Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Executive Overview
We are in the business of innovating and licensing our fundamental wireless technologies. We have designed and developed proprietary RF technologies and integrated circuits based on those technologies, and we license our technologies to others for use in wireless communication products. We have expended significant financial and other resources to research and develop our RF technologies and to obtain patent protection for those technologies in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. We believe certain patents protecting our proprietary technologies have been broadly infringed by others and therefore our business plan primarily consists of enforcement of our intellectual property rights through patent licensing efforts and infringement litigation. We currently have patent enforcement actions ongoing in various U.S. district courts against mobile handset, smart television and other WiFi product providers, as well as semiconductor suppliers, for the infringement of a number of our RF patents. We have made significant investments in developing and protecting our technologies, the returns on which are dependent upon the generation of future revenues for realization.
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We continue to aggressively pursue licensing opportunities with wireless communications companies that make, use or sell semiconductors and/or products that incorporate RF technologies. We believe there are a number of wireless communications companies that can benefit from the use of the RF technologies we have developed, whether through a license or, in certain cases, a joint product venture that may include licensing rights. Our licensing efforts to date have required litigation in order to enforce and/or defend our intellectual property rights. Since 2011, we have been involved in patent infringement litigation against Qualcomm and subsequently others for the unauthorized use of our technology. Refer to Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for a complete discussion of our legal proceedings. We have expended significant resources since 2011 and incurred significant debt for the enforcement and defense of our intellectual property rights. As of December 31, 2024, we had five licensees for our technologies.
Recent Developments
In December 2024, we completed two private placement transactions with accredited investors for net proceeds of $5 million. These proceeds will be used to fund our operations in 2025.
On September 6, 2024, the CAFC issued its opinion in our long-standing patent infringement action against Qualcomm. The CAFC ruled in our favor on each of the issues we appealed and remanded the case back to the Middle District of Florida (Orlando) where the case was reopened. We are currently awaiting rulings from the district court on a number of outstanding motions, after which the court will schedule a pre-trial conference and a trial date.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
With the exception of the year ended December 31, 2023, we have incurred significant losses from operations and negative cash flows in every year since inception, largely as a result of our significant investments in developing advanced technologies and protecting our intellectual property. We have utilized the proceeds from sales of debt and equity securities and contingent funding arrangements with third parties to fund our operations, including the cost of litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights. At December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.9 million, working capital of $2.6 million, and an accumulated deficit of approximately $448.2 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred a net loss of approximately $14.5 million and used cash for operations of approximately $3.2 million. A significant amount of future proceeds that we may receive from our patent enforcement and licensing programs will first be utilized to repay borrowings, legal fees, and litigation expenses under our contingent funding arrangements. In addition, we have approximately $1.6 million in convertible debt that, if not converted, will mature between July 2025 and March 2026. Our independent registered public accounting firm has included in their audit report an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for a discussion of our liquidity and our ability to continue as a going concern.
We used cash for operations of approximately $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and generated cash from operations of $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in cash used for operations from 2023 to 2024 is primarily due to proceeds received from the patent license and settlement agreement entered into in February 2023, net of contingent legal fees and expenses paid.
We made payments of $13.9 million on our secured contingent payment obligation during the year ended December 31, 2023, and paid approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million in other debt obligations during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we received aggregate net proceeds from equity-based financings and option and warrant exercises of approximately $5.8 million, compared to aggregate net proceeds of $5.9 million from debt and equity-based financings and option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2023, including $5.0 million in new borrowings under our secured contingent payment obligation.
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Significant portions of our litigation costs to date have been funded by contingent payment arrangements with legal counsel. Fee discounts offered by legal counsel in exchange for contingent payments upon successful outcome in our litigation are not recognized in expense until such time that the related proceeds on which the contingent fees are payable are considered probable. Contingent fees vary based on each firm’s specific fee agreement. We currently have contingent fee arrangements in place for all of our active cases. In addition to our contingent fee agreements with legal counsel, we have secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations to third parties that have priority payments due from patent-related proceeds as discussed more fully under “Financial Condition - Contingent Payment Obligations” below.
Based on our current outstanding legal proceedings, funding arrangements and contingent payment arrangements, we estimate that up to 100% of our initial future proceeds will be used to repay contingent payment arrangements at least until the first $5.8 million of outstanding principal under our secured contingent payment obligation has been repaid. After repayment of $5.8 million in principal, we estimate that at least 75% of future proceeds could be payable to others until such time that certain minimum repayments have been achieved or our non recourse note matures in August 2028. The amount of proceeds payable to others depends on the proceeding and the nature, amount and timing of proceeds, among other factors.
Patent enforcement litigation is costly and time-consuming, and the outcome is difficult to predict. We expect to continue to invest in the support of our patent enforcement and licensing programs. We expect that cash flows generated from proceeds received from patent enforcement actions and/or technology licenses in 2025, after deduction of contingent payment obligations, will not be sufficient to cover our operating expenses and debt repayment obligations. In the event we do not generate revenues, or other patent-related proceeds, sufficient to cover our operational costs and contingent repayment obligations, we will be required to raise additional working capital through the sale of debt or equity securities or other financing arrangements.
The long-term continuation of our business plan is dependent upon our ability to secure sufficient financing to support our business, and our ability to generate revenues and/or patent-related proceeds sufficient to offset expenses and meet our contingent payment obligations and other long-term debt repayment obligations. Failure to generate sufficient revenues, raise additional capital through debt or equity financings, and/or reduce operating costs could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our short and long-term liquidity needs and achieve our intended long-term business objectives.
Financial Condition
Intangible Assets
We consider our intellectual property, including patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets to be significant to our business. Our intangible assets are pledged as security for our secured contingent payment obligation with Brickell. The net book value of our intangible assets was approximately $0.8 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The cost basis for our intangible assets represents capitalized legal costs and agency filing fees for securing intellectual property protection and does not include the costs expended in developing the underlying intellectual property. The cost of our intangible assets is amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, generally fifteen to twenty years. The decrease in the carrying value of our intangible assets is primarily the result of $0.2 million in patent amortization expense recognized in 2024 as our portfolio matures. Management evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets periodically and considers events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that may indicate impairment exists. As part of our ongoing patent maintenance program, we may, from time to time, abandon a particular patent if we determine fees to maintain the patent exceed its expected recoverability.
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Contingent Payment Obligations
We have secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations recorded at an aggregate estimated fair value of $46.7 million and $37.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These repayment obligations are contingent upon receipt of proceeds from patent enforcement and other patent monetization actions. We have elected to account for these contingent payment obligations at their estimated fair values which are subject to significant estimates and assumptions as discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies” below. Refer to Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for a discussion of the fair value measurement of our contingent payment obligations. The fair value of our contingent payment obligations may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on unpredictable changes in the status of our various patent litigation actions.
Our secured contingent payment obligation is payable to Brickell as a result of $23 million in aggregate borrowings under litigation funding arrangements initiated in 2016. As of December 31, 2024, we have repaid Brickell an aggregate of $17.3 million to date under these agreements. The contingent payment obligation to Brickell is recorded at its estimated fair market value of $40.7 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $11.3 million or 39% from the estimated fair market value at December 31, 2023. This increase in fair value is primarily the result of changes in the estimated amounts and timing of projected future cash flows due to changes in probabilities and time frames based on the status of various patent infringement actions, particularly as a result of the favorable CAFC decision received in September 2024 that remanded the Qualcomm case back to district court.
Brickell is entitled to the first $5.8 million in proceeds received by us, net of contingent legal fees, from any patent-related actions. Thereafter, Brickell is entitled to a prorated percentage of net proceeds. The underlying carrying value of the contingent payment obligation is represented by a non recourse note with a face value of $45.5 million, plus accrued interest of approximately $13.7 million as of December 31, 2024. The note matures on August 14, 2028. If our repayments to Brickell are insufficient to repay the face value of the note plus accrued interest by the maturity date, our remaining repayment obligations under the note will be reduced to zero with future payment obligations, if any, being determined under a separate prepaid forward purchase agreement that entitles Brickell to a specified percentage of monetary recoveries resulting from patent-related actions to the extent not already paid to Brickell under the note or previous litigation funding agreements.
In addition, we have incurred unsecured contingent payment obligations in connection with various funding arrangements. These contingent payment obligations are payable from our share of patent-related proceeds after satisfaction of our priority obligation to Brickell and payment of contingent fees to legal counsel. These unsecured contingent payment obligations are recorded at an aggregate estimated fair value of $5.9 million at December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $1.7 million from the estimated fair market value at December 31, 2023. This decrease is primarily the result of changes in the estimated amounts and timing of projected future cash flows due to changes in probabilities and time frames based on the status of various patent infringement actions. The maximum payment obligation for our unsecured contingent payment obligations is $10.8 million at December 31, 2024.
See “Change in Fair Value of Contingent Obligations” included in “Results of Operations” below for a discussion of the changes in the estimated fair values of our secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations.
Note Payable
As of December 31, 2024, we have a $0.3 million unsecured note payable to Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein, & Fox, PLLC (“SKGF”), a related party. The note calls for monthly payments of $12,500 through March 2027 with a final payment of approximately $0.02 million in April 2027. Failure to comply with the payment terms of this note constitutes an event of default which, if uncured, will result in the entire unpaid principal balance of the note and any unpaid, accrued interest to become immediately due and payable. In addition, an event of default results in an increase in the interest rate under the notes to a default rate of 12% per annum. Notes payable are discussed more fully in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.
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Convertible Notes
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $3.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively in notes, convertible at the holders’ option, into shares of our common stock at fixed conversion prices ranging from $0.08 to $0.25 per share. The decrease in the carrying value of our convertible notes is the result of approximately $1.4 million in notes that were converted into approximately 9.6 million shares of our common stock during 2024. The outstanding convertible notes as of December 31, 2024 mature at varying dates from July 2025 to January 2028. Notes representing approximately 40% of the outstanding principal balance are held by a single party and contain provisions for automatic extension of the maturity dates of the notes by up to ten one-year periods, if not revoked at the option of the holder.
The notes bear interest at stated rates ranging from 5% to 9% per annum and interest is generally payable quarterly. We have the option, subject to certain conditions, to pay the quarterly interest in-kind with shares of our common stock based on the market price of our common stock at the interest payment date. To date, nearly all of the interest payments under these convertible notes have been paid in-kind, and we anticipate that future payments of interest will also be paid in-kind to the extent allowable. The notes provide for events of default that include failure to pay principal or interest when due, breach of any of the representations made by us, events of liquidation or bankruptcy, and a change in control. In the event of default, the interest rate increases to 12% per annum and the outstanding principal balance of the notes plus all accrued interest due may be declared immediately payable by the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding notes. Our convertible notes payable are more fully discussed in Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.
Deferred Tax Assets and Related Valuation Allowance
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when, based on available objective evidence, it is more likely than not that the benefit of such assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2024, we had net deferred tax assets of approximately $84.0 million, primarily related to our NOL carryforwards, which were fully offset by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty related to realization of these assets through future taxable income. In addition, our ability to benefit from our NOL and other tax credit carryforwards could be limited under Section 382 as more fully discussed in “Risk Factors” and in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.
Results of Operations for Each of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Revenues and Gross Margins
We reported no licensing revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. Licensing revenue was $25 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our licensing revenue is from patent licensing and settlement agreements resulting from patent enforcement actions filed by us. To date, all of our license and settlement agreements have consisted of a one-time, lump sum payment with no recurring future revenue. We recognized revenue from each contract when the parties’ performance obligations were met. Cost of sales related to the licensing revenue consists of amortization expense for the patents covered under the license agreements. Our licensing revenue is expected to vary based on the market size of the licensee and the specific terms of the license and settlement agreement.
Our licensing proceeds in 2023 were used to pay contingent out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by our litigation counsel and to repay a portion of our secured contingent payment obligations. The contingent out-of-pocket expenses, which are recognized in the same period as the corresponding revenue, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Although we anticipate additional revenue to result from our licensing and patent enforcement actions, the amount and timing is highly unpredictable and there can be no assurance that we will achieve our anticipated results.
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Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of executive, director, technical support, and finance and administrative personnel and third-party consulting costs, including share-based compensation, costs incurred for insurance, shareholder relations and outside legal and professional services, including litigation expenses, and maintenance expenses related to our patent assets.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to approximately $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing a decrease of approximately $10.5 million or 71%. This decrease results primarily from a $10.7 million decrease in litigation fees and expenses. We recognized approximately $11.1 million in contingent litigation expenses resulting from patent license and settlement arrangements for the year ended December 31, 2023. No contingent litigation expense was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024. The contingent legal fees and expenses recognized are generally proportionate to the amount of gross proceeds received from our confidential patent license and settlement agreements.
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Payment Obligations
We have elected to measure our secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations at fair value which is based on significant unobservable inputs. We estimated the fair value of our secured contingent payment obligations using a probability-weighted income approach based on the estimated present value of projected future cash outflows using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Increases or decreases in the significant unobservable inputs could result in material increases or decreases in fair value. Generally, changes in fair value are a result of changes in estimated amounts and timing of projected future cash flows resulting from increases in funded amounts, passage of time, and changes in the probabilities based on the litigation status of the funded actions.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a net increase in the aggregate fair value of our secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations of approximately $9.6 million. The majority of the change in fair value is attributable to changes in the estimated amounts and timing of projected future cash flows due to changes in the litigation status of various patent infringement actions, including the September 2024 CAFC remand of our infringement action against Qualcomm back to district court for trial.
Critical Accounting Policies
We believe that the following are critical accounting policies and estimates that significantly impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Contingent Payment Obligations
We have accounted for our secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations as long-term debt. Our repayment obligations are contingent upon the receipt of proceeds from patent enforcement or other patent monetization actions. We have elected to measure our contingent payment obligations at their estimated fair values based on the variable and contingent nature of the repayment provisions. We have determined that the fair value of our secured and unsecured contingent payment obligations falls within Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, which involves significant estimates and assumptions including projected future patent-related proceeds and the risk-adjusted rate for discounting future cash flows. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates made. Changes in fair value, including the component related to imputed interest, are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income under the heading “Change in fair value of contingent payment obligations.” Refer to Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for a discussion of the significant estimates and assumptions used in estimating the fair value of our contingent payment obligations.
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New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This update modifies reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about segment expenses categorized as significant or regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, and contain other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We adopted this standard during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Other than additional disclosure, there was no material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption. Refer to Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for the new disclosure.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This update requires enhanced disclosures on income taxes paid, adds disaggregation of continuing operations before income taxes between foreign and domestic earnings, and defines specific categories for the reconciliation of jurisdictional tax rate to effective tax rate. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and can be applied on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This update requires disclosure of the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization included in each relevant expense line item on the income statement. The standard also requires a qualitative description of other amounts included in each relevant expense line item on the income statement that are not separately disclosed. In addition, entities are required to disclose the nature and amount of selling expenses. The amendments in ASU 2024-03 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, which for the Company would be applicable to fiscal year 2027, and for subsequent interim periods. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. Adoption of this guidance will result in additional disclosures, but we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2024-03 to materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) - Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments. This update clarifies the assessment of whether a transaction should be accounted for as an induced conversion or extinguishment of convertible debt when changes are made to conversion features as part of an offer to settle the instrument. ASU 2024-04 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted for entities that have adopted ASU 2020-06. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
As of December 31, 2024, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 9.7 million shares of our common stock. The estimated grant date fair value of these warrants of approximately $4.0 million is included in shareholders’ deficit in our consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2024. The outstanding warrants have an average exercise price of $0.85 per share and a weighted average remaining life of approximately 1.5 years.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
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