As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July __, 1998June 3, 1999
                                                    Registration No. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
                             INSIGNIA SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                MINNESOTA                                  41-1656308
    (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

                               10801 Red Circle Drive
                           Minnetonka,5025 Cheshire Lane
                            Plymouth, Minnesota 5534355446
                                 (612) 930-8200392-6200
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive office)
                               ------------------
                                 Scott F. Drill
                       President, Chief Executive Officer
                             Insignia Systems, Inc.
                               10801 Red Circle Drive
                           Minnetonka,5025 Cheshire Lane
                            Plymouth, Minnesota 5534355446
                                 (612) 930-8200392-6200
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)
                               ------------------
                                   COPIES TO:

       John Whisnant, Esq.                 Richard D. McNeil, Esq.
       Chief Financial Officer             Kristin L. Johnson, Esq.
       Insignia Systems, Inc.              Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.
       5025 Cheshire Lane                  4200 IDS Center
       Plymouth, Minnesota 55446           80 South Eighth Street
       Telephone: (612) 392-6200           Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
                                           Telephone: (612) 371-3211

         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
         If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: |X|[X]
         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [ ]
         If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earliest effective registration
statement for the same offering: [ ]
         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box: [ ]

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
========================================================================================================== Proposed Proposed Maximum Maximum Amount to be Offering Aggregate Amount of Title of Each Class of Registered Price Offering Price Registration Securities to be Registered Per Unit Fee - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock, no par value................................... 2,470,000 (1) $2.5625(2) $6,329,375(2) $1,868value................. 75,000 $1.375(1) $103,125(1) $29 - ------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee based on the average of the closing bid and asked pricesprice of the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on July 28, 1998June 1, 1999 pursuant to Rule 457(c). THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. ================================================================================ THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES, AND IT IS NOT A SOLICITATION TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION JUNE 3, 1999 INSIGNIA SYSTEMS, INC. 2,470,00075,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK This Prospectus relates to the saleThese shares of up to 2,470,000 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock of Insignia Systems, Inc. (the "Company") which may be offered from time to timeour common stock are being sold by the three selling shareholders named herein (the "Selling Shareholders"). Of the Shares being offered, 1,600,000 Shares are now owned by the Selling Shareholders and 870,000 Shares may be obtained by them by exercise of stock purchase warrants (the "Warrants") held by the Selling Shareholders which have an exercise price of $1.625 per Share and expirelisted on June 24, 2001. The Company will receive proceeds upon the exercise of the Warrants, butpage 5, or their transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors in interest. We will not receive any part of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Shareholders. See "Use of Proceeds." The Company will bear all expenses of the offering hereunder other than underwriting discounts and commissions incurred in connection with the sale of the Shares by the Selling Shareholders. The Company's Common Stocksale. Our common stock is tradedlisted on the NASDAQNasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "ISIG". The closing bidreported last sale price of the Company's Common Stockcommon stock on July 28, 1998June 1, 1999, was $2.5625$1.375 per share, as reported by NASDAQ.share. THIS OFFERINGINVESTMENT INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE " RISK"RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4 OF THIS PROSPECTUS. The Selling Shareholders have advised the Company that they intend to sell the Shares from time to time in transactions on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market at prices prevailing at the time of the sale or otherwise as set forth below. The Selling Shareholders have also advised the Company that, as of the date hereof, they have made no arrangement with any brokerage firm for the sale of the Shares. The Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Act, in which case any commissions received by a broker or dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Act. See "Plan of Distribution." THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY3. NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ORNOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONAPPROVED OR ANY STATEDISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, COMMISSIONOR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO PROCEEDS TO SELLING PUBLIC DISCOUNTS AND ISSUER SHAREHOLDERS COMMISSIONS Per Share $2.5625(1) (2) None $2.5625(1) - ------------------------------- ------------------- --------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- Total $6,329,395(1) (2) None $6,329,375(1) - ------------------------------- ------------------- --------------------------- ----------------- --------------------------
(1) Estimated based on a per share price of $2.5625 as of July 28, 1998 and assuming the sale of all Shares by the Selling Shareholders, with no adjustment for commissions, discounts, brokerage and other fees that may be paid by the Selling Shareholders, or expenses of the offering to be paid by the Company. (2) Commissions, discounts and brokerage fees will be payable to the Selling Shareholders in such amounts as the Selling Shareholders may agree to from time to time. THE DATEJUNE __, 1999 TABLE OF THISCONTENTS PAGE PROSPECTUS IS JULY __, 1998SUMMARY.............................................................2 RISK FACTORS...................................................................3 YEAR 2000 ISSUES...............................................................5 USE OF PROCEEDS................................................................5 SELLING SHAREHOLDERS...........................................................5 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...........................................................6 LEGAL MATTERS..................................................................6 EXPERTS ......................................................................6 INDEMNIFICATION................................................................6 WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION.................................................7 2 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy and information statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C., and the Commission's regional offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Electronic filings made through the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System are also publicly available through the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all information set forth in such registration statement. For further information with respect to the Company and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to such registration statement, including the exhibits and financial schedules filed as part thereof. Such information may be inspected at the Chicago regional office of the Commission at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at the public reference facilities at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies thereof may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed prices. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents, which have been filed by the Company with the Commission, are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997; (ii) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998; (iii) the Company's Proxy Statement dated April 15, 1998 for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 21, 1998; and (iv) the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's Form S-18 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-40765-C. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15 of the 1934 Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities contemplated hereby shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded hereby to the extent that a statement contained herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents.) Requests for such copies should be directed to Scott F. Drill, Insignia Systems, Inc., 10801 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, telephone number (612) 930-8200. 2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROSPECTUS SUMMARY THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE COMPANYABOUT INSIGNIA SYSTEMS Insignia Systems Inc. (the "Company") markets software, services and supplies for production of point-of-purchase signs by retailers. The Company'sOur Stylus software is used by retail stores to produce signs and posters by importing information from a computer database and then electronically transmitting it to store-level printers. The Company hasWe have recently developed and introduced a new service, called the Insignia POPS(TM) program, in which the Company enterswe enter into agreements with manufacturers of brand name consumer products under which the Company is paidfood products. These food manufacturers pay us to collect, organize and format productpromotional messages and artproduct clip-art provided by the manufacturer and to transmit thatmanufacturer. Insignia Systems combines this information to the retailer, who combines it with the retailer'sstore's logo, designs, color and pricing information and produces point-of-purchase signs.signs, before forwarding the signs to the store. We pay the retailer a fee from the food manufacturer's payment to us. The CompanyPOPS(TM) program increases product sales by the manufacturer and provides the retailer an additional revenue source. Insignia Systems was incorporated in 1990 under the laws of the State of Minnesota. ItsOur principal executive offices are located at 10801 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka,5025 Cheshire Lane, Plymouth, Minnesota 5534355446 and itsour telephone number is (612) 930-8200.392-6200. THE OFFERING The 2,470,000 Shares being offered byselling shareholders are offering 75,000 shares of common stock. We issued these shares to the Selling Shareholders consistselling shareholders under the terms of 1,600,000 Shares now owned bya settlement agreement between Insignia Systems and Meta-4, Inc. on March 26, 1999. We are registering the Selling Shareholders and an additional 870,000 Shares which may be purchased in whole or in part by the Selling Shareholders pursuant to Warrants which have an exercise priceresale of $1.625 per Share and expire on June 24, 2001. The 1,600,000 Shares and 800,000 Warrants were issued by the Company on June 25, 1998 in a private placement of 1,600,000 units, each consisting of one Share and a Warrant to purchase one-half of one Share, for a purchase price of $1.25 per unit. Warrants for an additional 70,000these shares were issued on June 25, 1998 for consultation services. The closing bid price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market on June 25, 1998, the date the units were issued was $1.6875 per share. The reason that resales of the Shares are being registered is to permit the Sharesselling shareholders to be resold byresell the Selling Stockholdersshares in the public market. Common Stockstock offered by Selling Shareholders......... 2,470,000the selling shareholders.................... 75,000 Common Stockstock outstanding after offering (1).......... 10,967,721 NASDAQ Symbol........................................as of June 1, 1999......................... 8,651,496 Nasdaq SmallCap Market Symbol....................................... ISIG (1) Assumes the exercise of the Warrants. Excludes 1,293,004 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants and outstanding stock options granted pursuant to the Company 1990 Stock Plan. USE OF PROCEEDS If all of the Warrants are exercised, the gross proceeds to the Company will be $1,413,750, though there is no assurance that any of the Warrants will be exercised. After payment of the Company's expenses relating to this offering, which are estimated to be approximately $12,500, any remaining net proceeds will be added to the Company's working capital and used for general corporate purposes. The CompanyInsignia Systems will not receive any proceeds from salesthe sale of the Shares by the Selling Shareholders.common stock. See "USE OF PROCEEDS."Use of Proceeds." RISK FACTORS This offering involves substantialcertain investment risk and the Shares should be purchased only by persons who can afford the loss of their entire investment.risks. See "RISK FACTORS."Risk Factors." 3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RISK FACTORS AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IS HIGHLY SPECULATIVE AND INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. INVESTORS COULD LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORSYOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS, ALONG WITHRISKS BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. THE RISKS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT WE FACE. OUR BUSINESS, OPERATING RESULTS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION COULD BE MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RISKS. THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD DECLINE DUE TO ANY OF THESE RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE ALL OR PART OF YOUR INVESTMENT. YOU SHOULD ALSO REFER TO THE OTHER INFORMATION SET FORTHINCLUDED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESSINCLUDING OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROSPECTS BEFORE PURCHASING THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.RELATED NOTES. WE HAVE INCURRED OPERATING LOSSES The CompanyIN EACH OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS. Insignia Systems was incorporated in January 1990 and had an accumulated deficit of ($10,838,867)13,029,958) as of March 31, 1998.1999. For 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and the first three months of 1998 the Company1999 we experienced net losses of ($1,451,402), ($999,226), ($3,379,512), ($3,415,579) and ($1,484,218)259,731), respectively. The Company anticipatesWe anticipate that itwe will continue to experience losses through the fourth quarter of 1998, but there is1999, and we can give no assurance that the Companywe will achieve profitability thereafter. OUR LIQUIDITY IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR LINE OF CREDIT AND SHORT-TERM SECURED DEBT As of March 31,ALL OF OUR ASSETS SECURE OUR DEBT. In September 1998, the Company's indebtedness to itswe amended our credit agreement with our asset based lender was $703,392. Thisto provide for a voluntary temporary suspension of our line of credit. We anticipate, however, reinstating the line of credit in June 1999. Any and all future indebtedness iswill be secured by a security interest in substantially all of the Company'sour assets and iswill be payable on demand. The credit line expireswas also amended to expire on December 29, 1999.approximately July 1, 2000. The lender has no obligation to make additional advances to the Company,us, and all advances made must be supported by a borrowing base of the Company'sour accounts receivable and inventory. If the lender were to demand repayment in full of the Company'sour indebtedness to it, the Companywe would need to seek replacement financing in order to avoid a substantial disruption of itsour business and depletion of all itsour cash. There isWe can give no assurance that such replacement financing would be available, or that the terms on which it might be available would be reasonable from the Company's point of view. COSTS AND RISKSto us. OUR RESULTS WILL DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OF NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION The Company has recently introduced a new service, referred to as Insignia POPS.OUR INSIGNIA POPS PROGRAM. In order to achieve and maintain profitability, thisour Insignia POPS service program, which we introduced in early 1998, needs to achieve national program status through a combination of use at approximately 3,0003,500 retail locations. There islocations with 5 signs per cycle. In order to obtain participating manufacturers and retailers at the rate we have anticipated, this service program must achieve increases in food product sales that are comparable to the results to date. In achieving these results, Insignia POPS will be competing for the marketing expenditures of branded product manufacturers who use various forms of point-of-purchase marketing methods, such as displays, coupons and in-store samples. We can give no assurance that the Company will be successful in introducingour Insignia POPS or that itservice will achieve marketplace acceptance or profitability. POSSIBLE WRITEDOWN OF CERTAIN INVENTORY In April 1998 the Company discontinued sale of the SIGNright machine. The Company presently has approximately 400 SIGNright machines in inventoryprofitability or that it will compete successfully with a recorded cost of approximately $200,000. Depending on how the Company determines to liquidate this inventory, there is no assurance that the Company will recover its cost. 4 these traditional marketing methods. WE DEPEND SIGNIFICANTLY ON OUR SIGN CARD REVENUE The Company derivesREVENUE. We derive a significant portion of itsour revenue from the sale of the bar coded sign cards required by the Impulse and SIGNright machines which werewe formerly sold by the Company.sold. If competitors are able to reproduce 4 the barcode and successfully market sign cards bearing it thereor if a substantial number of existing customers discontinue using the sign card, our revenue could be a serious adverse effect on the Company's revenue.materially adversely affected. PRODUCTION OF OUR SIGN CARD SUPPLIERSCARDS DEPENDS EXCLUSIVELY ON A SINGLE SOURCE. The thermal paper used by the Companywe use in itsour sign cards is purchased exclusively from one supplier. While the Companywe believes that an alternative supplier would be available if necessary, any disruption in the relationship with or deliveries by the current supplier could have a serious adverse effect on the Company. COMPETITION The two main competitors of the Company's Stylus product are dESIGN, Inc. (a privately-held company based in Seattle, WA) and Electronic Label Technology, Inc. (a privately-held company based in Oklahoma City, OK). Insignia POPS competes for the marketing expenditures of branded product manufacturers, who use various forms of point of purchase marketing methods, such as displays, coupons, in-store samples, etc. The POPS program also competes with other companies, such as ACTMEDIA, INCORPORATED and Catalina Marketing, which provide in-store marketing programs to retailers. There is no assurance that Insignia POPS will compete successfully with these traditional and alternative marketing methods. DEPENDENCE ON KEY EMPLOYEES The Company is highly dependent upon the services of its present officers, and the loss of any of them could have a material adverse effect on the Company. None of the Company's officers are bound by employment or noncompetition agreements with the Company. The success of the Company will also depend on its ability to attract and retain capable sales and marketing personnel. CONTINUEDour results. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE NASDAQ SMALLCAP MARKET In order for the Company's Common Stockour common stock to continue to be traded on the NASDAQNasdaq SmallCap Market, the Companywe must maintain at least $2 million of "net tangible assets" (defined as the book value of total assets, minus intangible assets, minus all liabilities), have a bid price for the Common Stockour common stock of at least $1 per share, have a public float of 500,000 shares, and meet certain other criteria. There isWe can give no assurance that the Companywe will be able to maintain continued eligibility for inclusion on the NASDAQNasdaq SmallCap Market, and loss of eligibility would impair the marketability of our common stock. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS AND INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BASED ON CURRENT EXPECTATIONS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. ACTUAL RESULTS AND THE TIMING OF CERTAIN EVENTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DUE TO A NUMBER OF RISK FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH BELOW. WE HAVE TRIED, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, TO IDENTIFY THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BY USING WORDS SUCH AS "BELIEVE," "ANTICIPATE," "ESTIMATE," "EXPECT" AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS. WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO RELEASE PUBLICLY THE RESULTS OF ANY REVISIONS TO ANY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT MAY BE MADE TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS. 5 YEAR 2000 ISSUES The Year 2000 issue is the Company's Common Stock. MARKET OVERHANG FROM WARRANTS AND OPTIONS In additionresult of computer programs being written using two digits rather than four to define the Warrantsapplicable year. Our computer equipment, software, devices and products with imbedded technology that are time-sensitive may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including, among other things, a shut down in our manufacturing operations, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices or engage in similar normal business activities. A detailed description of our Year 2000 State of Readiness, Costs to address the Year 2000 issue, Risks of the Year 2000 issue and our Contingency Plans are contained in our Form 10-K for the purchase of 870,000 Shares, the Company has outstanding options and warrants for the purchase of an additional 1,293,004 shares of common stock. The exercise of a significant portion of the Warrants and existing stock options and resale of the common stock thereby obtained could depress the trading price of the Company's common stock. 5 LACK OF DIVIDENDS The Company has never paid and does not plan to pay any dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. USE OF PROCEEDS If all of the Warrants are exercised, the gross proceeds to the Company will be $1,413,750, though there is no assurance that any of the Warrants will be exercised. After payment of the Company's expenses relating to this offering, which are estimated to be approximately $12,500, any remaining net proceeds will be added to the Company's working capital and used for general corporate purposes. The CompanyWe will not receive any proceeds from salesthe sale of the Sharesshares offered in this prospectus by the Selling Shareholders.selling shareholders. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common StockInsignia common stock by the Selling Shareholdersselling shareholders as of July 29,1998, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of Shares obtained by the Selling Shareholders through the exercise of the Warrants.June 1, 1999:
NAME NUMBER OF SHARES MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES TO BE SOLD (1)Common Stock Number of Beneficially Shares of Owned After Owned Prior to Common Stock Offering(1)(2) OWNED AFTER THE OFFERING(1)(2) PRIOR TO OFFERING NUMBER PERCENTSelling Shareholder Offering Offered(1) Number Percent ------------------- -------- ---------- ------ ------- Ramsdell Irrevocable Trust U/A/D 12/28/92 208,000 168,000 40,000Meta-4, Inc. 50,000 50,000 0 * Ramsdell Family Trust U/A/D 7/7/94(3) 463,000 270,000 193,000 2.2 Delaware Charter Guarantee and Trust co. FBO 581,900 480,000 101,900 1.2 W. Ramsdell-IRA ERAMKO 140,000 90,000 50,000Bruce A. Rasmussen & Assoc., Ltd. 14,375 14,375 0 * Salvatore Totino and Lorraine D. Totino, TIC(4) 64,000 54,000 10,000Catherine J. Donohoo 10,625 10,625 0 * Elyse A. Ramsdell 70,000 60,000 10,000 * Robert S. Ramsdell 40,000 30,000 10,000 * Richard Berger(5) 248,875 60,000 188,875 2.2 G. Tyler Runnels 174,564 60,000 114,564 1.3 Nancy D. Singer and Edward S. Singer, JTWROS(6) 67,500 38,000 29,500 * Milfam I 300,000 300,000 -0- * Delaware Charter Guarantee and Trust Co. FBO 48,000 48,000 -0- * Dana Benson IRA Rollover Acct. #W073006553 Dana Benson Recovery Fund Acct. #W073006538 12,000 12,000 -0- * Mark L. Levin 30,000 30,000 -0- *TOTAL SHARES OFFERED 75,000
6
NAME NUMBER OF SHARES MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES TO BE SOLD (1)(2) OWNED AFTER THE OFFERING(1)(2) PRIOR TO OFFERING NUMBER PERCENT Delaware Charter Gty & Tr Co. FBO 30,000 30,000 -0- * Mark L. Levin IRA R/O Invest, Inc. 60,000 60,000 -0- * Craig C. Avery Prof. Sh. Tr. 70,000 60,000 10,000 * Jack R. Swenson 66,000 60,000 6,000 * Randall Wooster 45,000 45,000 -0- * Delaware Charter Gty & Tr. Co. FBO 45,000 45,000 -0- * Randall Wooster IRA The Avalon Total Return Fund, L.P. 270,000 270,000 -0- * Bear Stearns as Custodian FBO J. Steven Emerson 275,000 180,000 95,000 1.1 IRA R/O II Account #48360160 Stella Rochelle Totino(7) 20,000 20,000 -0- * TOTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,328,839 2,470,000 858,839
(1) Includes Shares to be acquired by the Selling Shareholders upon exercise of the Warrants. (2) Assumes the sale of all Shares offered hereunder. (3) Includes 30,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a consultants' warrant. (4) Includes 10,000 shares beneficially by Lorraine Totino individually. Mr. Totino disclaims beneficial ownership. (5) Includes 44,875 shares beneficially owned by Marilyn Olin Berger. Mr. Berger disclaims beneficial ownership to such shares. (6) Includes 67,500 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Singer individually of which 40,000 shares are issuable upon exercise of a consultants' warrant. Mrs. Singer disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. (7) Includes 20,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a consultants' warrant.- --------------------------- * Less than 1%. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company has been advised(1) Represents the maximum number of shares that the Selling Shareholders may sell Shares from time to time in one or more transactions (which may include block transactions) on the NASDAQ SmallCap System at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale or at prices otherwise negotiated. The Shares may, without limitation, be sold by one or more of the following: (i) a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its accounteach selling shareholder pursuant to this Prospectus; and (iii) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers. The Company has been advisedprovided, however, that as of the date hereof, the Selling Shareholders have made no arrangement with any broker for the sale of the Shares. Underwriters, brokers or dealers may participate in such transactions as agents and may, in such capacity, receive brokerage commissions from the Selling 7 Shareholders or purchasers of such securities. Such underwriters, brokers or dealers may also purchase Shares and resell such Shares for their own account in the manner described above. The Selling Shareholders and such underwriters, brokers or dealers may be considered "underwriters" as that term is defined bypursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, although the Selling Shareholders disclaim such status. Any commissions, discounts or profits received by such underwriters, brokers or dealers in connection with the foregoing transactions may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota. EXPERTS The financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference inas amended, the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable in connection with the shares registered for sale hereby by reason of (i) any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the Company's number of outstanding shares of common stock. In the event Rule 416 is not available, the Company is obligated to register such additional shares of common stock. (2) Assumes the sale of all shares offered hereby to unaffiliated third parties. The selling shareholders may sell all or part of their respective shares. 6 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The selling shareholders may offer their shares at various times in one or more of the following transactions: * on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, where our common stock is listed; * in the over-the-counter market; * in transactions other than on such exchanges or in the over-the-counter market; * in connection with short sales of the shares; * by pledge to secure debts and other obligations; * in connection with the writing of non-traded and call options, in hedge transactions and in settlement of other transactions in standardized or over-the-counter options; or * in a combination of any of the above transactions. The selling shareholders may sell their shares at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices. The selling shareholders may use broker-dealers to sell their shares. If this happens, broker-dealers will either receive discounts or commissions from the selling shareholders, or they will receive commissions from purchasers of shares for whom they acted as agents. LEGAL MATTERS Our outside general counsel, Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will issue an opinion about the legality of the shares for us and the selling shareholders. EXPERTS The financial statements and schedule of Insignia Systems, Inc. incorporated by reference in this registration statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants,auditors, as indicatedset forth in their report, with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon theirsuch report andgiven upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. INDEMNIFICATION The Company'sMinnesota law and our Articles of Incorporation eliminate or limit certain liabilities of its directorsour directors. Minnesota law and the Company'sour Bylaws provide for indemnification ofrequire us to indemnify our directors, officers and employees of the Company in certain instances. Insofar as exculpation of, or indemnification for, liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the CompanyInsignia Systems pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company haswe have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such exculpation or indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable. 7 WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, DC, New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the selling shareholders sell all the shares. This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC (Registration No. 333-________). * Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998; * Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999; * Proxy Statement dated April 12, 1999 for the 1999 Annual Meeting of shareholders on May 20, 1999; * The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-18 (No. 33-40765-C). You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address: John Whisnant Insignia Systems, Inc. 5025 Cheshire Lane Plymouth, MN 55446 (612) 392-6200 You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. The selling shareholders will not make an offer of these shares in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. 8 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14: OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION* SEC registration fee .................................................... $ 1,86829 Nasdaq listing fee.................................. 1,000 Accounting fees and expenses ............. 2,000expenses........................ 1,500 Legal fees and expenses ..................expenses............................. 5,000 Printing expenses................................... 0 Blue Sky fees and expenses.......................... 0 Transfer agent and registrar fees................... 500 Miscellaneous....................................... 471 --------- Total .............................................. $ 8,500 Miscellaneous ............................ 132 -------- Total .................................. 12,500 Except========= - ------------------ *Except for the SEC registration fee and Nasdaq listing fee, all of the foregoing expenses have been estimated. ITEM 15: INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Section 302A.521 of the Minnesota Statutes requires among other things, the indemnification of personsRegistrant to indemnify a person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the former or present official capacity of the person with respect to the Registrant, against judgments, penalties, fines, including reasonable expenses, if such person (1) has not been indemnified by another organization or employee benefit plan for the same judgments, penalties, fines, including, without limitation, excise taxes assessed against the person with respect to an employee benefit plan, settlements, and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding with respect to the same acts or omissions; (2) acted in good faith; (3) received no improper personal benefit, and statutory procedure has been followed in the case of any conflict of interest by a director; (4) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) in the case of acts or omissions performedoccurring in theirthe person's performance in the official capacity as anof director or, for a person not a director, in the official capacity of officer, director,committee member or employee, or agent of the corporation against judgments, penalties and fines (including attorneys' fees) if such person is not otherwise indemnified, acted in good faith, received no improper benefit, reasonably believed that suchthe conduct was in the best interests of the corporation, and,Registrant, or, in the case of criminal proceedings, had no reason to believeperformance by a director, officer or employee of the Registrant as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another organization or employee benefit plan, reasonably believed that the conduct was unlawful.not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant. In addition, Section 302A.521, subd. 3, of the Minnesota Statutes requires payment by the corporation,Registrant, upon written request, of reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition in certain instances if ainstances. A decision as to required indemnification is made by a disinterested majority of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a disinterested quorum is present, or by a designated committee of the Board, by special legal counsel, by the Shareholdersshareholders or by a court. The Company'sRegistrant's Bylaws provide for the indemnification of itsofficers, directors, officers, employees, and agents in accordance with, and to the fullest extent provided by Section 302A.521. II-1 Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 15 of this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised 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. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the provisionsRegistrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Minnesota Business CorporationRegistrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act as amended from time to time.and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 5.1 Opinion and Consent of Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P., counsel to the Company 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP, independent public accountants 23.2 Consent of Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P. (see Exhibit 5.1 above) 24 Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereof) ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: II-1 undertakes, in accordance with Item 512 of Regulation S-K: (a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (iii)Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statementRegistration Statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.Statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein,therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.thereof; (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.offering; (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that,That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's Annual Reportannual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c)thereof; and II-2 (e) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the Prospectus, to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 and Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the Prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to provide such interim financial information. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrantRegistrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrantRegistrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrantRegistrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrantRegistrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrantRegistrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-2(i) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe it meets all of the requirements for filing a Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minnetonka,Plymouth, State of Minnesota, on the 29th1st day of July, 1998.June, 1999. INSIGNIA SYSTEMS, INC. By /s/ Scott F. Drill -------------------------------- Scott F. Drill, President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned officers and directors of Insignia Systems, Inc. hereby constitute and appoint G.L. Hoffman our true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for us and in our stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on July 29, 1998June 1, 1999 in the capacities indicated. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ G.L. Hoffman Chairman and Secretary - ---------------------------- G.L. Hoffman /s/ Scott F. Drill President, Chief Executive Scott F. Drill- ---------------------------- Officer and Director (principal executive Scott F. Drill officer) /s/ John R. Whisnant Vice President, Finance (principal financial - ---------------------------- and accounting officer) John R. Whisnant /s/ Gary L. Vars Executive Vice President and accounting officer)Director - ---------------------------- Gary L. Vars /s/ G.L. HoffmanDonald E. Schultz Director and Secretary G.L. Hoffman- ---------------------------- Donald E. Schultz /s/ Erwin A. Kelen Director - ---------------------------- Erwin A. Kelen /s/ Gordon F. Stofer Director - ---------------------------- Gordon F. Stofer /s/ Frank D. TrustmanTrestman Director - ---------------------------- Frank D. Trustman /s/ Donald E. Schultz Director Donald E. Schultz II-3Trestman