LK Technology Ltd. LK Technology Ltd., through its subsidiary Shenzhen Luokuang Technology Limited previously known as Zhong Chuan Tian Xia Information and each of its respective shareholders is governed byTechnology (Shenzhen) Limited (the “WFOE”), has entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement with Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited (“Zhong Chuan Shi Xun” or the “VIE”) the PRC domestic company, which entitle the WFOE to receive a series of contractual arrangements. Somemajority of the businessesprofit of Zhong Chuan Shi Xun. In addition, Shenzhen Luokuang Technology Limited has entered into certain agreements with those management members or founders, including an equity interest pledge agreement of the equity interests held by those management members or founders and an exclusive option agreement to acquire the equity interests in which Kingtone Information is engaged deal with classified government information in China. The currentthese companies when permitted by the PRC laws, rules and regulations. Details of the typical VIE structure of our significant consolidated VIEs, primarily domestic companies associated with the operations such as Zhong Chuan Shi Xun and its subsidiaries of Jiangsu Zhong Chuan Rui You Information and Technology Limited (“Zhong Chuan Rui You”), Huoerguosi Luokuang Information and Technology Limited (“Huoerguosi Luokuang”) and Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited (“Jiu Zhou Shi Dai”), are set forth below:  

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement

The VIE has entered into an exclusive business services agreement with the WFOE, pursuant to which the WFOE provides exclusive business services to the VIE. In exchange, the VIE pays a service fee to the WFOE which typically amounts to what would be substantially all of the VIE’s pre-tax profit, resulting in a transfer of substantially all of the profits from the VIE to the WFOE.

Exclusive Option Agreement

The VIE equity holders have granted the WFOE exclusive call options to purchase their equity interest in the VIE at an exercise price equal to the minimum price as permitted by applicable PRC laws. The WFOE may nominate another entity or individual to purchase the equity interest, if applicable, under the call options. Each call option is exercisable subject to the condition that applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations do not allow companies with foreignprohibit completion of the transfer of the equity interest pursuant to the call option. The VIE agrees not to distribute any dividends to the VIE equity holders to carry out such business activities. If we had a direct or indirect ownership in Kingtone Information, it could materially and adversely affect Kingtone Information’s ability to services existing contracts and to win future contracts. Therefore, Softech and Kingtone Information entered into a serieswithout the approval of contractual arrangements that allow us to effectively control Kingtone Information without violating relevant PRC laws and regulations. Under PRC laws, each of Softech and Kingtone Information is an independent legal person and neither of them is exposed to liabilities incurred by the other party. Pursuant to the contractual arrangements between Softech and Kingtone Information, as applicable, Kingtone Information transfers any and all net profits generated from its operations to Softech. Effective December 15, 2009, Softech entered into several control agreements with Kingtone Information, which agreements are summarized below.

WFOE.

36


Entrusted ManagementEquity Interest Pledge Agreement

 

Pursuant to the termsequity pledge agreement, the VIE equity holders have pledged all of their interests in the equity of the Entrusted Management Agreement dated December 15, 2009 among Kingtone Information, Softech andVIE as a continuing first priority security interest in favor of the shareholdersWFOE to secure the performance of Kingtone Information (the “Entrusted Management Agreement”), Kingtone Information and its shareholders agreed to entrustobligations by the operations and management of  itsVIEs and/or the equity holders under the exclusive business to Softech. According to the Entrusted Management Agreement, Softech possesses the full and exclusive right to manage Kingtone Information’s operations, assets and personnel, has the right to control all of Kingtone Information's cash flows through an entrusted bank account,cooperation agreement. The WFOE is entitled to Kingtone Information's net profits as a management fee, is obligatedexercise its right to pay alldispose of Kingtone Information’s payablesthe VIE equity holders’ pledged interests in the equity of the VIE and loan payments, and bears all losseshas priority in receiving payment by the application of Kingtone Information. The Entrusted Management Agreement shallproceeds from the auction or sale of such pledged interests, in the event of any breach or default under the exclusive business cooperation agreement, if applicable. These equity pledge agreements remain in effectforce until (i)all the parties mutually agreeobligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement have been fulfilled.

The exclusive business cooperation agreement and equity interest pledge agreement described above also enable the Company to terminate the agreement, (ii) the dissolution of Kingtone Information or (iii) Softech acquiresreceive substantially all of the assets or equity of Kingtone Information (as more fully described below under “Exclusive Option Agreement”). We anticipate that Kingtone Information will continueeconomic benefits from the VIE by typically entitling the WFOE to be the contracting party under its customer contracts, banks loansall dividends and certain other assets until such time as those may be transferred to Softech.

Exclusive Technology Service Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Technology Service Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Kingtone Information and Softech (“the Exclusive Technology Services Agreement”), Softech is the exclusive technology services provider to Kingtone Information. Kingtone Information agreed to pay Softech all fees payable for technologies services prior to making any payments under the Entrusted Management Agreement. Any payment from Kingtone Information to Softech must comply with applicable Chinese laws. Further, the parties agreed that Softech shall retain sole ownership of all intellectual property developed in connection with providing technology services to Kingtone Information. The Exclusive Technology Services Agreement shall remain in effect until (i) the parties mutually agree to terminate the agreement, (ii) the dissolution of Kingtone Information or (iii) Softech acquires Kingtone Information (as more fully described below under “Exclusive Option Agreement”).

Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement dated December 15, 2009 among Softech and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement”), each of the shareholders of Kingtone Information irrevocably appointed Softech as their proxy to exercise on each of such shareholder’s behalf all of their voting rights as shareholders pursuant to PRC law and the Articles of Association of Kingtone Information, including the appointment and election of directors of Kingtone Information. Softech agreed that it shall maintain a board of directors composed of the members of the board of directors of Kingtone Wireless, except for those directors that are employed solely for the purpose of satisfying listing or financing requirements of Kingtone Wireless. The Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement shall remain in effect until Softech acquires all of the assets or equity of Kingtone Information.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Option Agreement dated December 15, 2009 among Softech, Kingtone Information and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Exclusive Option Agreement”), the shareholders of Kingtone Information granted Softech an irrevocable and exclusive purchase option (the “Option”) to acquire Kingtone Information’s equity interests and/or remaining assets, but only to the extent that the acquisition does not violate limitations imposed by PRC law on such transactions. As discussed above, the current PRC law and regulations do not allow foreigners to hold equity interests in a PRC entity that engages in business dealings with classified government information. Accordingly, the Option is exercisable at any time at Softech’s discretion so long as such exercise and subsequent acquisition of Kingtone Information does not violate PRC law. The consideration for the exercise of the Option is to be determineddistributions declared by the partiesVIE and memorialized into any distributions or proceeds from the futuredisposal by definitive agreements setting forth the kind and value of such consideration. To the extent Kingtone Information shareholders receive any of such consideration, the Option requires them to transfer (and not retain) the same to Kingtone Information or Softech. The Exclusive Option Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement or in 30 days following a written notice from Softech.

37

Equity Pledge Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement dated December 15, 2009 among Softech and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Pledge Agreement”), the shareholders of Kingtone Information pledged allVIE equity holders of their equity interests in Kingtone Information, including the proceeds thereof, to guarantee all of Softech's rights and benefits under the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Exclusive Technology Service Agreement, the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement and the Exclusive Option Agreement. Prior to termination of the Pledge Agreement, the pledged equity interests cannot be transferred without Softech's prior written consent. The Pledge Agreement may be terminated only upon the written agreement from the parties.VIE.

 

D.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

We operate out of an officelease offices as headquarter located at 3/F, Borough A, Block A, No. 181 South TaibaiB9-5, B9-6 and B9-8, SOHO 3Q, No 9, Guanghua Road, in Xi’an. We own our office space,Chaoyang District, Beijing, which covers a floor space of 3,022.941013 square meters.

Our Beijing branch office is located at Room 2208 These leases expire on August 15, 2021 and 2209 at Building 16, An Hui Dong Li, Chaoyang District, Beijing.  It covers a floor space of 184.81 square meters. Our former chairman Mr. Tao Li had owned this space. We pay no consideration for the use of this office.are renewable upon negotiation.

In April 2008, we purchased an approximately 20,000 square meter six-story warehouse and industrial facility in Xi’an, which we named the “Kingtone Center”. We have paid the entire purchase price and obtained both the property ownership certificate and land use right certificate from the provincial government. We have finished the interior design phase of refurbishing the Kingtone Center.. On October 28, 2013, the Company signed a twenty-year lease agreement with Xi’an Zhongde Orthopedics Hospital Co., Ltd. (“Zhongde”). According to the lease agreement, the Company shall lease “Kingtone Center” to Zhongde with a monthly rent of approximately $0.1 million from July 1, 2014 untill December 31, 2034. The rent will have an incremental 2 percent increase year over year during the next following years.

 

ITEM 4A.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 5.  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

A. OPERATING RESULTS.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report. This discussion and analysis containscontain forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as our anticipated growth strategy, our plans to recruit more employees, our plans to invest in research and development to enhance our product or service lines, our future business development, results of operations and financial condition, expected changes in our net revenues and certain cost or expense items, our ability to attract and retain customers, trends and competition in the enterprise mobile software application market, and the factors set forth elsewhere in this report, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. In light of those risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this report will in fact occur. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report.

 

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except to the extent required by U.S. federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  Further, the information about our intentions contained in this report is a statement of our intention as of the date of this report and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices and our assumptions as of such date.  We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in our assumptions or otherwise.

38


Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to (i) “PRC” and “China” are to the People’s Republic of China; (ii) “U.S. dollar,” “$” and “US$” are to United States dollars; and (iii) “RMB”, “Yuan” and Renminbi are to the currency of the PRC or China.

 

Overview

 

Kingtone WirelessLuokung Technology Corp. was incorporated on October 27, 2009 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and acts asIslands. We are a holding company. Wecompany and conduct substantially all of our operations through our contractually-controlled PRC entity, Kingtone Information,wholly-owned subsidiary named LK Technology Ltd., a British Virgin Islands limited liability company (“LK Technology”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MMB Limited and its respective subsidiaries, which focusespossess two core brands “Luokuang” and “SuperEngine”. “Luokuang” is a mobile application to provide Business to Customer (B2C) location-based services and “SuperEngine” provides Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) services in connection with spatial-temporal big data processing. In May 2010, we consummated an initial public offering of our American Depository Shares, or ADSs, for gross proceeds of $16 million, and our ADSs were listed on developing mobile enterprise solutions in China. We provide a suite of applications that enable mission-specific fieldthe NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “KONE”. On August 17, 2018, we completed the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited (“C Media”) entered into on January 25, 2018. On August 20, 2018, we changed our name to Luokung Technology Corp., our American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) were voluntarily delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 19, 2018 and long-distance information management in wireless environments.on January 3, 2019 our ordinary shares started trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “LKCO”. 

 

Kingtone Information commenced its current lineOn August 17, 2018, we consummated an asset exchange transaction, pursuant to which we exchanged all issued and outstanding capital stock in Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., the parent of business in 2001 as an industrial automation managementSoftech, for the issued and control software system developer. We subsequently developed a core middleware platform consistingoutstanding capital stock of standardized modules. This core middleware platform allowsLK Technology (the “Asset Exchange”). In connection with the Asset Exchange, we changed our solutionsname on August 20, 2018, and on September 20, 2018, completed the issuance to seamlessly integrate with our customers’ existing information management systems. The core middleware platform can host an arraythe shareholders of standardized and scalable applications developed by us. This structured design allows us to timely and cost-effectively meet our customers’ specific requirements and respond to their operational changes. Customized packagesC Media Limited, the former parent of LK Technology, of (i) 185,412,599 of our middleware platformordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share and applications are marketed as tailored solutions to(ii) 1,000,000 of our preferred shares. Upon the consummation of the Asset Exchange, we ceased our previous business operations and government customersbecame a company focused on the provision of all kinds.location-based service and mobile application products for long distance travelers in China.

 

ResultsOn August 25, 2018, LK Technology entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the shareholders (“Shareholders”) of operationsSuperengine Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Superengine”), pursuant to which LK Technology acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Superengine for an aggregate purchase price of US$60 million (the “Purchase Price”), which was paid by the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 comparedissuance of our Ordinary Shares in an amount equal to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

The following table sets forth key componentsquotient of our results(x) the Purchase Price divided by (y) the average of operations for the periods indicated, in thousandsclosing prices of dollars and percentage of revenue and changes.

  For the Years Ended September 30,    
  2017  2016  Change 
  ($ in Thousands, Except per Share Data)    
Revenue $173   100.0% $1,192   100.0%  (85.5)%
Cost of sales  349   201.7%  988   82.9%  (64.7)%
Gross profit  (176)  (101.7)%  204   17.1%  (186.3)%
Operating expenses                    
Selling and marketing expenses  101   58.4%  134   11.2%  (24.6)%
General and administrative expenses  1,471   850.3%  1,917   160.8%  (23.3)%
Research and development expenses  -   -%  55   4.6%  (100)%
Total operating expenses  1,572   908.7%  2,106   176.7%  (25.4)%
Loss from operations  (1,748)  (1010.4)%  (1,902)  (115.9)%  (8.1)%
Other income (expense)                    
                     
Interest income  289   167.1%  400   33.6%  27.8%
Other income, net  1,240   716.8%  1,342   112.6%  (7.6)%
Total other income, net  1,529   883.8%  1,742   146.1%  (12.2)%
Loss before income tax expenses  (219)  (126.6)%  (160)  (13.4)%  36.9%
Net Loss $(219)  (126.6)% $(160)  (13.4)%  36.9%
                     
Other comprehensive income                    
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)  48   27.7%  (867)  (72.7)%  (105.5)%
Comprehensive Loss $(171)  (98.8)% $(1,027)  (86.2)%  (83.4)%
Loss per ordinary share:                    
Basic and Diluted $(0.16)     $(0.11)      (45.5)%
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding  1,405,000       1,405,000       0%

39

The following is a breakdown of our revenue, cost of sales and gross margin for the years indicated, in thousands of dollars, and our respective gross margin percentages and changes.

  For the Years Ended September 30    
  2017  2016  Changes 
  ($ in Thousands)    
Revenue               
Software $-   -% $62   5.2%  (100)%
Wireless system solutions  173   100%  1,130   94.8%  (84.7)%
Total Revenue  173   100.0%  1,192   100.0%  (85.5)%
Cost of Sales                    
Software  25   7.2%  40   4.0%  (37.5)%
Wireless system solutions  324   92.8%  948   96.0%  (65.8)%
Total Cost of Sales  349   100.0%  988   100.0%  (64.7)%
Gross Profit                    
Software  (25)  14.2%  22   10.8%  (213.6)%
Wireless system solutions  (151)  85.8%  182   89.2%  (183)%
Total Gross Profit  (176)  100.0%  204   100.0%  (186.3)%
Gross Margin                    
Software      -%      35.5%    
Wireless system solutions      (87.3)%      16.1%    
Blended Gross Margin      (101.7)%      17.1%    

Revenue

Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 12 months period preceding July 31, 2018. We are a China-based developer and provider of mobile enterprise solutions. We generate revenue in two ways, from customized software middleware and applications for various public and private service agencies, which we identify as software solution sales, and from packaged solutions that include both software and hardware in automation telematics for clients mainly in the manufacturing sector, which we identify as wireless system solution sales. In the year ended September 30, 2017, we experienced a significant contraction in both our software solution business and our wireless system solution business. While the business conditions deteriorated rapidly, we face strong competition in our wireless system solution business. There is also a growing number of small service providers compete very aggressively on price which negatively affected our ability to win new contracts. Thereafter our revenue decreased by 85.5% to approximately $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $1.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2016.

The Company had no revenue from software solutions in the year ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.06 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. 

Our revenue from wireless system solution sales decreased by 84.7% to approximately $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $1.1 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. As a percentage of total revenue, wireless system solution revenue increased from 94.8% to 100% of our total revenue.

40

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales decreased by 64.7% to approximately $0.3 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $1 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. As a percentage of our total revenues, our cost of sales increased to 201.7% of revenues in the year ended September 30, 2017 from 82.9% of our total revenues in the year ended September 30, 2016.

Cost of sales for software decreased by 37.5% to approximately $0.03 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $0.04 million in the year ended September 30, 2016, representing 7.2% and 4.0% of our total cost of sales in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cost of sales for wireless system solutions decreased by 65.8% to approximately $0.3 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $0.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2016, representing 92.8% and 96.0% of total cost of sales and 187.3% and 83.9% of wireless system solution revenues in the fiscal years ended September 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Our total gross profit decreased by 186.3% to approximately negative $0.18 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. Our total gross margin was minus 101.7% and 17.1% in the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of total revenue, respectively. This decrease of gross margin was primarily dueparty to the overall decreaseAgreement in industry profit margin.

Our gross profit for wireless system solution sales decreased by 183% to approximately negative $0.15 million inconnection with the year ended September 30, 2017 from approximately $0.18 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. Our gross margin for wireless system solution sales decreased to minus 87.3% in the year ended September 30, 2017 from 16.1% in the year ended September 30, 2016, which is mainly attributable to the allowance of obsolete inventory which is classified as cost of sales. 

Operating Expenses

Selling and Marketing Expenses

Our selling and marketing expenses decreased by 24.6% to approximately $0.1 million in fiscal year 2017 from approximately $0.13 million in fiscal year 2016, and represented 58.4% and 11.2% of our revenue for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Selling and marketing expenses consisted primarily of compensation and benefit expenses relating to our sales and marketing personnel, travel and communication expenses, and selling and marketing-related office expenses. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was a direct resultissuance of the Company’s cost-control decision to reduce the related marketingOrdinary Shares and traveling expenses as a method of coping with the depressed software solutions market by decreasing labor costs. The lower demand for software solutions products is caused by the fact that most of the clients in our business sectors are government-sponsored companies. With the macro-policy in China that controls the spending budgets in governmental agencies, fewer clients in such sector were inclined to buy value-added software solutions.  

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses decreased by 23.3% to approximately $1.5 million in fiscal year 2017 from approximately $1.9 million in fiscal year 2016, and represented 850.3% and 160.8% of our revenue for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefit expenses relating to personnelcertain other than our engineers and our sales and marketing team, depreciation and amortization expenses and overhead expenses. General and administrative expenses also include legal and other professional fees, share-based compensation and other miscellaneous administrative costs. The significant decrease in general and administrative expenses was mainly due to the decreased bad debt expense caused by certain aged receivables, and decreased labor cost as a result of the decreased business operation.

limited purposes.

41

Research and Development Expenses

Our research and development expenses were nil in the fiscal year 2017, compared to approximately $0.06 million in fiscal year 2016.

Loss from Operations

We incurred a loss of $1.7 million in the year ended September 30, 2017, an 8.1% decrease in such a loss from approximately loss of $1.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2016, which was primarily due to the significantly lower general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period last year.

Net Loss

We incurred a net loss of $0.22 million in the year ended September 30, 2017 as compared to net loss of approximately $0.16 million in the year ended September 30, 2016. Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.16 in the year ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.11 loss per share in the prior year period. The number of weighted average ordinary shares outstanding was 1,405,000 for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Results of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016December 31, 2019 compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.December 31, 2018.

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated, in thousands of dollars and percentage of revenue and changes.

  For the Years Ended September 30,    
  2016  2015  Change 
  ($ in Thousands, Except per Share Data)    
Revenue $1,192   100.0% $8,819   100.0%  (86.5)%
Cost of sales  988   82.9%  5,618   63.7%  (82.4)%
Gross profit  204   17.1%  3,201   36.3%  (93.6)%
Operating expenses                    
Selling and marketing expenses  134   11.2%  153   1.7%  (12.4)%
General and administrative expenses  1,917   160.8%  3,355   38.0%  (42.9)%
Research and development expenses  55   4.6%  288   3.3%  (80.9)%
Total operating expenses  2,106   176.7%  3,796   43.0%  (44.5)%
Loss from operations  (1,902)  (115.9)%  (595)  (6.7)%  (219.7)%
Other income (expense)                    
                     
Interest income  400   33.6%  29   0.3%  1,279.3%
Other income, net  1,342   112.6%  1,593   18.1%  (15.8)%
Total other income, net  1,742   146.1%  1,622   18.4%  7.4%
Income (Loss) before income tax expenses  (160)  (13.4)%  1,027   11.6%  (115.6)%
Net Income (loss) $(160)  (13.4)% $1,027   11.6%  (115.6)%
                     
Other comprehensive income                    
Foreign currency translation loss  (867)  (72.7)%  (686)  (7.8)%  26.4%
Comprehensive Income ( loss) $(1,027)  (86.2)% $341   3.9%  (401.2)%
Income (Loss) per ordinary share:                    
Basic and Diluted $(0.11)     $0.73       (115.6)%
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding  1,405,000       1,405,000       0%

42

The following is a breakdown of our revenue, cost of sales and gross margin for the years indicated, in thousands of dollars, and our respective gross margin percentages and changes.

  For the Years Ended September 30,    
  2016  2015  Changes 
  ($ in Thousands)    
Revenue               
Software $62   5.2% $136   1.5%  (54.4)%
Wireless system solutions  1,130   94.8%  8,683   98.5%  (87.0)%
Total Revenue  1,192   100.0%  8,819   100.0%  (86.5)%
Cost of Sales                    
Software  40   4.0%  61   1.1%  (34.4)%
Wireless system solutions  948   96.0%  5,557   98.9%  (82.9)%
Total Cost of Sales  988   100.0%  5,618   100.0%  (82.4)%
Gross Profit                    
Software  22   10.8%  75   2.3%  (70.7)%
Wireless system solutions  182   89.2%  3,126   97.7%  (94.2)%
Total Gross Profit  204   100.0%  3,201   100.0%  (93.6)%
Gross Margin                    
Software      35.5%      55.1%    
Wireless system solutions      16.1%      36.0%    
Blended Gross Margin      17.1%      36.3%    

 

Revenue

 

Display-based online advertising services.The Company provides display-based online advertising services to customers by integrating text description, image and video, and displaying the advertisements in a prominent position on Luokuang mobile application on a cost-per-click basis; the customers pay us only when a user clicks on an advertisement on the Luokuang mobile application. We are a China-based developeralso derive our revenue from the provision of user acquisition services to our advertisers on the strength of the LBS services we offer; the customers pay us based on performance, as measured by CPI (Cost Per Install), CPM (Cost Per Mile), and providerCPC (Cost Per Click). The Company recognizes revenue over time because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of mobile enterprise solutions. We generate revenue in two ways, from customized software middlewareour advertising services throughout the contract period. 

Software and applications for various public and private service agencies, which we identify as software solution sales, and from packaged solutions that include both software and hardware in automation telematics for clients mainlyservicesThe Company generates revenues primarily in the manufacturing sector, whichform of sale of a software license and provision of technology solution services. License fees include perpetual license fees, term license fees and royalties. Technology services primarily consist of fees for providing technology solution services that enable customers to gain real-time operational intelligence by harnessing the value of their data.

Revenue for the sale of software licenses is recognized at the point in time when the control of the provided goods is provided to our customers.

Technology solution revenue is recognized over time, as the services are performed because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of our performance throughout the contract period. Milestones with corresponding payments are stated in the contracts with customers. We bill for the services we identifyhave performed when the milestones reached are accepted by the customer in accordance with the terms of the contract. We recognize the revenues associated with these professional services as wireless system solution sales. Inwe deliver each agreed portion of the services.

  Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
  2019 to 2018 
  2019  2018  % Change 
  (dollars in thousands)    
Revenues         
Advertising $17,806  $20,703   (14.0)%
License  -   203   (100.0)%
Technology Services  973   136   615.4%
             
Total revenues $18,779  $21,042   (10.8)%
             
Advertising  94.8%  98.3%    
License  -   1.0%    
Technology Services  5.2%  0.7%    
             
Total  100.0%  100.0%    


For the year ended September 30, 2016,December 31, 2019, we experienced a significant contraction in our software solution business and our wireless system solution business. While the business conditions deteriorated rapidly, we faced strong competition in our wireless system solution business. There is also a growing numberhad revenue of small service providers compete very aggressively on price which negatively affected our ability$18,779,172, as compared to win new contracts. Thereafter our revenue decreased by 86.5% to approximately $1.2 million inof $21,042,363 for the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $8.8 millionDecember 31, 2018, a decrease of $2,263,191, or 10.8%, which was primarily due to the termination of the Wi-Fi provision for express trains as the increase in numbers of High-speed trains led to the year ended September 30, 2015.

Ourshrinkage of the passenger trips on express trains. From the beginning of 2019, we started generating our revenue from software solution sales decreased by 54.4% to approximately $0.06 million inthrough the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $0.14 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. As a percentage of total revenue, software solution sales increased from 1.5% to 5.2%Luokung Location-based services Data Marketing Platform (“LLDMP”).

Our revenue from wireless system solution sales decreased by 87.0% to approximately $1.1 million in the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $8.7 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. As a percentage of total revenue, wireless system solution revenue decreased from 98.5% to 94.8% of our total revenue.

 

Cost of Salesrevenue

 

Our cost of sales decreased by 82.4%revenue primarily consists of traffic acquisition costs, depreciation, Wi-Fi equipment installation fees, amortization, spare parts, annual payments to approximately $1 million inlocal railway bureaus and other costs.

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (dollars in thousands) 
  Amount  % of cost
of revenue
  % of
revenue
  Amount  % of cost
of revenue
  % of
revenue
 
Traffic acquisition costs $13,616   90.9%  72.5% $-   -   - 
Wi-Fi equipment installation fees  608   4.1%  3.2%  1,884   27.2%  9.0%
Depreciation  240   1.6%  1.3%  2,807   40.4%  13.3%
Spare parts  32   0.2%  0.2%  1,006   14.5%  4.8%
Amortization  -   -   -   414   6.0%  2.0%
Resource cost  -   -   -   557   8.0%  2.6%
Others  480   3.2%  2.5%  270   3.9%  1.3%
Total cost of revenue $14,976   100.0%  79.7% $6,938   100.0%  33.0%

Cost of revenue for the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $5.6 million inDecember 31, 2019 was $14,976,016, representing an increase of $8,037,953 or 115.9% as compared to $6,938,063 for the year ended September 30, 2015. As a percentage of our total revenues, our cost of sales increased to 82.9% of revenues in the year ended September 30, 2016 from 63.7% of our total revenues in the year ended September 30, 2015.December 31, 2018. The decrease in cost of salesincrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenue from both software businessincrease of traffic acquisition costs which we acquired to support the LLDMP. Our traffic acquisition costs may vary due to a number of factors, including the scale, targeted audience and wireless system solutions business.

43

Costthe geographic location of sales for software decreased by 34.4% to approximately $0.04 million intraffic. For the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $0.06 million in2018, the year ended September 30, 2015, representing 4.0%costs of revenues primarily consist of depreciation, labor cost, Wi-Fi equipment installation fees, data charges, annual payments to local railway bureaus, and 1.1% of our total cost of sales and 64.5% and 44.9% of our software revenue in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cost of sales for wireless system solutions decreased by 82.9% to approximately $0.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $5.6 million in the year ended September 30, 2015, representing 96.0% and 98.9% of total cost of sales and 83.9% and 64.0% of wireless system solution revenues in the fiscal years ended September 2016 and 2015, respectively.other overhead costs. 


Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Our total gross profit decreased by 93.6% to approximately $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $3.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. Our total gross margin was 17.1% and 36.3% in the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 of total revenue, respectively. This decrease of gross margin was primarily due to national slow-down economy, which resulted in the overall decrease in industry profit margin.

Our gross profit for software solution sales decreased by 70.7% to approximately $22,000 in the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $75,000 in the year ended September 30, 2015. Our gross margin for software solutions sales decreased to 35.5% in the year ended September 30, 2016 from 55.1% in the year ended September 30, 2015. Our gross profit for wireless system solution sales decreased by 94.2% to approximately $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2016 from approximately $3.1 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. Our gross margin for wireless system solution sales decreased to 16.1% in the year ended September 30, 2016 from 36.0% in the year ended September 30, 2015, which is partially attributable to the lower margin of some of the wireless projects. 

Operating Expenses

Selling and Marketing Expensesmarketing expense

 

Our selling and marketing expenses decreased by 12.4% to approximately $0.13 million in fiscal year 2016 from approximately $0.15 million in fiscal year 2015, and represented 11.2% and 1.7% of our revenue for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Sellingexpense mainly includes promotional and marketing expenses consisted primarily ofand compensation and benefit expenses relating tofor our sales and marketing personnel, travel and communication expenses, and selling and marketing-related office expenses.personnel.

Selling expense totaled $3,764,792 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $14,695,165 for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $10,930,373 or 74.4%. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in promotional and marketing activities of approximately $12,263,000, which was due to the decrease in promotional and marketing activities conducted by the Company to promote the Luokuang APP as a result of the termination of the Wi-Fi provision on express trains, offset by an increase in the salaries and benefits for the sales and marketing expenses was a direct resultpersonnel of the Company’s cost-control decision to reduce the related marketing and traveling expenses coping with the depressing software solution market and the decreased labor cost. The lower demand for software solutions products is caused by the fact that most of our clients in our business sectors are government sponsored companies. With the macro-policy in China that controls the spending budgets in governmental agencies, less clients in such nature were inclined to buy value-added software solutions. approximately $1,241,000.

 

General and Administrative Expensesadministrative expense

 

Our general and administrative expenses decreased by 42.9% to approximately $1.9 million in fiscal year 2016 from approximately $3.4 million in fiscal year 2015,consist primarily of salaries and represented 160.8%benefits for our general and 38.0% of our revenueadministrative personnel, rent, fees and expenses for the years ended September 30, 2016legal, accounting and 2015, respectively. other professional services.

General and administrative expenses consistexpense totaled $22,844,383 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $6,750,417 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $16,093,966 or 238.4%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in consulting fees of compensation and benefit expenses relating to personnel other than our engineers and our sales and marketing team, depreciation and amortization expenses and overhead expenses. General and administrative expenses also include legal and other professional fees, share-based compensation and other miscellaneous administrative costs. The decrease in general and administrative expenses wasapproximately $5,944,000, which is mainly duerelated to the completion of the AEA transaction and an increase of impairment loss of approximately $8,696,000 including an increase in allowance for doubtful receivables of approximately $10,223,000, offset by a decrease in bad debt expense,debts written off of approximately $869,000, a decrease in impairment loss over the intangible assets of approximately $724,000 and we reduceda decrease in impairment loss over the related labor cost.property, plant and equipment of approximately $108,000.

 

44

Research and Development Expensesdevelopment expenses.

 

Our research and development expenses decreased 80.9% to approximately $0.06 million in fiscal year 2016 from approximately $0.3 million in fiscal year 2015, and represented 4.6% and 3.3% of our revenue for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Research and development expenses primarily consist primarily of compensationamortization of the intangible assets, and benefit expenses relating to engineers in oursalaries and benefits for research and development center, materials costpersonnel.

Research and development expenses totaled $8,710,746 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $3,478,570 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $5,232,176 or 150.4%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of the intangible assets of approximately $3,648,000, which was recognized as a result of the acquisition of Super Engine Holdings Limited in accordance to Purchase Price Allocation and an increase in salaries and benefits for the sales and research and development activities relating to our research and development center. The decrease in research and development expenses was mainly because the Company intended to decrease the expenses under an unsatisfied business condition.personnel of approximately $1,180,000.

 

Loss from Operationsoperations

We incurred a loss of $1.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2016, a 219.7% increase in such a loss from approximately loss of $0.6 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. The increase in loss from operations was mainly due to significantly lower revenues from software solutions and wireless system solutions business.

Net Income (Loss)

We incurred a net loss of $0.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2016 as compared to net income of approximately $1 million in the year ended September 30, 2015. Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.11 in the year ended September 30, 2016, compared to income per share $0.73 in the prior year period. The number of weighted average ordinary shares outstanding was 1,405,000 for the years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows and Working Capital

As of September 30, 2017, we had a working capital of approximately $1.2 million, including cash of approximately $0.9 million. The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flow for the periods indicated:

  For the Years Ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
  ($ in Thousands) 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $516  $(780) $2,366 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (29)  (22)  1 
Net cash used in financing activities  (800)  (690)  (3,714)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash and cash equivalents  (24)  (12)  (76)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (337)  (1,504)  (1,423)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  1,239   2,743   4,166 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  902   1,239   2,743 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $0.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2017 as compared to $0.8 million net cash used in operating activities the year ended September 30, 2016. During 2017, the Company had account and notes receivable of 3 million, compared to minus $4 million for the last year. In addition, the Company’s accounts payable decreased to $0.9 million from $1.3 million.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $29,000 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of approximately $22,000 for the year ended September 30, 2016. The cash used in investing activities in 2017 was mainly due to the purchase of property and equipment.

45

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the fiscal year of 2017 was approximately $0.8 million as compared to $0.7 million for the fiscal year of 2016.

 

As a result of the total cash activities, our net cash decreased by approximately $0.3 millionfactors described above, for the year ended December 31, 2019, loss from September 30, 2016operations amounted to September 30, 2017 and$31,516,765, as compared to approximately $1.5 millionloss from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016.operations of $10,819,852 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $20,696,913, or 191.3%.


Other income/expense

 

Current PRC regulations permitOther income/expense mainly includes interest expenses from other loans and foreign currency gains/losses.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, other expense, net, amounted to $505,438 as compared to other expense, net, of $1,033,675 for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $528,237, or 51.1%, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in foreign currency transaction loss of approximately $506,000 and an increase in other income of approximately $44,000, offset by an increase in interest expenses of approximately $22,000.

Income tax

We had income tax benefit of $70,992 for the year ended 2019 and income tax expense of $74,009 for the year ended 2018, respectively. We are subject to various rates of income tax under different jurisdictions. The following summarizes the major factors affecting our PRC subsidiariesapplicable tax rates in the BVI, Hong Kong and the PRC.

BVI

We are an exempted company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determinedincome, corporation or capital gains tax in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations.the British Virgin Islands. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Also, our PRC subsidiaries must file the board resolutions authorizing the payment of dividends, the capital verification report of our PRC subsidiaries, the audit report issued by a certified public accountant company and other required materials to the banks entrusted by the local foreign exchange bureau for the examination of the remittance of the dividend. Our PRC subsidiaries can only remit dividends to us after passing the examination. Such examination requirement may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to us which may limit our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to pay dividends to our shareholders, our abilityif any, is not subject to secure equity financingwithholding tax in the future may be adversely affected.British Virgin Islands.

 

Contractual ObligationsHong Kong

Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to the uniform tax rate of 16.5%. Under Hong Kong tax law, our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are exempted from income tax on their foreign-derived income and there is no withholding tax in Hong Kong on remittance of dividends.

PRC

Generally, our PRC subsidiaries, our consolidated affiliated entities and their subsidiaries are subject to enterprise income tax on their taxable income in the PRC at a rate of 25%. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entity’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.

An enterprise may benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% under the EIT Law if it qualifies as a High and New Technology Enterprise, which is normally effective for a period of three years. Our subsidiaries, Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited and Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd are a High-tech enterprise and enjoy a favorable income tax rate of 15%.

Net loss

 

As a result of September 30, 2017, we did not have any contractual obligations requiredthe factors described above, our net loss was $31,951,211 for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to be disclosed.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risknet loss of $11,927,536 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $20,023,675 or 167.9%.

 

Interest Rate RiskNet loss attributable to owners of the Company

The net loss attributable to owners of the Company was $31,513,178, or $0.16 per ordinary share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net loss attributable to owners of the Company of $11,927,536, or $0.16 per ordinary share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2018, a change of $19,585,642 or 164.2%.


Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

Our exposurereporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our parent company and subsidiaries of LK Technology, MMB and Mobile Media is the U.S. dollar and the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in China is the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The financial statements of our subsidiaries incorporated in China are translated to interest rate riskU.S. dollars using period end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange (for the period) for revenue, costs, and expenses. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As a result of foreign currency translations, which are a non-cash adjustment, we reported a foreign currency translation gain of $541,489 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to a foreign currency translation gain of $447,246 for the year ended December 31, 2018. This non-cash gain had the effect of increasing/decreasing our reported comprehensive income/loss.

Comprehensive loss

As a result of our foreign currency translation adjustment, we had comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $31,409,722, compared to comprehensive loss of $11,480,290 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Comparison of results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

Revenue

Display-based online advertising services.The Company provides display-based online advertising services to customers by integrating text description, image and video, and displaying the advertisements in a prominent position of Luokuang mobile application on a cost-per-click basis. The customers pay us only when a user clicks on an advertisement on the Luokuang mobile application. The Company recognizes revenue over time because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of our advertising services throughout the contract period.

Software and servicesThe Company generates revenues primarily relatesin the form of a sale of software license and provision of technology solution services. License fees include perpetual license fees, term license fees and royalties. Technology services primarily consist of fees for providing technology solution services that enable customers to gain real-time operational intelligence by harnessing the value of their data.

Revenue for the sale of software licenses is recognized at the point in time when the control of the provided goods is provided to our customers.


Technology solution revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of our performance throughout the contract period. Milestones with corresponding payments are stated in the contracts with customers. We bill for the services we have performed when the milestones reached are accepted by the customer in accordance with the terms of the contract. We recognize the revenues associated with these professional services as we deliver each agreed portion of the services.

  Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
  2018 to 2017 
  2018  2017  % Change 
  (dollars in thousands)    
Revenues         
Advertising $20,703  $26,082   (20.6)%
License  203   -   100.0%
Technology Services  136   -   100.0%
             
Total revenues $21,042  $26,082   (19.3)%
             
Advertising  98.3%  100.0%    
LicenseSee  1.0%  -     
Technology Services  0.7%  -     
             
Total  100.0%  100.0%    

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we had revenue of $21,042,363, as compared to revenue of $26,082,417 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $5,040,054, or 19.3%, which was primarily due to most of our on-train Wi-Fi equipment being dissembled in the fourth quarter of 2018 for upgrade projects, and we were not able to provide the on-train advertising through the Luokuang mobile application.

Cost of revenue

Our cost of revenue primarily consists of depreciation, Wi-Fi equipment installation fees, amortization, spare parts, annual payments to local railway bureaus and other costs.

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2018  2017 
  (dollars in thousands) 
  Amount  % of cost
of revenue
  % of
revenue
  Amount  % of cost
of revenue
  % of
revenue
 
Depreciation $2,807   40.4%  13.3% $2,423   43.6%  9.3%
Wi-Fi equipment installation fees  1,884   27.2%  9.0%  1,070   19.3%  4.1%
Spare parts  1,006   14.5%  4.8%  348   6.3%  1.3%
Amortization  414   6.0%  2.0%  610   11.0%  2.3%
Resource cost  557   8.0%  2.6%  686   12.4%  2.6%
Others  270   3.9%  1.3%  411   7.4%  1.6%
Total cost of revenue $6,938   100.0%  33.0% $5,548   100.0%  21.3%

Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $6,938,063, representing an increase of $1,390,284 or 25.1% as compared to $5,547,779 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the interestincrease in Wi-Fi equipment installation fees and spare parts for the Wi-Fi equipment upgrade program we conducted in 2018.


Selling and marketing expense incurred

Our selling and marketing expense mainly include promotional and marketing expenses and compensation for our sales and marketing personnel.

Selling expense totaled $14,695,165 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $23,908,733 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $9,213,568 or 38.5%. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in promotional and marketing activities of approximately $9,100,000, which was due to the popularity of Luokuang APP remaining quite stable, and we decided to reduce the promotional and marketing activities at this stage.

General and administrative expense

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for our general and administrative personnel, rent, fees and expenses for legal, accounting and other professional services.

General and administrative expense totaled $6,750,417 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $2,451,249 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $4,299,168 or 175.4%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of impairment loss of approximately $3,579,000 including the bad debts written off of approximately $869,000, the allowance for doubtful receivables of approximately $1,783,000, and impairment loss over the intangible assets of approximately $724,000 as we are no longer using the software system that we purchased in 2014, and an impairment loss over the property, plant and equipment of approximately $203,000, as we wrote off certain Wi-Fi equipment that is no longer in use.

Research and development expenses.

Research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits for research and development personnel.

Research and development expenses totaled $3,478,570 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $1,046,198 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $2,432,372 or 232.5%. The increase was primarily attributable to the amortization of the intangible assets of approximately $1,809,000, which was recognized as a result of short-term bank loans maturing within 12 months. We have not used any derivative financial instrumentsthe acquisition of Super Engine Holdings Limited in accordance to manage our interest risk exposure. We carry refinancing risk related to short-term interest-bearing loans. We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest expense may be higher than expected due to changes in market interest rates.PPA.

 

Foreign Exchange RiskLoss from operations

 

Translation adjustmentsAs a result of the factors described above, for the year ended December 31, 2018, loss from operations amounted to $0.04 million, $0.9 million$10,819,852, as compared to loss from operations of $6,871,542 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $3,948,310, or 57.5%.


Other income/expense

Other income/expense mainly includes interest expenses from other loans and $0.7 millionforeign currency gains/losses.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, other expense, net, amounted to $1,033,675 as compared to other income, net, of $61,088 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a change of $1,094,763, or 1,792.1%, which was primarily attributable to an increase in foreign currency transaction loss for years ended September 30, 2017, 2016of approximately $1,555,000 and 2015, respectively. an increase in interest expenses of approximately $54,000, offset by an increase in other income of approximately $513,000, which mainly constitutes the government subsidy of approximately $360,000, investment income of approximately $37,000 and other income of approximately $116,000.

Income tax

We translated balance sheet amounts except for equity at September 30, 2017, 2016had income tax expense of $74,009 and 2015 at RMB 6.6545, RMB 6.6702 and RMB 6.2683 to $1.00, respectively. We stated equity accounts at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to income statement accounts$0 for the years ended September 30,2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015 were RMB 6.8122, RMB 6.5321 and RMB 6.648 to $1.00, respectively. So far, the PRC government has been able to manage a stable exchange rate between RMB and the U.S. Dollar. We do not anticipate material translation adjustments due to large fluctuations in exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. Dollar. However, our future upward translation adjustments may occur and can be significant due to changes in the exchange rate. 

46

The PRC government imposes strict restrictions on PRC resident companies regarding converting RMB into foreign currencies and vice versa under capital account transactions, such as receiving equity investments from outside of the PRC, making equity investments outside of the PRC, borrowing money from or lending money outside of the PRC, and repaying debt or remitting liquidated assets and/or accumulated profits outside of the PRC. These transactions have to be approved by the relevant PRC government authorities, including but not limited to the commerce bureau, the tax bureau and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, and have to be conducted at banks entrusted by the local SAFE branch. Kingtone Information has not conducted any foreign currency transactions since its inception. Softech had not conducted any foreign currency transactions except for converting a relevantly small amount of foreign currency into RMB as registered capital pursuant to PRC regulations. As our business continues to grow, we may need to continuously finance our PRC subsidiaries by raising capital from outside of the PRC. The restriction on converting RMB into foreign currencies, and vice versa, may limit our ability to use capital resources from outside of the PRC. Such restrictions may also limit our ability to remit profits from our PRC subsidiaries outside of the PRC, therefore potentially limiting our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. In addition, such restrictions will limit our ability to freely transfer temporary excess cash in our or our subsidiaries’ bank accounts in and out of the PRC, therefore limiting our ability to conduct cross-border cash management activities to optimize the utilization of our cash.

 

InflationNet loss

 

AlthoughAs a result of the factors described above, our net loss was $11,927,536 for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to net loss of $6,810,454 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $5,117,082 or 75.1%.


Foreign currency translation adjustment

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our parent company and subsidiaries of LK Technology, MMB and Mobile Media is the U.S. dollar and the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in China is the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The financial statements of our subsidiaries incorporated in China are translated to U.S. dollars using period end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange (for the period) for revenue, costs, and expenses. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As a result of foreign currency translations, which are a non-cash adjustment, we reported a foreign currency translation gain of $447,246 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to a foreign currency translation gain of $ 90,671 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This non-cash gain had the effect of increasing/decreasing our reported comprehensive income/loss.

Comprehensive loss

As a result of our foreign currency translation adjustment, we had comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $11,480,290, compared to comprehensive loss of $ 6,719,783 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Critical accounting policies

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. The SEC has experienced an increasing inflation rate, inflation hasdefined the most critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require us to make our most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, our most critical policies include revenue recognition, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, allowance for doubtful accounts and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as the estimates and judgments involved. We believe that our other policies either do not hadgenerally require us to make estimates and judgments that are as difficult or as subjective, or it is less likely that they would have a material impact on our reported financial condition and results of operations in recent years. Accordingfor a given period. For a discussion of all our significant accounting policies, see footnote 2 to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer price index increased 2.6% from January to December, 2012. In 2013, the average consumer price index increase rate was 2.6%. In 2014 and 2015, the average consumer price index increased rate was 2.0% and 1.5%. respectively. In 2016, the average consumer price index increased rate was 1.2%. In 2017, the average consumer price index increased rate was 3.8%. The results of the PRC government’s actions to combat inflation are difficult to predict. Adverse changesConsolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in the Chinese economy, if any, will likely impact the financial performance of a variety of industries in China that use, or would be candidates to use, our software products and services.this Annual Report.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. An accounting policy is considered critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is made, and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this annual report.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues consist primarily of sales of wireless system solutions and software solutions with support contracts. We recognize revenue when (1) pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred and customer acceptance is reasonably assured, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is probable.

We generally provide wireless system software service solutions and customized software under short and long-term fixed-price contracts that require significant production and customization. The contract periods range from two months to approximately two years in length. We recognize income for these contracts following both the percentage-of-completion method, measured by contract milestones and on the basis of actual costs incurred versus the total estimated contract costs, and on the completed contract method in accordance with the ASC No. 605-35, “Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts” and ASC No.985-605, “Software-revenue recognition”.

47

Provided unapproved change orders or claims occur in the future, in accounting for contracts, we follow ASC No. 605-35. We will recognize revenues associated with unapproved change orders or claims to the extent it is probable that such claims and change orders will result in additional contract revenue, and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated. Contract losses are provided in their entirety in the period that they become known, without regard to the percentage-of-completion. However, we have not experienced significant unapproved change orders in the past.

The software contracts generally provide for post-contract customer support (“PCS”) for a period of one year from delivery of the software. The value of PCS revenue is not separately reported and is accounted for as part of the entire fee under the contract accounting methods described above since the PCS meets the criteria specified in ASC No. 985-605-25-71 as follows:

1.PCS is included in the total contract price;
2.PCS is for one year or less;
3.estimated costs are insignificant;
4.upgrades and enhancements during the PCS term have historically been and are expected to continue to be minimal and infrequent; and
5.the contract does not include any service elements that are accounted for separately.

All other services are provided under separate agreements and fee arrangements and the related revenue is recognized over the period the services are provided.

Unbilled revenue consists of recognized recoverable costs and accrued profits on contracts for which billings had not been presented to clients as of the balance sheet date.

We present all sales revenue net of a value-added tax (“VAT”).

 

The Company recognizes revenue using the fair value of the software and service by reference to the retail market price of the software and service. These revenues are recorded as “Software Revenue”.

Cost of sales  

When the criteria for revenue recognition have been met, costs incurred are recognized as cost of sales. Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) primarily includes the cost of the hardware purchasedin accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from the third parties, direct labor, materials and the applicable share of overhead expense directly related to the execution ofContracts with Customers”


Display-based online advertising services and delivery of projects.

 

The Company's PRC subsidiary and VIE are subject to business tax on revenues related to certain types of services at various rates. Business tax on revenues earned from provision ofCompany provides display-based online advertising services to customers is recordedby integrating text description, image and video, and displaying the advertisements in a prominent position on Luokuang mobile application on a cost-per-click basis; the customers pay us only when a user clicks on an advertisement on the Luokuang mobile application. We also derive our revenue from the provision of user acquisition services to our advertisers on the strength of the LBS services we offer; the customers pay us based on performance, as an additional item to costmeasured by CPI (Cost Per Install), CPM (Cost Per Mile), and CPC (Cost Per Click). The Company recognizes revenue over time because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of salesour advertising services throughout the contract period.

Software and services

The Company generates revenues primarily in the same periodform of a sale of software license and provision of technology solution services. License fees include perpetual license fees, term license fees and royalties. Technology services primarily consist of fees for providing technology solution services that enable customers to gain real-time operational intelligence by harnessing the value of their data.

Revenue for the sale of a software licenses is recognized at the point in whichtime when the relatedcontrol of the provided goods is provided to our customers.

Technology solution revenue is recognized.

Accountsrecognized over time as the services are performed because the customer receives and notes receivable

Accounts and notes receivableconsumes the benefit of our performance throughout the contract period. Milestones with corresponding payments are recorded at net realizable value consistingstated in the contracts with customers. We bill for the services we have performed when the milestones reached are accepted by the customer in accordance with the terms of the carrying amount less ancontract. We recognize the revenues associated with these professional services as we deliver each agreed portion of the services.


The Company does not offer credits or refunds and therefore has not recorded any sales return allowance for uncollectible accounts as needed. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimateany of the amountperiods presented. Upon a periodic review of probable credit losses in the Company’s existingoutstanding accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on aging data, historical collection experience, customer specific facts and economic conditions. Account balancesreceivable, amounts that are chargeddeemed to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance after all meansfor doubtful accounts. The Company’s policy is to record revenues net of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company did not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

48

Inventoriesapplicable sales, use or excise taxes.

 

Inventories consistImpairment of raw materials, finished goods, and project-in-progress, which include the direct labor, direct materials and overhead costs related to projects. Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using first in first out method.long-lived assets

 

Where there is evidenceLong-lived assets other than goodwill are included in impairment evaluations when events and circumstances exist that the market value of inventories, in their disposal in the ordinary course of business, will be less than cost, whether due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes,indicate the carrying value of inventories willthese assets may not be written down.

Share-based compensation

Share options granted to employees and independent directors are accounted for under ASC 718, "Share-Based Payment".recoverable. In accordance with FASB ASC 718,360, Property, Plant and Equipment, the Company determines whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or an equity award. All grantsassesses the recoverability of share options to employees classified as equity awards are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. All grants of share options to employees classified as liability awards are re-measured at the end of each reporting period with an adjustment for fair value recorded to the current period expense in order to properly reflect the cumulative expense based on the current fair value of the vested options over the vesting period. The Company has elected to recognize compensation expenses using the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option-pricing model estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting portion of the award (the graded vesting attribution method).

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are measured based on the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. Shares are issued on the vesting dates net of the statutory withholding requirements to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. Also, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the graded vesting attribution method.

The Company records share-based compensation expense for awards granted to non-employees in exchange for services at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, "Equity based payment to non-employees”. For the awards granted to non-employees, the Company will record compensation expenses equal to the fair value of the share at the measurement date, which is determined to be the earlier of the performance commitment date or the service completion date.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company applies the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 360-10 “Property, plant and equipment”, ASC NO. 360 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Whenever any such impairment exists, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

The Company testsof long-lived assets including property, plantby first grouping its long-lived assets with other assets and equipment and intangible assets subject to periodic amortization, for recoverability at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of an event or when circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount is greater than its fair value. Assets are grouped and evaluatedliabilities at the lowest level for theirwhich identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groupsassets and liabilities (the asset group) and, secondly, estimating the undiscounted future cash flows that are directly associated with and expected to arise from the use of assets.and eventual disposition of such asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company determines fair value through quoted market prices in active markets or, if quotations of market prices are unavailable, through the performance of internal analysis using a discounted cash flow methodology or by obtaining external appraisals from independent valuation firms. The undiscounted and discounted cash flow analyses are based on a number of estimates and assumptions, including the expected period over which the asset will be utilized, projected future operating results of the asset group, discount rate and long-term growth rate.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company assessed the impairment of its long-lived assets and identified impairment indications. For intangible assets, the impairment loss was $nil and $724,437 for the years ended 2019 and 2018, respectively, as the Company was not going to use a software system that was purchased in 2014 and written off in 2018. For property plant and equipment, the impairment loss was $95,471 and $1,228,362 for the years ended 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Impairment of goodwill

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC 350-20, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Goodwill, which requires that goodwill to be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined by ASC 350-20.

The Company has the option to assess qualitative factors first to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step test in accordance with ASC 350-20. If the Company believes, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step quantitative impairment test described below is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers historicalprimary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and future estimated results in its evaluation of potentialother specific information related to the operations. In performing the two-step quantitative impairment and thentest, the first step compares the carrying amount of the assetreporting unit to the future estimated cash flows expected to result from the usefair value of the asset.reporting unit based on either quoted market prices of the ordinary shares or estimated fair value using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to its assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds estimated expected undiscountedgoodwill is greater than its implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.

In 2019, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for goodwill and evaluated all relevant factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and financial performance. The Company concluded that it is necessary to perform a quantitative assessment. The Company completed step one of the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment based on the discounted future cash flows that the reporting units are expected to generate and determined after evaluating the results, events and circumstances, that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, step two is not required and no impairment loss on goodwill is required for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In 2018, the Company measuresperformed a qualitative assessment for goodwill. Based on the amountrequirements of impairment by comparingASC350-20, the Company evaluated all relevant factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, financial performance. The Company weighed all factors in their entirety and concluded that it was not more-likely-than-not the fair value was less than the carrying amount of the assetreporting unit, and further impairment testing on goodwill was unnecessary as of December 31, 2018.


Accounts receivable, net of allowance

Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. An estimate for doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off as incurred. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to its fair value.make payments on time. The estimationCompany reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows asindividual balances. In evaluating the ratecollectability of individual receivable balances, the Company utilizes to evaluate potential investments. The Company estimates fair value based onconsiders many factors, including the information available in making whatever estimates, judgmentsage of the balance, the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and projectionscurrent economic trends.

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are considered necessary. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for temporary differences between the years ended September 30, 2015tax bases of assets and 2014, respectively.

49

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirementsliabilities and their reported amounts in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)”, and requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”) in August 2015. The amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Further to ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”) in March 2016, ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”) in April 2016, ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”), and ASU No. 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2016-20”), respectively. The amendments in ASU 2016-08 clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, including indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. ASU 2016-10 clarifies guidelines related to identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance contained in the new revenue recognition standard. The updates in ASU 2016-10 include targeted improvements based on input the FASB received from the Transition Resource Group for Revenue Recognition and other stakeholders. It seeks to proactively address areas in which diversity in practice potentially could arise, as well as to reduce the cost and complexity of applying certain aspects of the guidance both at implementation and on an ongoing basis. ASU 2016-12 addresses narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, non-cash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU provide a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The amendments in ASU 2016-20 represents changes to make minor corrections or minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 are the same as ASU 2014-09. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40)”. In connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements, and net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to these items. Deferred tax assets are issued (or within one year afterreduced by a valuation allowance when, in the dateopinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the financial statementsdeferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are availableprovided for in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the Company as enacted by the relevant tax authorities.

The impact of an uncertain income tax positions on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than not to be issued when applicable). The amendments in this Update are effective forsustained upon audit by the annual period ending after December 15, 2016,relevant tax authorities. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, the Company classifies the interest and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.In August, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. The amendment defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 for all entities for one year. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 will now apply to public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans from annual reporting periods beginning December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods after December 31, 2016, including interim reporting periods with that reporting period.

50

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16,Business Combinations (Topic 805). ASU No. 2015-16 requires that an acquirer retrospectively adjust provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, during the measurement period. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts, the amendments in the Update require that the acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined. The acquirer is required to also record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects,penalties, if any, as a resultcomponent of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.  In addition, an entity is required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes to the financial statements the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The adoption of ASU 2015-016 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17,Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this update require all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The amendments in this update also require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the amendments in this update eliminate the requirement for to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public entities. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Except for the early application guidance discussed in ASU 2016-01, early adoption of the amendments in this update is not permitted. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in ASU No. 2016-02 supersedes the lease recognition requirements in ASC Topic 840,Leases (FAS 13). ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09,Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting, to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equityexpense. For years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any material interest or liabilities, and classification onpenalties associated with tax positions nor did the statement of cash flows. The guidance will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this newly issued guidance to its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09,Compensation—Stock Compensation(Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. The areas for simplification in ASU No. 2016-09 include the incomehave any significant unrecognized uncertain tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 on its consolidated financial statements.positions.

  

51

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13,Financial “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses(Topic (Topic 326):, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) amends guideline on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, Topic 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. For available-for-sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, however Topic 326 will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. ASU No. 2016-13 affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amendments in this ASUInstruments”, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a company recognizes an allowance based on the estimate of expected credit loss. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10. Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, finalizes effective date delays for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and certain smaller reporting companies applying the credit losses, leases, and hedging standards. The effective date for SEC filers, excluding smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, remains as fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect a significant difference in the amount of impairment losses to be recognized when using the expected credit loss model in its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of goodwill which was the step 2 test before. The ASU should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016,2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15,Statement of Cash Flows(Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation2018-13, “Changes to the effective interest rateDisclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This standard eliminates the current requirement to disclose the amount or reason for transfers between level 1 and level 2 of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds fromfair value hierarchy and the settlementrequirement to disclose the valuation methodology for level 3 fair value measurements. The standard includes additional disclosure requirements for level 3 fair value measurements, including the requirement to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income during the period and permits the disclosure of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies; distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.other relevant quantitative information for certain unobservable inputs. The amendments in this ASU arenew guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal yearsinterim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017,2019. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the new standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Internal-Use Software – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement service contract with the guidance to capitalize implementation costs of internal use software. The ASU also requires that the costs for implementation activities during the application development phase be capitalized in a hosting arrangement service contract, and costs during the preliminary and post implementation phase are expensed. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard, but does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU No. 2016-15will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”. The amendments require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and remove the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The amendments are effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Also in October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): “Interest Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control”, to provide guidance on the evaluation of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, or VIE by amending how a reporting entity, that is a single decision maker of a VIE, treats indirect interests in that entity held through related parties that are under common control. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): “Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 will become effective for us beginning April 1, 2018, or fiscal 2019. ASU 2016-18 is required to be applied retrospectively. Upon adoption, amounts described as restricted cash will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the statements of cash flows.

52

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock compensation (Topic 718): Scope of modification accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). The purpose of the amendment is to clarify which changes to the terms or condition of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. For all entities that offer share based payment awards, ASU 2017-09 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2017-09 on its consolidated financial statements.

B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. We historically have relied on cash flow provided by operations and financing to supplement our working capital. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cash balances of approximately $3,695,687 and $1,192,218, respectively. The information containedsignificant portion of these funds are located in “Item 5. Operatingfinancial institutions located in the PRC and Financial Reviewwill continue to be indefinitely reinvested in our operations in the PRC.

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in our working capital from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019:

        December 31, 2018 to
December 31, 2019
 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Working capital deficit:            
Total current assets $40,972,561  $31,538,510  $9,434,051   29.9%
Total current liabilities  30,687,759   33,733,887   (3,046,128)  (9.0)%
Working capital surplus (deficit): $10,284,802  $(2,195,377) $12,480,179   (568.5)%

Our working capital increased by $12,480,179 to a working capital of $10,284,802 at December 31, 2019 from working capital deficit of $2,195,377 at December 31, 2018. This increase in working capital is primarily attributable to an increase in other receivables of approximately $24,322,000, which was mainly due to receivable from Geely Technology for the subscription of preferred shares, a decrease in amounts due to related party of approximately $3,201,000, a decrease in accrued liabilities and Prospects – A. Operating Results – Liquidityother payables of approximately $4,542,000 and Capital Resources” is incorporated hereina decrease in tax payable of approximately $71,000, offset by reference.a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $12,657,000, a decrease in amounts due from related party of approximately $4,735,000, an increase in accounts payable of approximately $3,556,000, an increase in deferred revenue of approximately $781,000 and an increase on lease liabilities of approximately $432,000.

We intend to meet the cash requirements for the next 12 months from the issuance date of this report through a combination of debt and equity financing such as by way of private placements. On June 17, 2020, the Company entered into preferred stock subscription agreement with Daci Haojin Foundation Limited to issue 15,000,000 preferred shares for $45,000,000.


Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018

The following summarizes the key components of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Net cash used in operating activities $(18,263,544) $(6,924,876)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (14,626,876)  1,184,468 
Net cash provided by financing activities  35,440,253   6,874,994 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes  (46,364)  (14,747)
Net increase in cash $2,503,469  $1,119,839 

Net cash flow used in operating activities was $18,263,544 for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to net cash flow used in operating activities of $6,924,876 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $11,338,668.

Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily reflected our net loss of approximately $31,951,000, and the add-back of non-cash items, mainly consisting of depreciation and amortization of approximately $5,852,000, allowance for doubtful receivables of approximately $12,318,000, impairment of PPE of approximately $95,000, exchange difference of approximately $506,000, loss on disposal of property and equipment of approximately $46,000, write off of other payable of approximately $79,000, amortization of right-of-use assets of approximately $625,000 and changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisting of an increase in other receivables and prepayment of approximately $4,699,000, a decrease in accrued liabilities and other payables of approximately $24,057,000, a decrease in lease liability of approximately $567,000, offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $420,000, an increase in deferred revenue of approximately $811,000 and an increase in accounts payable of approximately $22,486,000.

Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily reflected our net loss of approximately $11,927,000, and the add-back of non-cash items, mainly consisting of depreciation and amortization of approximately $5,121,000, allowance for doubtful receivables of approximately $1,845,000, bad debts written off of approximately $944,000 impairment of intangible assets of approximately $724,000, impairment of PPE of approximately $1,228,000, exchange difference of approximately $1,339,000, and changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily consisting of an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $16,319,000, a decrease in deferred revenue of approximately $963,000, and a decrease in accounts payable of approximately $2,109,000, offset by a decrease in other receivables and prepayment of approximately $2,433,000 and an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of approximately $10,684,000.

Net cash flow used in investing activities was $14,626,876 for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to net cash flow provided by investing activities of $1,184,468 for the year ended December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we made partial payment for the acquisition of Saleya Holdings Limited (“Saleya”) as disclosed in the Form 6K filed on September 13, 2019 of approximately $14,496,000, and payment for the purchase of property, plant and equipment of approximately $131,000. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we made payments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment of approximately $33,000, offset by proceeds received from return of deposits of approximately $604,000 and cash received from acquisition subsidiaries of approximately $613,000.


Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $35,440,253 for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to net cash flow provided by financing activities of $6,874,994 for the year ended December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we received advances from related parties of approximately $1,629,000, received proceeds from the sale of shares of approximately $12,068,000 and loan from Hangzhou Maijie Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Geely Technology of approximately $21,744,000. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received advances from related parties of approximately $6,875,000.  

 

C.  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.

 

The discussions of our research and development activities wereare contained in “Item 4.  Information about our Company – B. Business Overview – Research and Development” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – A. Operating Results – Operating Expenses – Research and Development Expenses” are incorporated herein by reference.. In the years ended September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015, we spent $0, $56,654$8,710,746, $3,478,570 and $288,214,$1,046,198, respectively, on research and development activities.

 

D. TREND INFORMATION.

 

Industry and Market Outlook

 

China has awarded licenses to mobile phone companies to provide the superfast 4G network to customers. The licenses, which are designed to give mobile phone users faster access to services, were granted by the government to China Mobile, China Unicom Hong Kong and China Telecom. Since the grants, China Mobile has offered 4G to subscribers from December 18, 2013. China Unicom and China Telecom, the country'scountry’s other two major carriers, also offer 4G wireless. The number of China Mobile 4G customers has exceeded 900 million by the end of October in 2017. The move greatly bolstered business for telecom equipment makers and a range of other companies.

 

Under China’s 12th Five-Year Plan, a key priority is for China to transition from “Made in China” to “Designed in China.” In order to achieve this goal, the government plans to heavily invest in science and technology education and R&D so as to further develop China’s intellectual property rights system and support “Next-Generation IT” as a Strategic Emerging Industry (SEI). Additionally, China plans to upgrade the technological capabilities of private and public services, including “triple play” services (the convergence of telecom, broadcasting and Internet networks), ecommerce, and e-government and statistics systems. Furthermore, the government plans to invest in R&D of the "Internet“Internet of things"things” and cloud computing, and develop digital and virtual technologies.

53

 

E.  OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’sshareholders’ equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, except for the mortgage referenced above, weWe do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

 


F.  TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

As of September 30, 2017, we did notContractual obligations

We have anycertain fixed contractual obligations requiredand commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments. We have presented below a summary of the most significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presented in the tables, in order to be disclosedassist in the review of this Item 5.F. information within the context of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands), and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

  Payments Due by Period
Contractual obligations: Total Less than 1 year 1-2 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
Accounts payable $4,314  $4,314  $-  $-  $- 
Accrued liabilities and other payables  53,318   20,379   32,939   -   - 
Acquisition of Saleya  87,378   18,539   68,839         
Investment in Botbrain AI Limited  6,924   -   6,924         
Lease liability  728   432   296   -   - 
Total $152,662  $43,664  $108,998  $-  $- 

ITEM 6.  DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.

 

A.  DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT.

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following table sets forth the names and ages as of the date of this annual report of each of our executive officers and directors:

 

Name Age Position
Zhuoyu “Richard” LiXuesong Song 2551 Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director
PengDongpu Zhang51President
Baomin Li 50 Chief ExecutiveTechnical Officer
Li WuJie Yu 5535 Chief Financial Officer
Lili Dong(1)Kegang Peng47Vice President and Director
Dennis Galgano (1)(2)71Director (Independent)
David Wei Tang (1)(2)54Director (Independent)
Jin Meng Bryan Yap (1)(3) 5756 Independent Director (Independent)
Xianyun Zhang (1)(2)Zhihao Xu (3) 5343 Independent Director
Junwei Wang (1)(2)(3)42Independent Director (Independent)

 

(1)Member of the Compensation CommitteeAudit Committee.

 
(2)Member of the Audit CommitteeCompensation Committee.

 
(3)Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeCommittee.

 

Set forth below is biographical information concerning our executive officers and directors.

 

Zhuoyu LiXuesong Song hasis a co-founder of C Media Limited and served as Presidentits Chairman of China Green Agriculture, Inc., an NYSE listed company (NYSE: CGA) since May 11, 2016. Prior to joining CGA,the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer from 2012 until the consummation of the AEA. From February 2014 through April 2017, Mr. Li hasSong served as a director of Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSC) and from January 2013 through February 2015, Mr. Song served as a director of Pingtan Marine Enterprise Ltd. (NASDAQ: PME). From May 2006 through January 2009, Mr. Song served as the Chairman of the Board of ChinaGrowth North Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company, which acquired UIB Group Limited in January 2009, in which he remains a director. Mr. Song has been a principal of Chum Capital Group Limited since August 2001, a merchant banking firm that invests in growth Chinese companies and advises them in financings, mergers & acquisitions and restructurings, and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer at Xi’an 900LH.com Foodof Beijing Chum Investment Co., Ltd. since January 2016. From January 2015 to January 2016,December 2001. Mr. Li served asSong has been a senior manager at the international departmentdirector of 900LH.com, where he helped to develop the international market.Mobile Vision Communication Ltd. since July 2004. Mr. Li served asSong received a senior manager at the customer centerMaster’s of 900LH.comBusiness Administration degree from March 2013 through January 2015. He studied business at the University of Auckland in 2012.Oklahoma City/Tianjin Program.

54

 

PengDongpu Zhang has servedwas appointed as our Chief Executive Officer since December 2009. Since March 2009,the President of the Company effective on August 25, 2018. Mr. Dongpu Zhang has served as the PresidentGeneral Manager of Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Superengine Suzhou”) and the Chief Executive Officer of Kingtone Information, our contractually-controlled PRC operating company.Superengine Holding Limited since September 2016. From February, 2014 to August, 2016, Mr. Zhang joined Kingtone Informationserved as vice president of Industrial Development Group under China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd. From March, 2009 to February, 2014, Mr. Zhang served as the vice president of Aerospace Science and Technology Holding Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Zhang receive his Master Degree of Computer Science from Harbin Institute of Technology in August 20011994 and his Bachelor Degree of information system from Changsha Institute of technology in 1991.


Baomin Li serves as an engineerthe chief technology officer of the Company since February 1, 2019. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Li served at Amazon as Sr. Software Development Manager, in charge of Amazon’s advertising targeting systems, overseeing infrastructure, data ingestion & modeling, and subsequentlytargeting products utilizing comprehensive Amazon’s ecommerce data. Prior to Amazon, Mr. Li served as the chief technology officer at C Media Limited from 2016 to 2017. Mr. Li worked at CreditEase Inc. as VP of Engineering in the Big Data Innovation Center from 2014 to 2016, and at Google as Engineering Manager in advertising quality from 2013 to 2014. From 1999 to 2012, Mr. Li worked at Microsoft Corporation and lastly served as Senior Development Manager. Mr. Li graduated from Peking University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanics and a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics, and from University of Missouri with a Master’s Degree in Computer Science.

Jie Yuserved as the chief financial officer of C Media Limited from January 2018 until the consummation of the asset exchange transactions. From June 2016 to January 2018, Mr. Yu served as chief financial officer and secretary of the board of directors of MTI Environment Group Limited. Prior to joining MTI, Mr. Yu served as the senior manager at DA HUA CPA from November 2012 to May 2016. Previously, Mr. Yu served as the manager of the automation department, deputy manager and manager of the management and control department, and the vice president. Prior to joining Kingtone Information,at Crowe Horwath (Hong Kong) CPA. Mr. Zhang was the deputy general manager of Lanzhou Hualong Gardening Co., Ltd. from January 2000 to July 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Zhang worked asYu holds a technician, assistant engineer, engineer and deputy department head at the material supply department of Yumen Petroleum Administration Bureau of China National Petroleum Corporation (“CNPC”) from 1988 to 1999. Mr. Zhang graduated from Chongqing Petroleum Technical School with an Associatebachelor degree in mining mechanicsaccounting and finance from University of Auckland and postgraduate diploma in 1988. He continued his education at the Open Collegeaccounting from University of the Communist Party of China (“CPC”) University, Gansu Campus and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  We believe Mr. Zhang’s knowledge of our history and expertise in the engineering area qualify him to serve our Chief Executive Officer.Auckland.

 

Li WuKegang Peng has served as our Chief Financial Officer since May 31, 2011. Priorthe Vice Chairman of the board of directors C Media Limited from October 2014 to becoming our Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Li Wu servedthe consummation of the asset exchange transactions, and is now a member of the Company’s board of directors. Previously, from 2012 to 2014, Mr. Peng was Chairman of the board and founder of Jiangsu Suqian Jinghaiboyuan Information and Technology Co., Ltd. Mr. Peng studied at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics majoring computer and application.

Dennis Galganowas appointed as a director of the Company following the consummation of the asset exchange agreement. He was a registered consultant with Morgan Joseph Triartisan LLC from November 2016 until October 2017, and previously served as vice Chairman and head of international investment banking for Morgan Joseph Triartisan LLC, which is a registered broker dealer engaged in the investment banking and financial advisory industry. Mr. Galgano received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from St. John’s University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School in 1972.

Mr. David Wei Tang was appointed as a director of the Company on December 14, 2019, prior to joining our Company, Mr. Tang served as President of Huakang Financial Holdings, a Chinese multi-disciplinary financial holdings group with subsidiaries in investments, insurance, wealth management and financial technology. From 2008 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2013, Mr. Tang served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of Vimicro Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed company since December 2009, and(NASDAQ: VIMC). Prior to that, from 2006 to 2008 he served as the Chief Financial Officer of ourFanhua Inc., formerly known as “CNinsure Inc.”, a NASDAQ-listed company (NASDAQ: FANH), from 2003 to 2004, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of IRICO Group, a Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed company (HKSE: 438) and in 2000, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Chinasoft International, a Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed company (HKSE: 354). Prior to those positions, he worked as an equity research analyst at Merrill Lynch & Co. in New York. Mr. Tang also serves as Chair of Audit Committee of HXD. Mr. Tang received a master’s degree in business administration from the Stern School of Business, New York University.

Mr. Jin Meng Bryan Yap was appointed as a director of the Company on December 2009 to April 2010. Since 2004, Ms. Wu14, 2019, Mr. Yap has extensive experience in investment banking, financial and business consulting, financial structuring, capital raising, portfolio optimization and balance sheet restructuring. He is currently the CEO and Managing Director of Daun Consulting Singapore Pte Ltd, a single family office focusing on consulting and selective investments. He is also currently serving as the Honorary Treasurer of the ACI (Financial Markets Association) – Singapore since 2001.  

Zhihao Xu was appointed as a director of the Company following the consummation of the asset exchange transactions. Mr. Xu has served as the finance directorChief Executive Officer of Kingtone Information, our contractually-controlled PRC operating company. Prior to this position, she worked as the Deputy Finance Director at the state-owned Xi’an Metal forming Machine Factory from 1981 to 2003. Ms. Wu graduated from Shaanxi Finance and Economics College and obtained her Bachelor’s degreeGeely Technology, in 1990. She is a Certified Public Account in PRC. We believe Ms. Wu’s knowledge of our history and her accounting background suit her to be our Chief Financial Officer.

Dr. Lili Dong has served as an independent director of our Company since March 2010. Dr. Dong has over 20 years’ experience in the computing distributed system, computer network application and data mining research. She has been a professor of Xi’an Construction Science & Technology UniversityHangzhou, China, since December 2007. Dr. Dong has led several important research projects, including Distributed Object Computing Models2017, and Multimedia Digital Watermarking Application projects funded by Shanxi Province Fund, Peer to Peer Network Communication Technology project funded by Xi’an Science & Technology Bureau. Dr. Dong’s experience in computing distributed system and other similar areas qualifies her to serve as our director and chairman of our compensation committee.

Xianyun Zhang, CICPA, has over 20 years of experience in accounting and has served as an independent director of the Company since December 2011. Since 2004, he haspreviously served as the chairmanChairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beijing Zhongzheng Tiantong Certified Public AccountantDingchengrenhe Investment Co., Ltd., a funds management company, from January 2017 to December 2017. Mr. Zhang previously worked at Beijing Zhongzhou Guanghu Certified Public AccountantXu served as the Chairman of president of HNA USOLV CO., LTD., and the chief innovation officer of HNA Logistics Group from January 2014 to December 2016, and prior to that as the Chairman of Gopay Innovation Technology Co. Ltd., Ltd,an online payment system operator supporting online money transfers, from April 2012 to January 2014. Mr. Xu graduated from the Import-Export BankBusiness School of Renmin University of China and from the MinistryWudaokou Finance College of Finance in the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Zhang obtainedTsinghua University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1988 from Jiangxi University of Financefund qualification certificate and Economics. In 1996, Mr. Zhang obtained a master’s degree in accounting from Zhejiang University. Mr. Zhang’s accounting and financial management expertise qualifies him to be our director and chairman of the audit committee.securities qualification certificate. 

  

Junwei Wanghas significant experience in legal affairs and has served as an independent director of the Company since December 2011. Since 2007, Ms. Wang served as the attorney of China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd.  Ms. Wang previously worked at Beijing Zhongxin Legal Firm, China Science & Merchants Venture Capital Management Co. Ltd. and Heilongjiang Posts and Telecommunications Bureau. Ms. Wang obtained a bachelor’s degree in law in 1998 from Heilongjiang University. In 2008, she obtained a master’s degree in law from Renmin University of China. Ms. Wang’s legal background qualifies her to be our director and chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee.


B.  COMPENSATION.

 

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017,December 31, 2019, we paid an aggregate of approximately $37,660$517,871 in cash compensation to our executive officers and an aggregate of approximately $80,359 in cash compensation to ourindependent directors for serving on our board of directors.

 

Other than non-employee directors, we do not intend to compensate directors for serving on our board of directors or any of its committees. We do, however, intend to reimburse each member of our board of directors for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each director in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors and its committees.

55

As of September 30, 2017, we have made the following grants under our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to our directors and executive officers and certain former directors and officer:

  

Type of

Equity Award

 

Number of

Ordinary Shares

  Exercise Price  Grant Date Expiration Date
             
Ying Yang Options  10,000  $40.00  May 14, 2010 May 14, 2020
Lili Dong Options  1,000  $40.00  May 14, 2010 May 14, 2020
Melody Shi Options  666  $40.00  May 14, 2010 May 14, 2020
James Fong Options  666  $40.00  May 14, 2010 May 14, 2020

Note : The EPS data and the weighted average shares outstanding for all periods have been retroactively restated to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected on November 6, 2012.

2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan

A description of the provisions of our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) is set forth below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed provisions of the Incentive Plan, which was included as an exhibit to our initial registration statement on Form F-1 filed on April 13, 2010.

In April 2010, our board of directors and our shareholders approved and adopted the Incentive Plan, reserving 1,500,000 ordinary shares for future issuances thereunder. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to attract and to encourage the continued employment and service of, and maximum efforts by, our officers, key employees and other key individuals by offering those persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in our operations and future success. As of September 30, 2017, we had outstanding under the Incentive Plan the equity awards set forth in the table above. 

 

Administration

 

The Incentive Plan is administered by our board of directors, or at the discretion of the board, by our compensation committee. Our board of directors has delegated authority to our compensation committee to administer the Incentive Plan. Subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan, the compensation committee may select participants to receive awards, determine the types of awards and terms and conditions of awards, and interpret provisions of the Incentive Plan.

 

The ordinary shares issued or to be issued under the Incentive Plan consist of authorized but unissued shares. If any ordinary shares covered by an award are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an award otherwise terminates without delivery of any ordinary shares, then the number of ordinary shares counted against the aggregate number of ordinary shares available under the plan with respect to the award will, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, again be available for making awards under the Incentive Plan.

 

Eligibility

 

Awards may be made under the Incentive Plan to our employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisers or to any of our affiliates, and to any other individual whose participation in the Incentive Plan is determined to be in our best interests by our board of directors.

 

56

Amendment or Termination of the Plan

 

Our board of directors may terminate or amend the Incentive Plan at any time and for any reason. No amendment, however, may adversely impair the rights of grantees with respect to outstanding awards. The Incentive Plan has a term of ten years. Amendments will be submitted for shareholder approval to the extent required by applicable stock exchange listing requirements or other applicable laws.

 

Options

 

The Incentive Plan permits the granting of options to purchase ordinary shares intended to qualify as incentive share options under the Internal Revenue Code and share options that do not qualify as incentive share options, or non-qualified share options.

 

The exercise price of each share option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our ADSsordinary shares representing ordinary shares on the date of grant. In the case of certain 10% shareholders who receive incentive share options, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our ADSsordinary shares representing ordinary shares on the date of grant. An exception to these requirements is made for options that we grant in substitution for options held by employees of companies that we acquire. In such a case the exercise price is adjusted to preserve the economic value of the employee’s share option from his or her former employer.

 

The term of each share option is fixed by the compensation committee and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The compensation committee determines at what time or times each option may be exercised and the period of time, if any, after retirement, death, disability or termination of employment during which options may be exercised.

 

Options may be made exercisable in installments. The award agreement provides the vesting of the options. Exercisability of options may be accelerated by the compensation committee.

 


In general, an optionee may pay the exercise price of an option by (1) cash or check (in U.S. dollars or Renminbi or other local currency as approved by the compensation committee), (2) ordinary shares held for such period of time as may be required by the compensation committee, (3) delivery of a notice of a market order with a broker with respect to ordinary shares then issuable upon exercise of an option, and that the broker has been directed to pay us a sufficient portion of net proceeds of the sale in satisfaction of the exercise price, provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to us upon settlement of such sale, (4) other property acceptable to the compensation committee with a fair market value equal to the exercise price, (5) cashless exercise or (6) any combination of the foregoing.

 

Share options granted under the Incentive Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, or assigned other than by will or under applicable laws of descent and distribution. However, we may permit limited transfers of non-qualified options for the benefit of immediate family members of grantees to help with estate planning concerns or pursuant to a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights.

 

Other Awards

 

The compensation committee may also award under the Incentive Plan:

 

1.ordinary shares subject to restrictions;

2.deferred ordinary shares, credited as deferred ordinary share units, but ultimately payable in the form of unrestricted ordinary shares in accordance with the terms of the grant or with the participant’s deferral election;

3.ordinary share units subject to restrictions;

4.unrestricted ordinary shares, which are ordinary shares issued at no cost or for a purchase price determined by the compensation committee which are free from any restrictions under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan;

5.dividend equivalent rights entitling the grantee to receive credits for dividends that would be paid if the grantee had held a specified number of ordinary shares; or

 

57

6.a right to receive a number of ordinary shares or, in the discretion of the compensation committee, an amount in cash or a combination of ordinary shares and cash, based on the increase in the fair market value of the ADSs representing ordinary shares underlying the right during a stated period specified by the compensation committee.

 

Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions

 

Certain change of control transactions involving us may cause awards granted under the Incentive Plan to vest, unless the awards are continued or substituted for by the surviving company in connection with the corporate transaction.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the appropriate option agreement on the date of grant or provided by our board of directors thereafter with the consent of the grantee, options granted under the Incentive Plan become exercisable in full following (1) a dissolution of our company or a merger, consolidation or reorganization of our company with one or more other entities in which we are not the surviving entity, (2) a sale of substantially all of our assets to another person or entity, or (3) any transaction (including without limitation a merger or reorganization in which we are the surviving entity) which results in any person or entity owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our shares.

 

57

Adjustments for Dividends and Similar Events

 

The compensation committee will make appropriate adjustments in outstanding awards and the number of ordinary shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan, including the individual limitations on awards, to reflect ordinary share dividends, stock splits and other similar events.

 

C.  BOARD PRACTICES.

 

Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors consists of fiveseven members being Mr. Zhuoyu Li, Ms. Li Wu, Dr. Lili Dong, Mr. Xianyun ZhangMessrs. Xuesong Song, Kegang Peng, Dennis Galgano, David Wei Tang, Jin Meng Bryan Yap and Ms. Junwei Wang.Zhihao Xu. Our directors hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders, where their successors will be duly elected and qualified, or until the directors’ death, resignation or removal, whichever is earlier. Our directors are not subject to a four-year term of office and hold office until their resignation, death or incapacity or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified in accordance with our fourth amended and restated memorandum of association and articles of association. A director will be removed from office if, among other things, the director (1) becomes bankrupt, (2) dies or becomes of unsound mind, or (3) is absent from meetings of our board of directors for six consecutive months without leave and our board of directors resolves that the office is vacated. A director is not entitled to any special benefits upon termination of service with the company.

 

Director Independence

 

Our board of directors consists of fiveseven members; Dr. Lili Dong, Mr. Xianyun ZhangMessrs. Dennis Galgano, David Wei Tang, Jin Meng Bryan Yap and Ms. Junwei WangZhihao Xu have been determined by us to be independent directors within the meaning of the independent director guidelines of the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules (the “NASDAQ Rules”).

 

Committees of Our Board of Directors

 

To enhance our corporate governance, we established three committees under our board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. We have adopted a charter for each of these committees. The committees have the following functions and members.

 

58

Audit Committee

 

Our audit committee reports to our board of directors regarding the appointment of our independent public accountants, the scope and results of our annual audits, compliance with our accounting and financial policies and management’s procedures and policies relating to the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Our audit committee consists of Dr. Lili Dong,Messrs. Dennis Galgano, David Wei Tang, and Jin Meng Bryan Yap. Mr. Xianyun Zhang and Mr. Junwei Wang. Mr. Xianyun Zhang,Galgano, having accounting and financial management expertise, serves as the chairmanChairman of the audit committee.committee and is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Our board of directors has determined that each of these persons meet the definition of an “independent director” under the applicable NASDAQ Rules and under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

the appointment, evaluation, compensation, oversight and termination of the work of our independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting);

 

an annual performance evaluation of the audit committee;

 

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or potential violations of law, and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or potential violations of law;


ensuring that it receives an annual report from our independent auditor describing our internal control procedures and any steps taken to deal with material control deficiencies and attesting to the auditor’s independence and describing all relationships between the auditor and us;

 

reviewing our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and our independent auditor;

 

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;

 

reviewing our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

 

meeting separately and periodically with management and our independent auditor; and

 

reporting regularly to our board of directors.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our compensation committee assists the board of directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. In addition, the compensation committee reviews share compensation arrangements for all of our other employees. Members of the compensation committee are not prohibited from direct involvement in determining their own compensation. Our chief executive officerChief Executive Officer is not permitted to be present at any committee meeting during which his or her compensation is deliberated. Our compensation committee consists of Lili Dong, Xianyun ZhangDennis Galgano and Junwei Wang,David Wei Tang, with Dr. DongMr. Tang serving as the chairmanChairman of the compensation committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of these persons meet the definition of “independent director” under the applicable requirements of the NASDAQ Rules.

 

Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer,Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the performance of our chief executive officerChief Executive Officer in light of those goals and objectives and setting the compensation level of our chief executive officerChief Executive Officer based on this evaluation;

59

 

reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation of our executives, incentive compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval; and

 

providing annual performance evaluations of the compensation committee.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Our nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in identifying and selecting or recommending individuals qualified to become our directors, developing and recommending corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors and management. Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Lili Dong, Xianyun ZhangJin Meng Bryan Yap and Junwei Wang,Zhihao Xu, with Ms. WangMr. Yap serving as the chairmanChairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of these persons meet the definition of “independent director” under the applicable requirements of the NASDAQ Rules.

 

Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

selecting and recommending to our board nominees for election or re-election to our board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy;

 

reviewing annually with our board the current composition of the board of directors with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us;

 

selecting and recommending to our board the names of directors to serve as members of the audit committee and the compensation committee, as well as the nominating and corporate governance committee itself; advising our board of directors periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to our board of directors on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken; and

 

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

59

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Our board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees.

 

Duties of Directors

 

Under British Virgin Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise care, diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum of association and articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

  

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;

 

authorizing the payment of donations to religious, charitable, public or other bodies, clubs, funds or associations as deemed advisable;

 

exercising the borrowing powers of the company and mortgaging the property of the company;

60

 

executing cheques, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments on behalf of the company; and

 

maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges or other encumbrances of the company.

 

Remuneration and Borrowing

 

The directors may receive such remuneration as our board of directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors or committees of our board of directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors.

 

Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

Qualification

 

A director is not required to hold shares as a qualification to office.

 

60

Limitation on Liability and Other Indemnification Matters

 

British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum of association and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.

 

Under our memorandum of association and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors, officers and liquidators against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with civil, criminal,legal administrative or investigative proceedings to which they are party or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their acting as our director, officer or liquidator. To be entitled to indemnification, these persons must have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, they must have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

None of the members of our compensation committee is an officer or employee of our company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

Employment Agreements

 

In 2009, each of our executive officers hasOn August 19, 2018, the Company entered into a five-year employment agreementan Employment Agreement (the “Song Agreement”) with Softech, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary. In 2015, certain of our executive officers renewedMr. Xuesong Song, to serve as the employment agreement for five years ending in 2019. Softech may terminate a senior executive officer’s employment for cause, at any time, without prior notice or remuneration, for certain actsChief Executive Officer of the officer, including, but not limitedCompany for a four-year term, subject to material violation of our regulations, failure to perform agreed duties or embezzlement that caused material damage to us and conviction of a crime. A senior executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by 30-days prior written notice. Each senior executive officer is entitled to certain benefits upon termination, including a severance payment equal to a certain specified number of months of his or her then salary, if he or she resigns for certain good reasons specified byrenewal. Under the agreement or the relevant rules or if Softech terminated his or her employment without anyterms of the above causes.  Song Agreement, Mr. Song will receive no salary for his services but will be eligible for an annual cash bonus in the Board’s sole discretion.

 

61

On August 19, 2018, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Yu Agreement”) with Mr. Jie Yu, to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company for a four-year term, subject to renewal. Under the terms of the Yu Agreement, Mr. Yu will receive an annual salary of RMB700,000, and will be eligible for an annual cash bonus in the Board’s sole discretion.

 

On February 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Li Agreement”) with Mr. Baomin Li, to serve as the Chief Technology Officer of the Company for a four-year term, subject to renewal. Under the terms of the Li Agreement, Mr. Li will receive an annual salary of RMB2,000,000, and will be eligible for an annual cash bonus in the Board’s sole discretion.

 

D.  EMPLOYEES.

 

As of September 30, 2017,December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had a total of 49182 and 111 full-time employees, including four90 and 51 in research and development, seven19 and 17 in sales and marketing and the rest in a variety of other divisions.divisions, respectively. All of our employees are full-time employees. None of our employees is currently represented by a union and/or collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we have good relations with our employees and since our inception we have had no history of work stoppages or union organizing campaigns.

 

E.  SHARE OWNERSHIP.

 

The following table provides information as to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of December 22, 201731, 2019, by the persons listed. Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. For purposes of the following table, a person is deemed to have beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares if such person has the right to acquire such shares within 60 days of December 22, 2017.31, 2019. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person, any shares that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after of December 22, 201731, 2019 are deemed to be outstanding, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person listed is c/o Xi’an Kingtone Information Co., Ltd., 3rd Floor, Borough A,Luokung Technologies, B9-8, Block A.B, SOHO Phase II, No. 181, South Taibai9, Guanghua Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China 710065.China.


Percentage ownership of the ordinary shares in the following table is based on 1,405,000209,081,533 ordinary shares outstanding on December 22, 2017.31, 2019.

 

Name Position Number of Shares Beneficially Owned  Percent of Shares Outstanding 
Officers and Directors        
Tao Li Former Chairman   672,676(1)  47.9%
Li Wu Chief Financial Officer, Director   10,676(2)   * 
Peng Zhang Chief Executive Officer   3,500(3)   * 
Lili Dong Independent Director   1,000(4)   * 
Xianyun Zhang Independent Director  0    * 
Junwei Wang Independent Director  0    * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)        48.92%
5% Shareholders          
Hu Gao n/a   125,432(5)  8.9%
SCGC Capital Holding Company Limited n/a  106,071(6)  7.5%
Xuetao Chen n/a   88,398(7)  6.3%
  

Number
of shares

  

Percent
of class

 
Directors and named executive officers      
Xuesong Song, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (1)  38,156,430   18.25%
Kegang Peng, Vice President and Director (2)  17,231,955   8.24%
Dennis Galgano, Director  75,796   *%
Zhihao Xu, Director (3)  6,962,832   3.33%
Dongpu Zhang, President (4)  2,321,792   1.11%
Directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)  64,748,805   30.97%

 

*Less than 1%.
(1)RepresentsConsists of (i) 68,864 ADSs4,030,882 shares owned directly by Mr. Li and (ii) 603,811.6 ordinary shares held of record by First Choice Investment Ltd, a company organized under the laws of Somoa, which are beneficially owned by Mr. Li.

62

(2)Represents (i) 4,375.4 ordinary shares held of record by Ms. Wu and (ii) 6,300.7 ordinary shares held of record by Xtra Heights Management Ltd (“Xtra”), a company organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, which are beneficially owned by Ms. Wu pursuant to a certain Call Option Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, between Ms. Wu, Xtra and Sha Li.

(3)Represents (i) 875 ordinary shares held of record by Mr. Zhang, and (ii) 2,625.3 ordinary shares held of record Xtra, which are beneficially owned by Mr. Zhang pursuant to a certain Call Option Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, between Mr. Zhang, Xtra and Sha Li.
(4)Represents options to purchase 1,000 ordinary shares exercisable within 60 days.

(5)

Represents ADSs owned by Silver Avenue Overseas Inc., a British Virgin Islands company, which are beneficially owned by Hu Gao

(6)Represents ADSs owned by SCGC Capital Holding CompanyCharm Dragon International Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“SCGC”), which isand (ii) 22,624,793 shares owned directly by Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. The registered address of SCGC is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola,Bravo First Development Limited, a British Virgin Islands. The beneficial ownersIslands company. Mr. Xuesong Song is the controlling shareholder of Bravo First Development Limited. Mr. Xuesong Song is the sole director of Charm Dragon International Limited. Mr. Xuesong Song also owns all 1,000,000 of the Company’s outstanding preferred shares, held by SCGC are Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd and Xi’an Hongtu Capital Co., Ltd., botheach preferred share has the right to 399 votes at a meeting of which arethe shareholders of Xi’an Kingtone Information Co., Ltd. (“Kingtone Information”) and are owned and controlled (as to voting and disposition) by the Shenzhen Municipal Government inCompany.  Mr. Song therefore is the PRC.controlling shareholder of the Company.

 

(7)(2)Represents ADSsConsists of 17,231,955 shares owned directly by Big LeapPlenty Prestige Enterprises Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Big Leap”), which are beneficiallycompany. Mr. Kegang Peng is the sole director of Plenty Prestige Enterprises Limited.

(3)Consists of 6,962,832 shares directly owned by Geely Group Limited., Mr. Chen. Big LeapZhihao Xu is the ownerChief Executive Officer of an aggregateGeely Technology.

(4)Consists of 115,357 ADSs,2,321,792 shares owned directly by Genoa Peak Limited, a British Virgin Islands company. Mr. Dongpu Zhang controls Genoa Peak Limited.

*Represents less than 1% of which the remaining ADSs are beneficially owned by shareholders of Kingtone Information other than Mr. Chen. shares outstanding

 

ITEM 7.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.

 

A.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

Please refer to Item 6.E “Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Share Ownership.”

 

To our knowledge, (A) we are not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by (i) another corporation or (ii) any foreign government and (B) there are no arrangements (including any announced or expected takeover bid), the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in our control.

 

The voting rights of our major shareholders do not differ from the voting rights of other holders of the same class of shares.

 

63

62

 

 

B.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.  BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS.

 

MembersOur subsidiaries, consolidated affiliated entities, and the subsidiaries of our management teamthe consolidated affiliated entities have engaged, during the ordinary course of business, in a number of customary transactions with each other. All of these inter-company balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

As of December 31, 2019 and our principal shareholders currently hold majority equity interests in Kingtone Information, our contractually-controlled entity2018, we had amount due from a related party, Ya Tuo Ji International Consultancy (Beijing) Limited, in the PRCamounts of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, we had amount due from whichC Media Limited of $4.7 million. These amounts due from related parties are short term in nature, non-interest bearing, unsecured and repayable on demand.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we derive substantially allhad amounts due to related parties, Mr. Song, C Media and Vision Capital Profits Limited, in the amounts of our revenues. We$Nil and $1.01 million; $0.06 million and $Nil; $0.11 million and $1.75 million, respectively. These amounts due to related parties are party to a seriesshort term in nature, non-interest bearing, unsecured and payable on demand.

Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Xuesong Song, serves as an officer of control agreements with Kingtone Information. See “Item 4 – Information AboutBeijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun and is one of the Company – C. Organizational Structure - Contractual Arrangements with Kingtone Information and Its Respective Shareholders”.  In addition, certainlegal owners of our officers, directors and principal shareholders serve as officers and directors of Kingtone Information and/or are shareholders of Kingtone Information.Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun. The following table sets forth the relationship of such officers, directors and principal shareholdersMr. Song with Kingtone Information and their respective ownership interest in Kingtone Information:Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun:

Name 

Relationship with

Kingtone Wireless

 

Relationship with

Kingtone Information

 

Percentage

Ownership

Interest in

Kingtone

Information

 
Tao Li Former Chairman Former Chairman  61.61%(1)
Peng Zhang Chief Executive Officer Vice President  0.36%
Li Wu Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer  1.09%

Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd.(2)

 Indirect Shareholder Shareholder  10.72%
Xuetao Chen Indirect Shareholder Shareholder  8.93%

 

(1)NameConsists of (i) 36.61% of the shares of Kingtone Information owned of record by Mr. Li, and (ii) 25% of the shares of Kingtone Information owned of record by Xi’an TechTeam Investment Holding Group Company (“TechTeam Investment”). Mr. Li, as the former majority shareholder of TechTeam Investment, had dispositive power over the shares of Kingtone Information owned by TechTeam Investment.

(2)Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. has dispositive power with respect to the 106,071 ADSs of our company held of record by SCGC Capital Holding Company Limited.

Our Beijing branch office is located in office space leased to us by Mr. Tao Li, our former Chairman, who owns this space. We lease it from him for no consideration.

On September 30, 2010, Kingtone Information entered into a lease agreement with Shaanxi TechTeam Jinong Humic Acid Product Co., Ltd. (“Jinong”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGA, pursuant to which Jinong rents 360 square meters of office space from Kingtone Information.  The lease provides for a two-year term effective as of July 1, 2010 with monthly rent of RMB10,800, or approximately $1,600. On June 29, 2012, Kingtone Information renewed the lease agreement with Jinong for the monthly rent of US$3,867 (RMB24,480) for a two-year term starting from July 1, 2012. From July 1, 2014 to June 29, 2016, the monthly rent was US$3,977 (RMB24,480). On June 29, 2016, the lease was renewed with Jinong with the same monthly rent in the prior term for another two-year term from July 1, 2016.

As of September 30, 2017, we had the outstanding loans as listed below. Each entity is indirectly owned and controlled by Mr. Tao Li, our former Chairman. The Company provided short-term financing to such parties:

As of September 30, 2017, we had an outstanding loan of approximately $450 thousand to Shaanxi Tech Team Jinong Humid Acid Product Co., Ltd., which is indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, former Chairman of the Company. The largest amount of the outstanding loan was $83 thousand during the past three years. The loan was the unsecured rental expense, interest free and payable on demand.

As of September 30, 2017, we had an outstanding loan of approximately $1.8 million to Xi’an Tech Team Investment Holdings (Group) Co., Ltd. (the “Group Company”), which is 66% indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, former Chairman of the Company. The largest amount of the outstanding loan was $1.2 million during the past three years.

On November 1, 2013 and August 10, 2015, the Company entered into loan agreements with Xi’an Xinrong Engineering and Industry (Group) Co., Ltd (“Xinrong”), which was 74% indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, former Chairman of the Company, pursuant to which the Company provides $1.8 million and $2.7 million to Xinrong for its normal business operations. The largest amount of the outstanding loan was $1.8 million and $2.7 million since the loans made which was also the amount outstanding loan was $1.8 million and 2.7 million, respectively. These unsecured loan are interest free for a three-year term and five-year term, respectively.

 64

Relationship with

Luokung Technology

Relationship with

Beijing Zhong Chuan

Shi Xun

Percentage

Ownership Interest in

Beijing Zhong Chuan

Shi Xun

 

Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 402”) amended the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) by adding a new Section 13(k) n making it unlawful for any issuer, “directly or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, to extend or maintain credit, to arrange for the extension of credit, or to renew an extension of credit,in the form of a personal loan (emphasis added) to or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) of that issuer.”

The loans the Company lent to the Group Company and Xinrong as referenced above (the “Loans”) should not be considered prohibited under Section 402 because they are not “personal loans” under the statute, nor are they related to the concerns the statute was designed to address. Consequently, the Company believes the Loans comply with Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act. The Sarbanes-Oxley loan provision as cited above prohibits only “arrange for the extension of credits” “in the form of a personal loan” to directors and executive officers (emphasis added). A loan made to a company controlled by an executive officer or director would be prohibited by Section 402 if made primarily for the executive officer’s or director’s personal benefit. In contrast, if such a loan is made primarily for legitimate business purposes of the borrowing company (other than compensation of the controlling executive officer or director), it should not be prohibited by Section 402.

In our case, the Company lent a total of $5.7 million to its affiliate companies (the “Borrowers”), two information technology developers. The Borrowers intend to apply the Loans to advance their businesses. Once the Borrowers grow and cumulate funds, the Borrowers intend to support the Company in its acquisition and growth opportunities as the Company identifies suitable business opportunities and demands large working capital. It is common practice in China that affiliated companies make loans to each other to achieve business development when funds are available in one entity but are in demand in another entity. Therefore, we believe the Loans are not “personal loans” because the primary purpose of the Loans, from the perspective of the Company, is to advance the business of the Company, as oppose to benefiting the directors of the Company.

The proceeds of the loans to “Xinrong”, an information technology developer, were used to research and develop certain applications for a police geographic detection system. Once the project is completed, this technology could be shared by Kingtone Information, although Xinrong, who has no obligation to share the technology with us. Xinrong will provide us necessary technology support in exchange for the loan made in 2015. The terms for the loans are three years and five years, but if the project is completed earlier than expected, the loans may be repaid earlier. In addition, if we demand early repayment, Xinrong should honor such a demand. The loans are interest-free. Mr. Tao Li indirectly owns 74% of Xinrong.

The proceeds of the loan made to Group Company were used for marketing expenses of the Group Company. The loans have enabled Group Company to reach a wider client base, but it has no obligation to cross-sell to Kingtone Information its clients who may need Kingtone Information’s products. With the loan from us, the Group Company could refer their clients to Kingtone Information to increase our market share. The term of the loan is for five years, but early repayment is permitted. Furthermore, if we demand early repayment, the Group Company should honor such a demand. Mr. Tao Li owned 66% of the Group Company. The other shareholders of the Group Company are not shareholders of the Company.

When Sarbanes-Oxley loan provisions were put into legislation, among the reasons identified were concerns over the use of company funds to provide personal financing to insiders. Here, the former chairman of the Company, who controlled the Borrowers, did not receive any personal benefit from the Loans. The Loans are made on a company to company basis and for legitimate business purposes. Consequently, we believe the Loans comply with Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

Xuesong Song 65Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer61.82%

 

C.  INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

 

None.

 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

 

A.  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

 

See “Item 18.  Financial Statements.”

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceeding and, toTo our knowledge, other than as described below there are no material legal proceedings threatened against us. From time to time, we may be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Following the consummation of the AEA, we became successor in interest to the legal proceedings described below.


Lawsuit with Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd.

On August 22, 2014, Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Gansu Jinlun”) signed a “Lanzhou Railway Bureau Air-conditioned Train Wi-Fi Network System Advertising Operation Rights Agreement” for advertising on 72 trains of $1,467,880 (RMB9,604,633). Due to the dispute on the project implementation, Zhong Chuan Rui You did not pay the advertising fee. On August 23, 2017, Gansu Jinlun filed a lawsuit with Gansu Intermediate People’s Court. On December 19, 2017, Gansu Intermediate People’s Court issued a verdict, ruling that Zhong Chuan Rui You settle the overdue advertising fee. Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun agreed on the settlement amount to approximately $502,000 (RMB3,500,000).

Lawsuit with Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd.

On February 15, 2019, Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd. filed lawsuits with Beijing Internet Court alleging Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited and Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited are in infringement of exclusive rights to communication through an information network of certain works, performances, audio and video products and claiming the economic loss amounts to approximately $562,000 (RMB 3,920,000).

On December 14, 2019, Beijing Internet Court arranged a trial; Beijing iQIYI and the Company are negotiating a potential settlement while expecting a verdict from the court. According to legal counsel, it is probable that the settlement will amount to approximately $93,000 (RMB650,000).

 

Dividend Policy

 

We currently intend to retain all of our available funds and future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Under the terms of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association the declaration and payment of any dividends in the future will be determined by our board of directors, in its discretion, and will depend on a number of factors, including our earnings, capital requirements and overall financial condition and our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders’shareholders’ dividends with respect to their underlying shares to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.

 

Our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries may limit our ability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.  See Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – Our holding company structure may limit the payment of dividends” and “Item 10.  Additional Information – D. Exchange Controls – Dividend Distribution”.

 

B.  SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

 

Except as otherwise set forth in annual report, there have been no significant changes since September 30, 2015, the date of the financial statements in this annual report.N/A

 

ITEM 9.  THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS.

 

Markets and Share Price History

 

The primary trading market for our ordinary shares, as represented by American Depositary Shares or ADSs is the NASDAQ Capital Market, where our shares have been listed and traded under the symbol KONE since May 14, 2010.

On August 17, 2018, we completed the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited (“C Media”) entered into on January 25, 2018. On August 20, 2018, we changed our name to Luokung Technology Corp., our American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) were voluntarily delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 19, 2018 and on January 3, 2019 our ordinary shares started trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “LKCO”. 

66


The table below sets forth the high and low reported sales prices in dollars of our ordinary shares, which are represented by ADSs, as reported by NASDAQ in the periods as indicated:

 

  ADS 
  High  Low 
Annual Highs and Lows (as of the fiscal year end 09/30 for the five most recent full financial years)*      
2017  7.80   2.67 
2016  13.85   1.62 
2015  7.88   2.02 
2014  16.74   1.95 
2013  3.80   0.20 
Quarterly Highs and Lows (for the two most recent full financial years and any subsequent period, based on calendar quarter end)*        
         
2017        
Fourth Quarter  4.10   2.67 
Third Quarter  4.85   3.05 
Second Quarter  5.62   2.81 
First Quarter  7.80   4.16 
         
2016        
Fourth Quarter  10.2   1.62 
Third Quarter  3.1   1.97 
Second Quarter  3.76   2.12 
First Quarter  4.38   2.94 
         
Monthly Highs and Lows (for the most recent six months)        
December  2017        
November  2017  8.00   3.13 
October  2017  3.95   2.86 
September 2017  3.68   2.67 
August 2017  4.03   2.63 
July 2017  4.10   3.56 
  ADRs*/Ordinary
Shares
 
  High  Low 
Quarterly Highs and Lows (for the two most recent full financial years and any subsequent period, based on calendar quarter end)      
       
2019      
Fourth Quarter  6.13   1.28 
Third Quarter  10.26   5.43 
Second Quarter  7.50   5.21 
First Quarter  12.20   7.00 
         
2018        
Third Quarter  8.00   6.30 
Second Quarter  8.82   4.25 
First Quarter  6.40   3.70 
         
2017        
Fourth Quarter  5.59   2.91 
Third Quarter  3.99   2.67 
Second Quarter  4.06   3.07 
First Quarter  5.15   2.83 
         
Monthly Highs and Lows (for the most recent six months)        
December 2019  1.57   1.32 
November 2019  1.69   1.28 
October 2019  6.13   1.49 
September 2019  7.04   5.43 
August 2019  10.26   6.11 
July 2019  10.09   6.20 

 

* The Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its ordinary shares on November 6, 2012 (the “Reverse Split”). The ratio between each American Depositary Share (“ADS”) and its underlying ordinary share post-Reverse Split remains the same, namely, one ADR remains to represent one ordinary share post the Reverse Split. The price listed here after November 6, 2012 reflected the effect from the Reverse Split.

*Prior to January 3, 2019, we traded ADS instead of Ordinary Shares.

 

B.  PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.

 

Not Applicable.

 

C. MARKETS.

 

Our ADSs are listed onThe primary trading market for our ordinary shares is the NASDAQ Capital Market, where our ordinary shares are listed and traded since May 14, 2010. On August 17, 2018, we completed the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited (“C Media”) entered into on January 25, 2018. On August 20, 2018, we changed our name to Luokung Technology Corp., our American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) were voluntarily delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market on September 19, 2018 and on January 3, 2019 our ordinary shares started trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “KONE”“LKCO”.


D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.

 

Not applicable.

 

E. DILUTION.

 

Not applicable.

 

F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE.

 

Not applicable.

67

 

ITEM 10.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

 

A.  SHARE CAPITAL

 

Not applicable.

  

B.  MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

The descriptionWe are a British Virgin Islands company incorporated with limited liability and our affairs are governed by the provisions of our Memorandummemorandum of Associationassociation and Articlesarticles of Associationassociation, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the provisions of applicable British Virgin Islands law.

Our memorandum of association and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 522,794,872 shares, which are designated into (i) 500,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.01 each (“Ordinary Shares”), (ii) 1,000,000 preferred shares of par value $0.01 each (“Preferred Shares”), and (iii) 21,794,872 series A preferred shares of par value $0.01 each, in each case with the rights, preferences and privileges as set forthout in the section entitled “Descriptionmemorandum and articles of association of the Company.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our ordinary shares and our memorandum of association and articles of association.

Ordinary Shares

All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our ordinary shares who are non-residents of the British Virgin Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.

Subject to the memorandum and articles of association (and, for greater clarity, without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares), an Ordinary Share Capital” containedof the Company confers on the holder:

(a)the right to one vote at a meeting of the members or on any resolution of members;

(b)the right to an equal share in any distribution paid by the Company; and

(c)the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on a winding up.

Subject to the memorandum and articles of association (and, for greater clarity, without prejudice to any special rights conferred thereby on the holders of any other shares), a Preferred Share of the Company confers on the holder:

(a)the right to 399 votes at a meeting of the members or on any resolution of members;

(b)the right to an equal share in any distribution paid by the Company;

(c)the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company on a winding up;

(d)be freely transferable, in whole or in part, by Mr. Xuesong Song to any third party through one or more Private Transactions, subject to Applicable Law; and

(e)be freely transferable, in whole or in part, by Mr. Xuesong Song to any third party through one or more Public Transactions, subject to Applicable Law and Automatic Conversion of such Preferred Share(s) into Ordinary Share(s).

Each Preferred Share shall be automatically converted at any time after issue and without the payment of any additional sum into an equal number of fully paid Ordinary Shares upon the conclusion of any transfer by Mr. Xuesong Song to any third party through one or more Public Transactions.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

Under British Virgin Islands law, each of our directors and officers, in Amendment No. 3performing his or her functions, is required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filedbest interests and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. These provisions will not limit the liability of directors under United States federal securities laws.

We may indemnify any of our directors or anyone serving at our request as a director of another entity against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. We may only indemnify a director if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with the view to our best interests and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The decision of our board of directors as to whether the director acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and as to whether the director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful, is in the absence of fraud sufficient for the purposes of indemnification, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entry of no plea does not, by itself, create a presumption that a director did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to our best interests or that the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. If a director to be indemnified has been successful in defense of any proceedings referred to above, the director is entitled to be indemnified against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceedings.

We may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any of our directors or officers against any liability asserted against the directors or officers and incurred by the directors or officers in that capacity, whether or not we have or would have had the power to indemnify the directors or officers against the liability as provided in our memorandum of association and articles of association.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors or officers under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.

67

Differences in Corporate Law

We were incorporated under, and are governed by, the laws of the British Virgin Islands. The corporate statutes of the State of Delaware and the British Virgin Islands are similar, and the flexibility available under British Virgin Islands law has enabled us to adopt memorandum of association and articles of association that will provide shareholders with rights that do not vary in any material respect from those they would enjoy if we were incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or Delaware corporate law. Set forth below is a summary of some of the differences between provisions of the BVI Act applicable to us and the laws application to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders.

Director’s Fiduciary Duties

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its stockholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to stockholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its stockholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling stockholder and not shared by the stockholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on May 11, 2010an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

British Virgin Islands law provides that every director of a British Virgin Islands company in exercising his powers or performing his duties shall act honestly and in good faith and in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company. Additionally, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the same circumstances taking into account the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and his responsibilities. In addition, British Virgin Islands law provides that a director shall exercise his powers as a director for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to the company acting, in a manner that contravenes the BVI Act or the memorandum of association or articles of association of the company.

Amendment of Governing Documents

Under Delaware corporate law, with very limited exceptions, a vote of the stockholders is incorporatedrequired to amend the certificate of incorporation. Under British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum of association and articles of association, (i) our shareholders may amend our memorandum of association and articles of association by reference herein.a resolution of shareholders, or (ii) our board of directors may amend our memorandum of association and articles of association by a resolution of directors without a requirement for a resolution of shareholders so long as the amendment does not:

restrict the rights of the shareholders to amend the memorandum of association and articles of association;

change the percentage of shareholders required to pass a resolution of shareholders to amend the memorandum of association and articles of association;

amend the memorandum of association and articles of association in circumstances where the memorandum of association and articles of association cannot be amended by the shareholders; or

amend the provisions of memorandum of association or the articles of association pertaining to “rights attaching to shares,” “rights not varied by the issue of the shares pari passu,” “variation of rights” and “amendment of memorandum and articles”.

68

Written Consent of Directors

Under Delaware corporate law, directors may act by written consent only on the basis of a unanimous vote. Under British Virgin Islands law, directors’ consents need only a majority of directors signing to take effect under our memorandum association and articles of association, directors may act by written consents of all directors.

Written Consent of Shareholders

Under Delaware corporate law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, may be taken by written consent of the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take such action at a meeting. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, shareholders’ consents need only a majority of shareholders signing to take effect. Our memorandum of association and articles of association provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a resolution consented to at a meeting of shareholders or in writing by a majority of shareholders entitled to vote thereon.

Shareholder Proposals

Under Delaware corporate law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum of association and articles of association provide that our directors shall call a meeting of the shareholders if requested in writing to do so by shareholders entitled to exercise 30% or more of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested.

Sale of Assets

Under Delaware corporate law, a vote of the stockholders is required to approve the sale of assets only when all or substantially all assets are being sold. In the British Virgin Islands, shareholder approval is required when more than 50% of the company’s total assets by value are being disposed of or sold.

Dissolution; Winding Up

Under Delaware corporate law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware corporate law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum of association and articles of association, we may be voluntarily liquidated under Part XII of the BVI Act by resolution of directors and resolution of shareholders if we have no liabilities and we are able to pay our debts as they fall due.

Redemption of Shares

Under Delaware corporate law, any stock may be made subject to redemption by the corporation at its option or at the option of the holders of such stock provided there remains outstanding shares with full voting power. Such stock may be made redeemable for cash, property or rights, as specified in the certificate of incorporation or in the resolution of the board of directors providing for the issue of such stock. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, and our memorandum of association and articles of association, shares may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by us. Our directors must determine that immediately following the redemption or repurchase we will be able to satisfy our debts as they fall due and the value of our assets exceeds our liabilities.

69

Variation of Rights of Shares

Under Delaware corporate law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law, and our memorandum of association and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the consent in writing of holders of not less than three-fourths of the issued shares of that class and holders of not less than three-fourths of the issued shares of any other class of shares which may be affected by the variation.

Removal of Directors

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate provides otherwise. As permitted by British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum of association and articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause by resolution of directors or resolution of shareholders.

Mergers

Under the BVI Act, two or more companies may merge or consolidate in accordance with the statutory provisions. A merger means the merging of two or more constituent companies into one of the constituent companies, and a consolidation means the uniting of two or more constituent companies into a new company. In order to merger or consolidate, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation which must be authorized by a resolution of shareholders.

Shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote on the merger or consolidation may still acquire the right to vote if the plan of merger or consolidation contains any provision which, if proposed as an amendment to the memorandum association or articles of association, would entitle them to vote as a class or series on the proposed amendment. In any event, all shareholders must be given a copy of the plan of merger or consolidation irrespective of whether they are entitled to vote at the meeting or consent to the written resolution to approve the plan of merger or consolidation.

Inspection of Books and Records

Under Delaware corporate law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records. Holders of our shares have no general right under British Virgin Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide holders of our shares with annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Conflict of Interest

The BVI Act provides that a director shall, after becoming aware that he is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the company, disclose that interest to the board of directors of the company. The failure of a director to disclose that interest does not affect the validity of a transaction entered into by the director or the company, so long as the director’s interest was disclosed to the board prior to the company’s entry into the transaction or was not required to be disclosed (for example where the transaction is between the company and the director himself or is otherwise in the ordinary course of business and on usual terms and conditions). As permitted by British Virgin Islands law and our memorandum of association and articles of association, a director interested in a particular transaction may vote on it, attend meetings at which it is considered, and sign documents on our behalf which relate to the transaction.

70

Transactions with Interested Shareholders

Delaware corporate law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or group who or that owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

British Virgin Islands law has no comparable provision. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although British Virgin Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Independent Directors

There are no provisions under Delaware corporate law or under the BVI Act that require a majority of our directors to be independent.

Cumulative Voting

Under Delaware corporate law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the company’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions to cumulative voting under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, but our memorandum of association and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting

Anti-takeover Provisions in Our Memorandum of association and articles of association

Some provisions of our memorandum of association and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares.

 

C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS.

 

On January 25, 2018, the Company executed an Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“C Media”), whereby the Company agreed to purchase all the capital stock and equity interests of LK Technology Ltd, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries MMB Limited and Mobile Media (China) Limited and all respective subsidiaries from C Media in exchange for (i) 185,412,599 ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Ordinary Shares”), (ii) 1,000,000 preferred shares of Kingtone (“Preferred Shares”) and (iii) all issued and outstanding capital stock or equity interests of the Company’s subsidiary, Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., and its wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., including all entities effectively controlled by Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. through contractual arrangements and variable business entities.

 

In order toTo consummate the contemplated transactions described above, the Company must obtain shareholders’obtained shareholder consent at a special meeting held on May 20, 2018, (i) to authorize 1,000,000 Preferred Shares, (ii) to authorize additional Ordinary Shares so that total authorized Ordinary Shares is equal to 250,000,000 shares, (iii) to list such Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, and (iv) to approve the transactions contemplated in the Asset Exchange Agreement. Additionally, NASDAQ mustneeded to approve the contemplated transactions prior to consummation thereof. C Media hashad the right to terminate the AEA if the closing hashad not occurred (other than through the failure of C Media to comply fully with its obligations under the AEA) on or before July 31, 2018. The transactions contemplated by the AEA were consummated on August 17, 2018.


On January 25, 2018, five shareholders of the Company including its largest shareholder and its Chief Executive Officer executed a Securities Purchase Agreement, whereby such shareholders agreed to sell a total of 617,988 Ordinary Shares and 282,694 American Depository Shares of the Company to Redstone YYL Management Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $1,897,860.09. The consummation

On August 25, 2018, LK Technology entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the shareholders (“Shareholders”) of Superengine Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the saleBritish Virgin Islands (the “Superengine”), pursuant to which LK Technology acquired all of securities is expectedthe issued and outstanding shares of Superengine for an aggregate purchase price of US$60 million (the “Purchase Price”), which was paid by the issuance of our Ordinary Shares in an amount equal to occur no later thanthe quotient of (x) the Purchase Price divided by (y) the average of the closing prices of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 12 months period preceding July 31, 2018. We are a party to the Agreement in connection with the issuance of the Ordinary Shares and certain other limited purposes.

On August 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will acquire 100% of the equity interests of Saleya from Saleya’s shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of RMB 836 million (approximately equivalent to $120 million), which includes approximately RMB 709 million (approximately equivalent to $101 million) in cash and the remaining RMB 127 million (approximately equivalent to $18 million) will be paid by issuance of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”) at the conversion rate of $7 per share. In connection with its acquisition of Saleya, on January 21, 2020, as of December 31, 2019 and on January 21, 2020, the Company made a partial cash payment of $14,334,451 and $18,539,343, respectively, and on February 5, 2020 it issued 2,708,498 common shares to certain shareholders of Saleya in accordance with Share Purchase Agreement. On February 24, 2020, the Company reached an agreement with two of the Saleya’s shareholders to issue 1,500,310 of Series B preferred shares instead of a cash payment of $6,182,000 (RMB43,128,000) as a change of consideration for the acquisition of Saleya,

On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement with Geely Technology to issue 21,794,872 series A preferred shares at a purchase price of $1.95 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $42,500,000. Per the terms of the agreement and in accordance with ASC Topic 480-10, the Company recognized $32,910,257 as loan. The Company received $21,743,857 as of December 31, 2019 and the remaining amount was received in January 2020. Geely may request the repayment after November of 2020, under such circumstance, the Company shall pay it back in January of 2021. 

On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Acuitas Capital, LLC. and a Warrant to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares pursuant to which the Purchaser subscribed to purchase up to $100,000,000 of units with up to a $10,000,000 subscription at each closing, with each Unit consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant, where each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share. The first closing has not yet occurred.

On June 17, 2020, the Company entered into preferred stock subscription agreement with Daci Haojin Foundation Limited to issue 15,000,000 preferred shares for $45,000,000. Pursuant to the preferred stock subscription agreement the first closing will not occur until July 2020 and such closing will be for $13,500,000. Subsequent closings will occur on August 31 and September 30, 2020 for $13,500,000 and $18,000,000, respectively.

 

D.  EXCHANGE CONTROLS.

 

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant regulations or requirements that affect our business activities in China or our shareholders’ right to receive dividends and other distributions from us.

 

Regulations of the Software Industryon Internet Content Providers

 

The software industryAdministrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Content Measures, which was promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000 and amended on January 8, 2011, set out guidelines on the provision of internet information services. The Internet Content Measures specifies that internet information services regarding news, publications, education, medical and health care, pharmacy and medical appliances, among other things, are required to be examined, approved and regulated by the relevant authorities. Internet information providers are prohibited from providing services beyond those included in the scope of their licenses or filings. Furthermore, the Internet Content Measures specifies a list of prohibited content. Internet information providers are prohibited from producing, copying, publishing or distributing information that is humiliating or defamatory to others or that infringes the legal rights of others. Internet information providers that violate such prohibition may face criminal charges or administrative sanctions. Internet information providers must monitor and control the information posted on their websites. If any prohibited content is found, they must remove the content immediately, keep a record of such content and report to the relevant authorities.

The Internet Content Measures classifies internet information services into commercial internet information services and non-commercial internet information services. Commercial internet information services refer to services that provide information or services to internet users with charge. A provider of commercial internet information services must obtain an ICP License.


Regulations on Internet Audio-video Program Services

On December 20, 2007, the MII and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT, jointly issued the Administrative Provisions for the Internet Audio-Video Program Service, or the Audio-video Program Provisions, which came into effect on January 31, 2008 and was amended on August 28, 2015. The Audio-video Program Provisions defines “internet audio-video program services” as producing, editing and integrating of audio-video programs, supplying audio-video programs to the public via the internet, and providing audio-video programs uploading and transmission services to a third party. Entities providing internet audio-video programs services must obtain an internet audio video program transmission license. Applicants for such licenses shall be state-owned or state-controlled entities unless an internet audio-video program transmission license has been obtained prior to the effectiveness of the Audio-video Program Provisions in accordance with the then-in-effect laws and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services. According to the audio video Program Provisions and other relevant laws and regulations, audio-video programs provided by the entities supplying Internet audio-video program services shall not contain any illegal content or other content prohibited by the laws and regulations, such as any content against the basic principles in the PRC is regulated pursuant to two primary policies —Constitution, any content that damages the Measures Concerning Software Products Administration (the “Software Products Measures”)sovereignty of the country or national security, and the Recognition Standard and Management measures of Software Enterprises (the “Standards and Measures”). As further discussed below, Kingtone Information as a registered software enterprise with registered software products can take advantage of certain favorable tax, investment, governmentany content that disturbs social order or undermine social stability. An audio-video program that has already been broadcast shall be retained in full for at least 60 days. Movies, television programs and other media content used as Internet audio-video programs shall comply with relevant administrative regulations on programs broadcasts through radio, movie and policies that are designedtelevision channels. Entities providing services related to encourage developmentInternet audio-video programs shall immediately delete the audio-video programs violating laws and regulations, keep relevant records, report relevant authorities and implement other regulatory requirements.

The Categories of the software industry inInternet Audio-Video Program Services, or the PRC.

Software Products RegistrationAudio-video Program Categories, promulgated by SAPPRFT on March 10, 2017, classifies internet audio/video programs into four categories: (I) Category I internet audio/video program service, which is carried out with a form of radio station or television station; (II) Category II internet audio/video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting service of current political news audio/video programs; (b) hosting, interviewing, reporting and Administrationcommenting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; (c) producing (interviewing not included) and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; (d) producing and broadcasting service of internet films/dramas; (e) aggregating and broadcasting service of films, television dramas and cartoons; (f) aggregating and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio/video programs; and (g) live audio/video broadcasting service of cultural activities of common social organizations, sport events or other organization activities; and (III) Category III internet audio/video program service, including (a) aggregating service of online audio/video contents, and (b) re-broadcasting service of the audio/video programs uploaded by internet users; and (IV) Category III internet audio/video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting of the radio/television program channels; and (b) re-broadcasting of internet audio/video program channels.

 

On March 1, 2009,May 27, 2016, the MinistrySAPPRFT issued the Notice on Relevant Issues concerning Implementing the Approval Works of IndustryUpgrading Mobile Internet Audio-Video Program Service, or the Mobile Audio-Video Program Notice. The Mobile Audio-Video Program Notice provides that the mobile Internet audio-video program services shall be deemed Internet audio-video program service. Entities which have obtained the approvals to provide the Internet audio-video program services may use mobile WAP websites or mobile applications to provide audio-video program services. Entities with regulatory approvals may operate mobile applications to provide the audio-video program services. The types of the programs shall be within the permitted scope as provided in the licenses and Information Technologysuch mobile applications shall be filed with the SAPPRFT.

Regulations on Production and Operation of Radio/Television Programs

On July 19, 2004, the SAPPRFT promulgated the Administrative Measures on the Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, or the Radio and Television Program Production Measures, which came into effect on August 20, 2004 and was amended on August 28, 2015. The Radio and Television Program Production Measures provides that any business that produces or operates radio or television programs must first obtain a Radio and Television Program Production and Operation Permit. Entities holding such permits shall conduct their business within the permitted scope as provided in their permits. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services.

Regulations on Online Advertising Services

On April 24, 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Advertising Law of the People’s Republic of China, (the “MIIT”) promulgatedor the Software Products Measures which becameNew Advertising Law, effective on April 10, 2009. UnderSeptember 1, 2015. The New Advertising Law increases the Software Products Measures, software products developed in China (including those developed in China on the basispotential legal liability of imported software) can enjoy certain favorable policies when the products have been registeredadvertising services providers and recorded pursuant to the “Certain Policies to Encourage the Developmentstrengthens regulations of Software and Integrated Circuit Industries” issued byfalse advertising. On July 4, 2016, the State CouncilAdministration for Industry and Commerce, or the SAIC, issued the Interim Measures of the Administration of Online Advertising, or the SAIC Interim Measures, effective on June 24, 2000 (the “2000 Software Encouragement Policies”). Kingtone Information has registered its software products, including its “Wireless emergency command and management system V1.0,” with the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Information Technology through Kingtone Information. Please refer to the specific favorable policies under the sub-section below entitled “Policies to Encourage the Development of Software and Integrated Circuit Industries.”

Software Enterprise Registration and Administration

On October 16, 2000, the Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and TechnologySeptember 1, 2016. The New Advertising Law and the State Tax Bureau issued the “StandardSAIC Interim Measures require that online advertisements may not affect users’ normal internet use and Measures” to encourage the developmentinternet pop-up ads must display a “close” sign prominently and ensure one-key closing of the software industry in China and to enhancepop-up windows. The SAIC Interim Measures provides that all online advertisements must be marked “Advertisement” so that viewers can easily identify them as such. Moreover, the competitiveness of the PRC information technology industry in the international market. The Standard andSAIC Interim Measures provide strict conditions and standards, including but not limited to, the requirement of ownership of the software products, technical employees proportion, independent software technology and product research to recognize a companytreats paid search results as a “software enterprise”. Such recognized software enterprises can enjoy the favorable policies pursuant to the 2000 Software Encouragement Policies. Kingtone Information has been recognized as a software enterprise since January 6, 2009. A software enterprise isadvertisements that are subject to annual inspection, failurePRC advertisement laws, and requires that paid search results be conspicuously identified on search result pages as advertisements. The New Advertising Law and SAIC Interim Measures require us to conduct more stringent examination and monitoring of which in a given year shall causeour advertisers and the enterprise to be disqualified for the relevant benefits.content of their advertisements.

 

68

73

 

 

PoliciesRegulations on Online Games

In September 2009, the GAPP (currently known as the SAPPRFT), together with the National Copyright Administration, and the National Office of Combating Pornography and Illegal Publications jointly issued the Notice on Further Strengthening on the Administration of Pre-examination and Approval of Online Game and the Examination and Approval of Imported Online Game, or the Circular 13. The Circular 13 states that foreign investors are not permitted to Encourageinvest in online game operating businesses in the DevelopmentPRC via wholly foreign-owned entities, Sino-foreign equity joint ventures or cooperative joint ventures or to exercise control over or participate in the operation of Softwaredomestic online game businesses through indirect means, such as other joint venture companies or contractual or technical arrangements. If the our contractual arrangements were deemed under the Circular 13 to be an “indirect means” for foreign investors to exercise control over or participate in the operation of a domestic online game business, our contractual arrangements might be challenged by the SAPPRFT. We are not aware of any online game companies which use the same or similar contractual arrangements having been challenged by the SAPPRFT as using those contractual arrangements as an “indirect means” for foreign investors to exercise control over or participate in the operation of a domestic online game business or having been penalized or ordered to terminate operations since the Circular 13 became effective. However, it is unclear whether and Integrated Circuit Industrieshow the Circular 13 might be interpreted or implemented in the future. See “Risk Factors—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating certain of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.”

 

The 2000 Software Encouragement Policies encourageInterim Measures for the Administration of Online Games, or the Online Game Measures, issued by the MOC, which took effect on August 1, 2010 and amended on December 15, 2017, regulates a broad range of activities related to the online games business, including the development, production and operation of online games, the issuance of virtual currencies used for online games, and the provision of virtual currency trading services. The Online Game Measures provides that any entity that is engaged in online game operations must obtain a Network Cultural Business Permit, and require the content of an imported online game to be examined and approved by the MOC prior to the game’s launch and require a domestic online game to be filed with the MOC within 30 days after its launch. The Notice of the software and integrated circuit industries in China and to enhanceMinistry of Culture on the competitivenessImplementation of the PRC information technology industry inInterim Measures for the international market. The 2000 Software Encouragement Policies encourage such development through various methods, including:

Encouraging venture capital investment in the software industry and providing or assisting software enterprises to raise capital overseas;

Providing tax incentives, including an immediate tax rebate for taxpayers who sell self-developed software products, before 2010, of the amount of the statutory value-added taxAdministration of Online Games, which was issued by the MOC on July 29, 2010 to implement the Online Game Measures, (i) requires online game operators to protect the interests of online game users and specifies that certain terms that exceeds 3% and a number of exemptions and reduced enterprise income tax rates;

Providing government support, such as government funding in the development of software technology;

Providing preferential treatment, such as credit facilities with low interest rates to enterprises that export software products;

Taking various strategies to ensure that the software industry has sufficient expertise; and

Implementing measures to enhance intellectual property protection in China.

As discussed above, to qualify for favorable treatment, an enterprise must be recognized as a software enterpriseincluded in service agreements between online game operators and the users of their online games, (ii) requires content review of imported online games and filing procedures for domestic online games, (iii) emphasizes the protection of minors playing online games, and (iv) requests online game operators to promote real-name registration by governmental authorities and must have registered software products. Because Kingtone Information is recognized as a software enterprise, it can enjoy the above favorable policies. For example, Kingtone Information currently receives an immediate tax rebate on the sale of software products that it creates equal to the amount of the statutory value-added tax that exceeds 3%.  their game users.

 

Relevant LawsRegulations on Information Security, Censorship and RegulationsPrivacy

The Standing Committee of the Computer Information System

ManagementNational People’s Congress, China’s national legislative body, enacted the Decisions on the Maintenance of Internet Security on December 28, 2000 that may subject persons to criminal liabilities in China for any attempt to use the internet to: (i) gain improper entry to a computer or system of strategic importance; (ii) disseminate politically disruptive information; (iii) leak state secrets; (iv) spread false commercial information or (v) infringe upon intellectual property rights. In 1997, the Ministry of Public Security issued the Administration Measures on the Computer Information System Integration

On February 13, 2001, the MIIT promulgated the Management Measures on the Computer Information System Integration Qualification (trial) or the Management Measures, which commenced to be enforced on February 13, 2001. The Management Measures provide that enterprises involved in providing the computer information system integration services shall apply for the qualification recognition to the MIIT or its provincial branch pursuant to the conditions required in the Management Measures and obtain the qualification certificate to provide information system integration service. The computer information system integration means the engagement in the overall plan, design, development, execution, protection of the computer application system projects and network system projects. Kingtone Information has obtained the computer information system integration certificate and we are qualified to provide the computer information system integration services.

Regulations for SafetySecurity Protection of Computer Information System

The State Security Bureau ofNetwork with International Connections which prohibits using the internet to leak state secrets or to spread socially destabilizing materials. If an ICP license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its websites. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the “AdministrationStanding Committee of the MaintenanceNational People’s Congress on August 29, 2015, effective on November 1, 2015, any ICP provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security as required by applicable laws and refuses to take corrective measures, will be subject to criminal liability for (i) any large-scale dissemination of Secretsillegal information; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of users’ personal information; (iii) any serious loss of evidence of criminal activities; or (iv) other severe situations, and any individual or entity that (i) sells or provides personal information to others unlawfully or (ii) steals or illegally obtains any personal information will be subject to criminal liability in the International Networking of Computer Information Systems Provisionssevere situations.


The Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, or the Cybersecurity Law, which was promulgated on November 7, 2016 by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Republic of China”Congress and came into effect on June 1, 2017, provides that network operators shall meet their cyber security obligations and shall take technical measures and other necessary measures to protect the safety and stability of national secrets on January 25, 2000.their networks. Under the Administration, computer systems that contain information that is consideredCybersecurity Law, network operators are subject to be national secrets are forbidden to directly or indirectly connect to international or other public information networks. The State Security Bureau of PRC and its branch handle the secretvarious security protection-related obligations, including: (i) network operators shall comply with certain obligations regarding maintenance work of the international networkingsecurity of computerinternet systems; (ii) network operators shall verify users’ identities before signing agreements or providing certain services such as information systems. The company haspublishing or real-time communication services; (iii) when collecting or using personal information, network operators shall clearly indicate the obligationpurposes, methods and scope of the information collection, the use of information collection, and obtain the consent of those from whom the information is collected; (iv) network operators shall strictly preserve the privacy of user information they collect, and establish and maintain systems to safeguardprotect user privacy; (v) network operators shall strengthen management of information published by users, and when they discover information prohibited by laws and regulations from publication or dissemination, they shall immediately stop dissemination of that information, including taking measures such as deleting the national secrets ofinformation, preventing the information from spreading, saving relevant records, and reporting to the relevant governmental authorities that it learns through the company’s services to such governmental authorities.agencies.

69

 

Relevant Regulations of the High-tech Enterprise

 

The Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the State Tax Bureau collectively promulgated and issued the “Certifying Standard and Managing Measures for High-tech Enterprises” and “the High-tech Areas of Main National Support” on April 14, 2008 to certify the High-tech enterprise and encourage and support the development of the Chinese High-tech enterprises. Under the High-tech Enterprises Measures, the enterprise can enjoy the favorable tax policy when it is certified as a High-tech enterprise by the Ministry of Information Industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the State Tax Bureau or with its provincial branch according to the stipulated standard. The software and computer and network technology are recognized as the main national supported High-tech field. Kingtone Information isOur subsidiaries, Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited and Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd are a High-tech enterprise and enjoys a favorable income tax rate of 15%.

75

 

Laws and Regulations of Intellectual Property Rights

 

China has adopted legislation governing intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights and trademarks. China is a signatory to the main international conventions on intellectual property rights and became a member of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights upon its accession to the WTO in December 2001.

 

Patents

 

The “Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China” promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People'sPeople’s Congress, adopted in 1985 and revised in 1992, 2001 and 2008, protects registered patents. The State Intellectual Property Office of PRC handles granting patent rights, providing for a twenty-year patent term for inventions and a ten-year patent term for utility models and designs. As we disclosed in Item 4, of this Annual Reportannual report on Form 20-F, through Kingtone Information,Luokung Technology, we have been granted one invention patent “wireless video transmission system based on BREW platform”20 patents by the State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”) of PRC on September 23, 2009 and therefore such invention is entitled to all the protections provided under the Patent Law for twenty years.

 

Computer Software Copyright and Administration 

 

On December 20, 2001, the State Council of PRC issued the “Regulation for Computer Software Protection of the People’s Republic of China” (the “Regulation for Computer Software Protection”) which became effective on January 1, 2002 to protect the interests of copyright owners, to promote the research and application and to encourage the development of the Chinese software industry. Under the Regulation for Computer Software Protection, natural persons, legal persons or any other organizations shall have a copyright on the software developed by such persons no matter whether such software has been published. The protection period of software copyrights owned by the legal person or other organization is fifty years and expires on December 31 of the fiftieth year from the initial publication date of such computer software. Currently, Kingtone InformationLuokung Technology has twelve registration34registration certificates for software copyrights.

 

Trademarks

 

The “Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China” promulgated by the State Council of PRC, adopted in 1982 and revised in 1993 and 2001, protects registered trademarks. The Trademark Office under the Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce handles trademark registrations and grants a term of ten years to registered trademarks which are renewable for another ten years after the application to the Trademark Office by the owners of the trademarks. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for record. China has a “first-to-register” system that requires no evidence of prior use or ownership. Kingtone InformationLuokung Technology has its registered trademarks as described in Item 4 of this Annual Reportannual report on Form 20-F. Accordingly, such trademarks are entitled to the protection under the Trademark Law.

70

  

Foreign Currency Exchange

 

On August 29, 2008, the SAFE issued the Notice of the General Affairs Department of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on the Relevant Operating Issues concerning the Improvement of the Administration of Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-funded Enterprises, or Circular 142. Pursuant to Circular 142, RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC unless specifically provided for otherwise. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be changed without SAFE’s approval and may not in any case be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used.

 

See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of our initial public offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business”.

 

76

Dividend Distribution

 

We are a British Virgin Islands holding company and substantially all of our operations are conducted through Kingtone Information.LK Technology. We rely on dividends and other distributions from our PRC subsidiaryLK Technology and Kingtone Informationits subsidiaries to provide us with our cash flow and allow us to pay dividends on the shares underlying our ADSs and meet our other obligations. The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends paid by wholly foreign-owned enterprises include:

 

1.Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended; and

2.Implementation Rules on Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1990), as amended.

 

Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a FIE has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation.

 

Regulation of Foreign Exchange in Certain Onshore and Offshore Transactions

 

In October 2005, the SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or SAFE Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005, and was further supplemented by two implementation notices issued by the SAFE on November 24, 2005 and May 29, 2007, respectively. Under Circular 75, prior registration with the local SAFE branch is required for PRC residents to establish or to control an offshore company for the purposes of financing that offshore company with assets or equity interests in an onshore enterprise located in the PRC. An amendment to the registration or filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required for the injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise in the offshore company or overseas funds raised by such offshore company, or any other material change with respect to the offshore company in connection with any increase or decrease of capital, transfer of shares, merger, division, equity investment, debt investment, or creation of any security interest over any assets located in the PRC.

  

Under SAFE Notice 75, PRC residents are further required to repatriate into the PRC all of their dividends, profits or capital gains obtained from their shareholdings in the offshore entity within 180 days of their receipt of such dividends, profits or capital gains. The registration and filing procedures under SAFE Notice 75 are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore entity, such as inbound investments or shareholders loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale proceeds, or the return of funds upon a capital reduction. Therefore, failure to comply with such registration may subject us to certain restrictions on, including but not limited to, the increase of the registered capital of our PRC subsidiary, making loans to our PRC subsidiary, and making distributions to us from our on-shore companies.

 

71

Regulations of Overseas Investments and Listings

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the MOFCOM, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the CSRC and the SAFE, jointly adopted the New M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006. This regulation, among other things, includes provisions that purport to require that an offshore SPV formed for purposes of overseas listing of equity interests in PRC companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange.


On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings by SPVs. The CSRC approval procedures require the filing of a number of documents with the CSRC and it would take several months to complete the approval process.

 

The application of the New M&A Rule with respect to overseas listings of SPVs remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope of the applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.

 

We believe that, based on our understanding of the current PRC laws, regulations and rules and the procedures announced on September 21, 2006, there is no requirement in this regulation that would require an application to be submitted to the MOFCOM or the CSRC for the approval of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If we were required to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, of the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies.”

 

E.  TAXATION

 

The following discussion sets forth the material British Virgin Islands, PRC and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs and the ordinary shares represented by our ADSs, sometimes referred to collectively as the “securities”. It is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this report, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. As used in this discussion, “we,” “our” and “us” refers only to Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd.Luokung Technology Corp.. 

 

British Virgin Islands Taxation

 

Under the law of the British Virgin Islands as currently in effect, a holder of the securities who is not a resident of the British Virgin Islands is not liable for British Virgin Islands tax on dividends paid with respect to the securities and all holders of the securities are not liable to the British Virgin Islands for tax on gains realized during that year on the sale or disposal of such ordinary shares. The British Virgin Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the BVI Act.

 

There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the British Virgin Islands on companies incorporated under the BVI Act. In addition, shares of companies incorporated under the BVI Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.

 

72

There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the British Virgin Islands or between China and the British Virgin Islands.

78

 

People’s Republic of China Taxation

 

In 2007, the PRC National People’s Congress enacted the new Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “EIT Law”), which became effective on January 1, 2008. The new EIT Law imposes a single uniform income tax rate of 25% on all Chinese enterprises, including foreign-invested enterprises, and levies a withholding tax rate of 10% on dividends payable by Chinese subsidiaries to their foreign shareholders unless any such foreign shareholders’ jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding agreement. Under the new EIT Law, enterprises established outside China but deemed to have a “de facto management body” within the country may be considered “resident enterprises” for Chinese tax purposes and, therefore, may be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on their worldwide income. Pursuant to the implementation rules of the new EIT Law, a “de facto management body” is defined as a body that has material and overall management control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of the enterprise. Although substantially all members of our management are located in China, it is unclear whether Chinese tax authorities would require (or permit) us to be treated as PRC resident enterprises. If we and/or Topsky are deemed a Chinese tax resident enterprise, we and/or Topsky may be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on our worldwide income, excluding dividends received directly from another Chinese tax resident enterprise, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. If we and/or Topsky are not deemed to be a Chinese tax resident enterprise, we and/or Topsky may be subject to certain PRC withholding taxes. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — Our holding company structure may limit the payment of dividends.” As a result of such changes, our and Topky’s historical tax rates may not be indicative of our and Topky’s tax rates for future periods and the value of our ADSs or ordinary shares may be adversely affected. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise and investors’ gain from the sales of the securities and dividends payable by us are deemed sourced from China, such gains and dividends payable by us may be subject to PRC tax. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China — If we and/or Topsky were deemed a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we and/or Topsky could be subject to tax on our global income at the rate of 25% under the New EIT Law and our non-PRC shareholders could be subject to certain PRC taxes.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

General

 

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to an investor of purchasing, owning and disposing of our securities. This discussion does not address any aspects of U.S. federal gift or estate tax or the state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

 

YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE SECURITIES IN YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.

 

This discussion applies only to those investors that purchase the securities in this offering and that hold the securities as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This section does not apply to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including but not limited to:

 

1.dealers in securities or currencies;

 

2.traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;

 

3.banks, insurance companies or certain financial institutions;

 

4.tax-exempt organizations;

 

5.governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

 

6.partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons holding the securities through such entities;

 

73

7.regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;

 

8.holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

9.holders that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our shares entitled to vote;

 

10.holders that acquired the securities pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options, in connection with employee stock incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;

 

11.holders that hold the securities as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction; or

 

12.holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.


This section is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, published rulings and other administrative guidance of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and court decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof. These laws are subject to change or different interpretation by the IRS or a court, possibly on a retroactive basis.

 

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.

 

The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of the securities that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

1.a citizen or resident of the United States;

2.a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or

3.organized) under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

4.an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

5.a trust if (a) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S.

6.persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S.

 

Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a beneficial owner of the securities is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders.”

 

If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the securities, the U.S. tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of the securities that is a partnership or partners in such a partnership should consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the securities.

 

This discussion assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) on the securities and any consideration received by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of the securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion also assumes that the representations contained in the Deposit Agreement are true and that the obligations in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be complied with in accordance with their terms. Finally, this discussion assumes that each ADS will only represent ordinary shares in us, and will not represent any other type of security, such as a bond, cash or other property.

74

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a holder of an ADS will be treated as the beneficial owner of the shares represented by such ADS and an exchange of an ADS for ordinary shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are pre-released, or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of ADSs and the issuer of the securities underlying the ADSs may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. Holders of ADSs. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, as described below under “Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions.” Accordingly, the availability of foreign tax credits or the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, could be affected by actions taken by parties to whom the ADSs are released, or by future actions by the U.S. Treasury.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

 

Taxation of Distributions

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, the gross amount of any cash distributions we make with respect to a U.S. Holder in respect of such U.S. Holder’s ADSs or shares will generally be treated as dividend income if the distributions are made from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, calculated according to U.S. federal income tax principles. Cash dividends will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax as ordinary income on the day the U.S. Holder actually or constructively receives such income. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate provided that (a) our ADSs or shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or, in the event we are deemed to be a Chinese “resident enterprise” under the EIT Law (as described above under “People’s Republic of China Taxation”), we are eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC (the “U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty”), (b) we are not a PFIC, as discussed below, for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (c) certain holding period requirements are met. Under published IRS authority, ADSsshares are considered for purposes of clause (a) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States only if they are listed on certain exchanges, which presently include the NASDAQ Capital Market. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or shares.

 

Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. Generally, if we distribute non-cash property as a dividend (other than pro rata distributions of our shares) out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), a U.S. Holder generally will include in income an amount equal to the fair market value of the property, on the date that it is distributed.

 

Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s basis in its shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. However, we do not plan on calculating our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. U.S. holders therefore should generally assume that any distributions paid by us will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

If PRC taxes apply to dividends paid by us to a U.S. Holder (see “People’s Republic of China Taxation,” above), such taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain limitations), and a U.S. Holder may be entitled to certain benefits under the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty. The rules relating to the U.S. foreign tax credit are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty.


Taxation of Dispositions of ADSs or Shares

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. holder that sells or otherwise disposes of its shares or ADSs will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realized and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its shares or ADSs.shares. Prior to January 1, 2011, capital gains of a non-corporate U.S. holder are generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property is held for more than one year (and 20% thereafter). The ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

75

If PRC taxes apply to any gain from the disposition of our ADSs or shares by a U.S. Holder, such taxes may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (subject to certain limitations), and a U.S. Holder may be entitled to certain benefits under the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability of any such PRC tax and their eligibility for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Tax Treaty.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

 

We do not expect to be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current tax year or in the foreseeable future. The determination of whether or not we are a PFIC in respect of any of our taxable years is a factual determination that cannot be made until the close of the applicable tax year and that is based on the types of income we earn and the value and composition of our assets (including goodwill), all of which are subject to change. Therefore, we can make no assurances that we will not be a PFIC in respect of our current taxable year or in the future.

 

In general, we will be a PFIC in any taxable year if either:

 

1.at least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year is passive income; or

2.at least 50% of the value, determined on the basis of a quarterly average, of our assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.

 

Passive income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), the excess of gains over losses from certain types of transactions in commodities, annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.

 

If we are treated as a PFIC in any year during which a U.S. Holder owns the securities, and such U.S. Holder did not make a mark-to-market election, as described below, the U.S. Holder will be subject to special rules with respect to:

 

1.any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its shares or ADSs;shares; and any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (generally, the excess of the amount of any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a single taxable year of such U.S. Holder over 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the shares or ADSs during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder holding period for the shares or ADSs)shares).

Under these rules:

Under these rules:
2.the gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares and ADSs;shares;

3.the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which it realized the gain or excess distribution or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income;

4.the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year; and

5.

the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.

 

6.Special rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC.

 

76

Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns ordinary shares or ADSs in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. Our ADSs or shares will be “marketable” to the extent that they remain regularly traded on a national securities exchange, such as the NASDAQ Capital Market. If a U.S. Holder makes this election in a timely fashion, it will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its shares or ADSs at the end of the taxable year over its adjusted basis in its shares or ADSs.shares. Any ordinary income resulting from this election would generally be taxed at ordinary income tax rates and would not be eligible for the reduced rate of tax applicable to qualified dividend income. The U.S. Holder will also be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its shares or ADSs over the fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in the shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisor regarding potential advantages and disadvantages of making a mark-to-market election with respect to their ADSs or shares.

 

Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ADSs or shares by making a timely “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if the PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not intend to furnish the information that a U.S. Holder would need in order to make a qualified electing fund election. Therefore, U.S. Holders will not be able to make or maintain such election with respect to their ADSs or shares.

 

If a U.S. Holder owns our shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC, such holder must file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding such holder’s shares or ADSs and the gain realized on the disposition of the shares or ADSs.shares. The reduced tax rate for dividend income, discussed in “Taxation of Distributions,” is not applicable to dividends paid by a PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding reporting requirements with respect to their shares or ADSs.shares.

 

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

 

Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of our ADSs or shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).

 

In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ADSs or shares unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from United States sources generally is subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).

 

Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.

77


Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally should apply to distributions made on the securities within the United States to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of the securities by a non-corporate U.S. Holder to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States generally should be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.

 

Dividend payments made to U.S. Holders and proceeds paid from the sale or other disposition the securities may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible U.S. federal backup withholding at a current rate of 28%. Certain exempt recipients, such as corporations, are not subject to these information reporting requirements. Backup withholding will not apply to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status must provide a duly executed IRS Form W-9.

 

A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s or a non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF OUR SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL TAX CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM PURCHASING, HOLDING OR DISPOSING OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF THE TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. JURISDICTION, INCLUDING ESTATE, GIFT, AND INHERITANCE LAWS AND APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.

 

F.  DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS.

Not applicable.

G.  STATEMENT BY EXPERTS.

 

Not applicable.

 

G.  STATEMENT BY EXPERTS.

None.

H.  DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY.

 

We previously filed a registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-166056) with the SEC relating to our initial public offering in May 2010. This annual report does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits and financial statements included with the registration statement. References in this annual report to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contracts, agreements or documents. In addition, we will file annual reports on Form 20-F and submit other information under cover of Form 6-K. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the proxy requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the insider short-swing disclosure and profit recovery rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. You may read and copy the registration statement, the related exhibits and other materials we file with the SEC at the SEC'sSEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, Room 1580, N.E., Washington, D.C.20549. You can also request copies of those documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC. The website address ishttp://www.sec.gov. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing us at 3rd Floor, Borough A,B9-8, Block A.B, SOHO Phase II, No. 181, South Taibai9, Guanghua Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 710065100020 or telephoning us at +86-29-88266383.(86) 10-85866721.

 

I.  SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

 

For a listing of our subsidiaries, see “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. Organizational Structure.”

 

78

84

 

 

ITEM 11.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

As of September 30, 2017,December 31, 2019, we had no short-term or long-term borrowings. If we borrow money in future periods, we may be exposed to interest rate risk. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest income generated by our cash deposits with our banks and held-to-maturity investments. We have not used any derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Interest earningsearning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed, nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

Translation adjustments amounted to $0.04 million$541,489 and $0.9 million loss$447,246 gains as of September 30, 2017the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. The Company translated balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity at September 30, 2017December 31, 2019 at RMB 6.6545RMB6.9762 to $1.00 as compared to RMB 6.6702RMB6.8632 to $1.00 at September 30, 2016.December 31, 2018. The Company stated equity accounts at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to income statement accounts for the yearfiscal years ended September 30, 2017December 31, 2019 and September 30, 20162018 were RMB 6.8122RMB6.8985 and RMB6.5321RMB6.6174 to US$1.00, respectively. So far, the PRC government has been able to manage a stable exchange rate between RMB and the U.S. Dollar. We do not anticipate material translation adjustments due to large fluctuations in exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. Dollar. However, ourOur future downward translation adjustments may occur and can be significant due to changes in such exchange rate.

 

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars received in our May 2010 public offering into the RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount that we receive from the conversion. Conversely, ifIf we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

 

The PRC government imposes strict restrictions on PRC resident companies regarding converting RMB into foreign currencies and vice versa under capital account transactions, such as receiving equity investments from outside of the PRC, making equity investments outside of the PRC, borrowing money from or lending money outside of the PRC, and repaying debt or remitting liquidated assets and/or accumulated profits outside of the PRC. These transactions have to be approved by the relevant PRC government authorities, including but not limited to the commerce bureau, the tax bureau and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, and have to be conducted at banks entrusted by the local SAFE branch. Kingtone Information has not conducted any foreign currency transactions during prior fiscal years since its inception. Softech was recently established and had not conducted any foreign currency transactions except for converting a relevantly small amount of foreign currency into RMB as registered capital pursuant to PRC regulations. In anticipation of this offering, we will invest or lend the proceeds as equity or loans into our PRC subsidiaries. As our business continues to grow, we may need to continuously finance our PRC subsidiaries by raising capital from outside of the PRC. The restriction on converting RMB into foreign currencies, and vice versa, may limit our ability to use capital resources from outside of the PRC. Such restrictions may also limit our ability to remit profits from our PRC subsidiaries outside of the PRC, therefore potentially limiting our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. In addition, such restrictions will limit our ability to freely transfer temporary excess cash in our or our subsidiaries’ bank accounts in and out of the PRC, therefore limiting our ability to conduct cross-border cash management activities to optimize the utilization of our cash.

 

79

Inflation

 

Although China has experienced an increasing inflation rate, inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the change in the consumer price index in China was 0.46%, (0.77%), and 1.16% in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. However, in connection with a 3.9% increase in 2004, the PRC government announced measures to restrict lending and investment in China in order to reduce inflationary pressures in China’s economy. Following the government’s actions, the consumer price index decreased to 1.8% in 2005 and to 1.5% in 2006. In 2007, the consumer price index increased to 4.8%. In response, China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, announced that the bank reserve ratio would rise half a percentage point to 15.5% in an effort to reduce inflation pressures. China’s consumer price index growth rate reached 8.7% year over year in 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the change in the consumer price index in China was minus 0.7% and 3.3%.

 

China consumer price index in November 2017December 2019 was 3.8%2.6% higher than that of the same period in 2016.China2018. China consumer price index in December 20162018 was 2.4%0.1% higher than that of the same period in 2015.2017.China consumer price index in December 2017 was 0.3% lower than that of the same period in 2016. China consumer price index in December 20152016 was 4.8%0.5% higher than that of the same period in 2014. China consumer price index in December 2014 was 3.3% higher than that of the same period in 2013.2015. The results of the PRC government’s actions to combat inflation are difficult to predict. Adverse changes in the Chinese economy, if any, will likely impact the financial performance of a variety of industries in China that use, or would be candidates to use, our software products and services.


ITEM 12.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

A. DEBT SECURITIES.

Not applicable. 

B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS.

 

Not applicable.

 

C. OTHER SECURITIES.B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS.

 

Not applicable.

 

C. OTHER SECURITIES.

Mr. Xuesong Song, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns 1,000,000 preferred shares, and each preferred share has the right to 399 votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company.

On November 13, 2019, the Company issued to Geely Technology 21,794,872 of series A preferred shares for $42,500,000.

D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver ADSs. Each ADS will represent one (1) ordinary share (or a right to receive one (1) ordinary share) deposited with principal Hong Kong office of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other property that may be held by the depositary. The depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. The Bank of New York Mellon’s principal executive office is located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.

Not applicable.

80


You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having ADSs registered in your name in the Direct Registration System, or (ii) by having an American depositary receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, also referred to as DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership will be confirmed by periodic statements sent by the depositary to the registered holders of uncertificated ADSs.

As an ADS holder, you will not be treated as one of our registered shareholders and you will not have direct shareholder rights. British Virgin Island’s law governs our direct shareholders’ rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A Deposit Agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and all other persons indirectly holding ADSs, sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the Deposit Agreement and the ADSs.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Deposit Agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire Deposit Agreement and the form of ADS, which contains the terms of the ADSs. The Deposit Agreement is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement filed on Form F-1. You may obtain the registration statement and the attached Deposit Agreement from the SEC’s website athttp://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of the Deposit Agreement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. 

Fees and Expenses

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay:For:
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the Deposit Agreement terminates
$.05 (or less) per ADSAny cash distribution to ADS holders
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSsDistribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders
$.05 (or less) per ADSs per calendar yearDepositary services

Registration or transfer feesTransfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
Expenses of the depositaryCable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement) converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, share transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxesAs necessary
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securitiesAs necessary

Payment of Taxes

Holders of our ADSs are responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on their ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of their ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of a holder’s ADSs or allow withdrawal of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to the holder or sell deposited securities represented by the ADSs to pay any taxes owed and the holder will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.

81

PART II

 

ITEM 13.  DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 14.  MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

Use of Proceeds.

 

We completed our initial public offering on May 14, 2010 (the “IPO”), which generated net proceeds of approximately $14.6 million. ForAll remaining cash on hand from the period fromproceeds of our IPO was transferred to C Media Limited and its subsidiaries following the completion of the IPO to September 30, 2017, the end date of the latest fiscal year, our use of the IPO net proceeds is as following: we used approximately $1.6 million for our research and development, which consisted primarily of compensation and benefit expenses to engineers in our research and development center and material cost in research and development activities; approximately $3.2 million for our general and administrative expenses, which consisted of listing fees, compensation to management and related agent fees; approximately $3.3 million our selling and marketing expenses, which consisted primarily of compensation and benefit expenses to our sales and marketing personnel, travel and communication expenses, and selling and marketing-related office expenses. While we had been exploiting suitable opportunities for our growth, as the macro-economy has been slowing down in China, we have not extended more investment into our product development, instead, we had made certain loans to certain affiliate companies, as disclosed under Item 7B and Note 7 to the financial statement contained elsewhere in this report. As of September 30, 2017, the total amount of these loans was $6.8 million, among which $4.7 million are from the IPO net proceeds. As these companies are information technology developers, with the approval of our audit committee, we temporarily applied such portion of the IPO net proceeds to them in the belief they would return favor to us in the future while we continue the search for the suitable business opportunities. Lastly, as of September 30, 2017, we had a total of approximately $0.9 million cash in hand.asset exchange transactions on August 17, 2018.

The use of proceeds described above represents a material change in the use of proceeds described in our prospectus in connection with the IPO where the following use of proceeds was planned:

$6.6 million for product development;

82

$4.6 million to expand research and development center;

$4.0 million to develop customer relations management (CRM) systems; and

the balance of $3.2 million for working capital.

The changes are primarily a result of the changing macro-economic environment and the business judgment made by our management. We plan to terminate our related party loans once we identify any business opportunities that require additional funds, such as any right direction for product development, customer relations management (CRM) systems development, or the expansion of research and development center.  

 

ITEM 15.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, which included inquiries made to certain other of our employees. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports, such as this report, that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that, as of September 30, 2015,December 31, 2018, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weakness described in the “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” section below. However, we performed adequate analyses and procedures, including among other things, transaction reviews and account reconciliations, in order to provide assurance that our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of the inherent limitations of internal control, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

 

83

Management assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of the year ended September 30, 2017.December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 2014 report entitled "Internal“Internal Control-Integrated Framework."Framework (2013).” The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring. Based on such assessment, management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017December 31, 2018 was not effective because of the following material weakness:

 

Lack of U.S. GAAP expertise. Although our accounting personnel are professional and experienced in accounting requirements and procedures generally accepted in the PRC, they do not have sufficient knowledge, experience and training in maintaining our books and records and preparing financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP standards and SEC rules and regulations. The staff needs additional training to become experienced in U.S. GAAP-based reporting, including the skills of U.S. GAAP-based period end closing, consolidation of financial statements, and U.S. GAAP conversion.

 

In order to address the above material weakness, our management plans to take the following steps:

 

We will employ, as needed, outside professionals to provide key accounting personnel ongoing technical trainings to ensure their proper understanding of U.S. GAAP and newly announced accounting standards.

 

The Company believes the foregoing measures will remediate the identified material weakness in future periods. The Company is committed to monitoring the effectiveness of these measures and making any changes that are necessary and appropriate.

 

NotwithstandingHowever, giving full consideration to the conclusion that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of the end of the period covered by this report,material weaknesses described above, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believeperformed adequate analyses and procedures, including among other things, transaction reviews and account reconciliations, in order to provide assurance that theour consolidated financial statements and other information containedincluded in this annual report were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, its business,our financial condition andposition, results of operations. Nothing has come tooperations and cash flows for the attention of management that causes them to believe that any material inaccuracies or errors existperiods presented in the Company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2015.conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm on internal control over financial reporting because the Company is a non-accelerated filer permanently exempted from section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2017December 31, 2018 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16. [RESERVED]

 

ITEM 16A.  AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Xianyun ZhangDennis Galgano qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Zhang meetsMessrs. Dennis Galgano, David Wei Tang, Jin Meng Bryan Yap and Zhihao Xu meet the definition of an “independent director” under the applicable NASDAQ Rules and under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


ITEM 16B.  CODE OF ETHICS.

 

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed our code of business conduct and ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-166056) and posted the code on our website at http://www.kingtoneinfo.com/en/overview/ethics.aspx.www.luokung.com.

84

 

ITEM 16C.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

Audit Fees

 

The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by its principal independent registered accounting firm for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in US dollars):

  Year Ended
December 31,
 
  2019  2018 
Audit Fees $325,000  $325,000 
Audit-Related Fees  160,000   - 
TOTAL $485,000  $325,000 

“Audit Fees” consisted of the aggregate fees billed by BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial informationstatements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Annual Report on FormForms 20-F was $105,500and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, 2016any other services that were normally provided in connection with our statutory and 2015.regulatory filings or engagements.

 

“Audit Related Fees” consisted of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and were not otherwise included in Audit Fees.

Tax Fees

 

We did not engage our principal accountants to provide tax or related services during the last two fiscal years.

 

All Other Fees

 

We did not engage our principal accountants to render services to us during the last two fiscal years, other than as reported above.

 

ITEM 16D.  EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E.  PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16G.CORPORATE16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

 

We are incorporated in the BVI and our corporate governance practices are governed by applicable BVI law as well as our memorandum and articles of association. In addition, because our ADSs are listed on NASDAQ, we are subject to NASDAQ’s corporate governance requirements. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5620(a) requires each issuer to hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of the issuer’s fiscal year end. However, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5615(a)(3) permits a foreign private issuer like us to follow home country practices in lieu of certain requirements of Listing Rule 5600, provided that such foreign private issuer discloses in its annual report filed with the SEC each requirement of Rule 5600 that it does not follow and describes the home country practice followed in lieu of such requirement. We follow home country practice with respect to annual meetings and did not hold an annual shareholder meeting in fiscal 2017.the year ended December 31, 2019. We may, however, hold annual shareholder meetings in the future if there are significant issues that require shareholders’ approvals.

 

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.

 

Not applicable.

85


PART III

 

ITEM 17.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

We have elected to provide financial statements and related information specified in Item 18.

 

ITEM 18.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a list of all financial statements filed as part of this annual report. The Financial Statements are beginning on page F-1.

 

ITEM 19.  EXHIBITS.

 

See the Exhibit Index following the signature page of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

86


SIGNATURES

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 KINGTONE WIRELESSINFO SOLUTION HOLDING LTDLUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP.
  
 By:/s/ Peng ZhangXuesong Song 
  Peng ZhangXuesong Song
  

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

 

February 9, 2018

June 29, 2020

87


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Reportannual report on Form 20-F.

 

Exhibit


Number

 Description
   
1.1*1.1 Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd.Luokung Technology Corp., dated March 25, 2010December 27, 2019, and as currently in effect.
   
2.1* Deposit Agreement among the Company, depositary and holders of the American Depositary Receipts.
   
2.2* Form of American Depositary Receipt.
   
2.3* English translation of Entrusted Management Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
3.1* English translation of Shareholder’s Voting Proxy Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
4.1* English translation of Exclusive Technology Service Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. and Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
4.2* English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
4.3* English translation of Equity Pledge Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the shareholders of Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
4.4* English translation of Loan Agreement dated September 14, 2009 between Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Xian City Commercial Bank.
   
4.5* English translation of Mortgage Agreement dated September 14, 2009 between Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Xian City Commercial Bank.
   
4.6* English translation of Form of Employment Agreement entered into between the Company and the Company’s executive officers.
   
4.11*4.7* 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company.
   
4.12*4.8** English translation of Project Construction Contract dated August 10, 2010 between Xi’an Hu County Yuxing Agriculture Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd.
   
4.134.9*** Asset Exchange Agreement by and between C Media Limited and the Company dated as of January 25, 20182018.
   
4.144.10*** Securities Purchase Agreement by and among Redstone YYL Management Limited and five shareholders holding majority of the shares of the Company dated as of January 25, 20182018.
   
21.1*4.15**** List of SubsidiariesExclusive Business Cooperation Agreement by and between Zhongchuan Tianxia Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., and Beijing Mobile Vision Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 31, 2015.

  

4.16****Exclusive Option Agreement by and among Zhongchuan Tianxia Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Xuesong Song, Weili Chen, Ping Wang, Donglai Liu, and Beijing Mobile Vision Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 31, 2015.
4.17****Equity Interest Pledge Agreement by and among Zhongchuan Tianxia Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Xuesong Song, Weili Chen, Ping Wang, Donglai Liu, and Beijing Mobile Vision Technology Co., Ltd., dated August 31, 2015.
4.18Addendum to Asset Exchange Agreement by and among the Company, Topsky Info-tech Holdings Pte Ltd, a Singapore company.Ltd. and C Media Limited, dated October 3, 2018. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on October 4, 2018].
4.19Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 25, 2018, by and among the Company, LK Technology Ltd., and the shareholders listed therein.  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on August 27, 2018].

Xi’an Softech
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.20****Power of Attorney by Weili Chen, dated August 31, 2015.
4.21****Power of Attorney by Ping Wang, dated August 31, 2015.
4.22****Power of Attorney by Donglai Liu, dated August 31, 2015.
4.23****Power of Attorney by Xuesong Song, dated August 31, 2015.
4.24****Employment Agreement, dated August 19, 2018, between Luokung Technology Corp. and Xuesong Song.†
4.25****Employment Agreement, dated August 19, 2018, by and between Luokung Technology Corp. and Jie Yu.†
4.26Securities Purchase Agreement with Honbridge Holdings Limited. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on January 17, 2019].
4.27Share Purchase Agreement as to the acquisition of Saleya. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on September 13, 2019].
4.28Supplemental Agreement as to the acquisition of Saleya. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on October 17, 2019.
4.29English translation of Share Subscription Agreement with Geely Technology Group Co., Ltd., a PRC company

Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology

4.30English translation of Loan Agreement with Hangzhou Maijie Investment Co., Ltd., a PRC company (a variable interest entity)

 88 

11.1*4.31 Securities Purchase Agreement with Acuitas Capital, LLC. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on December 3, 2019].
4.32

Warrant Agreement with Acuitas Capital, LLC. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on December 3, 2019].

4.33

2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Company. Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form S-8 filed on April 17, 2020.

4.34English translation of Preferred Stock Subscription Agreement and Supplemental Agreement with Daci Haojin Foundation Limited
8.1List of Subsidiaries and Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
11.1Code of EthicsBusiness Conduct and Ethics. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 24, 2019].
   
12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a).
   
12.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a).
   
13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a).
   
13.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a).

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.

 

*Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-166056) filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference.

 

**

Previously filed as exhibits to the Company’s Transition Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on January 20, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

89***Previously filed as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on February 9, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.

****Previously filed as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on October 12, 2018

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

93

 

 

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding LtdLuokung Technology Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 PAGESPage(s)
  
ReportsReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmsFirmF-2
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016F-3
  
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015LossF-4
  
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the Years Ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015F-5
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015F-6F-6
  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsF-7 - F-26

  

  

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Audit Committee ofShareholders and the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd and SubsidiariesLuokung Technology Corp.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd and Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”)Luokung Technology Corp. and. subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2017December 31, 2019 and 20162018, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss),loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and shareholders’ equity for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The Company’s management is responsible for theserelated notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements.statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on thesethe Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the auditsaudit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The companyCompany is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. OurAs part of our audits, included considerationwe are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended September30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America./s/ Moore Stephens CPA Limited

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As described in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred recurring losses that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s viability is dependent upon its ability to obtain success of its future operations. Management’s plan in regard to these matters is also described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.Certified Public Accountants

 

BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP

Beijing,We have served as the People’s Republic of China

February 6, 2018Company’s auditor since 2018.

 

F-2

Hong Kong

 

June 29, 2020


KINGTONE WIRELESSINFO SOLUTION HOLDING LTDLUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(Express in thousands ofIN U.S. Dollars, except shares and per share data)DOLLARS)

 

  As of September 30, 
  2017  2016 
ASSETS      
       
Current assets      
* Cash and cash equivalents $902  $1,239 
* Accounts and Notes Receivable, net of allowance  3,399   4,243 
* Accrued interest  288   385 
* Due from related companies  819   6,152 
* Inventories, net  45   90 
* Other receivables and prepayments  115   225 
Total Current Assets  5,568   12,334 
         
Non-current assets        
Due from related companies  6,167     
* Property and Equipment, net  10,370   10,863 
* Intangible assets  509   527 
* Other assets  387   - 
Total Assets $23,001  $23,724 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities        
* Accounts payable $917  $1,277 
* Advances from customers  368   381 
* Other payables and accruals  142   195 
* Taxes payable  1,278   1,406 
* Dividend payable  777   775 
Total Current Liabilities  3,482   4,034 
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Ordinary share ($0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 1,405,000 shares issued     and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)  14   14 
* Additional paid in capital  22,233   22,233 
* Appropriated retained earnings  2,485   2,060 
* Unappropriated retained earnings  (7,871)  (7,227)
* Accumulated other comprehensive income  2,658   2,610 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  19,519   19,690 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $23,001  $23,724 
  As of December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash $3,695,687  $1,192,218 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts  10,004,951   22,661,594 
Other receivables and prepayment  27,071,241   2,749,000 
Amounts due from related parties  200,682   4,935,698 
Total current assets  40,972,561   31,538,510 
Non-current assets:        
Property and equipment, net  588,881   898,007 
Intangible assets, net  47,299,120   52,763,998 
Goodwill  11,728,600   11,728,600 
Right-of-use assets  670,604   - 
Other receivables, net (long term)  16,636,403   150,286 
Total non-current assets  76,923,608   65,540,891 
TOTAL ASSETS  117,896,169   97,079,401 
Liabilities        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable  4,314,162   758,386 
Accrued liabilities and other payables  23,697,143   28,239,477 
Deferred revenue  2,067,357   1,286,635 
Tax payable  -   71,358 
Lease liabilities – current portion  431,995   - 
Amounts due to related parties  177,102   3,378,031 
Total current liabilities  30,687,759   33,733,887 
Non-current liabilities:        
Lease liabilities – non-current portion  296,481   - 
Accrued liabilities and other payables (long term)  32,938,926   244,755 
Total non- current liabilities  33,235,407   244,755 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  63,923,166   33,978,642 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Shareholders’ Equity        
         
Share capital        
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 22,794,872 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019; 1,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018  227,949   10,000 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 209,081,533 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019; Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 199,317,558 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018;  2,090,816   1,993,176 
Additional paid-in capital  124,092,191   102,125,814 
Accumulated deficit  (73,376,872)  (41,863,694)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  1,372,074   835,463 
         
Total equity attributable to owners of the company  54,406,158   63,100,759 
Non-controlling interest  (433,155)  - 
         
Total Shareholders’ Equity  53,973,003   63,100,759 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $117,896,169  $97,079,401 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements


LUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

  For the years ended
December 31,
 
  2019  2018  2017 
          
Revenues $18,779,172  $21,042,363  $26,082,417 
Less: Cost of revenues  14,976,016   6,938,063   5,547,779 
Less: Operating expenses:            
Selling and marketing  3,764,792   14,695,165   23,908,733 
General and administrative  22,844,383   6,750,417   2,451,249 
Research and development  8,710,746   3,478,570   1,046,198 
Total operating expenses  35,319,921   24,924,152   27,406,180 
Loss from operations  (31,516,765)  (10,819,852)  (6,871,542)
Other income (expense):            
Interest expense  (102,084)  (80,184)  (26,611)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains, net  (698,211)  (1,204,001)  350,679 
Other income (expense), net  294,857   250,510   (262,980)
Total other (expense) income, net  (505,438)  (1,033,675)  61,088 
Loss before income taxes  (32,022,203)  (11,853,527)  (6,810,454)
Income tax benefit (expense)  70,992   (74,009)  - 
Net loss $(31,951,211) $(11,927,536) $(6,810,454)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  438,033   -   - 
Net loss attributable to owners of the Company $(31,513,178) $(11,927,536) $(6,810,454)
Comprehensive loss:            
Net loss  (31,951,211)  (11,927,536)  (6,810,454)
Other comprehensive income:            
Foreign currency translation adjustment  541,489   447,246   90,671 
Comprehensive loss $(31,409,722) $(11,480,290) $(6,719,783)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to the non-controlling interest  (4,878)  -   - 
Comprehensive loss attributable to owner of the Company $(31,414,600) $(11,480,290) $(6,719,783)
             
Net loss per ordinary share:            
Basic and Diluted $(0.16) $(0.16) $(6,810,454)
             
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding Basic and Diluted  201,005,995   72,919,624   1 

 

*All ofSee accompanying notes to the VIE’s assets can be used to settle obligations of their primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets (Note 3).

consolidated financial statements

F-3

KINGTONE WIRELESSINFO SOLUTION HOLDING LTDLUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Express in thousands ofIN U.S. Dollars, except shares and per share data)DOLLARS)

 

  For the years ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Revenues         
Software $-  $62  $136 
Wireless system solution  173   1,130   8,683 
             
-Third Party  173   1,130   8,683 
Total revenues  173   1,192   8,819 
             
Cost of sales            
Software  25   40   61 
Wireless system solution  324   948   5,557 
             
-Third Party  324   948   5,557 
Total cost of sales  349   988   5,618 
             
Gross profit  (176)  204   3,201 
             
Operating expenses            
Selling and marketing expenses  101   134   153 
General and administrative expenses  1,471   1,917   3,355 
Research and development expenses  -   55   288 
Total Operating expenses  1,572   2,106   3,796 
Loss from operations  (1,748)  (1,902)  (595)
             
Other income (expense)            
             
Interest income  289   400   29 
Loss of net investment in sales-type leases  -   -   - 
Other income, net  1,240   1,342   1,593 
- Related party  1   6   45 
-Third Party  1,239   1,336   1,548 
Total other income, net  1,529   1,742   1,622 
Income (Loss) before income tax expenses  (219)  (160)  1,027 
Income tax expenses            
Net Income (Loss) $(219) $(160) $1,027 
Other comprehensive income            
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)  48   (867)  (686)
Comprehensive income(loss) $(171) $(1,027) $341 
             
Income (Loss) per ordinary share:            
Basic and Diluted $(0.16) $(0.11) $0.73 
             
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding Basic and Diluted  1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000 
  Ordinary shares  Preferred shares  Additional
paid-in
  Accumulated  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
Income
  Non-
controlling
  Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  capital  deficit  (loss)  Interest  (Deficit) 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  1  $1   -  $-  $10,037,469  $(23,125,704) $297546) $      -  $(12,790,688)
                                     
Capital contribution from C Media  -   -   -   -   31,782,216   -   -   -   31,782,216 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (6,810,454)  -   -   (6,810,454)
                                     
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   90,671   -   90,671 
                                     
Balance as of December 31, 2017  1   1   -   -   41,819,685   (29,936,158)  388,217   -   12,271,745 
                                     
Issuance of preferred shares  -   -   1,000,000   10000   (10,000)  -   -   -   - 
                                     
Issuance of common shares  185,412,599   1,854,126   -   -   (1,854,126)  -   -   -   - 
                                     
Adjustment due to the assets exchange  1,684,999   16,849   -   -   177,880   -   -   -   194,729 
                                     
Acquisition of Superengine  12,219,959   122,200   -   -   59,877,800   -   -   -   60,000,000 
                                     
Capital contribution from C Media  -   -   -   -   2,114,575   -   -   -   2,114,575 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (11,927,536)  -   -   (11,927,536)
                                     
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   447,246   -   447,246 
                                     
Balance as of December 31, 2018  199,317,558   1,993,176   1,000,000   10,000   102,125,814   (41,863,694)  835,463   -   63,100,759 
                                     
Issuance of common shares  9,763,975   97,640   -   -   11,980,000   -   -   -   12,077,640 
                                     
Issuance of preferred shares  -   -   21,794,872   217,949   9,986,377   -   -   -   10,204,326 
                                     
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (31,513,178)  -   (438,033)  (31,951,211)
                                     
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   -   536,611   4,878   541,489 
                                     
Balance as of December 31, 2019  209,081,533  $2,090,816   22,794,872  $227,949  $124,092,191  $(73,376,872) $1,372,074  $(433,155) $53,973,003 

LUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)

  For the years ended
December 31,
 
  2019  2018  2017 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:         
          
Net loss $(31,951,211) $(11,927,536) $(6,810,454)
Depreciation and amortization  5,852,321   5,120,727   3,316,181 
Amortization of right-of-use assets  625,036   -   - 
Bad debts written off  -   944,480   - 
Exchange difference  506,447   1,338,857   (906,241)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment  45,883   -   115,193 
Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts  12,318,303   1,845,370   445,395 
Write off of other payable  (79,438)  -   - 
Impairment of intangible assets  -   724,437   - 
Impairment of Property, Plant, and Equipment  95,471   1,228,362   - 
Changes in assets and liabilities            
Accounts receivable  419,941   (16,319,139)  (7,933,730)
Other receivables and prepayment  (4,698,887)  2,433,455   (2,202,960)
Tax payable  (70,992)  74,009   1,945,057 
Deferred revenue  810,591   (962,730)  - 
Accounts payable  22,486,090   (2,108,736)  (1,674,058)
Change in lease liability  (566,512)  -   - 
Accrued liabilities and other payables  (24,056,587)  10,683,568   4,731,922 
Net cash used in operating activities  (18,263,544)  (6,924,876)  (8,973,695)
             
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:            
Purchase of property and equipment  (131,261)  (32,691)  (12,689)
Proceeds from return of deposits  -   604,467   - 
Cash received from acquisition subsidiaries  -   612,692   - 
Partial payment made for acquisition of a subsidiary  (14,495,905)  -   - 
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment  290   -   29,942 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (14,626,876)  1,184,468   17,253 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:            
Advances from related parties  1,628,846   6,874,994   8,938,290 
Proceeds from issuance of debt  21,743,857   -   - 
Proceeds from issuance of shares  12,067,550   -   - 
Net cash provided by financing activities  35,440,253   6,874,994   8,938,290 
             
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes  (46,364)  (14,747)  6,688 
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash  2,503,469   1,119,839   (11,464)
Cash at beginning of year  1,192,218   72,379   83,843 
             
Cash at end of year $3,695,687  $1,192,218  $72,379 
             
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:            
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities  (566,512)  -   - 
Interest paid  102,084   80,184   26,611 
Income taxes paid  -   -   - 
Non- cash investing and financing transaction:            
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities  833,108   -   - 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

F-4

KINGTONE WIRELESSINFO SOLUTION HOLDING LTDLUOKUNG TECHNOLOGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


(Express in thousands ofIN U.S. Dollars, except shares and per share data)DOLLARS)

 

  Ordinary shares     Additional  Appropriated  Unappropriated  Accumulated other  Total 
  Ordinary shares  Amount  Paid-in capital  paid-in Capital  retained earnings  retained earnings  comprehensive income  Stockholders’ Equity 
                        
Balance as of September 30, 2014  1,405,000   14   -   22,233   1,615   (7,649)  4,163   20,376 
Net income for the year  -   -   -   -   -   1,027   -   1,027 
Foreign currency translation loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   (686)  (686)
Balance as of September 30, 2015  1,405,000   14   -   22,233   1,615   (6,622)  3,477   20,717 
Net loss for the year  -   -   -   -   -   (605)  -   (605)
Appropriated retained earnings  -   -   -   -   445   -   -   445 
Foreign currency translation loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   (867)  (867)
Balance as of September 30, 2016  1,405,000   14   -   22,233   2,060   (7,227)  2,610   19,690 
Net loss for the year  -   -   -   -   -   (644)  -   (644)
Appropriated retained earnings  -   -   -   -   425   -   -   425 
Foreign currency translation loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   48   48 
Balance as of September 30, 2017  1,405,000   14   -   22,233   2,485   (7,871)  2,658   19,519 

See notes to the consolidated financial statements

F-5

KINGTONE WIRELESSINFO SOLUTION HOLDING LTDNOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Express in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except shares and per share data)

  For the years ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities         
Net income (loss) $(219) $(160) $1,027 
Depreciation and amortization  577   538   608 
Bad debt expense  (75)  (8)  1,405 
             
Changes in operating assets and liabilities            
Accounts and notes receivable  910   (22)  (1,163)
Accrued interest  (284)  (393)    
Unbilled revenue  -   -   4,967 
Other receivables and prepayments  110   (73)  917 
Inventories  45   70   1,967 
Tax payable  (128)  (75)  330 
Accounts payable  (353)  (709)  269 
Advance from customers  (14)  8   (7,947)
Other payables and accruals  (53)  44   (14)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  516   (780)  2,366 
             
Cash flows from investing activities            
Payment to purchase property and equipment  (29)  (66)  (27)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment  -   44   28 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (29)  (22)  1 
             
Cash flows from financing activities            
Repayment to related party  -   -   (3)
Payment in loan to related companies  (800)  (690)  (3,711)
Net cash used in financing activities  (800)  (690)  (3,714)
             
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (24)  (12)  (76)
             
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (337)  (1,504)  (1,423)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  1,239   2,743   4,166 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $902  $1,239  $2,743 
             
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information            
Interest paid $-  $-  $- 
Income taxes paid $-  $105,409  $- 

See notes to the consolidated financial statementsORGANIZATION

 

F-6

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Luokung Technology Corp. (the “Company” or “LKCO”), formerly Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd (“Kingtone Wireless”) was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on October 27, 2009 under the name of Reizii Capital Management Limited. It has wholly-owned subsidiaries and a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Its wholly-owned subsidiaries include: Topsky Info-tech Holdings Pte Ltd. (“Topsky”), which was established in Singapore on November 3, 2009, and Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. (“Softech”), which was established in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China on November 27, 2009 by Topsky. Its VIE is Xi’an Kingtone Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Kingtone Information”) which was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China on December 28, 2001. Kingtone Wireless and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and VIE together are referred to as the “Company”.

 

On December 17, 2009, Reizii Capital Management Limited changed its name to Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution Holding Ltd.

 

On March 23, 2010, the board of directors of Kingtone Wireless resolved to change the fiscal year end of Kingtone Wireless and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Topsky and Softech, from November 30th to September 30th so as to have the same fiscal year end as Kingtone Information.

 

On May 14, 2010, the CompanyKingtone Wireless completed the initial public offering of its American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) at a price of $4.00 per ADS and listed its ADSADSs on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “KONE.” The CompanyKingtone Wireless sold an aggregate of 4,000,000 ADSs, representing 4,000,000 ordinary shares and received net proceeds of approximately $14.5 million, net of underwriting discounts and other offering expenses.

 

TheOn August 17, 2018, Kingtone Wireless consummated an asset exchange transaction, pursuant to which it exchanged all issued and outstanding capital stock in Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., the parent of Softech, for the issued and outstanding capital stock of LK Technology Ltd. (“LK Technology”) (the “Asset Exchange”). In connection with the Asset Exchange, Kingtone Wireless changed its name to Luokung Technology Corp. on August 20, 2018, and on September 20, 2018, issued to the shareholders of C Media Limited, the former parent of LK Technology, (i) 185,412,599 of its ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share and (ii) 1,000,000 of its preferred shares. Upon the consummation of the Asset Exchange, the Company is principally involvedceased the previous business operations and became a company focused on the provision of Wi-Fi and mobile application products for long distance rail travelers in developing and implementing mobile enterprise solutions for its customers in a broad variety of sectors and industries to improve its operating efficiency by facilitating mission-specific field and long-distance information management in wireless environments through its VIE, Kingtone Information.China.

 

Effective November 6, 2012,Following the consummation of the Asset Exchange, on October 4, 2018, the Company conductedchanged its fiscal year end from September 30 to the fiscal year end of LK Technology, December 31.

On August 25, 2018, LK Technology entered into a 1-for-10 reverse stock splitStock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the shareholders (“Shareholders”) of Superengine Holding Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“Superengine”), pursuant to which LK Technology acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Superengine for an aggregate purchase price of US$60 million (the “Purchase Price”), which was paid by the issuance of its ordinary shares (or “Reverse Stock Split,” as explainedOrdinary Shares in more details under Note 21).  Uponan amount equal to the effectquotient of (x) the Purchase Price divided by (y) the average of the Reverse Stock Split,closing prices of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 12 months period preceding July 31, 2018. Further details are in Note 3.

Luokung Technology Corp., its subsidiaries and its variable interest entities (“VIEs”) (collectively the “Company”) operate two core business brands, “Luokuang” and “SuperEngine”, Luokuang is a mobile application service for long-distance travel in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), which is built as an location-based social contents and services distribution platform. It offers functions based on various travel scenarios, e.g. information, entertainment, travel, e-commerce, Online to Offline (“O2O”), advertising, etc. In the first half of 2019, the Company gradually terminated the Wi-Fi provisions for express trains because the increase in numbers of high-speed trains led to the shrinkage of the passenger trips of express trains. At the beginning of 2019, the Company established a Luokung Location-based services Data Marketing Platform (“LLDMP”), Luokung Location-based services (“LBS”) Data Marketing Platform, that combines its LBS capability with existing advertising tools. Its LBS capability includes indoor floor maps, location information, and point of interest for more than twenty thousand commercial buildings, which cover high speed train stations, shopping malls, airports and other locations with significant pedestrian traffic. SuperEngine provides spatial temporal big data services, including Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), Software as a Service (“SaaS”) and Data as a Service(“DaaS”), based on its self-developed patented technology which can be applied in Mobile Internet LBS, Intelligent Transportation, Autonomous Driving, Smart City, Intelligent IoT, Natural Resources Exploration and Monitoring and so on.


As of December 31, 2019, details of the Company’s issuedsubsidiaries and outstanding shares reduced from 14,050,000 to 1,405,000.VIEs are as follows:

 

NOTE 2. Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of and for the year ended September 30, 2017, the Company has incurred significant operating losses and revenues decreased. The recurring loss raise substantial doubt concerning the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate capital, it could be forced to cease operations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

NameDate of incorporationPlace of incorporationPercentage of legal ownership
Subsidiaries:
LK Technology Ltd.Mar 3, 2011BVI100%
 F-7 
Topsky Info-tech Holdings Pte Ltd.Nov 3, 2009Singapore100%
Superengine Holding LimitedJun 14, 2018BVI100%
MMB LimitedApr 11, 2013Hong Kong100%
Mobile Media (China) LimitedNov 6, 2007Hong Kong100%
Beijing Luokuang Spatial-Temporal Data Technology Co., Ltd.(previously known as Zhong Chuan Tian Xia Information and Technology (Beijing) Limited)Feb 1, 2013PRC100%
Shenzhen Luokuang Technology Limited (previously known as Zhong Chuan Tiaxn Xia Information and Technology (Shenzhen) Limited)Dec 23, 2010PRC100%
Beijing Yuanli Anda Technology Co., Ltd.June 13, 2018PRC51%
Contractual Control:
Superengine Graphics Software Technology Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Suzhou Superengine”)Apr 2, 2004PRC0%
Anhui Superengine Intelligent Technology co., Ltd (“Anhui Superengine”)Oct 26, 2017PRC0%
VIEs:
Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited (“Zhong Chuan Shi Xun”)May 17, 2004PRC0%
Jiangsu Zhong Chuan Rui You Information and Technology Limited (“Zhong Chuan Rui You”)May 26, 2011PRC0%
Huoerguosi Luokuang Information and Technology Limited (“Huoerguosi Luokuang”)Jul 19, 2017PRC0%
Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited (“Jiu Zhou Shi Dai”)Nov 26, 2004PRC0%

Management’s Plan to Continue as a Going Concern

In order to continue as a going concern, the Company will need, among other things, additional capital resources. Management’s plans to obtain such resources for the Company include (1) obtaining contracts with high gross margin, (2) proceeds from the loans lent to its related parties, (3) rental income and (4) short-term or long-term borrowings from banks, stockholders or other party (ies) when needed. However, management cannot provide any assurance that the Company will be successful in accomplishing any of its plans.

Despitethe Company’s effort to accomplish the plans described in the preceding paragraph, there is no assurance that the Company’s plans and actions will be successful. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations.

NOTE 3.2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a) Basis of presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.US GAAP”).

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017 include the financial statements of Kingtone Wireless,the Company, its subsidiaries, including the wholly-foreign owned enterprises (“WFOEs”), entities we control by contract and its VIEVIEs for which Kingtone Wirelessthe Company is the primary beneficiary. All inter-company transactions and balances between Kingtone Wireless,among the Company, its subsidiaries, entities controlled by contract and its VIE areconsolidated VIEs have been eliminated upon consolidation. InThe results of subsidiaries, entities controlled by contract and consolidated VIEs acquired or disposed of are recorded in the opinionconsolidated statements of management, all adjustments considered necessary foroperations from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

A subsidiary is an entity in which (i) the Company directly or indirectly controls more than 50% of the voting power; or (ii) the Company has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors or to cast a fair presentationmajority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee pursuant to a statute or under an agreement among the shareholders or equity holders. An entity controlled by contract is required to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity holders in the entity do not have been included, and such adjustments arecontrolling financial interest in the entity. A VIE is required to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity holders in the entity do not have the characteristics of a normal recurring nature. controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.

 

Suzhou Superengine and its subsidiary, Auhui Superengine are consolidated pursuant to an agreement signed between the legal owners of Suzhou Superengine and Zhong Chuan Shi Xun giving all the rights and obligations and control of Suzhou Superengine to Zhong Chuan Shi Xun.


To comply with the PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that operate mobile application services, the Company operates in such restricted services in the PRC through certain PRC domestic companies, whose equity interests are held by certain management members or founders of the Company. Part of the registered capital of these PRC domestic companies was funded by certain management members or founders of the Company. The Company has entered into certain exclusive business services agreements with these PRC domestic companies, which entitle it to receive a majority of their residual returns and make it obligatory for the Company to absorb a majority of the risk of losses from their activities. In addition, the Company has entered into certain agreements with those management members or founders, including equity interest pledge agreements of the equity interests held by those management members or founders and exclusive option agreements to acquire the equity interests in these companies when permitted by the PRC laws, rules and regulations.

Details of the typical VIE structure of the Company’s significant consolidated VIEs, primarily domestic companies associated with the operations such as Zhong Chuan Shi Xun, Zhong Chuan Rui You, Huoerguosi Luokuang, and Jiu Zhou Shi Dai, are set forth below:

(i)Contracts that give the Company effective control of VIEs

(b) Foreign currency transactionExclusive option agreements

 

The functional currencyVIE equity holders have granted the WFOEs exclusive call options to purchase their equity interest in the VIEs at an exercise price equal to the higher of (i) the registered capital in the VIEs; and (ii) the minimum price as permitted by applicable PRC laws. Each relevant VIE has further granted the relevant WFOE an exclusive call option to purchase its assets at an exercise price equal to the book value of the assets or the minimum price as permitted by applicable PRC laws, whichever is higher. The WFOEs may nominate another entity or individual to purchase the equity interest or assets, if applicable, under the call options. Each call option is exercisable subject to the condition that applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations do not prohibit completion of the transfer of the equity interest or assets pursuant to the call option. Each WFOE is entitled to all dividends and other distributions declared by the VIE, and the VIE equity holders have agreed to give up their rights to receive any distributions or proceeds from the disposal of their equity interests in the VIE which are in excess of the original registered capital that they contributed to the VIE, and to pay any such distributions or premium to the WFOE. The exclusive call option agreements remain in effect until the equity interest or assets that are the subject of such agreements are transferred to the WFOEs.

Equity pledge agreements

Pursuant to the relevant equity pledge agreements, the relevant VIE equity holders have pledged all of their interests in the equity of the VIEs as a continuing first priority security interest in favor of the corresponding WFOEs to secure the performance of obligations by the VIEs and/or the equity holders under the other structure contracts. Each WFOE is entitled to exercise its right to dispose of the VIE equity holders’ pledged interests in the equity of the VIE and has priority in receiving payment by the application of proceeds from the auction or sale of such pledged interests, in the event of any breach or default under the loan agreement or other structure contracts, if applicable. These equity pledge agreements remain in force for the duration of the relevant loan agreement and other structure contracts.


(ii)Contracts that enable the Company to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the VIEs

Exclusive business services agreements

Each relevant VIE has entered into an exclusive business services agreement with the respective WFOE, pursuant to which the relevant WFOE provides exclusive business services to the VIE. In exchange, the VIE pays a service fee to the WFOE which typically amounts to what would be substantially all of the VIE’s pre-tax profit, resulting in a transfer of substantially all of the profits from the VIE to the WFOE.

Other arrangements

The exclusive call option agreements described above also enable the Company to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the VIEs by typically entitling the WFOEs to all dividends and other distributions declared by the VIEs and to any distributions or proceeds from the disposal by the VIE equity holders of their equity interests in the VIEs that are in excess of the original registered capital that they contributed to the VIEs.

Based on these contractual agreements, the Company believes that the PRC domestic companies as described above should be considered as VIEs because the equity holders do not have significant equity at risk nor do they have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Given that the Company is the primary beneficiary of these PRC domestic companies, the Company believes that these VIEs should be consolidated based on the structure as described above.

Under the contractual arrangements with the consolidated VIEs, the Company has the power to direct activities of the consolidated VIEs and can have assets transferred out of the consolidated VIEs under its control. Therefore, the Company considers that there is no asset in any of the consolidated VIEs that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC statutory reserves. As all consolidated VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the Company Law of the PRC, creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company is United States dollars (“US$“or “U.S. dollars”), and the functional currency of Topsky is Singapore dollars (“SG$”). The functional currencyfor any of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries, Softech and Kingtone Information,liabilities of the consolidated VIEs.

Currently there is Renminbi (“RMB”), and PRC is the primary economic environment inno contractual arrangement which requires the Company operates.

Transactions denominated in currencies other thanto provide additional financial support to the functional currency are translated intoconsolidated VIEs. However, as the functional currency atCompany conducts its businesses primarily based on the exchange rates prevailing atlicenses and approvals held by its consolidated VIEs, the datesCompany has provided and will continue to provide financial support to the consolidated VIEs considering the business requirements of the transactions. The resulting exchange differences are includedconsolidated VIEs, as well as the Company’s own business objectives in the determination of net income for the respective periods.

For financial reporting purposes, the financial statements of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries which are prepared using RMB, are translated into Company’s reporting currency, the “U.S. dollar”. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated using average rates prevailing during each reporting period, and shareholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

future.

F-8


The exchange rates applied are as follows:

  2017  2016  2015 
RMB exchange rate at balance sheets dates,  6.6545   6.6702   6.3638 
Average RMB exchange rate for each period  6.8122   6.5321   6.1648 

No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at the rates used in translation. The source of the exchange rates is OANDA (Forex Trading and Exchange Rates Services).

(c) Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires managementthe Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenuerevenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management makes these estimates using the best information available at the time theThe most significant estimates are made. Significant estimatesthe allowance for doubtful accounts, the useful lives of property and judgments made by management include: (i) estimatesequipment and intangible assets, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, impairment of profitslong-lived assets and losses on contracts in process; (ii) accrual of estimated liabilities; and (iii) contingencies and litigation. However, actualgoodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(d) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and deposits held with banks. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

(e) Accounts and notes receivable

Accounts and notes receivable are recorded at net realizable value consisting of the carrying amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts as needed. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on aging data, historical collection experience, customer specific facts and economic conditions. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company did not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

F-9

(f) Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, finished goods, and project-in-progress, which include direct labor, direct materials and overhead costs related to projects. Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using first in first out method.

Where there is evidence that the market value of inventories, in their disposal in the ordinary course of business, will be less than cost, whether due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes, the carrying value of inventories will be written down.

(g) Property and equipment

The Company states property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company computes depreciation using straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets with 5% residual value.

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment:

Useful Life
Property and improvements20-35 years
Transportation equipment5 years
Office equipment5 years
Furniture5 years
Electronic equipment3-5 years

The Company eliminates the cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired from the accounts and includes any gain or loss in the statement of income. The Company charges maintenance, repairs and minor renewals directly to expenses as incurred, and it capitalizes major additions and renovations to buildings and equipment.

(h) Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company applies the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 360-10 “Property, plant and equipment”, ASC No. 360 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Whenever any such impairment exists, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

The Company tests long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets subject to periodic amortization, for recoverability at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of an event or when circumstances indicate that the net carrying amount is greater than its fair value. Assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for their identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to the future estimated cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The estimation of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows as the rate the Company utilizes to evaluate potential investments. The Company estimates fair value based on the information available in making whatever estimates, judgments and projections are considered necessary. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

F-10

(i) Statutory surplus reserve

The Company is required to set aside 10% of its income after income taxes prepared in accordance with PRC accounting regulations to the statutory surplus reserve until the balance reaches 50% of the paid-in capital or registered capital, after which further appropriation will be at the directors’ recommendation.

(j) Revenue recognition

Revenues consist primarily of sales of wireless system software service solutions and other customized software with support contracts. The Company recognizes revenue when (1) pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred and customer acceptance is reasonable assured (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is probable.

The Company generally provides wireless system software service solutions and customized software under short and long-term fixed-price contracts that require significant production and customization. The contract periods generally range from two months to one year in length. The Company recognizes income for these contracts following both the percentage-of-completion method, measured by contract milestones and on the basis of actual costs incurred versus the total estimated contract costs, and on the completed contract method in accordance with the ASC No. 605-35 “Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts”. When Kingtone Information can make reasonable estimate contract cost and the contract with long-term contract period, Kingtone Information will base on percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue.

Provided unapproved change orders or claims occur, in accounting for contracts, the Company follows ASC No. 605-35. The Company will recognize as revenue costs associated with unapproved change orders or claims to the extent it is probable that such claims and change orders will result in additional contract revenue, and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated. Contract losses are provided for in their entirety in the period that they become known, without regard to the percentage-of-completion. However, the Company has not experienced significant unapproved change orders in the past.

F-11

The software contracts generally provide for post-contract customer support (“PCS”) for a period of one year from delivery of the software. The value of PCS revenue is not separately reported and is accounted for as part of the entire fee under the contract accounting methods described above since the PCS meets the criteria specified in ASC No. 985-605-25-71 as follows:

1.PCS is included in the total contract price;
2.PCS is for one year or less;
3.estimated costs are insignificant;
4.upgrades and enhancements during the PCS term have historically been and are expected to continue to be minimal and infrequent; and
5.the contract does not include any service elements that are accounted for separately.

The Company signed a lease encompassed a 20-year period from January 2014 and to February 2033 with Xi-an sino-german orthopedic hospital to rent their building. The rental will be about $1.2 million for the first year and will yearly increase 2% - 3% based on the rental of previous year in the subsequent years. The Company recognizes revenue on straight line basis.

All other services are provided under separate agreements and fee arrangements and the related revenue is recognized over the period the services are provided.

Unbilled revenue consists of recognized recoverable costs and accrued profits on contracts for which billings had not been presented to clients as of the balance sheet date.

The Company presents all sales revenue net of a value-added tax (“VAT”).

The Company recognizes revenue using the fair value of the wireless system software service solutions and other customized software by reference to the retail market price of the wireless system software service solutions and other customized software. These revenues are recorded as “Software Revenue”.

(k) Cost of Sales

When the criteria for revenue recognition have been met, costs incurred are recognized as cost of sales. Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) primarily includes the cost of the hardware purchased from the third parties, the labor costs of those responsible for the software development and project implementation and the applicable share of overhead expense directly related to the execution of services and delivery of projects.

The Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIE are subject to business tax on revenues related to certain types of services at various rates. Business tax on revenues earned from provision of services to customers is recorded as an additional item to cost of sales in the same period in which the related revenue is recognized.

The Company is responsible for the cost of providing a warranty. In the past warranty costs have been insignificant.

F-12

(l) Research and development costs

Research and development costs include salaries, consultant fees, supplies and materials, as well as costs related to other overhead expenses such as depreciation, facilities, utilities and other R&D departmental expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred in performing research and development activities in accordance with ASC No. 730-10-5, Accounting for Research and Development Costs.

(m) Advertising expenses

Advertising expenses, which generally represent the cost of promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Company or a desire to buy the Company’s products and services, are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred no advertising expenses in each of the periods presented.

(n) Share-based compensation

Share options granted to employees and independent directors are accounted for under ASC 718, “Share-Based Payment”. In accordance with ASC 718, the Company determines whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or an equity award. All grants of share options to employees classified as equity awards are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. All grants of share options to employees classified as liability awards are re-measured at the end of each reporting period with an adjustment for fair value recorded to the current period expense in order to properly reflect the cumulative expense based on the current fair value of the vested options over the vesting period. The Company has elected to recognize compensation expenses using the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option-pricing model estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting portion of the award (the graded vesting attribution method).

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are measured based on the fair market value of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. Shares are issued on the vesting dates net of the statutory withholding requirements to be paid by the Company on behalf of its employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. Also, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the graded vesting attribution method.

(o) Taxation

a)Income tax

i).The Company is incorporated in the BVI. Under the current law of the BVI, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no BVI withholding tax will be imposed.

ii).Topsky was incorporated in Singapore and does not conduct any substantial operations of its own. No provision for Singapore profits tax has been made in the financial statements as Topsky has no assessable profits for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Additionally, upon payments of dividends by Topsky to its shareholders, no Singapore withholding tax will be imposed.

F-13

iii).The Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIE, being incorporated in the PRC, are governed by the income tax law of the PRC and is subject to PRC enterprise income tax (“EIT”). Effective from January 1, 2008, the EIT rate of PRC reduced from 33% to 25%, and applies to both domestic and foreign invested enterprises.

According to a filing document from Xi’an State Tax authorities of the High-technology zone, Kingtone Information was granted a reduced income tax rate of 15% from January 1, 2008 on the basis of being a high-tech company. In September 2014, Kingtone Information was verified as a “high-technology enterprise” until September 4, 2017, and thereforeit hadbenefited from the preferential tax rate of 15%. From September 5, 2017, income tax rate for Kingtone Information has been 25%.The effective tax rate of Kingtone Information in 2017 was 0% due to the operating loss during the fiscal year of 2017.

  For the years ended September 30, 
   2017   2016   2015 
PRC federal statutory tax rate  25%  15%  15%
Income (Loss) before tax  (219)  (160)  1,027 
NOL carrying forward  219   160   (1,027)
Computed expected income tax expense  -   -   - 
Non-deductible expenses  -   -   - 
Effect of tax holidays  -   -   - 
Income tax expenses  -   -   - 

The tax authority of the PRC conducts periodic and ad hoc tax filing reviews on business enterprises operating in the PRC after those enterprises have completed their relevant tax filings. hence, the Company’s tax filings may not be finalized until after such audit has taken place. The PRC tax authority may take a viewpointon the Company’s tax filings that leads to additional tax liabilities.The loss of $219,000 will becarried forwardfor the next five years.

F-14

b)Value-added tax and business tax

PRC Value-added Tax

The Company’s products are only sold in the PRC and therefore are generally subject to a Chinese VAT at a rate of 17%. The VAT may be offset by VAT the Company pays on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing its finished products. Revenues derived from any exclusive service projects are subject to a Chinese VAT at a rate of 6%, under a reform programto replace the business tax with VAT in the PRC. This is in parallel to the 17% VAT aforementioned. Furthermore, in either scenario, accrued VAT payablesare subject to a 10%-13% surtax, which includes urban maintenance and construction taxes and additional education fees.

PRC Business Tax

Revenues from services provided by Kingtone Information are subject to a PRC business tax of 5% for rental revenue and 5% for wireless system solution, with a surtax of 10%-13%. Kingtone Information pays business tax on gross revenues.

c)Uncertain tax positions

The Company adopted ASC No. 740-10Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. ASC No. 740-10 prescribes a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. For the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have any interest and penalties associated with tax positions and the Company did not have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.

(p) Comprehensive income

Accumulated other comprehensive income, as presented on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.

(q) Commitments and contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations, product and environmental liability, and tax matters. In accordance with ASC No. 450-10,Accounting for Contingencies, the Company records accruals for such loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Historically, the Company has not experienced any material service liability claims.

(r) Fair value measurements

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable from third parties and related parties, amounts due from and due to related parties, accounts payable and other payables approximate their fair values due to their short -term nature.

F-15

The Company adopted ASC No. 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, on January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). ASC No. 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

ASC No. 820-10 defines fair value asis the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.date under current market conditions. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

 

ASC No. 820-10 establishesFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements provides a fair value hierarchy that requires an entitywhich prioritizes the inputs to maximizevaluation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The level in the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorizationhierarchy within which the fair value hierarchymeasurement in its entirety falls is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC No. 820-10 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:measurement as follows:

Level 1

 

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2

 

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such asquotedas quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3

 

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.


Cash

Cash primarily consist of cash, money market funds, investments in interest bearing demand deposit accounts, time deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase and are stated at cost which approximates their fair value. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has no cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

Accounts receivable are recognized and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. An estimate for doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off as incurred. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make payments on time. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends.

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Wi-Fi equipment–  3 years
Office and other equipment–  3 to 5 years
Vehicles–  5 years

Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred and asset improvements are capitalized. The gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant assets and is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period.


Intangible assets

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives.

Intangible assets have weighted average economic lives from the date of purchase as follows:

Software–  5 years
Trademarks–  10 years
Patents–  10 years

Goodwill

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment in accordance with FASB ASC subtopic 350-20, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Goodwill (“ASC 350-20”), which requires that goodwill to be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined by ASC 350-20.

The Company has the option to assess qualitative factors first to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step test in accordance with ASC 350-20. If the Company believes, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step quantitative impairment test described below is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. In the qualitative assessment, the Company considers primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit to the fair value of the reporting unit based on either quoted market prices of the ordinary shares or estimated fair value using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to its assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill is greater than its implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.

In 2019, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for goodwill and evaluated all relevant factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and financial performance. The Company concluded that it is necessary to perform a quantitative assessment. The Company completed step one of the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment based on the discounted future cash flows that the reporting units are expected to generate and determined after evaluating the results, events and circumstances, that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, step two is not required and no impairment loss on goodwill is required for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In 2018, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for goodwill. Based on the requirements of ASC350-20, the Company evaluated all relevant factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, financial performance. The Company weighed all factors in their entirety and concluded that it was not more-likely-than-not the fair value was less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, and further impairment testing on goodwill was unnecessary as of December 31, 2018.

Impairment or disposal of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets other than goodwill are included in impairment evaluations when events and circumstances exist that indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. In accordance with FASB ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, the Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets by first grouping its long-lived assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities (the asset group) and, secondly, estimating the undiscounted future cash flows that are directly associated with and expected to arise from the use of and eventual disposition of such asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company determines fair value through quoted market prices in active markets or, if quotations of market prices are unavailable, through the performance of internal analysis using a discounted cash flow methodology or by obtaining external appraisals from independent valuation firms. The undiscounted and discounted cash flow analyses are based on a number of estimates and assumptions, including the expected period over which the asset will be utilized, projected future operating results of the asset group, discount rate and long-term growth rate.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company assessed the impairment of its long-lived assets and identified impairment indications. For intangible assets, the impairment loss was $nil, $724,437 and $nil for the years ended 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as the Company was not going to use a software system that was purchased in 2014 and written off in 2018. For property plant and equipment, the impairment loss was $95,471, $1,228,362 and $nil for the years ended 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


Business combination

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC topic 805, Business Combinations.Acquisition method accounting requires that the consideration transferred be allocated to the assets, including separately identifiable assets, and liabilities the Company acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The consideration transferred in an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of the assets given, liabilities incurred, and equity instruments issued as well as the contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date. The costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired or assumed are measured separately at their fair value as of the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any noncontrolling interests. The excess of (i) the total cost of acquisition, fair value of the noncontrolling interests and acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over (ii) the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree, is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in earnings.

Revenue recognition

The company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

Display-based online advertising services

The Company provides display-based online advertising services to customers by integrating text description, image and video, and displaying the advertisements in a prominent position on Luokuang mobile application on a cost-per-click basis; the customers pay us only when a user clicks on an advertisement on the Luokuang mobile application We also derive our revenue from the provision of user acquisition services to our advertisers. On the strength of the LBS services we offer, the customers pay us based on performance, as measured by CPI (Cost Per Install), CPM (Cost Per Mile), CPC (Cost Per Click). The Company recognizes revenue over time because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of our advertising services throughout the contract period.

Software and services

The Company generates revenues primarily in the form of a sale of software license and provision of technology solution services. License fees include perpetual license fees, term license fees and royalties. Technology services primarily consist of fees for providing technology solution services that enable customers to gain real-time operational intelligence by harnessing the value of their data.

Revenue for the sale of software licenses is recognized at the point in time when the control of the provided goods is provided to our customers.

Technology solution revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed because the customer receives and consumes the benefit of our performance throughout the contract period. Milestones with corresponding payments are stated in the contracts with customers. We bill for the services we have performed when the milestones reached are accepted by the customer in accordance with the terms of the contract. We recognize the revenues associated with these professional services as we deliver each agreed portion of the services.

 

The Company does not have level 2offer credits or level 3 financial assetsrefunds and therefore has not recorded any sales return allowance for any of the periods presented. Upon a periodic review of outstanding accounts receivable, amounts that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company’s policy is to record revenues net of any applicable sales, use or liabilities.

(s) Segment reportingexcise taxes.

 

Deferred revenue represents prepayments from customers for advertising service and is recognized as revenue when the advertising services are rendered.


Disaggregation of revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenues under ASC 606 by product line (dollars in thousands)

  Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
  2019 to 2018 
  2019  2018  % Change 
  (dollars in thousands)    
Revenues         
Advertising $17,806  $20,703   (14.0)%
License  -   203   (100.0)%
Technology Services  973   136   615.4%
             
Total revenues $18,779  $21,042   (10.8)%
             
Advertising  94.8%  98.3%    
License  -   1.0%    
Technology Services  5.2%  0.7%    
             
Total  100.0%  100.0%    

Foreign currency translation

The functional and reporting currency of the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries domiciled in BVI and Hong Kong is the United States dollar (“U.S. dollar”). The financial records of the Company’s other subsidiaries and VIEs located in the PRC are maintained in their local currency, the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”), which is the functional currency of these entities.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency during the year are converted into the functional currency at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occurred. Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the statements of operations.

The Company’s entities with a functional currency of RMB translate their operating results and financial position into the U.S. dollar, the Company’s reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the year. Retained earnings and equity are translated using the historical rate. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of other comprehensive income.

Earnings per share

ASC Topic 260 “Earnings per Share,” requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) with a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. Basic EPS excludes dilution. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of the common shares issuable upon the exercise of common stock warrants (using the treasury stock method). Common stock equivalents are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if their effect would be anti-dilutive. In a period in which the Company has a net loss, all potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were no potentially dilutive securities.  The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net loss per share:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2019  2018  2017 
Net loss available to owners of the Company for basic and diluted net loss per share of ordinary stock $(31,513,178) $(11,927,536) $(6,810,454)
Weighted average ordinary stock outstanding - basic and diluted  201,005,995   72,919,624   1 
Net loss per ordinary share attributable to owners of the Company - basic and diluted $(0.16) $(0.16) $(6,810,454)

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to these items. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the Company as enacted by the relevant tax authorities.

F-16

The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authorities. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, the Company classifies the interest and penalties, if any, as a component of income tax expense. For years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any material interest or penalties associated with tax positions nor did the Company have any significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions.

Contingencies

The Company follows ASC No. 280,records accruals for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings or claims when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates the developments in legal proceedings or claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable.

Segment Reportingreporting. The Company’s

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to our chief operating decision-maker,decision maker, who has been identified as theis our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance and allocating resources. The Company had one single operating and reportable segment for the consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resourcesyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and assessing performance of the Company as a whole2017. The Company’s customers and hence, the Company has only one reportable segment. As the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC, and substantially all the Company’s revenues are derived from within the PRC,therefore, no geographical segments aresegment information is presented.

 

F-16

Related parties

(t) Significant risks

Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions.

 

Credit riskLeases

According to FASB ASC 842 “Lease”, lessees are required to record a right of use asset and lease liabilities for all leases other than those that have a lease term of 12 months or less, or the amount is under the reasonable capitalization threshold established by the Company. At the lease commencement date, a lessee should measure and record the lease liability equals to the present value of scheduled lease payments discounted using the rate implicit in the lease or the lease’s incremental borrowing rate, and the right of use asset is calculated on the basis of the initial measurement of the lease liability, plus any lease payments at or before the commencement date and direct costs, minus any incentives received. Over the lease term, a lessee must amortize the right of use asset and record the interest expense on the lease liability. The recognition and classification of lease expenses depend on the classification of the lease as either operating or finance.

 

Financial instruments For the years ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016 
Financial institutions located in the PRC  396,602   490,819 
Financial institutions located in Singapore  504,909   748,517 
   901,511   1,239,336 

When the Company is the lessor, minimum contractual rental from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancelable term of the lease. With respect to a particular lease, actual amounts billed in accordance with the lease during any given period may be higher or lower than the amount of rental revenue recognized for the period. Straight-line rental revenue commences when the customer assumes control of the leased premises. Accrued straight-line rents receivable represents the amount by which straight-line rental revenue exceeds rents currently billed in accordance with lease agreements. If later, the billing amount exceeds the straight-line rental revenue, the variance will be credited to accrued straight-line rents receivable. Contingent rental revenue is accrued when the contingency is removed. 

Advertising costs

Advertising costs include expenses associated with direct marketing. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling and marketing expenses. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, advertising costs amounted to $1,425,258, $14,071,241 and $23,171,170, respectively.

 

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments and is presented net of tax. The tax effect is nil for the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables and amounts due from related parties. As of September 30,2017 and September 30, 2016, US$396,602 and US$490,819, respectively, were deposited with major financial institutions locatedwith high-credit rating and quality in China. For the PRC. Asyear ended December 31, 2019, three customers accounted for 57% of September 30,total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2018, four customers accounted for 91% of total revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2017, two customers accounted for 95% of total revenue. At December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2016, US$504,909 and $748,517, respectively, were deposited with major financial institutions located in Singapore. Historically, deposits in Chinese banks are secure due to the state policy on protecting depositors’ interests. However, China promulgated an Enterprise Bankruptcy Law in August 2006 that came into effect on June 1, 2007, which contains a separate article expressly stating that the State Council may promulgate implementation measures for the bankruptcy of Chinese banks based on the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law. Therefore, under the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law, a Chinese bank may theoretically go into bankruptcy. In addition, since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, foreign banks have been gradually permitted to operate in China and have been significant competitors against Chinese banks in many aspects, especially since the opening of the RMB business to foreign banks in late 2006. Therefore, the risk of bankruptcy of those Chinese banks in which2018, the Company has deposits has increased. In the eventhad credit risk exposure of bankruptcyuninured cash in banks of one$3,695,687 and $1,192,218, respectively.


The net sales to customers representing at least 10% of the Chinese banks which holds the Company’s deposits, it is unlikely to claim its deposits back in full since it is unlikely to be classifiednet total sales are as a secured creditor based on PRC laws.follows:

  Year Ended December 31, 
Customer 2019  2018  2017 
A  33%  -   - 
B  12%  -   - 
C  12%  -   - 
D  -   26%  81%
E  -   26%  - 
F  -   25%  - 
G  -   14%  - 
H  -   -   14%

 

The Company conducts credit evaluationsfollowing customers had balances of customers and generally does not require collateral or other security from its customers. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon the agingat least 10% of the total trade receivables and factors surroundingat the credit risk of specific customers.respective balance sheet dates set forth below:

 

F-17

  December 31, 
Customer 2019  2018 
E  31%  24%
F  29%  24%
B  15%  - 
I  12%  - 
D  -   23%
G  -   13%
H  -   12%

 

Business, political and economic risksRecent accounting pronouncements

The Company participates in a relatively young and dynamic industry that is heavily reliant on and also susceptible to complementary and/or competitive technological advancements. The Company believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, result of operations or cash flows:

(i)Business Risk.

Third parties may develop technological or business model innovations that address content delivery requirements in a manner that is, or is perceived to be, equivalent or superior to the Company’s services. If competitors introduce new products or services that compete with, or surpass the quality, price or performance of the Company’s services, the Company may be unable to renew its agreements with existing customers or attract new customers at the prices and levels that allow the Company to generate reasonable rates of return on its investment.

(ii)Political, economic and social uncertainties.

The Company’s operations could be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties in the PRC. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than 20 years, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC political, economic and social conditions. There is also no guarantee that the PRC government’s pursuit of economic reforms will be consistent or effective.

(iii)Regulatory restrictions.

The applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations currently prohibit foreign ownership of companies that provide content and application delivery services. Accordingly, the Company’s subsidiary, Softech, is currently ineligible to apply for the required licenses for providing content and application delivery services in China. As a result, the Company operates its business in the PRC through its VIE, which holds the licenses and permits that are required to provide content and application delivery services in the PRC. The PRC Government may also choose at any time to block access to the Company’s customers’ content which could also materially impact the Company’s ability to generate revenue.

Foreign currency risk

A majority of the Company’s sales and expenses transactions and a significant portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC). Remittances in currencies other than RMB by the Company in China must be processed through the PBOC or any other China foreign exchange regulatory body, which require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance.

  

In addition, any significant revaluation of RMB may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. For example, starting from the second half year of 2016, RMB started to depreciate vs. U.S. dollars and the trend continued in the beginning of year 2017, which caused our assets depreciated accordingly while we translated our balance sheet from RMB into U.S. dollars. Revenue for the wholeyearas well as net income were negatively impacted by such RMB depreciation.

F-18

(u) Earnings per share (“EPS”)

EPS is calculated in according with ASC No. 260,Earning per share. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution in the event that securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares (convertible preferred stock, forward contract, warrants to purchase ordinary shares, contingently issuable shares, ordinary share options and warrants and their equivalents using the treasury stock method) were to be exercised or converted into ordinary shares. The Company excludes potential ordinary shares in the diluted EPS computation in periods of losses from continuing operations, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

(v)Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)”, and requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”) in August 2015. The amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Further to ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”) in March 2016, ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”) in April 2016, ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”), and ASU No. 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2016-20”), respectively. The amendments in ASU 2016-08 clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, including indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. ASU 2016-10 clarifies guidelines related to identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance contained in the new revenue recognition standard. The updates in ASU 2016-10 include targeted improvements based on input the FASB received from the Transition Resource Group for Revenue Recognition and other stakeholders. It seeks to proactively address areas in which diversity in practice potentially could arise, as well as to reduce the cost and complexity of applying certain aspects of the guidance both at implementation and on an ongoing basis. ASU 2016-12 addresses narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, non-cash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU provide a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The amendments in ASU 2016-20 represents changes to make minor corrections or minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 are the same as ASU 2014-09. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

F-19

In JanuaryJune 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01,2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition andInstruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this update require all equity investments toInstruments”, which will be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The amendments in this update also require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the amendments in this update eliminate the requirement for to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public entities. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017,2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ExceptThe guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a company recognizes an allowance based on the early application guidance discussed inestimate of expected credit loss. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, early adoption of2019-10. Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, finalizes effective date delays for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and certain smaller reporting companies applying the amendments in this update is not permitted. We docredit losses, leases, and hedging standards. The effective date for SEC filers, excluding smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, remains as fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect a significant difference in the adoptionamount of ASU 2016-01impairment losses to have a material impact on ourbe recognized when using the expected credit loss model in its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016,January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The amendments in this update create Topic 842, Leases, and supersede350): simplifying the leases requirements in Topic 840, Leases. Topic 842 specifiestest for goodwill impairment”, the accounting for leases. The objectiveguidance removes Step 2 of Topic 842 is to establish the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements aboutgoodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising fromby which a lease. The mainreporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not the difference between Topic 842the fair value and Topic 840 iscarrying amount of goodwill which was the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilitiesstep 2 test before. The ASU should be adopted on a prospective basis for those leases classified as operating leases under Topic 840. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous leases guidance. The result of retaining a distinction between finance leases and operating leases is that under the lessee accounting model in Topic 842, the effect of leases in the statement of comprehensive income and the statement of cash flows is largely unchanged from previous GAAP. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, includingannual or any interim periods within those fiscal years for public business entities. Early application of the amendments in ASU 2016-02 is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements.

F-20

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, to address diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments provide guidance on the following nine specific cash flow issues: (1) Debt Prepayment or Debt Extinguishment Costs; (2) Settlement of Zero-Coupon Debt Instruments or Other Debt Instruments with Coupon Interest Rates That Are Insignificant in Relation to the Effective Interest Rate of the Borrowing; (3) Contingent Consideration Payments Made after a Business Combination; (4)Proceeds from the Settlement of Insurance Claims; (5) Proceeds from the Settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Policies, including Bank-Owned; (6) Life Insurance Policies; (7) Distributions Received from Equity Method Investees; (8) Beneficial Interests in Securitization Transactions; and (9) Separately Identifiable Cash Flows and Application of the Predominance Principle. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal yearsgoodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in anfor interim period. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable.or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.statements.

 

In October 2016,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Intra-Entity Transfers2018-13, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This standard eliminates the current requirement to disclose the amount or reason for transfers between level 1 and level 2 of Assets Other Than Inventory”.the fair value hierarchy and the requirement to disclose the valuation methodology for level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments require an entitystandard includes additional disclosure requirements for level 3 fair value measurements, including the requirement to recognizedisclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income tax consequencesduring the period and permits the disclosure of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and remove the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party.relevant quantitative information for certain unobservable inputs. The amendments arenew guidance is effective for public business entities forinterim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. EarlyThe Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the new standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Internal-Use Software – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement service contract with the guidance to capitalize implementation costs of internal use software. The ASU also requires that the costs for implementation activities during the application development phase be capitalized in a hosting arrangement service contract, and costs during the preliminary and post implementation phase are expensed. The new guidance is permitted.effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Also in October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): “Interest Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control”, to provide guidance on the evaluation of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, or VIE by amending how a reporting entity, that is a single decision maker of a VIE, treats indirect interests in that entity held through related parties that are under common control. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard, on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

F-21

In November 2016,but does not anticipate that the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): “Restricted Cash”(“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18adoption will become effective for us beginning April 1, 2018, or fiscal 2019. ASU 2016-18 is required to be applied retrospectively. Upon adoption, amounts described as restricted cash will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the statements of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock compensation (Topic 718): Scope of modification accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). The purpose of the amendment is to clarify which changes to the terms or condition of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. For all entities that offer share based payment awards, ASU 2017-09 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2017-09effect on its consolidated financial statements.


NOTE 4. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES3 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

SinceBusiness combinations in 2018 :

On August 27, 2018, the inceptionCompany completed a business combination, to complement its businesses and achieve synergies. Results of Kingtone Wirelessthe acquired entities’ operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the acquisition dates.

  August 31,
2018
 
Purchase consideration $60,000,000 
     
Net assets acquired,    
Cash  612,692 
Deposit and other receivables (current)  615,424 
Accounts receivable  238,324 
Prepayment  1,176 
Deposit and other receivables (non-current)  99,066 
Property, plant and equipment  41,435 
Intangible assets  54,575,027 
Short term borrowing  (117,238)
Receipt in advance  (138,860)
Wages payable  (84,537)
Tax payable  (14,637)
Other payable  (316,536)
     
Goodwill  4,488,664 

Goodwill, which is non-deductible for tax purpose, is primarily attributable to the synergies expected to be achieved from the acquisition. Refer to Note 9 for details.

The valuations used in the purchase price allocation described above were determined by the Company with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation firm. The valuation report considered generally accepted valuation methodologies such as the relief from royalty method. As the acquiree is a private company, the fair value estimate is based on October 27, 2009,significant inputs that market participants would consider, which mainly include (a) discount rates, (b) a projected terminal values based on future cash flows (c) financial multiples of companies in the controlling shareholderssame industries and (d) adjustments for lack of Kingtone Wirelesscontrol or lack of marketability.

The pro forma results of operations for these subsidiaries have also owned more than 50%not been presented because they are not material to the consolidated results of Kingtone Information since its inception onoperations, either individually or in the aggregate.

NOTE 4 – INCOME TAX

At December 28, 2001. Mr. Tao Li,31, 2019, the controlling shareholderCompany had unused net operating loss carryforwards of Kingtone Information, obtained beneficial ownershipapproximately $36,356,659 for income tax purposes, which expire between 2020 and 2024. At December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, these net operating losses carryforwards may result in future income tax benefits of approximately $7,394,397, $6,230,296 and $5,043,944, respectively, however, because realization is not likely at this time, a valuation allowance in the same amount has been established. Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the right to acquire a majorityamounts used for income tax purposes.

Significant components of the outstanding sharesCompany’s deferred tax liabilities and assets of Kingtone Wireless pursuant to that certain Term Sheet, dated October 27, 2009, byDecember 31, 2019 and between certain shareholders of Kingtone Information (including Mr. Li) and Ms. Sha Li, the sole shareholder of Kingtone Wireless at such time (the “Term Sheet”). Such parties subsequently entered into Call Option Agreements dated December 15, 2009 upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Term Sheet. On December 15, 2009, Kingtone Wireless through its subsidiary Softech entered into a series of agreements (the “Restructuring Agreements”) with Kingtone Information to qualify Kingtone Information as a VIE and to meet foreign ownership limitations established by the PRC (the “Reorganization”). The Restructuring Agreements2018 are as follows:

 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Deferred tax liabilities $-  $- 
Deferred tax asset        
Net operating loss carryforward  7,394,397   6,230,296 
Valuation allowance  (7,394,397)  (6,230,296)
Net deferred tax asset  -   - 

Entrusted Management AgreementMovement of valuation allowance

 

Pursuant to the terms of a certain Entrusted Management Agreement dated December 15, 2009 among Kingtone Information, Softech and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Entrusted Management Agreement”), Kingtone Information and its shareholders agreed to entrust the operations and management of its business to Softech. According to the Entrusted Management Agreement, Softech possesses the full and exclusive right to manage Kingtone Information’s operations, assets and personnel, has the right to control all of Kingtone Information’s cash flows through an entrusted bank account, is entitled to Kingtone Information’s net profits as a management fee, is obligated to pay all of Kingtone Information’s payables and loan payments, and bears all losses of Kingtone Information. The Entrusted Management Agreement will remain in effect until (i) the parties mutually agree to terminate the agreement; (ii) the dissolution of Kingtone Information or (iii) Softech acquires all of the assets or equity of Kingtone Information (as more fully described below under “Exclusive Option Agreement”).

F-22

Exclusive Technology Service Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of a certain Exclusive Technology Service Agreement dated December 15, 2009 between Kingtone Information and Softech (the “Exclusive Technology Services Agreement”), Softech is the exclusive technology services provider to Kingtone Information. Kingtone Information agrees to pay Softech all fees payable for technology services prior to making any payments under the Entrusted Management Agreement. Any payment from Kingtone Information to Softech must comply with applicable Chinese laws. Further, the parties agree that Softech shall retain sole ownership of all intellectual property developed in connection with providing technology services to Kingtone Information. The Exclusive Technology Services Agreement shall remain in effect until (i) the parties mutually agree to terminate the agreement; (ii) the dissolution of Kingtone Information or (iii) Softech acquires Kingtone Information (as more fully described below under “Exclusive Option Agreement”).

Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of a certain Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement dated December 15, 2009, by and among Softech and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement”), each of the shareholders of Kingtone Information irrevocably appoints Softech as their proxy to exercise on each of such shareholder’s behalf all of their voting rights as shareholders, pursuant to PRC law and the Articles of Association of Kingtone Information, including the appointment and election of directors of Kingtone Information. Softech agrees that it shall maintain a board of directors, the composition of which will be the members of the board of directors of Kingtone Wireless, except those directors that are employed solely for the purpose of satisfying listing or financing requirements of Kingtone Wireless. The Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement will remain in effect until Softech acquires all of the assets or equity of Kingtone Information.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of a certain Exclusive Option Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, by and among Softech, Kingtone Information and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Exclusive Option Agreement”), the shareholders of Kingtone Information granted Softech an irrevocable and exclusive purchase option (the “Option”) to acquire Kingtone Information’s equity interests and/or remaining assets, but only to the extent that the acquisition does not violate limitations imposed by PRC law on such transactions. As discussed above, current PRC law does not allow foreigners to hold equity interests in a PRC entity that engages in business dealings with classified government information. Accordingly, the Option is exercisable at any time at Softech’s discretion so long as such exercise and subsequent acquisition of Kingtone Information does not violate PRC law. The consideration for the exercise of the Option is to be determined by the parties and memorialized in the future by definitive agreements setting forth the kind and value of such consideration. To the extent Kingtone Information shareholders receive any of such consideration, the Option requires them to transfer (and not retain) the same to Kingtone Information or Softech. The Exclusive Option Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement or by 30 days written notice by Softech.

F-23

Equity Pledge Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of a certain Equity Pledge Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, by and among Softech and the shareholders of Kingtone Information (the “Pledge Agreement”), the shareholders of Kingtone Information pledge all of their equity interests in Kingtone Information, including the proceeds thereof, to guarantee all of Softech’s rights and benefits under the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Exclusive Technology Service Agreement, the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement and the Exclusive Option Agreement. Prior to termination of the Pledge Agreement, the pledged equity interests cannot be transferred without Softech’s prior written consent. The Pledge Agreement may be terminated only by written agreement of the parties.

As a result of these contractual arrangements, Kingtone Wireless is able to exercise control over Kingtone Information and is entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits of Kingtone Information through its subsidiary, Softech. Therefore, Kingtone Wireless had consolidated Kingtone Information’s financial statements in accordance with ASC 810-10 (“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”) since the date of the Reorganization. The controlling shareholder also controlled Kingtone Wireless and Kingtone Information before and after the Reorganization, therefore the Reorganization is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control in a manner similar to pooling of interests.

  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
At the beginning of the year $6,230,296  $5,043,944 
Acquisition of subsidiary  -   500,934 
Current year addition  1,281,472   1,054,992 
Expired  (61,892)  (74,735)
Exchange difference  (115,166)  (294,839)
Over provided in last year  59,687     
At the end of the year  7,394,397   6,230,296 

 

The following financial statement amounts and balances ofCompany is not subject to taxation in BVI under the VIE were includedcurrent BVI law. Subsidiaries operating in the accompanying consolidated financial statements asPRC are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax at the statutory rate of and25% for the years ended September 30, 2017December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2016:

  As of September 30, 
  2017  2016 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $397  $491 
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance  3,399   4,243 
Unbilled revenue  677   385 
Amounts due from related companies  6,986   6,152 
Inventories  45   90 
Other receivables and prepayments  114   95 
Total Current Assets  11,618   11,456 
Property and equipment, net  10,370   10,863 
Intangible assets  509   527 
Total Assets $22,497  $22,846 
         
LIABILITIES        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable $917  $1,277 
Advances from customers  368   381 
Other payables and accruals  42   96 
Taxes payable  1,278   1,406 
Amounts due to related party      - 
Dividend payable  777   775 
Total Current Liabilities  3,382   3,935 
Total Liabilities $3,382  $3,935 

  For the years ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Revenue $173  $1,192  $8,819 
Net Income $27  $299  $1,527 

F-24

Parent-only Schedule

The management believes Schedule I (Condensed Financial Information of Registrant) is not required because the amount of restricted net assets2017. Two of our PRC subsidiaries qualify for high-technology enterprises and VIEsbenefit from a preferential tax rate of 15%. They are qualified as a result“high-technology enterprise” until the end of the statutory reserve required to be maintained was $2.5 million (or 10% of the Company’s total consolidated net assets as of September 30, 2017) which is less than 25%.Therefore, the Company determined the parent company schedule information is not required to be presented under Rule 5-04 of Regulation S-X.

One of our wholly owned subsidiariesNovember 2021 and the VIEOctober 2021, respectively. Subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong are corporations incorporated under the laws of the PRC and subject to the PRC laws and regulations. Relevant PRC laws and regulations permit PRC companies to pay dividends only outHong Kong income taxes at a rate of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The Company’s subsidiary and VIE in China are required to make appropriations to certain non-distributable reserve funds. In accordance with the laws applicable to China’s Foreign-Invested Enterprises (“FIEs”), the Company’s subsidiaries must make appropriations from after-tax profit (as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”) to non-distributable reserve funds, including to (i) a general reserve fund, (ii) an enterprise expansion fund and (iii) a staff bonus and welfare fund. At least 10% of after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP is appropriated16.5% for the general reserve fund, although such appropriation is not required if the general reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the Company. Appropriations for the other two reserve funds is at the Company’s discretion. Additionally, the Company’s VIE, in accordance with the Chinese corporate law, must make appropriations from its after-tax profit (as determined under PRC GAAP) to non-distributable reserve funds, including to (i) a statutory surplus fundyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and (ii) a discretionary surplus fund. At least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP is appropriated for the statutory surplus fund, although appropriation is not required if the reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the VIE. The general reserve fund and statutory surplus fund are restricted for setting off against losses, expansion of production and operations or increase in registered capital of the respective company. As a result of these PRC laws and regulations, the general reserve, statutory surplus and registered capital of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries and VIE are restricted in terms of being transferred to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. The amount of such restricted net assets for all PRC subsidiaries and for the VIE was equal to $2.5 million, or 10% of the Company’s total consolidated net assets, as of September 30, 2017.

 

The Company performed an evaluation to identify circumstances where third parties may limit its subsidiaries’ or VIE’s ability to loan, advance or dividend fundsA reconciliation of the income tax expense to the parent, including reviewamount computed by applying the current PRC statutory tax rate of all loan agreements25% to which its subsidiaries or VIE is a party. The Company did not find such restrictions containedthe loss before income taxes in the agreements.consolidated statements of comprehensive income is as follows:

  December 31,  December 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018  2017 
Loss before income taxes $(32,022,203) $(11,853,527) $(6,810,454)
             
Tax loss at the PRC statutory tax rate of 25%  (7,470,202)  (2,874,005)  (1,564,147)
Non-deductible items  5,046,957   5,013,636   6,637,818 
Non-taxable items  (388,109)  (3,538,631)  (3,789,956)
Change in valuation allowance  1,281,472   1,054,992   823,970 
Effect of different tax rates in other jurisdictions  526,348   17,221   410 
Effect of 15% preferential rate for certain PRC subsidiaries  1,003,534   252,778   (2,108,095)
Prior year over provision  70,992   -   - 
Income tax benefit (expense)  70,992   (74,009)  - 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

There are no other specific third party restrictions on the ability of the Company’s subsidiary or VIE to transfer funds outside of the entity. As a result, there are no other restricted net assets as such term is defined under Rule 4-08(e) (3) of Regulation S-X.

F-25

NOTE 5. ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE,NET

AccountsAt December 31, 2019 and notes2018, accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts consisted of the following:

 

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Accounts receivable $3,601  $4,595 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (277)  (352)
Accounts receivable, net  3,324   4,243 
Notes receivable  75     
Total accounts and notes receivable $3,399  $4,243 

An analysis of allowance for the doubtful accounts is as follows:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Balance at the beginning of the year $(352) $(369)
Bad debt expense  75   8 
Write offs  -   9 
Balance at the end of the year $(277) $(352)

For the year ended September 30, 2017, the Company made US$0.3 million allowance for doubtful accounts and charged such accounts to bad debt expenses since these accounts receivable was non-collectible. For the year ended September 30, 2016, the Company had made US$0.4 million allowance for doubtful accounts and charged such accounts to bad debt expenses since these accounts receivable were non-collectible. 

The Company had$75,000 notes receivable for the year ended September 30, 2017 and there were no notes receivable for the year ended September 30, 2016.

As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, all accounts and notes receivable were due from third party customers.

Any additions, deductions and amounts recovered of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded within general and administration expenses for the respective periods.

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Accounts receivable $23,790,658  $25,041,576 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (13,785,707)  (2,379,982)
  $10,004,951  $22,661,594 
F-26

NOTE 6. AMOUNTS DUE FROM RELATED COMPANIES

Amounts due from related companies consisted of the following:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
       
Shaanxi Tech Team Jinong Humid Acid Product Co., Ltd $450  $44 
Xi’an Tech Team Investment Holdings (Group) Co., Ltd.  1,827   1,823 
Xi’an Xinrong Engineering and Industry (Group) Co., Ltd  4,296   4,285 
900LH.com Food Co., Ltd.  

165

   - 
Others  248   - 
Total $6,986  $6,152 

All the entities referred to above are indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, Chairman of the Company. The Company provided short-term financing to such parties.

As of September 30, 2017, we had an outstanding loan of approximately $0.5 million to Shaanxi Tech Team Jinong Humid Acid Product Co., Ltd, which was indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, Chairman of the Company.The largest amount of the outstanding loan was $83,000 during the past three years. The loan was an interest-free unsecured rental expense, payable on demand.

As of September 30, 2017, we had an outstanding loan of approximately $1.8 million to Xi’an Tech Team Investment Holdings (Group) Co., Ltd, which is 66% indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, Chairman of the Company. The largest amount of the outstanding loan was $1.2 million during the past three years. This loan was made under an unsecured verbal agreement for a term of five years, beginning on December 28, 2014, and the interest rate was 4.75%, the same as the 3 to 5 years interest rate of the central bank.

On November 1, 2013, and on August 10, 2016, the Company made loans to Xi’an Xinrong Engineering and Industry (Group) Co., Ltd (“Xinrong”), which is 74% indirectly owned and controlled by Tao Li, Chairman of the Company, pursuant to which the Company provided $1.8 million and $2.7 million to Xinrong for its normal business operations. The largest amount of the outstanding loan amount since the loan was made (which was also the amount outstanding as of September 30, 2017) was $1.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The unsecured loans have a three-year term and a five-year term, respectively, and the interest rate was 4.75%, the same as the 3 to 5 years interest rate of the central bank.

F-27

NOTE 7. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Raw material $             -  $               - 
Finished goods  45   45 
Project-in-progress  -   45 
Total $45  $90 

The Company reviews its inventories periodically for possible obsolete or damaged goods and to determine if any allowance is necessary for potential obsolescence. As of September 30, 2017, the Company made approximately $0.3 million allowance for obsolete inventory. There was no allowance for inventory as of September 30, 2016.

NOTE 8.6 – OTHER RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTSPREPAYMENT

 

OtherAt December 31, 2019 and 2018, other receivables and prepaymentsprepayment consisted of the following:

 

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Advances to employees $-  $          130 
Deposits on projects  86   22 
Prepayment to suppliers  29   24 
Others                -   49 
Total $115  $225 
  December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
Current      
Advances to suppliers $197,824  $447,061 
VAT recoverable (1)  410,385   945,199 
Advances to business partners (2)  4,688,880   1,165,637 
Other receivables from Investor (3)  21,501,677   - 
Other  409,362   279,248 
   27,208,128   2,837,145 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (136,887)  (88,145)
  $27,071,241  $2,749,000 
Non-current        
Loans to employees  68,590   77,434 
Partial payment for the acquisition of a subsidiary (4)  14,334,451   - 
Advances to third party business partners (2)  2,233,362   - 
Deposit for car  -   58,282 
Others  -   14,570 
  $16,636,403   150,286 

(1)The balance of advanced VAT represents input VAT available for deducting the amount of VAT paid in the future.

(2)The advances to third party business partners are unsecured and interest-free. Non-current Advances to business partners are due on June 8, 2021.

(3)The balance represented $21,501,677 receivable from Hangzhou Maijie Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Geely Technology Group Co., Ltd. (“Geely Technology”) for the subscription of preferred shares, which was settled in January 2020. See Note 11 for more discussion.

(4)On August 28, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will acquire 100% of the equity interests of Saleya Holdings Limited (“Saleya”) from Saleya’s shareholders for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $120 million. As of December 31, 2019, $14,334,451 has been paid and the closing of the acquisition is expected to be completed in the next twelve months.


NOTE 7 – AMOUNTS DUE FROM RELATED-PARTIES

 

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, amounts due from related parties consisted of the following:

Name of related party December 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
C Media Limited (1) $-  $4,731,841 
Ya Tuo Ji International Consultancy (Beijing) Limited (2)  200,682   203,857 

(1)C Media Limited is controlled by Mr. Xuesong Song, the CEO and Chairman of the Company (“Mr. Song”).
(2)The spouse of Mr. Song has significant influence in Ya Tuo Ji.  The loan is unsecured, interest-free and repayable on December 31, 2020. The original payment date was January 5, 2019.

NOTE 9.8 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT NET

 

PropertyAt December 31, 2019 and 2018, property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Buildings and improvements $14,237  $14,204 
Vehicles  379   378 
Other equipment and devices  327   296 
Total property and equipment  14,943   14,878 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (4,573)  (4,016)
Property and equipment, net $10,370  $10,863 
    December 31,  December 31, 
  Useful life 2019  2018 
Wi-Fi equipment 3 Years $6,800,967  $9,003,392 
Vehicles 5 Years  110,384   3,520 
Office and other equipment 3 – 5 Years  269,189   213,601 
     7,180,540   9,220,513 
Less: accumulated depreciation and impairment    (6,591,659)  (8,322,506)
    $588,881  $898,007 

 

For the years ended September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016depreciation expense amounted to $394,907, $2,897,135 and 2015, depreciation$2,628,884, respectively, of which $236,214, $2,806,811 and $2,423,655, respectively, was included in cost of revenue, and $10,283, $5,872 and $117,648, respectively, was included in selling and marketing expenses and the remainder was included in general and administrative expense.

The Company recognized an impairment loss on property and equipment of $95,471, $1,228,362 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for idled Wi-Fi equipment.

Included in construction-in-progress were US$545,803, US$534,377Wi-Fi equipment under construction. 


NOTE 9 – INTANGABLE ASSETS, NET

  As of December 31, 2019 
  Gross carrying value  Accumulated amortization and impairment  Net carrying value 
          
Software $182,893  $182,704  $189 
Trademarks  1,223,302   1,223,302   - 
Patents  54,564,009   7,265,078   47,298,931 
  $55,970,204  $8,671,084  $47,299,120 

  As of December 31, 2018 
  Gross carrying value  Accumulated amortization and impairment  Net carrying value 
          
Software $3,179,437  $3,178,785  $652 
Trademarks  1,243,443   1,243,443   - 
Patents  54,572,127   1,808,781   52,763,346 
  $58,995,007  $6,231,009  $52,763,998 

The Company recognized an impairment loss on software of $0, $724,437 and US$615,000,$0 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for the railway platform software which was replaced by the software developed by Suzhou Superengine.

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $5,457,414, $2,223,592 and $613,066 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2019, future minimum amortization expenses in respect of intangible assets are as follows:

F-28

 

Year ending December 31, Principal 
2020 $5,457,147 
2021  5,456,956 
2022  5,456,956 
2023  5,456,956 
2024  5,456,956 
Thereafter  20,014,149 
  $47,299,120 

 

NOTE 10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET10 – GOODWILL

 

In September of 2014, Zhong Chuan Shi Xun acquired a 100% interest in Zhong Chuan Rui You for a consideration of $7,391,894 (RMB48,000,000). Zhong Chuan Rui You is primarily engaged in on-train Wi-Fi business, deploying Wi-Fi equipment on trains and providing passengers with entertainment and information services on trains. The book value of the identifiable net assets of Zhong Chuan Rui You was $151,958 (RMB963,000) and goodwill of $7,239,936 was recorded.

In August of 2018, LK Technology acquired a 100% interest in Superengine Holding Limited for a consideration of $60,000,000, which was paid by the issuance of ordinary shares of the Company in an amount equal to the quotient of (x) the Purchase Price divided by (y) the average of the closing prices of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market over the 12 months period preceding July 31, 2018. Superengine possesses patented technologies in spatial-temporal big data indexing, storage, transmission and visualization that can be used in vector maps, HD intelligent maps, interactive location services, smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, mapping and surveying, remote sensing and monitoring. The book value of the identifiable net assets of Superengine was $1,440,349, an intangible assetsasset of $54,070,987 and goodwill of $4,488,664 were recorded. Refer to Note 3 for details.


NOTE 11 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following:

 

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Land-use rights $637  $636 
Less: accumulated amortization  (128)  (109)
Intangible assets, net $509  $527 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
Current      
Accrued payroll $1,213,886  $535,181 
VAT payable  1,890,797   2,200,654 
Individual tax payable  212,943   205,917 
Other loans (1)  1,282,103   4,322,106 
Advertising payable (2)  17,594,997   18,902,385 
Other payable  1,502,417   2,073,234 
  $23,697,143  $28,239,477 
Non-current        
Other loans (3) $32,938,926  $244,755 

(1)

Other loans primarily consist of loans from third parties for working capital purposes, which are unsecured, interest-free and payable on various date from November 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

(2)Advertising payable represents the payments owed to the vendors that provide advertising activities for the Company to promote the Luokuang mobile application.

(3)

Non-current other loan

On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement with Geely Technology to issue 21,794,872 preferred shares at a purchase price of $1.95 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $42,500,000. Per the terms of the agreement and in accordance with ASC Topic 480-10, the Company recognized $32,910,257 as loan. The Company received $21,743,857 as of December 31, 2019 and the remaining amount was received in January 2020. Geely Technology may request the repayment after November of 2020, under such circumstance, the Company shall pay it back in January of 2021.

 

Amortization expenses for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were US$18,465, US$18,421 and US$19,932 respectively. Estimated amortization expenses relating to the existing intangible assets for the aggregated and each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

For the years ended US$ (’000) 
September 30, 2018 $20 
September 30, 2019  20 
September 30, 2020  20 
September 30, 2021  20 
September 30, 2022  20 
Thereafter  447 
Total $527 

F-29

NOTE 11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE12 – AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED PARTIES

 

Accounts payableAt December 31, 2019 and 2018, amounts due to related parties consisted of the following:

 

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Payable to third-party suppliers $917  $1,277 
  $917  $1,277 
  December 31,  December 31, 
Name of related party 2019  2018 
Mr. Song (1) $-  $1,010,041 
Vision Capital Profits Limited (2) $114,839  $1,751,395 
Mrs. Song (3) $-   5,329 
C Media $62,263   - 

(1)The Company’s CEO

(2)Vision Capital Profits Limited is controlled by Mr. Song.

(3)The spouse of Mr. Song.

 

The decreased in accounts payable was primarilyAmounts due to the decreased amount of inventory purchase, which was result of fewer new projects signed during the year ended September 30, 2017.related parties are non-interest bearing, unsecured and payable on demand.

 

NOTE 12. ADVANCE FROM CUSTOMERS13 – OPERATING LEASE

Advances from customers consisted of the following:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Advance from third-party customers $368  $381 
  $368  $381 

NOTE 13. OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUALS

Other payables and accruals consisted of the following:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Accrued employee benefits $42  $44 
Other payables  100   152 
Total $142  $195 

NOTE 14. TAXES PAYABLE

Taxes payable consisted of the following:

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Enterprise income tax payable $319  $319 
Individual income tax  498   497 
Other taxes payable  461   590 
Total $1,278  $1,406 

F-30

NOTE 15. DIVIDENDS PAYABLE

  As of September 30,
2017
  As of September 30,
2016
 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Dividend due to shareholders $777  $775 
  $777  $775 

 

In fiscal year 2009,accordance with ASC 842, the Company measured and recognized a right of use asset of $670,604 and lease liability of $728,476 as of December 31, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 had an immaterial effect on the audited consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019.

On December 31, 2018 and July 15, 2019, the Company entered into two 2-year lease agreements with third parties for office space. Pursuant to the Lease Agreements, the monthly payments are RMB14,500 (approximately $2,000) and RMB294,896 (approximately $43,000). The Lease Agreements will expire on December 31, 2020 and August 15, 2021, respectively.


The following table shows the total lease cost and the cash flows arising from the two operating leases, and information about weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate.

  December 31,
2019
 
Lease cost   
Operating lease cost $184,326 
Short term lease  440,710 
Total lease cost $625,036 
     
Other information    
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities    
Operating cash flows from operating leases $566,512 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities  58,524 
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating lease  19 months 
Weighted-average discount rate - operating lease  6.75%

As of December 31, 2019, future minimum lease payments on operating leases were as follows:

  December 31,
2019
 
Maturity of lease liabilities   
2020 $547,320 
2021  301,941 
Total minimum lease payments $849,261 
Short term lease  (80,719)
Imputed interest  (40,066)
Present value of minimum lease payments $728,476 
Less: classified as current liabilities  (431,995)
Non-current liabilities $296,481 

NOTE 14- SHARE CAPITAL

Prior to the Asset Exchange, Kingtone Wireless had 1,685,000 common shares issued and outstanding.

On August 17, 2018, in connection with the Asset Exchange, on September 20, 2018, the Company issued to the shareholders of Kingtone Information made a resolution to distribute US$4,096,000 to all shareholders in proportion to their shareholding percentage. In fiscal year 2010, two shareholders received their dividend payment. The balance represents outstanding unpaid dividendsC Media Limited, the former parent of LK Technology, (i) 185,412,599 of ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share and (ii) 1,000,000 of our preferred shares.

On September 20, 2018, the Company issued to the remaining shareholders.shareholders of Superengine Holding Limited, 12,219,959 of ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share.

 

NOTE 16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONSOn January 18, 2019 and September 10, 2019, the Company issued to Honbridge Holdings Limited, 2,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share for $12,000,000.

 

1.       Office RentalOn November 13, 2019, the Company issued to Geely Technology 21,794,872 of series A preferred shares for $42,500,000. For details, please refer to note 11.

 

For the year ended September 30, 2017, Kingtone Information leased its self-owned office space at 3/F, Area A, Block A, No. 18 South Taibai Road, Xi’an 710065, People’s Republic of China with Shaanxi TechTeam Jinong Humic Acid Product Co., Ltd. (“Jinong”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Green Agriculture, Inc. (“CGA”)starting from July 1, 2010.Our Chairman Tao Li is also Chairman and President of CGA. The monthly rent was US$3,867(RMB24, 480) for a two-year term starting from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014. From July 1, 2014 to June 29, 2016, the monthly rent was US$3,970 (RMB24, 480). On June 29, 2016, the lease was renewed with Jinong for a monthly rent of US$3,679 (RMB24, 480)for another two-year term beginning July 1, 2016. 

  For the years ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
  US$(’000)  US$(’000)  US$(’000) 
Total rental income $44,145  $44,972  $44,852 

The Company’s Beijing office is located in two Suites (2208 and 2209) at Building 16, An Hui Dong Li, Chaoyang District, Beijing. It covers a combined total floor space of 184.8 square meters. Tao Li owns this space and allowsDecember 11, 2019, the Company issued to use itAcuitas Capital, LLC., 7,763,975 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share for no consideration for an unspecified term.$10,000,000, including $9,882,432 is maintained in escrow account.

 

2.       Short-Term LoansAs of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had 209,081,533 and 199,317,558 common shares issued and outstanding.


NOTE 15 – RETIREMENT AND WELFARE BENEFITS

 

The short-term loans betweenGroup’s full-time employees are entitled to staff welfare benefits including medical care, casualty, housing benefits, education benefits, unemployment insurance and pension benefits through a PRC government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. The Group is required to accrue the Companyemployer-portion for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The total provision for such employee benefits of $734,917, $289,679 and its related parties are disclosed under Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements herein.

3.       Long-Term Loans

The long-term loans between the Company and its related parties are disclosed under Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements herein.

F-31

NOTE 17. MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND VENDORS

One customer, Jingban Project, accounted for 0%, 21% and 65% of total sales for$170,227 during the years ended September 30,December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016respectively, of which $34,240, $9,945 and 2015, respectively.$23,392, respectively, was charged to cost of revenue, $228,140, $76,971 and $48,957, respectively was charged to selling and marketing expenses, $156,129, $75,104 and $49,717, respectively, was charged to general and administrative expenses and $316,408, $127,660 and $48,161, respectively was charged to research and development expenses. The outstanding accounts receivable balance for this customer was 66%, 49% and 36%Group is required to make contributions to the plan out of the total accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017, 2016amounts accrued for all staff welfare benefits except for education benefits. The PRC government is responsible for the staff welfare benefits including medical care, casualty, housing benefits, unemployment insurance and 2015, respectively. pension benefits to be paid to these employees.

 

One vendor accounted for overNOTE 16 – STATUTORY RESERVES

As stipulated by the relevant law and regulations in the PRC, the Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC are required to maintain a non-distributable statutory surplus reserve. Appropriations to the statutory surplus reserve are required to be made at not less than 10% of total purchasesprofit after taxes as reported in the subsidiaries’ statutory financial statements prepared under PRC GAAP. Once appropriated, these amounts are not available for future distribution to owners or shareholders. Once the general reserve accumulates to 50% of the subsidiaries’ registered capital, the subsidiaries can choose not to provide more reserves. The statutory reserve may be applied against prior year ended September 30, 2017,losses, if any, and two vendors accountedmay be used for over 10%general business expansion and production and increase in registered capital of total purchases forthe subsidiaries. The Company allocated $Nil to statutory reserves during the years ended September 30, 2016December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. The statutory reserves cannot be transferred to the Company in the form of loans or advances and are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.

 

NOTE 18.17 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies

Lawsuit with Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd.

On August 22, 2014, Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Gansu Jinlun”) signed a “Lanzhou Railway Bureau Air-conditioned Train Wi-Fi Network System Advertising Operation Rights Agreement” for advertising on 72 trains of $1,467,880 (RMB9,604,633). Due to the dispute on the project implementation, Zhong Chuan Rui You did not pay the advertising fee. On August 23, 2017, Gansu Jinlun filed a lawsuit with Gansu Intermediate People’s Court. On December 19, 2017, Gansu Intermediate People’s Court issued a verdict, ruling that Zhong Chuan Rui You settle the overdue advertising fee. Zhong Chuan Rui You and Gansu Jinlun agreed on the settlement amount to approximately $502,000 (RMB3,500,000) and recorded in general and administrative expenses.

Lawsuit with Beijing iQIYI Technology Co., Ltd.

On February 15, 2019, Beijing iQIYITechnology Co., Ltd. filed lawsuits with Beijing Internet Court alleging Shenzhen Jiu Zhou Shi Dai Digital and Technology Limited and Beijing Zhong Chuan Shi Xun Technology Limited are in infringement of exclusive rights to communication through information network of certain works, performances, audio and video products and claiming the economic loss amounts to approximately $562,000 (RMB 3,920,000).

On December 14, 2019, Beijing Internet Court arranged a trial; Beijing iQIYI and the Company are negotiating a potential settlement while expecting a verdict from the court. According to legal counsel, it is probable that the settlement will amount to approximately $93,000 (RMB650,000).

NOTE 18 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company had one VIE as of September 30, 2017. Inextent to which COVID-19 negatively impacts our business is highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted. We believe that the opinion of the management, (i) the ownership structure of the Companycoronavirus outbreak and the VIEmeasures taken to control it may have a significant negative impact on economic activities in China. Our revenues are generated in compliance with existing PRC lawsChina. The magnitude of this negative effect on the continuity of our business operation in China remains uncertain. These uncertainties impede our ability to conduct our daily operations and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with the VIEcould materially and its shareholder are validadversely affect our business, financial condition and binding, and will not result in any violationresults of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the Company’s businessoperations. We expect our full year 2020 results of operations are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a view inconsistent with the Company’s opinion. If the current ownership structure of the Company and its contractual arrangements with the VIE are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Company may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changing and new PRC laws and regulations and continue consolidation with its VIE.  adversely affected.

 

In 2009, eachconnection with its acquisition of our executive officers entered into a five-year employment agreement with Softech, our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary. In 2015, certain of our executive officers have renewed the employment agreement for 5 years ending in 2019. Softech may terminate a senior executive officer’s employment for cause, at any time, without prior notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the officer, including, but not limited to, material violation of our regulations, failure to perform agreed-upon duties, embezzlement causing material damage toSaleya, on January 21, 2020, the Company made a partial cash payment of $18,539,343, and conviction of a crime. A senior executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by delivering a 30-day prior written notice. Each senior executive officer is entitledon February 5, 2020 it issued 2,708,498 common shares to certain benefits upon termination, including a severance payment equal to a certain specified numbershareholders of months of his or her salary as of termination, provided that he or she resigns for certain good reasons specified by his or her employment agreement or the relevant rules or Softech terminates his or her employment without “cause”. The details of the terms and annual salary of our executive officers are set forth below:

Name Title Annual Base Salary (in RMB with US$ equivalence)) Term 
Peng Zhang Chief Executive Officer RMB  180,000 $28,285   Until 2019 
Li Wu Chief Financial Officer RMB  132,000 $20,742   Until 2019 
Wei Zhang Executive President RMB  120,000 $18,857   Until 2019 
Xiang Bu Manager RMB  120,000 $18,857   Until 2019 
Zhenyu Chen Manager RMB  120,000 $18,857   Until 2019 

F-32

NOTE 19. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In order to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of the Company’s business, its board of directors and its shareholders approved and adopted an Omnibus Incentive PlanSaleya in April 2010 (the “2010 Plan”). Under the 2010 Plan, the Company may grant options or restricted awards to its employees, directors and consultants to purchase an aggregate of no more than 1,500,000 ordinary shares (on a pre-Reverse Split basis) of the Company, subject to different vesting requirements. The 2010 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (the “Plan Administrator”). The officers of the Company have been authorized and directed by the Plan Administrator to execute Option Agreementsaccordance with those persons selected by the Plan Administrator and issue ordinary shares of the Company upon exercise of any options so granted pursuant to the terms of an OptionShare Purchase Agreement.

 

All options granted under the 2010 Plan have a term of ten years from the option grant date and vest according to the terms and conditions set forth in each grant agreement. On May 14, 2010,February 24, 2020, the Company granted 180,000 options to a combination of employees and directorsreached an agreement with two of the Company, at an exercise priceSaleya’s shareholders to issue 1,500,310 of US$4.00 onSeries B preferred shares instead of a pre-Reverse Stock Split basis.cash payment of $6,182,000 (RMB43,128,000) as a change of consideration for the acquisition of Saleya,

 

Restricted stock granted under the 2010 Plan is subject to a different vesting period. On May 14, 2010,June 17, 2020, the Company granted 100,000 restricted shares to an officer. Of the 100,000 restricted shares 50,000 vested on April 23, 2011 and the remaining 50,000 wereto vest on April 23, 2012. However, the officer resigned on May 31, 2011, and the remaining 50,000 restricted shares to be vested on April 23, 2012, as well as the officer’s unvested options, were forfeited in accordanceentered into preferred stock subscription agreement with their terms. In addition, since the two independent directors Ms. Shi and Mr. Fong resigned on July 11, 2011 and June 24, 2011 respectively, their unvested options were forfeited in accordance with their terms. The reference of number of restrictive shares is on a pre-Reverse Stock Split basis.

The Company did not grant any equity awards for the year ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

F-33

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was applied in determining the estimated fair value of the options granted to employees and non-employees. The model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the estimated expected stock price volatility, the expected price multiple at which employees are likely to exercise share options. For expected volatilities, the Company has made reference to the historical price volatilities of ordinary shares of several comparable companies in the same industry as the Company. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury Bills yield in effect at the time of grant. The Company’s management is ultimately responsible for the determination of the estimated fair value of its ordinary shares. The Company calculated the estimated fair value of the options on the grant date (May 14, 2010) with the following assumptions:

May 14,
2010
Risk-free interest rates1.63%
Expected term10 years
Expected volatility90%
Expected dividend yield0%
Fair value of underlying ordinary share (per share) (*)US$ 3.94

(*represents initial public offering close price)

The Company recognized compensation expense for options granted as general and administrative expense on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting portion of the award (the graded vesting attribution method). The fair value of options on the grant date of May 14, 2010 was $1.89 per share. The share-based compensation expenses for options were US$0, US$0 and US$0 for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company records share-based compensation expenses for restricted shares granted to non-employees in exchange for services at fair value as of the grant date, which was $3.94 based on the graded vesting attribution method. The share-based compensation expenses for restricted shares were US$0, US$0 and US$0for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table summarizes outstanding options as of September 30, 2017, related weighted average fair value and life information. Options outstanding for all periods have been retroactively restated to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split effected on November 6, 2012:

    Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 
 Exercise Price
Per Share
  Number
outstanding as of
September 30,
2017
  Weighted
Average
Fair Value
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
(Years)
   Number
Exercisable as
of September 30,
2017
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
$40.00  12,334 $1,89   2.62   12,334  $1.89 

A summary of option activity under the employee share option plan as of September 30, 2017 and changes during the year then ended is presented as follows:

Options Number of
shares
  Exercise
Price
  Remaining
Life (Years)
  Aggregated
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding as of October 1, 2016  12,334  $40.00   3.62   - 
Granted during the year  -   -   -        - 
Forfeited during the year      -   -   - 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2017  12,334  $40.00   2.62   - 

F-34

NOTE 20. STATUTORY RESERVES

Under PRC law, Softech and Kingtone Information are required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely a general reserve, an enterprise expansion fund and a staff welfare and bonus fund. The entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their after tax profits on individual company basis as determined under PRC GAAP to the general reserve and have the right to discontinue allocations to the general reserve if such reserve has reached 50% of registered capital. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the entity. These reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to the Company in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had appropriated US$426,051, and as of 2016 and 2015, the Company had appropriated US$444,318 and US$0.00, respectively, in its statutory reserves.

NOTE 21. ORDINARY SHARES

The Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended, authorize the CompanyDaci Haojin Foundation Limited to issue 100,000,000 shares of US$0.001 par value per ordinary share. Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote. The holders of ordinary shares are also entitled to receive dividends whenever funds are legally available and when declared by the Board of Directors. The Company had 10,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding prior to the May 2010 public offering. In May 2010, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of ADSs, representing 4,000,000 ordinary shares, through its depositary, Bank of New York Mellon on the NASDAQ Capital Market, at a consideration of US$4.00 per share for a gross consideration of US$16,000,000. The total direct cost related to this transaction amounted $1,496,000, including underwriter fees, attorney fees, audit fees, etc. In 2011, the Company issued 50,000 shares of ADSs, representing 50,000 ordinary shares, as the restricted shares granted to an employee. 

Effective November 6, 2012, the Company undertook a combination, or reverse split of the ordinary shares issued by the Company at par value of $0.001 per share such that the Company shall issue one (1) ordinary share (each, a “New Share” and collectively, the“New Shares”) for every ten (10) ordinary shares held by its members (“Old Shares”) (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The par value of each New Share was $0.01, equal to the aggregate of the par value of ten Old Shares combined.  The ratio between each American Depositary Share (“ADS”) and its underlying ordinary share post-Reverse Stock Split remains the same, namely, one ADR remains to represent one New Share.

As of September 30, 2017, there were 1,405,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

F-35

NOTE 22. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE

  For the years ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Numerator used in basic net income per share:         
Net Income (loss) $(218,486) $(160,000) $1,027,000 
Shares            
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding  1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing diluted earnings per ordinary share  1,405,000   1,405,000   1,405,000 
Loss per ordinary share- basic and diluted $(0.16) $(0.11) $0.73 

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had zero restricted shares and 12,334 outstanding options that could potentially dilute basic income per share in the future, but which were excluded in the computation of diluted income/loss per share in the periods presented, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive since the grant price of these restricted shares and the exercise price of these option were higher than the average market price during period presented.

NOTE 23. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

As of January 26, 2018, the related companies had repaid a total of $6,986 thousand to the Company, the balance of current portion and non-current portion of due from related companies was nil after the repayments.

On January 25, 2018, the Company executed an Asset Exchange Agreement (“AEA”) with C Media Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“C Media”), whereby the Company agreed to purchase all the capital stock and equity interests of LK Technology Ltd, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries MMB Limited and Mobile Media (China) Limited and all respective subsidiaries from C Media in exchange for (i) 185,412,599 ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Ordinary Shares”), (ii) 1,000,00015,000,000 preferred shares of Kingtone (“Preferred Shares”) and (iii) all issued and outstanding capital stock or equity interests of the Company’s subsidiary, Topsky Info-Tech Holdings Pte Ltd., and its wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd., including all entities effectively controlled by Xi’an Softech Co., Ltd. through contractual arrangements and variable business entities.for $45,000,000.

In order to consummate the contemplated transactions described above, the Company must obtain shareholders’ consent (i) to authorize 1,000,000 Preferred Shares, (ii) to authorize additional Ordinary Shares so that total authorized Ordinary Shares is equal to 250,000,000 shares, (iii) to list such Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, and (iv) to approve the transactions contemplated in the Asset Exchange Agreement. Additionally, NASDAQ must approve the contemplated transactions prior to consummation thereof. C Media has the right to terminate the AEA if the closing has not occurred (other than through the failure of C Media to comply fully with its obligations under the AEA) on or before July 31, 2018.

 

 

F-36

F-26