Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Conclusions Regarding Effectiveness
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness
of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”), as defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2021, the end of the period covered
by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Disclosure Controls evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation
of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, who is the same person and our sole full-time employee.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure
controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon this evaluation, our chief
executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, due to our limited internal audit function and our very limited staff, our
disclosure controls were not effective as of December 31, 2021, such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the chief executive officer/chief financial officer, as appropriate
to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control
over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange
Act. Our management is also required to assess and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance
with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 404”). Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. During our assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, management identified material weaknesses related to (i) our internal
audit functions (ii) inadequate levels of review of the financial statements and (iii) a lack of segregation of duties within accounting
functions. Therefore, our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2021.
Management has determined that our internal controls
contain material weaknesses due to the absence of segregation of duties, as well as lack of qualified accounting personnel and excessive
reliance on third party consultants for accounting, financial reporting and related activities. The lack of any separation of duties,
with the same person, who is our only full time employee, serving as both chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and who
does not have an accounting background, makes it unlikely that we will be able to implement effective internal controls over financial
reporting in the near future.
49
Due to our size and nature, segregation of all
conflicting duties is not possible. However, to the extent possible, we plan to implement procedures to assure that the initiation of
transactions, the custody of assets and the recording of transactions will be performed by separate individuals if and when we have sufficient
income to enable us to hire such individuals, and we cannot give any assurance that we will be able to hire such personnel. Since we became
engaged in the intellectual property management business in 2008 we have not had the financial resources to develop or implement systems
that would provide us with the necessary information on a timely basis so as to be able to implement financial controls. Our financial
condition makes it difficult for us to implement a system of internal controls over financial reporting.
Until we generate significantly greater revenues
and employ accounting personnel, it is doubtful that we will be able implement any system which provides us with any degree of internal
controls over financial reporting. Due to the nature of this material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, there
is more than a remote likelihood that misstatements which could be material to our annual or interim financial statements could not be
prevented or detected.
A material weakness (within the meaning of PCAOB
Auditing Standard No. 5) is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there
is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected
on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting
that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of our financial
reporting.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods
are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting.
During the period ended December 31, 2021, there
was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not applicable.
50
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following table presents information with
respect to our officers, directors:
Name
Age
Position(s)
Jon C. Scahill
45
Chief executive officer, president, acting chief financial officer, secretary and director
Timothy J. Scahill
54
Chief technology officer and director
Dr. William Ryall Carroll
46
Director
Ryan T. Logue
41
Director
Prior to January 2016, our directors were elected
to serve for a term of one year until our next annual meeting of the stockholders or unless he resigns earlier. On January 22, 2016, following
approval by the stockholders, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation
provides for a classified board of directors. Our classified board of directors has three classes of directors – Class I directors,
Class II directors and Class III directors. The Class I director has a term of which expired in 2020, the Class II director has a term
which expired in 2018, and the Class III director has a term which expired in 2019. Directors are elected for a term of three years. Since
we did not have an annual meeting of stockholders in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the Class I, Class II and Class III directors continue in office
until the next meeting of stockholders, at which all directors will be elected.
Jon C. Scahill, a Class I director, has been president
and chief executive officer since January 2014 and a director since 2007. He was appointed secretary in April 2014. He also served as
president and chief operating officer from May 2007 to December 2013. From December 2006 to May 2007, Mr. Scahill was founder and managing
director of the Urban-Rigney Group, LLC, a private consultancy specializing in new business/new venture development, operations optimization,
and strategic analysis. Prior to launching his consultancy business, Mr. Scahill held numerous positions in sales and marketing, technical
management, and product development in the consumer products/flexible packaging arena. Mr. Scahill holds a B.S. in chemical engineering
from the University of Rochester, an MBA in finance, strategy and operations from Rochester’s Simon Graduate School of Business
and a JD from Pace Law School. Mr. Scahill is admitted to practice in New York, Florida and the District of Columbia, and he is a registered
patent attorney admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
51
Timothy J. Scahill, a Class II director, has a
director since October 2014 and our chief technology officer since 2007. Mr. Scahill is also currently a managing partner of Managed Services
Team LLC, an IT services provider. Prior to Managed Services Team, he was president of Layer 8 Group, Inc. from August 2005 to December
2012, at which time Layer 8 merged with Structured Technologies Inc. to form Managed Services Team LLC. In his roles he has taken the
responsibility for business strategy, acquisition, execution, as well as financial management. His entrepreneurial acumen and proven record
of successful management with sole discretionary responsibility, demonstrate the scope of his capability and his value to delivering results.
He serves on the boards of the Upstate New York Technology Council, is an investor in Greater Rochester Enterprise, Pariemus Rochester
and also serves on the Corporate Advisory Board for Habitat for Humanity. He is a member of Greater Rochester Enterprise and CEO Roundtable
Chair.
Dr. William Ryall Carroll, a Class III director,
has been a director since October 2014. Dr. Carroll has been associate professor and chairman of the marketing department at St. John’s
University College of Business since July 2014. From September 2008 until June 2014, Dr. Carroll was an assistant professor in the marketing
department of St. John’s University College of Business. Dr. Carroll is founder, chief executive officer and owner of Raiserve Inc.,
a web-based platform for monetizing non-profit programmatic work in the area of service formed in October 2014. Dr. Carroll’s research
focuses on consumer behavior and behavioral decision theory. Dr. Carroll’s work has been published in top academic journals including
the Journal of Advertising, Marketing Letters, as well in books such as Psycholinguistic Phenomena in Marketing Communications. In addition
to his research Dr. Carroll has taught Marketing at the executive, graduate and undergraduate level across in the United States, Europe
and Asia. Prior to pursuing his academic career, Dr. Carroll held various marketing positions at NOP Worldwide Marketing Research Company
and Ralston Purina Company. Dr. Carroll earned his BA in Economics from the University of Rochester, his MS in Marketing Research from
the University of Texas in Arlington, and his PhD from City University of New York – Baruch College.
Ryan T. Logue, a Class I director, is an investment
advisory representative Lincoln Investment, a position he has held since 2019. Prior to joining Lincoln Investment, he spent 16 years
with Morgan Stanley in the private wealth management department. Mr. Logue has spent the majority of his career focused on investing in
both public and private opportunities department. Mr. Logue graduated with a BA from Colgate University and an MBA from Columbia University
and has previously served on the board of the Columbia Alumni Association of Fairfield County.
Timothy J. Scahill and Jon C. Scahill are first
cousins.
Director Independence
Dr. Carroll and Mr. Logue are “independent”
directors based on the definition of independence in the listing standards of the NYSE.
Code of Ethics
We have not yet adopted a code of ethics that
applies to our principal executive officers, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions, since we have been focusing our efforts on developing our business. We expect to adopt a code as we develop our business.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We do not have any committees of our board of
directors.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, requires executive officers and directors of issuers whose securities are registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange
Act and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial statements of beneficial
ownership, reports of changes in ownership and annual reports concerning their ownership of the our common stock and other equity securities,
on Form 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Because our common stock is not registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, our officers, directors
and 10% stockholders are not required to make such filings.
52
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The following summary compensation table sets
forth information concerning compensation for services rendered in all capacities during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, earned
by or paid to our executive officers.
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
Bonus
Awards
Stock
Awards
Options/ Warrant
Awards
Non-Equity Plan
Compensation
Nonqualified
Deferred Earnings
All Other
Compensation (3)
Total
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Jon Scahill,
2021
$ 300,000
-
588,000(1)
240,000 (2)
-
-
58,000
$ 1,186,000
CEO and President
2020
300,000
-
-
-
-
-
57,000
357,000
(1)
Represents the value of 49,000,000 shares granted Mr. Scahill in 2021
(2)
Represents the value of an option to purchase 20,000,000 shares of
common stock
(3)
Represents the payments made by the Company under the SEP IRA adopted in March 2020
Employment Agreements
Pursuant to the restated employment agreement,
dated November 30, 2014, we agreed to employ Jon C. Scahill as president and chief executive officer for a term of three years, commencing
January 1, 2014, and continuing on a year-to-year basis unless terminated by either party on not less than 90 days’ notice prior
to the expiration of the initial term or any one-year extension. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $252,000, which may be
increased, but not decreased, by the board or the compensation committee. In March 2016, the board of directors increased Mr. Scahill’s
annual salary to $300,000, effective January 1, 2016. Mr. Scahill is entitled to a bonus if we meet or exceed performance criteria established
by the compensation committee. In August 2016, the board of directors approved annual bonus compensation to Mr. Scahill equal to 30% of
the amount by which our consolidated income before income taxes exceeds $500,000, but, if we are subject to the limitation on deductibility
of executive compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the bonus cannot exceed the amount which would be deductible
pursuant to Section 162(m). Mr. Scahill is also eligible to participate in any executive incentive plans which we may adopt. Pursuant
to the agreement, we issued to Mr. Scahill warrants to purchase 60,000,000 shares, representing the warrants that had been previously
covered in his prior employment agreement but which had never been issued, and we issued to Mr. Scahill a restricted stock grant for 30,000,000
shares which vested on January 15, 2015. In the event that we terminate Mr. Scahill’s employment other than for cause or as a result
of his death or disability, we will pay him severance equal to his salary for the balance of the term and, if he received a bonus for
the previous year, an amount equal to that bonus, as well as continuation of his insurance benefits. Mr. Scahill also waived accrued compensation
of $1,167,705, representing his accrued salary for periods prior to January 1, 2014. The restated employment agreement also includes mutual
general releases between Mr. Scahill and us. In March 2020, the Company adopted a SEP IRA plan for its employees. Mr. Scahill is our only
employee covered by the plan.
Pension Benefits
In March 2020, we adopted a SEP IRA plan for our
employees pursuant to which we deposit into a SEP IRA account of each of our participating employees a percentage of the employee’s
compensation, subject to statutory limitations on the amount of the contribution all as set forth in the IRS Form 5305-SEP presented to
and reviewed by the directors of this Corporation. For the year ending December 31, 2021 the percentage was set at 19%. Mr. Scahill is
our only employee covered by the plan.
53
2017 Equity Incentive Plan
On November 10, 2017, the board of directors adopted
the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which 150,000,000 shares of common stock may be issued. In February
2021, the board amended the Plan to increase the number of shares subject to the plan to 500,000,000. Set forth below is a summary of
the plan, as amended, but this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the plan, a copy of which is included
as an exhibit to this annual report.
The plan provides for the grant of non-qualified
options, stock grants and other equity-based incentives to employees, including officers, directors and consultants.
On February 19, 2021, the board of directors:
●
granted restricted stock grants for 10,000,000 shares, which vested in full immediately upon issuance, to each of three consultants pursuant to agreements with the consultants;
●
granted restricted stock grants for a total of 69,000,000 shares, which vested in full immediately upon issuance, to our directors, Jon C. Scahill (49,000,000 shares), Timothy J. Scahill (10,000,000 shares) and Dr. William R. Carroll (10,000,000 shares) as compensation for services rendered;
●
granted a restricted stock grant to Ryan T. Logue for 5,000,000 shares upon his acceptance of his appointment as a director;
●
granted non-qualified ten-year stock options to purchase 30,000,000 shares to each of three consultants pursuant to agreements with the consultants, the options to vest as provided in their agreements.
●
granted a non-qualified ten-year stock option to purchase 60,000,000 shares to Jon C. Scahill, which vest in installments as described under Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The options granted to two of the consultants become exercisable as
follows:
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share becoming exercisable upon the commencement of trading of the Common Stock on the OTCQB which occurred on May 7, 2021.
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, becoming exercisable on the first day on which the Company files with the SEC a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q which stockholders’ equity of at least $5,000,000, and
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share becoming exercisable on the date on which the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange.
54
The options granted the third consultant become exercisable as follows:
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share became exercisable
on February 22, 2022, which was the first anniversary of the date of the agreement.
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share upon the second anniversary of the date of the agreement; and
●
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share upon the third anniversary of the date of the agreement.
The options granted to Jon C. Scahill become exercisable
as follows:
●
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share becoming exercisable upon the commencement of trading of the Common Stock on the OTCQB, which occurred on May 7, 2021.
●
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, becoming exercisable on the first day on which the Company files with the SEC a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q which stockholders’ equity of at least $5,000,000, and
●
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05/share becoming exercisable on the date on which the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information as to the outstanding equity
awards granted to and held by the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2021.
Option awards
Stock awards
Name
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
unexercisable
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
Option
exercise
price
($)
Option
expiration
Date
Number
of shares
or units
of stock
that
have
not
vested
(#)
Market
value of
shares
of units
of stock
that
have
not
vested
($)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number
of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
(#)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Market or
payout
value of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights that
have not
vested
($)
Jon
Scahill
20,000,000 (1)
20,000,000 (2)
0.01
2/22/2031
20,000,000 (3)
0.03
0.05
(1)
Represents 20,000,000 shares granted to Mr. Scahill on February 22, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.01 per share becoming exercisable upon the commencement of trading of the Common Stock on the OTCQB. The Company regained such compliance on May 7, 2021, at which time the common stock recommenced trading on the OTCQB.
(2)
Represents 20,000,000 shares granted to Mr. Scahill on February 22, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, becoming exercisable on the first day on which the Company files with the SEC a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q which stockholders” equity of at least $5,000,000
(3)
Represents 20,000,000 shares granted to Mr. Scahill on February 22, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.05 per share becoming exercisable on the date on which the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange
55
Directors’ Compensation
We do not have any agreements or formal plan for
compensating our directors for their service in their capacity as directors, although our board has, and may in the future, award stock
grants or options to purchase shares of common stock to our directors.
The following table provides information concerning
the compensation of each member of our board of directors whose compensation is not included in the Summary Compensation Table for his
services as a director for 2020.
Name
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
Stock
Awards
Total
Timothy J. Scahill
$ -
$ 120,000
$ 120,000
Dr. William Ryall Carroll
-
120,000
120,000
Ryan T. Logue
-
60,000
60,000
The amount under Stock Awards reflects the value
of the stock issued to the named directors.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table provides information as to
shares of common stock beneficially owned as of March 31, 2022, by:
●
Each director;
●
Each current officer named in the summary compensation table;
●
Each person owning of record or known by us, based on information provided to us by the persons named below, at least 5% of our common stock; and
●
All directors and officers as a group.
For purposes of the following table, “beneficial
ownership” means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or sole or shared investment power with
respect to a security, or any combination thereof, and the right to acquire such power (for example, through the exercise of warrants
granted by us) within 60 days of March 31, 2022.
Name and Address (1) of Beneficial Owner
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
% of
Class
Jon C. Scahill
160,000,000
28.9 %
Andrew C. Fitton (2)
300 Bowie St., Apt. 2803
Austin, TX 78703
117,407,407
22.0 %
Intelligent Partners, LLC (3)
300 Bowie St., Apt. 2803
Austin, TX 78703
50,000,000
8.6 %
Michael R. Carper (4)
13218 Tamayo Drive
Austin, TX 78729
78,888,889
14.8 %
Dr. William Ryall Carroll
15,484,633
2.9 %
Timothy J. Scahill
15,105,000
2.8 %
Ryan T. Logue
5,497,624
1.0 %
All officers and directors as a group (four individuals)
196,087,257
35.4 %
(1)
The address of Jon C. Scahill, Dr. Carroll, Timothy J. Scahill and Ryan T. Logue is c/o Quest Patent Research Corporation, 411 Theodore Fremd Ave., Suite 206S, Rye, New York 10580-1411.
(2)
Represents (a) 67,407,407 shares owned by Mr. Fitton and (b) 50,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of an option held by Intelligent Partners.
(3)
Represents 50,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Intelligent Partners. Andrew C. Fitton and Michael R. Carper, as the members of Intelligent Partners, have the right to vote and dispose of the shares owned by Intelligent Partners.
(4)
Represents (a) 28,888,889 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Carper and (b) 50,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of an option held by Intelligent Partners.
56
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Transactions
In prior periods, we incurred interest expense
on our 10% notes issued to United Wireless pursuant to the securities purchase agreement dated October 22, 2015 more fully described in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The notes were extinguished in February 2021 and we did not incur
interest expense on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2021. The interest expense was approximately $351,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
Reference is made to the discussion of our agreements
with Intelligent Partners, Mr. Fitton and Mr. Carper under “Item 1. Business – Summary of Agreements with Intelligent Partners”
and “Agreements with QFL and Intelligent Partners” in Item 7.
Managed Services Team LLC, an entity for which
Timothy Scahill, our chief technology officer and a director, is a managing partner, provides information technology services to us. We
are obligated to pay for these services at usual and customary rates. The cost of these services was approximately $434 and $464 for the
year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
During 2021, we contracted with a law firm more
than 10% owned, but not controlled, by the father-in-law of the chief executive officer. The firm is engaged on a contingent fee basis
and serves as escrow agent in connection with monetization of our patents in matters where the firm is serving as counsel to us. In connection
with the engagement, we recorded patent service costs of approximately $763,000 and $909,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and
2020 respectively. The amount recorded in 2020 includes approximately $407,000 in accrued expenses and outstanding as of December 31,
2020. The accrued liability is recorded in “accounts payable and accrued liabilities.” The accrued liability was resolved
as part of a resolution with the firm at which the father-in-law of the chief executive was formerly a partner. In prior periods, we engaged
a firm at which the father-in-law of the chief executive was formerly a partner. Because his interest in the prior firm was less than
10%, the prior firm was not considered a related party in prior periods.
Director Independence
Dr. Carroll and Mr. Logue are “independent”
directors based on the definition of independence in the listing standards of the NYSE.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the fees billed by our independent accountants,
MaloneBailey for 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, and Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman P.A. (“RRBB”) for the remainder of 2021
for the categories of services indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31
2021
2020
Audit fees – MaloneBailey
$
71,000
$
58,360
Audit fees – RRBB
20,000
Audit – related fees
-
-
Tax fees
-
-
All other fees – Malone Bailey
6,500
-
Audit fees consist of fees related to professional
services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements.
All other fees relate to professional services
rendered in connection our registration statement.
Our policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible
non-audit services performed by the independent accountants. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and other services. Since we do not have an audit committee, the pre-approval is made by the board of directors. Our board approved all
services that our independent accountants provided to us in the past two fiscal years.
57
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
Exhibit
No.
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company.(5)
3.2
Bylaws of the Company. (3)
10.1
Restated Employment Agreement dated as of November 30, 2014 between the issuer and between the Company and Jon C. Scahill. (1)
10.2
Restricted Stock Grant dated October 30, 2014 between the Company and Jon C. Scahill. (1)
10.3
License Agreement dated March 26, 2008 between the Company and Emerging Technologies Trust. (1)
10.4
Licensing Services Agreement dated July 10, 2008 between the Company and Balthaser Online, Inc. (1)
10.5
Patent Purchase Agreement dated December 21, 2009 between Company and Intertech Holdings, LLC. (1)
10.6
Consulting Agreement dated August 11, 2010 between the Company and Alex W. Hart.(1)
10.7
Agreement dated February 8, 2011 between the Company and Sol Li. (1)
10.8
Agreement dated June 26, 2013 between the Company and The Betting Service Ltd. and Neil Riches.(1)
10.9
Funding Agreement dated March 13, 2014 between the Company and Longford Capital Fund I, LP, (subject to order granting confidential treatment (1))#
10.10
Agreement dated April 1, 2014 between the Company and Allied Standard Limited. (1)
10.11
Form of warrant issued to former officers and directors. (1)
10.12
Form of warrant issued to Mr. Jon C. Scahill. (1)
10.13
Indemnification agreement, dated December 8, 2014 between the Company and Jon C. Scahill. (4)
10.14
Indemnification agreement, dated December 8, 2014 between the Company and Timothy J. Scahill. (4)
10.15
Indemnification agreement, dated December 8, 2014 between the Company and Dr. William Ryall Carroll. (4)
10.16
Patent Sale Agreement, effective July 8, 2015 between Intellectual Ventures Assets 16 LLC and the Company.(2)
10.17
2017 Equity Incentive Plan(6)
10.18
Purchase Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC (7)
10.19
Ex. A to Purchase Agreement – Security Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)†
10.20
Ex. B to Purchase Agreement – Subsidiary Continuing Guaranty Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among Quest Licensing Corporation, Mariner IC Inc., Semcon IP Inc., IC Kinetics Inc., Quest NetTech Corporation, CXT Systems, Inc., M-Red Inc., Audio Messaging Inc. and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)
10.21
Ex. C to Purchase Agreement – Subsidiary Patent Proceeds Security Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Quest Licensing Corporation, Mariner IC Inc., Semcon IP Inc., IC Kinetics Inc., Quest NetTech Corporation, CXT Systems, Inc., M-Red Inc., Audio Messaging Inc. and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)
10.22
Ex. D to Purchase Agreement – Warrant Issuance Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)
10.23
Ex. E to Purchase Agreement – Board Observation Rights Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)
10.24
Registration Rights Agreement – dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC. (7)
10.25
Form of Warrant – dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and QPRC Finance LLC (7)
10.26
Restructure Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Quest Licensing Corporation, Mariner IC Inc., Semcon IP Inc., IC Kinetics Inc., Quest NetTech Corporation, CXT Systems, Inc., M-Red Inc., Audio Messaging Inc. Intelligent Partners LLC, Andrew Fitton and Michael Carper. (7)
10.27
Ex. A to Restructure Agreement - Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Intelligent Partners LLC, Andrew Fitton and Michael Carper. (7)
10.28
Ex. B to Restructure Agreement - Option Grant dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.29
Ex. C to Restructure Agreement - Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
58
10.24
Ex. D to Restructure Agreement - Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Intelligent Partners LLC, Andrew Fitton and Michael Carper. (7)
10.30
Ex. E to Restructure Agreement - Board Observation Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.31
Ex. F to Restructure Agreement - Amended and Restated MPA-CP dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Quest Licensing Corporation, Mariner IC Inc., Semcon IP Inc., IC Kinetics Inc., Quest NetTech Corporation and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.32
Ex. G to Restructure Agreement - Amended and Restated MPA-CXT dated February 19, 2021 among CXT Systems, Inc. and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.33
Ex. H to Restructure Agreement - Monetization Proceeds Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among M-RED Inc. and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.34
Ex. I to Restructure Agreement - Monetization Proceeds Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among Audio Messaging Inc. and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.35
Ex. J to Restructure Agreement - Amended and Restated 2015 Patent Proceeds Security Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company, Quest Licensing Corporation, Mariner IC Inc., Semcon IP Inc., IC Kinetics Inc., Quest NetTech Corporation, CXT Systems, Inc., M-Red Inc., Audio Messaging Inc. and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.36
Ex. K to Restructure Agreement - MPA-NA dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.37
Ex. L to Restructure Agreement - MPA-NA Security Interest Agreement dated February 19, 2021 among the Company and Intelligent Partners LLC. (7)
10.38
Form of Consulting Agreement (8)
10.39
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (8)
10.40
Form of Option Agreement (8)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed by the Company on December 15, 2014.
(2)
Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)
Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on April 10, 2015.
(4)
Filed as exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, which was filed with the SEC on February 3, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.
(5)
Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on January 26, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed by the Company on April 2, 2018.
(7)
Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
(8)
Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed by the Company on April 15, 2021.
#
Certain portions of this exhibit are omitted pursuant to an order granting confidential treatment. The omitted information has been filed separately with the SEC.
†
Certain confidential information has been deleted from this Exhibit.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
59
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 31, 2022
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Jon C. Scahill
Name:
Jon C. Scahill
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and
on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Jon C. Scahill as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities
to sign any and all amendments to this report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Jon C. Scahill
Director, chief executive officer,
March 31, 2022
Jon C. Scahill
acting chief financial officer and president
(principal executive, financial and accounting officer)
/s/ Timothy J. Scahill
Director
March 31, 2022
Timothy J. Scahill
/s/ Dr. William Ryall Carroll
Director
March 31, 2022
Dr. William Ryall Carroll
/s/ Ryan T. Logue
Director
March 31, 2022
Ryan T. Logue
60
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION
DECEMBER 31, 2021
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman P.A. – PCAOB ID: 89) F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (MaloneBailey, LLP - PCAOB ID: 206 ) F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
F- 1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
of Quest Patent Research Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets of Quest Patent Research Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31,
2021, and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year then ended,
and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation
of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of Matter
The accompanying financial statements have been
prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has
suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue
as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include
any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from
the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and
that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective,
or complex judgments. We determined that there were no critical audit matters.
/s/ Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021.
Somerset, New Jersey
March 31, 2022
F- 2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Quest Patent Research Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet of Quest Patent Research Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year then ended,
and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Matter
The accompanying financial statements have been
prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has
suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue
as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include
any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our
audit. 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 audit in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the 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 regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
F- 3
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is
a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the
audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the
financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion
on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Impairment of Intangible Assets
Description of the Matter
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements,
the Company’s intangible assets consist of patents which are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives and are reviewed for impairment upon any triggering event that may give rise to the assets ultimate recoverability. We identified
the impairment assessment of the intangible assets as a critical audit matter due to its materiality to the financial statements and the
significant estimates involved, the audit of which required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We tested the Company’s determination of
the carrying value of the intangible assets by comparing the year-end balances to the undiscounted future cash flows and evaluated the
reasonableness of the inputs of the future cash flows to verifiable data.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
We have served as the Company’s auditor since
2013.
Houston, Texas
April 15, 2021
F- 4
Quest Patent Research Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
$ 264,840
$ 247,862
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 0 and $ 66,000 , respectively
-
1,032,886
Other current assets
12,305
5,934
Total current assets
277,145
1,286,682
Patents, net of accumulated amortization of $ 715,519 and $ 2,266,158 , respectively
539,481
2,200,959
Total assets
$ 816,626
$ 3,487,641
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$ 129,426
$ 2,892,025
Loans payable
138,000
147,000
Purchase price of patents, current portion
-
1,500,000
Funding Liability
3,202,765
Loan payable – related party
2,805,000
4,672,810
Warrant liability
1,636,187
Accrued interest
491,971
284,885
Total current liabilities
8,403,349
9,496,720
Non-current liabilities
Loan payable - SBA
150,000
174,392
Purchase price of patents, net of unamortized discount of $ 0 and $ 131,793 , respectively
190,000
658,207
Total liabilities
8,743,349
10,329,319
Stockholders’ deficit
Preferred stock, par value $ 0.00003 per share – authorized 10,000,000 shares – no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, par value $ 0.00003 per share; authorized 10,000,000,000 at December 31, 2021 and 2020; shares issued and outstanding 533,334,630 and 383,038,334 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively
16,000
11,491
Additional paid-in capital
17,493,027
14,427,782
Accumulated deficit
( 25,435,978 )
( 21,281,179 )
Total Quest Patent Research Corporation stockholders’ deficit
( 7,926,951 )
( 6,841,906 )
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary
228
228
Total stockholders’ deficit
( 7,926,723 )
( 6,841,678 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$ 816,626
$ 3,487,641
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements
F- 5
Quest Patent Research Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Year Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Revenues
Patent licensing fees
$ 2,050,000
$ 5,488,088
2,050,000
5,488,088
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues:
Litigation and licensing expenses
1,314,928
4,692,969
Selling, general and administrative expenses
3,848,611
1,513,822
Total operating expenses
5,163,539
6,206,791
Loss from operations
( 3,113,539 )
( 718,703 )
Other expense
Gain on forgiveness of debt
1,850,018
-
Gain on settlement of accounts payable and accrued expenses
1,725,965
-
Warrant expense
( 1,154,905 )
-
Change in fair market value of warrant liability
( 481,282 )
-
Change in fair market value of derivative liability
-
275,000
Loss on conversion of debt
( 305,556 )
-
Loss on debt extinguishment
( 730,378 )
-
Loss on impairment of assets
( 1,651,614 )
-
Other Income
-
1,000
Interest expense
( 291,702 )
( 804,456 )
Total other expense
( 1,039,454 )
( 528,456 )
Net loss before income tax
( 4,152,993 )
( 1,247,159 )
Provision for income taxes
( 1,806 )
( 65,363 )
Net loss
( 4,154,799 )
( 1,312,522 )
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary
-
11
Net Loss Attributable to Quest Patent Research Corporation
$ ( 4,154,799 )
$ ( 1,312,511 )
Net loss per share – Basic and Diluted
$ ( 0.01 )
$ ( 0.00 )
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
511,863,731
383,038,334
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
613,878,234
383,038,334
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements
F- 6
Quest Patent Research Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’
Deficit
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Non-controlling
Interest in
Total
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Subsidiaries
Deficit
Balances as of December 31, 2019
383,038,334
11,491
14,107,782
( 19,968,668 )
239
( 5,849,156 )
Resolution of derivative liability
-
-
320,000
-
-
320,000
Net loss
-
-
-
( 1,312,511 )
( 11 )
( 1,312,522 )
Balances as of December 31, 2020
383,038,334
11,491
14,427,782
( 21,281,179 )
228
( 6,841,678 )
Restricted shares issued for services
104,000,000
3,120
1,244,880
-
-
1,248,000
Shares issued for conversion of debt
46,296,296
1,389
554,167
-
-
555,556
Option issued for debt extinguishment
-
-
598,188
-
-
598,188
Options granted for compensation
-
-
668,010
-
-
668,010
Net loss
-
-
-
( 4,154,799 )
-
( 4,154,799 )
Balances as of December 31, 2021
533,334,630
$ 16,000
$ 17,493,027
$ ( 25,435,978 )
$ 228
$ ( 7,926,723 )
F- 7
Quest Patent Research Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
( 4,154,799
)
$
( 1,312,522
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization of debt discount
88,094
435,415
Change in fair market value of warrant liability
481,282
-
Change in fair market value of derivative liability
-
( 275,000
)
Stock based compensation
1,916,011
-
Warrant expense
1,154,905
-
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
( 1,725,965
)
-
Gain on forgiveness of debt
( 1,850,018
)
-
Amortization of intangible assets
1,159,865
648,395
Loss on conversion of debt
305,556
-
Loss on impairment of assets
1,651,614
-
Bad debt expense
667
66,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
1,032,219
751,489
Accrued interest
203,526
( 100,420
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
( 1,036,637
)
( 470,907
)
Other current asses
( 6,371
)
11,246
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
( 49,673
)
( 246,304
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of patents
( 1,150,000
)
( 95,000
)
Net cash used in investing activities
( 1,150,000
)
( 95,000
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of future revenues
-
95,000
Proceeds from SBA loans
-
171,732
Payment on loan – related party
( 1,750,000
)
-
Loan payable – third party
( 9,000
)
-
Proceeds from third party loan
3,900,000
-
Repayment of purchase price of patents
( 924,349
)
( 194,386
)
Repayment from sale of future revenues
-
( 20,378
)
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities
1,216,651
51,968
Net increase (decrease) in cash
16,978
( 289,336
)
Cash at beginning of year
247,862
537,198
Cash at end of year
$
264,840
$
247,862
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Shares issued for conversion of debt
$
555,556
$
-
Resolution of derivative liability
-
320,000
Options granted for settlement of debt
598,188
Accrued interest added to principal
5,626
2,660
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes, including foreign taxing authorities withheld taxes of $ 0 and $ 60,255 during the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 respectively.
$
1,806
$
65,363
Interest
-
472,121
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements
F- 8
Quest Patent Research Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The Company is a Delaware corporation, incorporated
on July 17, 1987 and has been engaged in the intellectual property monetization business since 2008.
As used herein, the “Company”, “we”,
“us” or “our” refers to Quest Patent Research Corporation and its wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating
subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise. All intellectual property acquisition, development, licensing and enforcement activities
are conducted by the Company’s wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Principles of consolidation and financial statement
presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared
in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and present the consolidated financial statements
of the Company and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts and operations of:
Quest Patent Research Corporation (“The
Company”)
Quest Licensing Corporation (NY) (wholly owned)
Quest Licensing Corporation (DE) (wholly owned)
Quest Packaging Solutions Corporation ( 90 % owned)
Quest Nettech Corporation ( 65 % owned)
Semcon IP, Inc. (wholly owned)
Mariner IC, Inc. (wholly owned)
IC Kinetics, Inc. (wholly owned)
CXT Systems, Inc. (wholly owned)
Photonic Imaging Solutions Inc. (wholly owned)
M-RED Inc. (wholly owned)
Audio Messaging Inc. (wholly owned)
Peregrin Licensing LLC (wholly owned)
Taasera Licensing LLC (wholly owned)
Soundstreak Texas, LLC (wholly owned)
Multimodal Media LLC (wholly owned)
LS Cloud Storage Technologies, LLC (wholly owned)
Significant intercompany transaction and balances have been eliminated
in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates estimates including
the allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other
assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form its basis for making judgments
about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
F- 9
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with original maturity dates of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were $ 0 as of December
31, 2021 and 2020.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, which generally relate to
licensed sales, are presented on the balance sheet net of estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company records an allowance for estimated
uncollectible accounts in an amount approximating anticipated losses. Individual uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance
when collection of the individual accounts appears doubtful. The Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately
$ 0 and $ 66,000 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of patents which are
amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or statutory lives whichever is shorter and are reviewed for
impairment upon any triggering event that may give rise to the assets ultimate recoverability as prescribed under the guidance related
to impairment of long-lived assets. Costs incurred to acquire patents, including legal costs, are also capitalized as long-lived assets
and amortized on a straight-line basis with the associated patent.
Patents include the cost of patents or patent
rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) acquired from third-parties or acquired in connection with business combinations.
Patent acquisition costs are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their remaining economic useful lives, ranging from one
to twenty years from the date of filing. Certain patent application and prosecution costs incurred to secure additional patent claims,
that based on management’s estimates are deemed to be recoverable, are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated economic
useful life of the related patent portfolio.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, including intangible assets with a finite life,
are reviewed for impairment in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “ Property, Plant, and
Equipment ” 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. In the event
that management decides to no longer allocate resources to a patent portfolio, an impairment loss equal to the remaining carrying value
of the asset is recorded. The Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately $1,652,000 and $ 0 at December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively, to write down finite lived intangible assets in the Power Management/Bus Controller, CXT and M-RED portfolios. See
Note 6.
Warrant liability
The Company reflects a warrant liability with
respect to warrants for which number of shares underlying the warrants is not fixed until the date of the initial exercise. The amount
of the liability is determined at the end of each fiscal period and the period to period change in the amount of warrant liability is
reflected as a gain or loss in warrant liability and is include under other income (expense). See Note 4.
Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that
would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset
or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used which requires
an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. See Note
4 for information about warrant liabilities.
F- 10
The fair value hierarchy based on the three levels
of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Observable inputs other
than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated
by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that
are supported by little or no market activity and that are financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted
cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant
judgment or estimation.
The carrying value reflected in the consolidated
balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and short-term borrowings approximate
fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value since the related
rates of interest approximate current market rates.
Revenue Recognition
Patent Licensing Fees
Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control
of promised bundled intellectual property rights and other contractual performance obligations to licensees in an amount that reflects
the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those intellectual property rights. Revenue contracts that provide promises to
grant “the right” to use intellectual property rights as they exist at the point in time at which the intellectual property
rights are granted, are accounted for as performance obligations satisfied at a point in time and revenue is recognized at the point in
time that the applicable performance obligations are satisfied and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
For the periods presented, revenue contracts executed
by the Company primarily provided for the payment of contractually determined, one-time, paid-up license fees in consideration for the
grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by the Company’s operating subsidiaries.
Intellectual property rights granted included the following, as applicable: (i) the grant of a non-exclusive, retroactive and future
license to manufacture and/or sell products covered by patented technologies, (ii) a covenant-not-to-sue, (iii) the release of the licensee
from certain claims, and (iv) the dismissal of any pending litigation. The intellectual property rights granted were perpetual in
nature, extending until the legal expiration date of the related patents. The individual intellectual property rights are not accounted
for as separate performance obligations, as (i) the nature of the promise, within the context of the contract, is to transfer combined
items to which the promised intellectual property rights are inputs and (ii) the Company’s promise to transfer each individual intellectual
property right described above to the customer is not separately identifiable from other promises to transfer intellectual property rights
in the contract.
Since the promised intellectual property rights
are not individually distinct, the Company combined each individual IP right in the contract into a bundle of IP rights that is distinct,
and accounted for all of the intellectual property rights promised in the contract as a single performance obligation. The intellectual
property rights granted were “functional IP rights” that have significant standalone functionality. The Company’s subsequent
activities do not substantively change that functionality and do not significantly affect the utility of the IP to which the licensee
has rights. The Company’s subsidiaries have no further obligation with respect to the grant of intellectual property rights, including
no express or implied obligation to maintain or upgrade the technology, or provide future support or services. The contracts provide for
the grant (i.e. transfer of control) of the licenses, covenants-not-to-sue, releases, and other significant deliverables upon execution
of the contract. Licensees legally obtain control of the intellectual property rights upon execution of the contract. As such, the
earnings process is complete and revenue is recognized upon the execution of the contract, when collectability is probable and all other
revenue recognition criteria have been met. Revenue contracts generally provide for payment of contractual amounts within 30-90 days of
execution of the contract. Contractual payments made by licensees are generally non-refundable. We do not have any significant payment
terms, as payment is received shortly after goods are delivered or services are provided, therefore there is no significant financing
component or consideration payable to the customer in these transactions.
F- 11
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues include the costs and expenses
incurred in connection with our patent licensing and enforcement activities, including inventor royalties paid to original patent owners,
contingent litigation funding fees, contingent legal fees paid to external patent counsel, other patent-related legal expenses paid to
external patent counsel, licensing and enforcement related research, consulting and other expenses paid to third-parties and the amortization
of patent-related investment costs. These costs are included under the caption “Cost of revenues” in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations. No such fees are recognized as cost of revenue to the extent that the Company has no obligation with respect
to such fees prior to a settlement or license.
Inventor Royalties, Litigation Funding Fees
and Contingent Legal Expenses.
In connection with the investment in certain patents
and patent rights, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries may execute related agreements which grant to the inventors and/or
former owners of the respective patents or patent rights, the right to receive a percentage of future net revenues (as defined in the
respective agreements) generated as a result of licensing and otherwise enforcing the respective patents or patent portfolios.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
retain the services of law firms that specialize in patent licensing and enforcement and patent law in connection with their licensing
and enforcement activities. These law firms may be retained on a contingent fee basis whereby such law firms are paid a percentage
of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
engage with funding sources that specialize in providing financing for patent licensing and enforcement. These litigation finance
firms may be engaged on a non-recourse basis whereby such litigation finance firms are paid a percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements
or judgments awarded in exchange for providing funding for legal fees and out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the licensing
and enforcement activities.
The economic terms of the inventor agreements,
operating agreements, contingent legal fee arrangements and litigation financing agreements associated with the patent portfolios owned
or controlled by the Company’s operating subsidiaries, if any, including royalty rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary
across the patent portfolios owned or controlled by such operating subsidiaries. Inventor/former owner royalties, payments to non-controlling
interests, contingent legal fees expenses and litigation finance expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues
recognized each period, the terms and conditions of revenue agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios
with varying economic terms and obligations generating revenues each period. Inventor/former owner royalties, contingent legal fees expenses
and litigation finance expenses will continue to fluctuate and may continue to vary significantly period to period, based primarily on
these factors.
Research and development
Research and development costs are expensed as
incurred. We did not incur any research and development costs in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the expected future income tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements
or income tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement
and tax bases of assets and liabilities using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
In evaluating the ultimate realization of deferred
income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. Management
establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets will not be utilized.
The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income, which must occur prior
to the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards.
The Company also follows the guidance related
to accounting for income tax uncertainties. In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Company recognizes the financial statement
benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following
an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements
is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.
No liability for unrecognized tax benefits was recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
F- 12
Stock-based compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation pursuant to ASC 718,
“Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which prescribes accounting and reporting standards for all stock-based payment
transactions in which employee services, and non-employee services, are acquired. Transactions include incurring liabilities, or issuing
or offering to issue shares, options and other equity instruments such as employee stock ownership plans and stock appreciation rights.
Stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized as compensation expense in the financial
statements based on their fair values. That expense is recognized over the period during which an employee or non-employee is required
to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,
“Leases” (Topic 842), to provide a new comprehensive model for lease accounting under this guidance, lessees and lessors should
apply a “right-of-use” model in accounting for all leases (including subleases) and eliminate the concept of operating leases
and off-balance-sheet leases. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating
lease. Similar modifications have been made to lessor accounting in-line with revenue recognition guidance.
Concentration of credit risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit
accounts, which at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any such losses in these accounts.
Business Acquisitions
The acquisition of STX and LS Cloud Storage Technologies, LLC (“LSC”)
did not constitute acquisition of a business and therefore were accounted for as asset acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, Business
Combinations (“ASC 805”). ASC 805 provides, among other things, that asset acquisitions be accounted for using a cost accumulation
and allocation model under which the cost of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. See Note 11
with regarding the STX and LSC acquisitions.
Gain from Cancelation of Indebtedness
The Company recognized a gain from the elimination
of liability for minimum cumulative net proceeds distributions constituting a portion of the purchase price due to the seller of two of
the Company’s patent portfolios and the reduction of liability for legal services resulting from the settlement of the Company’s
recorded obligation for unpaid legal services. See Note 3.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company calculates net losses per share by
dividing losses allocated to the Company’s stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for
the period. Diluted weighted average shares is computed using basic weighted average shares plus any potentially dilutive securities outstanding
during the period using the treasury-stock-type method and the if-converted method, except when their effect is anti-dilutive. Because
the Company incurred losses in all periods covered by the financial statements the inclusion of diluted weighted average shares would
be anti-dilutive, the diluted net loss per share is the same as the basic net loss per share.
F- 13
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that there are any
recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards which, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s
financial statements.
Going Concern
As shown in the accompanying financial statements,
the Company has an accumulated deficit of approximately $ 25.4 million and negative working capital of approximately $ 8.1 million as of
December 31, 2021. Because of the Company’s continuing losses, its working capital deficiency, the uncertainty of future revenue,
the Company’s obligations to Intellectual Ventures, Intelligent Partners, QPRC Finance LLC (“QFL”), the Company’s
low stock price and the absence of an active trading market in its common stock, the ability of the Company to raise funds in the equity
market or from lenders is severely impaired. These conditions, together with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps taken
by the states to slow the spread of the virus and its effect on its business raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern. Although the Company may seek to raise funds and to obtain third party funding for litigation to enforce
its intellectual property rights, the availability of such funds, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, is uncertain. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 3 – SHORT TERM DEBT AND LONG-TERM
LIABILITIES
On July 23, 2021, the Company paid $ 1,150,000
in full satisfaction of the disputed and unpaid legal services performed by the Company’s former legal counsel for services relating
to the monetization of the Company’s intellectual property rights. The Company recognized a gain on settlement of accounts payable
of approximately $ 1,726,000 in conjunction with the resolution of the dispute. The Company’s obligation to its former counsel is
included under accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company’s December 31, 2020 balance sheet.
The following table shows the Company’s
debt at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Short-term debt:
Loans payable
$ 138,000
$ 147,000
Funding liability
3,202,765
-
Loan payable – related party
2,805,000
4,672,810
Purchase price of patents – current portion
-
1,500,000
Unamortized discount
-
-
Net short-term debt
$ 6,145,765
$ 6,319,810
Long-term liabilities:
Loans payable - SBA
Gross
$ 150,000
$ 170,832
Accrued interest
-
3,560
Net loans payable - SBA
150,000
174,392
Purchase price of patents
Gross
190,000
790,000
Unamortized discount
-
( 131,793 )
Net purchase price of patents – long-term
$ 190,000
$ 658,207
Short-term debt
The loan payable – third party are demand
loans made to former officers and directors, now unrelated third parties, and shareholders in the amount of $ 138,000 and $ 147,000 as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the Company paid $ 9,000 and $ 0 , respectively,
against the loans. The loans are payable on demand plus accrued interest at 10 % per annum.
F- 14
Funding Liability
The funding liability at December 31, 2021 represents
the principal amount of the Company’s obligations to QFL, a non-affiliated party, pursuant to a purchase agreement (“Purchase
Agreement”) dated February 22, 2021 between the Company and QFL, as described below. The obligation to QFL is classified as a current
liability as of December 31, 2021.
On February 22, 2021, the Company entered into
a series of agreements, all dated February 19, 2021,with QFL, including a Prepaid Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement),
a security agreement (the “Security Agreement”), a subsidiary security agreement (the “Subsidiary Security Agreement”),
a subsidiary guaranty (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”), a warrant issue agreement (the “Warrant Issue Agreement”),
a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) and a board observation rights agreement (the “Board
Observation Rights Agreement” together with the Security Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Subsidiary Security Agreement,
Warrant Issuance Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, the “Investment Documents”) pursuant
to which, at the closing held contemporaneously with the execution of the agreements:
(i) Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, QFL agreed to make available to the Company a financing facility of: (a) up to $ 25,000,000 for the acquisition of mutually agreed patent rights that the Company intends to monetize; (b) up to $ 2,000,000 for operating expenses; and (iii) $ 1,750,000 to fund the cash payment portion of the restructure of the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners. In return the Company transferred to QFL a right to receive a portion of net proceeds generated from the monetization of those patents.
(ii) The Company used $ 1,750,000 of proceeds from the QFL financing as the cash payment portion of the restructure of the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners pursuant to the Restructure Agreement executed contemporaneously with the closing of the Investment Documents. The payment was made directly from QFL to Intelligent Partners.
(iii)
Pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement with QFL are secured by: (a) the proceeds (as defined in the Purchase Agreement); (b) the patents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement; (c) all general intangibles now or hereafter arising from or related to the foregoing (a) and (b); and (d) proceeds (including, without limitation, cash proceeds and insurance proceeds) and products of the foregoing (a)-(c).
(iv)
Pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty, eight of the Company’s subsidiaries –QLC, NetTech, Mariner, Semcon, IC, CXT, M-Red, and AMI, collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) guaranteed the Company’s obligations to QFL under the Purchase Agreement.
(v)
Pursuant to the Subsidiary Security Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantors granted QFL a security interest in the proceeds from the future monetization of their respective patent portfolios.
(vi) Pursuant to the Warrant Issue Agreement, the Company granted QFL ten-year warrants to purchase a total of up to 96,246,246 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $ 0.0054 per share which may be exercised from the date of exercise through February 18, 2031 on a cash or cashless basis. Exercisability of the warrant is limited if, upon exercise, the holder or any of holder’s affiliates would beneficially own more than 4.99 % (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Company’s common stock, except that by written notice to the Company, the holder may change the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99 % provided any such change will not be effective until the 61 st day following notice to the Company. The warrant also contains certain minimum ownership percentage antidilution rights pursuant to which the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the initial exercise of the warrant shall not be less than 10 % of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis). A portion of any gain from sale of the shares, net of taxes and costs of exercise, realized prior to the completion of all monetization activities shall be credited against the total return due to QFL pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. See Notes 4 and 5 for information on the warrant issuance and associated liability.
F- 15
(vii)
The Company regained compliance with the OTCQB Eligibility Requirements on May 7, 2021, at which time the common stock recommenced trading on the OTCQB.
(viii) The Company granted QFL certain registration rights with respect to the 96,246,246 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant. See Note 5 for information on the warrant issuance.
(ix)
Pursuant to the Board Observation Rights Agreement, until the later of the date on which QFL or its affiliates (i) have received the entirety of their Investment Return (as defined in Purchase Agreement), and (ii) no longer hold any Securities (the “ Observation Period ”), the Company granted QFL the right, exercisable at any time during the Observation Period, to appoint a representative to attend meetings (including, without limitation, telephonic or other electronic meetings) of the Board or any committee thereof, including executive sessions, in an observer capacity.
On February 26, 2021, the Company entered into
an agreement with Peter K. Trzyna (“PKT”) pursuant to which PKT assigned to the Company all right, title, and interest in
a portfolio of eight United States patents (the “Peregrin Portfolio”). Under the agreement, the Company paid PKT $350,000
at closing and agreed that upon the realization of gross proceeds, if any, the Company shall make a second installment payment or payments
in the aggregate amount of $93,900 representing reimbursement to PKT, as the prosecuting attorney, for legal fees associated with prosecution
of the portfolio, such reimbursement shall be due and payable to PKT from time to time as gross proceeds are realized, and paid to PKT
along with and in proportion to reimbursement to other third parties of costs incurred in realizing gross proceeds from the Peregrin Portfolio.
Thereafter, PKT is entitled to a percentage of gross proceeds realized, if any, from the Peregrin Portfolio. The Company requested and
received a capital advance from QFL in the amount of $350,000 pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, which was used to make payment to PKT.
On May 20, 2021, Taasera Licensing LLC, a wholly
owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with Taasera, Inc. to acquire all right, title, and interest in a portfolio of seven United
States patents (the “Taasera Portfolio”) for $250,000. The Company requested and received a capital advance from QFL in the
amount of $250,000 pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, which was used to make payment to Taasera, Inc.
On October 15, 2021, the Company’s wholly
owned subsidiary, Multimodal Media LLC (“MML”), acquired all right, title, and interest in a portfolio of nine United States
patents (the “MML Portfolio”) for a purchase price of $ 550,000 pursuant to an agreement with AI, pursuant to which MML retains
an amount equal to the purchase price plus any fees incurred out of net proceeds, as defined in the agreement, after which AI is entitled
to a percentage of further net proceeds realized, if any. The Company requested and received a capital advance from QFL in the amount
of $550,000 pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, which was used to make payment to AI.
The Company requested and received operating capital
advances in the amount of $ 1,000,000 from QFL pursuant to the Purchase Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Loan Payable Related Party
The loan payable – related party at December
31, 2021 represents the current amount of a non-interest bearing total monetization proceeds obligation (the “TMPO”) to Intelligent
Partners, LLC (“Intelligent Partners”) of $2,805,000, pursuant to a restructure agreement (“Restructure Agreement”)
dated February 22, 2021 whereby the Company and Intelligent Partners, extinguished the Company’s 10% note to Intelligent Partners
as transferee of the notes issued to United Wireless Holdings, Inc. (“United Wireless”), in the amount of $4,672,810 pursuant
to securities purchase agreement dated October 22, 2015 between the Company and United Wireless. The notes became due by their terms on
September 30, 2020, and the Company did not make any payment on account of principal and interest on the notes. Subsequent to September
30, 2020, the Company engaged in negotiations with Intelligent Partners in parallel with the Company’s negotiations with QFL, with
a view to restructuring the Company’s obligations under the United Wireless agreements, including the notes, so that the Company
no longer had any obligations under the notes or the SPA. These negotiations resulted in the Restructure Agreement, described below, which
provided for the payment to Intelligent Partners of $1,750,000 from the proceeds from the Company’s agreements with QFL. As part
of the restructure of the Company’s agreements with Intelligent Partners, the Company amended the existing monetization proceeds
agreements (“MPAs”) and granted Intelligent Partners certain rights in the monetization proceeds from any new intellectual
property the Company acquires, as describe below. Under these MPAs, Intelligent Partners participates in the monetization proceeds the
Company receives with respect to new patents after QFL has received its negotiated rate of return.
F- 16
On or prior to the date of the Restructure Agreement,
Intelligent Partners transferred to Fitton and Carper $ 250,000 of the notes (the “Transferred Note”), thereby reducing the
principal amount of the notes held by Intelligent Partners to $ 4,422,810 .
On February 22, 2021, the Company and Intelligent
Partners agreed to extinguish the notes and Transferred Note, and terminate or amend and restate the SPA and Transaction Documents, pursuant
to a series of agreements including: a Restructure Agreement (the “Restructure Agreement”), a Stock Purchase Agreement (the
“Stock Purchase Agreement”), an Option Grant (the “Option Grant”), an Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the
“Pledge Agreement”), an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”),
a Board Observation Agreement (the “Board Observation Agreement”), a MPA-NA Security Interest Agreement (the “MPA-NA
Security Interest Agreement”), an Amended and Restated Patent Proceeds Security Agreement (the “Patent Proceeds Security Agreement”,
an Amended and Restated MPA-CP (the “MPA-CP”), an Amended and Restated MPA-CXT (the “MPA-CXT”), a MPA-MR (the
“MPA-MR”), a MPA-AMI (the “MPA-AMI,” and together with the MPA-CP, MPA-CXT and MPA-MR, each a Restructure MPA
and together the Restructure MPAs) and a MPA-NA (the “MPA-NA”).
(i) Pursuant to the Restructure Agreement, the Company paid Intelligent Partners $ 1,750,000 at closing, which the Company received from QFL and which QFL paid directly to Intelligent Partners, and recognized the TMPO, which shall, from and after the Restructure Date, be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by (a) payments to Intelligent Partners pursuant to the restructure agreement, the Restructure MPAs and the MPA-NA and (b) any election by the Intelligent Partners to pay the Exercise Price of the Restructure Option, in whole or part, by means of a reduction in the then outstanding TMPO. The TMPO has been classified as a current liability as of September 30, 2021.
(ii) Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Fitton and Carper, as holders of the Transferred Note, a total of 46,296,296 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $ 0.0054 per share, which purchase price was paid by the conversion and in full satisfaction of the Transferred Note (the “Conversion Shares”). For purposes of extinguishment, the issuance of the Conversion Shares in full satisfaction of the Transferred Note balance of $ 250,000 is included in the reacquisition price of the debt. The Company recognized a loss on debt conversion of $ 305,556 which is the difference between the agreed conversion price and the fair value of the Conversion Shares at the date of conversion. See Note 5 for information on the share issue.
(iii) Pursuant to the Option Grant, the Company granted Intelligent Partners an option to purchase a total of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $ 0.0054 per share which vests immediately and may be exercised through September 30, 2025. The Company valued the option at approximately $ 598,000 using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The proceeds were allocated to the repurchase price of the debt extinguishment based on its fair value. See Note 5 for information on the option grant.
(iv) Pursuant to the restructured monetization proceeds agreement, Intelligent Partners has a right to receive 60 % of the net monetization proceeds from the patents currently owned by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The agreement has no termination provisions, so Intelligent Partners will be entitled to its percentage interest as long as revenue is generated from the intellectual property covered by the agreement.
F- 17
(v) Pursuant to the MPA-NA, until the TMPO has been paid in full, Intelligent Partners is entitled to receive 10% of the net proceeds realized from new assets acquired by the Company. If, in any calendar quarter, net proceeds realized exceed $1,000,000, Intelligent Partners’ entitlement for that quarter only shall increase to 30% on the portion of net proceeds in excess of $1,000,000 but less than $3,000,000. If in the same calendar quarter, net proceeds exceed $3,000,000, Intelligent Partners’ entitlement for that quarter only shall increase to 50% on the portion of net proceeds in excess of $3,000,000. After satisfaction of the TMPO, the MPA-NA and Intelligent Partners’ interest in new asset proceeds shall terminate.
(vi) The Company granted Intelligent Partners, Andrew Fitton and Michael Carper certain registration rights with respect to (i) the 50,000,000 shares currently owned by Fitton and Carper; (ii) the 46,296,296 Conversion Shares issued to Fitton and Carper, and (iii) the 50,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the option. See Note 5
(vii)
Pursuant to the Subsidiary Security Agreement, the Company’s obligations under its agreements with Intelligent Partners, including its obligations under the Restructure Agreement and the Restructure MPAs are secured by a security interest in the net proceeds realized from the future monetization of the patents currently owned by the eight subsidiaries named above.
(viii)
Pursuant to the MPA-NA-Security Interest Agreement, our obligations under the MPA-NA are secured by a security interest in net proceeds realized from the future monetization of new patents acquired until the TMPO is satisfied, provided Intelligent Partners’ secured interest shall be limited to its entitlement in Net Proceeds under the MPA-NA. After satisfaction of the TMPO the security interest in proceeds from new assets shall terminate.
(ix)
Pursuant to the Board Observation Rights Agreement, until the Total Monetization Proceeds Obligation has been satisfied (the “ Observation Period ”), the Company granted Intelligent Partners the option and right, exercisable at any time during the Observation Period, to appoint a representative to attend meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, including executive sessions, in an observer capacity. Intelligent Partners has no right to appoint a director to the board.
Events of Default include (i) a Change of Control
of the Company (ii) any uncured default on payment due to Intelligent Partners in an amount totaling in excess of $275,000, which is not
the subject of a Dispute or other formal dispute resolution proceeding initiated in good faith pursuant to this Agreement or other Restructure
Documents (iii) the filing of a voluntary petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code by Company or any of its material
subsidiaries, (iv) the filing of an involuntary petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code against the Company, which
is not stayed or dismissed within sixty (60) days of such filing, except for an involuntary petition for relief filed solely by Intelligent
Partners, or any Affiliate or member of Intelligent Partners, or (v) acceleration of an obligation in excess of $ 1 million dollars to
another provider of financing following a final determination by arbitration or other judicial proceeding that such obligation is due
and owing.
The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment
of the note of $ 730,378 reflected as follows:
Carrying amount as of the restructure date
$ 4,672,810
Net carrying amount
4,672,810
Reacquisition Price
Cash payment via QFL
( 1,750,000 )
Conversion of transferred note
( 250,000 )
Fair value of option grant
( 598,188 )
TMPO undiscounted future cash flows
( 2,805,000 )
Loss on debt extinguishment
$ ( 730,378 )
Because of its ownership percentage, Intelligent
Partners is treated as a related party.
F- 18
Purchase Price of Patents
The purchase price of patents – current
portion at December 31, 2021 represents the current portion of minimum payments due under the agreements between:
● CXT and Intellectual Ventures Assets 34, LLC and Intellectual Ventures 37, LLC (“IV 34/37”) pursuant to which at closing CXT acquired by assignment all right, title, and interest in a portfolio of thirteen United States patents (the “CXT Portfolio”). Under the agreement, CXT will distribute 50% of net recoveries, as defined, to IV 34/37. CXT advanced $25,000 to IV 34/37 at closing, and agreed, pursuant to an amendment dated January 26, 2018, that in the event that, on December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, cumulative distributions to IV 34/37 total less than $100,000, $375,000 and $975,000, respectively, CXT shall pay the difference necessary to achieve the applicable minimum payment amount within ten days after the applicable date; with any advances being credited toward future distributions to IV 34/36. As of December 31, 2020, cumulative distributions totaling $375,000 had been made and CXT did not pay the $600,000 difference to IV 34/37 within ten days and the remaining $600,000 of the minimum future cumulative distributions due were presented as short-term debt. On December 31, 2021 the parties amended the agreement to provide that CXT will distribute 65% of net proceeds, as defined, to IV 34/37, as long as CXT generates revenue from the CXT Portfolio and that if, on December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, cumulative distributions to IV 34/37 total less than $100,000 and $375,000, respectively, CXT shall pay the difference between such cumulative amounts and the amount paid to IV 34/37 within ten days after the applicable date. As of December 31, 2019 cumulative distributions to IV 34/37 totaled $375,000, no further minimum cumulative distributions are required pursuant to the agreement as amended and the Company recorded a gain on forgiveness of $600,000. No affiliate of CXT has guaranteed the minimum payments. CXT’s obligations under the agreement are secured by a security interest in the proceeds (from litigation or otherwise) from the CXT Portfolio.
● M-RED and Intellectual Ventures Assets 113 LLC and Intellectual Ventures Assets 108 LLC (“IV 113/108”) pursuant to which at closing M-RED paid IV 113/108 $75,000 and IV 113/108 transferred to M-RED all right, title and interest in a portfolio of sixty United States patents and eight foreign patents (the “M-RED Portfolio”). Under the agreement, M-RED will distribute 50% of net proceeds, as defined, to IV 113/108, as long as M_RED generates revenue from the M-RED Portfolio. The agreement with IV 113/108 provides that if, on September 30, 2020, September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2022, cumulative distributions to IV 113/108 total less than $450,000, $975,000 and $1,575,000, respectively, M-RED shall pay the difference between such cumulative amounts and the amount paid to IV 113/108 within ten days after the applicable date; with any advances being credited toward future distributions to IV 113/108. As of December 31, 2020, cumulative distributions totaling $975,000 had not been made and M-RED did not pay the $900,000 difference to IV 113/108 within ten days and the remaining $900,000 of the minimum future cumulative distributions due were presented as short-term debt. On December 31, 2021 the parties amended the agreement to provide that M-RED will distribute 100% of undistributed net proceeds, as defined, resulting from agreements signed prior to December 31, 2021 and 65% of net proceeds thereafter to IV 113/108, as long as M-RED generates revenue from the M-RED Portfolio and that if, on December 31, 2021 cumulative distributions to IV 113/108 total less than $302,113.89, M-RED shall pay the difference between such cumulative amounts and the amount paid to IV 113/108 within ten days after the applicable date. As of December 31, 2021 cumulative distributions to IV 113/108 totaled $302,113.89, no further minimum cumulative distributions are required pursuant to the agreement as amended and the Company recorded a gain on forgiveness of approximately $1,230,000. M-RED’s obligations under the agreement with IV 113/108 are secured by a security interest in the proceeds (from litigation or otherwise) from the M-RED Portfolio.
The purchase price of patents at December 31,
2021 represents:
The non-current portion of our obligations under
the unsecured non-recourse funding agreement with a third-party funder entered into in May 2020 whereby the third-party agreed to provide
acquisition funding in the amount of $ 95,000 for the Company’s acquisition of the audio messaging portfolio. Under the funding agreement,
the third-party funder is entitled to a priority return of funds advanced from net proceeds, as defined, recovered until the funder has
received $ 190,000 . The Company has no other obligation to the third party and has no liability to the funder in the event that the Company
does not generate net proceeds. Pursuant to ASC 470, the company recorded this monetization obligation as debt and the difference between
the purchase price and total obligation as a discount to the debt and fully expensed to interest during the period.
F- 19
The balance of the purchase price of the patents
is reflected as follows:
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Current Liabilities:
Purchase price of patents, current portion
$ -
$ 1,500,000
Unamortized discount
-
-
Non-current liabilities:
Purchase price of patents, long term
190,000
790,000
Unamortized discount
-
( 131,793 )
Total current and non-current
$ 190,000
$ 2,158,207
Effective interest rate of Amortization over 2 years
-
9.4 - 14.5 %
Because the non-current minimum payment obligations
were due over three years , the Company imputed interest of 10 % which was recorded as a discount to the liabilities and amortized through
the maturity date.
Long term liabilities
The loans payable-SBA at December 31, 2021 represents:
● An unsecured loan from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $ 20,832 , pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, which was enacted March 27, 2020. The loan, which was taken down on April 23, 2020, matures on April 23, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 0.98 % per annum, with interest payable monthly commencing on November 23, 2020. The loan may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. Funds from the loan may only be used for payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and interest on other debt obligations incurred before February 15, 2020. The Company has used the entire loan amount for qualifying expenses. Under the terms of the PPP, certain amounts of the loan may be forgiven if they are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act. As of December 31, 2021 the loan has been forgiven and the Company recorded a gain on loan forgiveness of $ 20,832 .
● A secured Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Association (“SBA”) in the aggregate amount of $ 150,000 , pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act as part of the COVID-19 relief effort. The Company’s obligations on the loan are set forth in the Company’s note dated May 14, 2020 which matures on May 14, 2050 and bears interest at a rate of 3.75 % per annum, payable monthly commencing on May 14, 2022. The Note may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. Funds from the Loan may be used solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter and to pay Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing fees and a third-party UCC handling charge of $ 100 which were deducted from the loan amount stated above. In addition to the loan, as part of the COVID-19 relief effort, the Company obtained an Emergency EIDL Grant from the SBA in the amount of $ 1,000 . The Company is not required to repay the grant.
NOTE 4 – WARRANT LIABILITY
The Company issued warrants to purchase 96,246,246 shares of common
stock to QFL (see Note 3) in connection with its funding agreement. If on the date of initial exercise the aggregate number of warrant
shares purchasable upon exercise of the warrant would yield less than an amount equal to 10 % of the aggregate number of outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis), then the number of warrant shares shall be increased to an amount
equal to 10 % of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis), the
number of shares underlying the warrants is not fixed until the date of the initial exercise. As such, the warrant issued to QFL requires
classification as a liability pursuant to ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and is valued at its fair value as of
the grant date and re-measured at the balance sheet date.
F- 20
As of December 31, 2021, and February 22, 2021,
the aggregate fair value of the outstanding warrant liability was approximately $ 1,636,187 and $ 1,154,905 , respectively.
The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant
liability using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following key assumptions as of December 31, 2021 and the grant date:
As of
December 31,
February 22,
2021
2021
Volatility
373 %
252 %
Exercise price
0.0054
0.0054
Risk-free interest rate
1.37 %
1.37 %
Expected dividends
-
-
%
Expected term
9.4
10
The following schedule summarizes the valuation
of financial instruments that are remeasured on a recurring basis at fair value in the balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and
2020:
Fair Value Measurements as of
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
None
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Total assets
-
-
-
-
-
-
Liabilities
Warrant liability
-
-
1,636,187
-
-
-
Total liabilities
$ -
$ -
$ 1,636,187
$ -
$ -
$ -
The following table sets forth a reconciliation
of changes in the fair value of the warrant liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
as of
December 31,
2021
Fair value at grant date
$ 1,154,905
Change in fair value
481,282
Balance - December 31, 2021
$ 1,636,187
See Notes 3 and 5 for information on the warrant
issuance.
F- 21
NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Amendment to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
On February 19, 2021 the board of directors amended
the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) increasing the shares the Company can issue under the Plan to 500,000,000 shares
of common stock pursuant to non-qualified stock options, restricted stock grants and other equity-based incentives, the amendment to the
Plan and the grants of awards pursuant to the Plan, became effective upon the closing of the agreements with QFL.
Issuance of Common Stock and Options
Issuances to Intelligent Partners
On February 22, 2021, pursuant to the Restructure
Agreement, Intelligent Partners and its controlling members agreed to extinguish the notes and Transferred Note, and terminate or amend
and restate the SPA and Transaction Documents and the Company: (i) issued to Fitton and Carper, as holders of the Transferred Note, pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Agreement a total of 46,296,296 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.0054 per share,
which purchase price was paid by the conversion and in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligation under the Transferred Note
and included in the calculation of the repurchase price of the debt; and (ii) granted Intelligent Partners, pursuant to the Option Grant,
an option to purchase a total of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.0054 per share which vested immediately
and may be exercised through September 30, 2025. The Company valued the purchase option at approximately $598,000 using the Black-Scholes
pricing model. Variables used in the valuation include (1) discount rate of 1.37 %; (2) option life of 5 years; (3) computed volatility
of 252 % and (4) zero expected dividends. The fair market value of the options was included in the loss on extinguishment calculation (see
Note 3). The Company granted Intelligent Partners, Andrew Fitton and Michael Carper certain registration rights with respect to (i) the
50,000,000 shares currently owned by Fitton and Carper; (ii) the 46,296,296 Conversion Shares issued to Fitton and Carper, and (iii) the
50,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the option. Commencing six months from the closing date, if the shares owned
by Fitton, Carper and Intelligent Partners cannot be sold pursuant to a registration statement and cannot be sold pursuant to Rule 144
without the Company being in compliance with the current public information requirements of Rule 144, if the Company is not in compliance
with the current public information requirements, the Company is required to pay damages to Intelligent Partners.
Consulting Agreements
On February 22, 2021, the Company entered into
advisory service agreement with three consultants pursuant to which they will provide services to the Company in connection with the development
of the Company’s business. The agreements have a term of ten years and may be terminated by the Company for cause or upon the death
or disability of the consultants.
Pursuant to the agreements with two of the consultants,
the compensation payable to each of them consists of a restricted stock grant of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock which vested immediately
upon issuance and a ten-year option to purchase a total of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which become exercisable cumulatively as
follows:
a.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share becoming exercisable upon the commencement of trading of the Common Stock on the OTCQB. The Company regained such compliance on May 7, 2021, at which time the common stock recommenced trading on the OTCQB.
b.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, becoming exercisable on the first day on which the Company files with the SEC a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q which stockholders’ equity of at least $5,000,000, and
c.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share becoming exercisable on the date on which the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange.
The Company recorded professional fees in the
amount of $240,000 as a result the restricted stock grants to these two consultants. The Company determined the fair value of the options
as of the grant date to be approximately $720,000 using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Variables used in the valuation include (1) discount
rate of 1.37%; (2) term of 10 years; (3) computed volatility of 252% and (4) zero expected dividends. The Company met the first performance
condition and accrued the option expense of approximately $240,000 over the period from the grant date to achievement of the performance
condition. The Company recognized option expense of approximately $240,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
F- 22
Pursuant to the agreement with the third consultant, the compensation
payable to the consultant consists of a restricted stock grant of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock which immediately vests in full and
a ten-year option to purchase 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which becomes exercisable cumulatively as follows:
a.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share became exercisable on February 22, 2022, which was the first anniversary of the date of the agreement;
b.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share upon the second anniversary of the date of the agreement; and
c.
10,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share upon the third anniversary of the dare of the agreement.
The Company recorded professional fees in the amount of $120,000 as
a result the restricted stock grant to the third consultant. The Company determined the fair value of the options as of the grant date
to be approximately $360,000 using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Variables used in the valuation include (1) discount rate of 1.37%;
(2) term of 10 years; (3) computed volatility of 252% and (4) zero expected dividends. The Company recognized option expense of approximately
$188,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On February 22, 2021, the board of directors:
(i) Granted restricted stock grants for services rendered and vesting in full upon grant, to:
a.
Jon C. Scahill – 49,000,000 shares
b.
Timothy J. Scahill – 10,000,000 shares
c.
Dr. William R. Carroll - 10,000,000 shares
(ii)
Granted Jon Scahill a ten-year option (the “Option”) to purchase 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock which become exercisable cumulatively as follows:
a.
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share becoming exercisable upon the commencement of trading of the Common Stock on the OTCQB. The Company regained such compliance on May 7, 2021, at which time the common stock recommenced trading on the OTCQB.
b.
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.03 per share, becoming exercisable on the first day on which the Company files with the SEC a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q which stockholders” equity of at least $5,000,000, and
c.
20,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share becoming exercisable on the date on which the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange
(iii) Appointed Ryan T. Logue to the board of directors and granted Mr. Logue a restricted stock grant of 5,000,000 shares of common stock which vests upon his acceptance of his appointment as a director.
The Company recognized compensation expense of
$ 888,000 in conjunction with issuance of common stock to officers and directors. The Company determined the fair value of the options
to be approximately $ 720,000 as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Variables used in the valuation include (1) discount
rate of 1.37 %; (2) term of 10 years; (3) computed volatility of 252 % and (4) zero expected dividends. The Company recognized option expense
of approximately $ 240,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
F- 23
A summary of the status of the Company’s
stock options and changes is set forth below:
Number of
Options (#)
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price ($)
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(years)
Balance - December 31, 2019
50,000,000
$ 0.03
$ 0.004
0.75
Granted
-
-
-
-
Exercised
-
-
-
-
Expired
50,000,000
-
-
-
Cancelled
-
-
-
-
Balance - December 31, 2020
-
$ -
$ -
-
Granted
200,000,000
0.02
0.012
8.65
Exercised
-
-
-
-
Expired
-
-
-
-
Cancelled
-
-
-
-
Balance – December 31, 2021
200,000,000
$ 0.02
$ -
7.80
Options exercisable at end of period
100,000,000
$ 0.0074
0.0096
6.15
The intrinsic value of the outstanding options as of December 31, 2021
is $ 930,000 .
As of December 31, 2021, there was approximately $ 1,132,000 of unrecognized
compensation expense related to nonvested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average expected term
of 8 years.
Issuance of Warrants
A summary of the status of the Company’s warrants and changes
is set forth below:
Number of
Warrants
(#)
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price ($)
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)
Balance – December 31, 2019
-
-
-
Granted
-
-
-
Exercised
-
-
-
Expired
-
-
-
Cancelled
-
-
-
Balance - December 31, 2020
-
-
-
Granted
96,246,246
0.0054
9.89
Exercised
-
-
-
Expired
-
-
-
Cancelled
-
-
-
Balance – December 31, 2021
96,246,246
0.0054
9.14
The intrinsic value of the outstanding warrants
as of December 31, 2021 is $ 1,116,456 .
F- 24
NOTE 6 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets include patents purchased and
are recorded at their acquisition cost. Intangible assets consisted of the following:
Weighted
average
amortization
December 31,
period
2021
2020
(years)
Patents
$ 5,617,117
$ 5,690,000
4.5
Less: net monetization obligations
-
( 509,811 )
Imputed interest
-
( 713,073 )
Disposal
( 4,362,117 )
Subtotal
1,255,000
4,467,116
Less: accumulated amortization
( 715,519 )
( 2,266,157 )
Net value of intangible assets
$ 539,481
$ 2,200,959
11.02
Intangible assets are comprised of patents with
estimated useful lives. The intangible assets at December 31, 2021 represent:
● patents acquired in October 2015 for a purchase price of $3,000,000, the useful lives of the patents, at the date of purchase, was 6-10 years;
●
patents acquired in July 2017 pursuant to an agreement with IV 34/37, as amended on December 31, 2021, pursuant to which CXT has an obligation to pay 65% of net revenues to IV 34/37 (see Note 3); the useful lives of the patents, at the date of acquisition, was 5-6 years;
●
patents (which were fully depreciated at the date of acquisition) acquired in January 2018 pursuant to an agreement with to Intellectual Ventures Assets 62 LLC and Intellectual Ventures Assets 71 LLC “(IV 62/71”), pursuant to which CXT has an obligation to distribute 50% of net revenues to IV 62/71;
● patents
(which were fully depreciated at the date of acquisition) acquired in January 2018 by Photonic Imaging Solutions Inc. (“PIS”)
from Intellectual Ventures Assets 64 LLC (“IV 64”) pursuant to which PIS is to pay IV 64 (a) 70% of the first $1,500,000
of net revenue, (b) 30% of the next $1,500,000 of net revenue and (c) 50% of net revenue in excess of $3,000,000;
●
patents acquired in March 2019 pursuant to an agreement with IV 113/108, as amended on December 31, 2021 to an obligation to pay 65% of net revenues to IV 113/108 (see Note 3); the useful lives of the patents, at the date of acquisition, was approximately 9 years.
●
patents (which were fully depreciated at the date of acquisition) acquired in May 2020 for a purchase price of $95,000 pursuant to an agreement with Texas Technology Ventures 2, LLP (“TTV”), pursuant to which of the Company retains the first $230,000 of net proceeds, as defined in the agreement, after which the company has an obligation to distribute 50% of net proceeds to TTV;
●
patents (which were fully amortized at the date of acquisition) acquired
in February 2021 pursuant to an agreement with PKT for a purchase price of $350,000, pursuant to which $350,000 was paid at closing, and
upon the realization of gross proceeds, as defined in the agreement, the Company shall make a subsequent payments in the aggregate amount
of $93,900, representing reimbursement to PKT, as the prosecuting attorney, for legal fees associated with prosecution of the portfolio,
such reimbursement shall be due and payable to PKT from time to time as gross proceeds are realized, if any, and paid to PKT along with
and in proportion to reimbursement to other third parties of costs incurred in realizing gross proceeds. Thereafter, PKT is entitled to
a percentage of gross proceeds realized, if any.
F- 25
● patents (which were fully depreciated at the date of acquisition) acquired in May 2021 for a purchase price of $250,000.
● patents acquired in October 2021 from AI for a purchase price of $ 550,000
pursuant to which the Company retains an amount equal to the purchase price plus any fees incurred out of net proceeds, as defined in
the agreement, after which AI is entitled to a percentage of further net proceeds realized, if any; the useful lives of the patents, at
the date of acquisition, was approximately 11 years.
The Company amortizes the costs of patents over their estimated useful
lives on a straight-line basis. Costs incurred to acquire the patents, including legal costs, are also capitalized and amortized
on a straight-line basis over the life of the associated patent. Amortization of patents is included as a selling, general and administrative
expense as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company assesses intangible assets for any
impairment to the carrying values. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately
$1,652,00 to write down finite lived intangible assets in the Power Management/Bus Controller, CXT and M-RED portfolios.
Amortization expense for patents comprised $ 1,159,865
and $ 648,395 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Future amortization of patents is as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2022
$ 49,899
2023
49,899
2024
49,899
2025
49,899
2026 and thereafter
339,885
Total
$ 539,481
At December 31, 2020, the Company had debt due
to Intelligent Partners pursuant to the securities purchase agreement dated October 22, 2015 between the Company and United Wireless,
and the Company was to pay 15 % of the net monetization proceeds from the patents acquired in October 2015 to Intelligent Partners, as
transferee of United Wireless. See the caption “Loan Payable Related Party” in Note 3 in connection with the extinguishment
and restructuring of the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners.
NOTE 7 – NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
The following table reconciles equity attributable
to the non-controlling interest related to Quest Packaging Solutions Corporation.
December 31,
2021
2020
Balance, beginning of year
$ 228
$ 239
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
$ -
$ ( 11 )
Balance, end of year
$ 228
$ 228
NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES
The Company uses the liability method, where deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has generated
approximately $ 9,965,487 and approximately $ 2,063,797 of federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards, respectively,
which will begin to expire in 2024. Internal Revenue Code section 382 (“Section 382”) restricts the use of these net operating
losses in future periods if the Company has a “substantial change in ownership” as defined by Section 382. The Company has
had significant equity transactions in prior periods. Due to this equity activity and the restrictions resulting under Section 382, a
portion of the Company’s NOLs may not be available to offset future taxable income. Therefore, the Company has fully reserved the
deferred tax asset resulting from the net operating loss carry forwards.
F- 26
Deferred tax asset consisted primarily of the
following:
December 31,
2021
2020
Net operating loss carry forward
$ 2,591,027
$ 2,172,545
Bad debt reserves
-
17,160
Intangible assets
206,712
515,104
Valuation allowance
$ ( 2,797,739 )
$ ( 2,704,809 )
Balance, end of year
$ -
$ -
Tax expense consisted primarily of the following:
December 31,
2021
2020
Federal
$ -
$ -
State
1,806
5,108
Foreign
-
60,255
Deferred
-
-
Total
$ 1,806
$ 65,363
The Company’s tax expense does not reflect
the statutory rate since the Company’s deferred tax asset is fully offset by a valuation allowance. Reconciliation between the effective
tax rate on income from continuing operations and the statutory rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
Tax
Percentage
Book income before taxes
$ ( 872,129 )
21.00 %
State taxes, net
1,427
( 0.03 )
Tax exempt income – grant and/or SBA
( 4,375 )
0.11
Meals and entertainment
873
( 0.02 )
Warrant expense
242,530
( 5.84 )
Stock based compensation
402,362
( 9.69 )
Loss on conversion of debt
64,167
( 1.55 )
Valuation allowance
75,059
( 1.81 )
Derivative valuation adjustment
101,069
( 2.43 )
Other
( 9,177 )
0.22
Total
$ 1,806
Effective tax rate
( 0.04 )%
The statute of limitations is
open for the tax years ending December 31, 2018 and thereafter.
The Company’s foreign tax expense reflects the tax withheld by
the foreign jurisdiction on royalty income received by the Company and not exempt under the United States tax treaty, if any, with the
respective foreign jurisdiction. In 2021, the Company was not subject to foreign source withholding tax. In 2020, the Company was subject
to foreign source withholding tax of 20.4% in Japan.
NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has at various times entered into
transactions with related parties, including officers, directors and major shareholders, wherein these parties have provided services,
advanced or loaned money, or both, to the Company needed to support its daily operations. The Company discloses all related party transactions.
In prior periods, the Company incurred interest
expense on the Company’s 10 % notes issued to United Wireless pursuant to the securities purchase agreement dated October 22, 2015.
The notes were extinguished in February 2021 and the Company did not incur interest expense on the notes for the year ended December 31,
2021. The interest expense was approximately $ 351,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. See Notes 3 and 5 in connection with the extinguishment
of the Company’s 10 % notes issued to United Wireless and held by Intelligent Partners as the transferee of United Wireless.
See Note 10 with respect to the employment agreement
with the Company’s president and chief executive officer.
During 2021, the Company contracted with an entity
owned by the chief technology officer for the provision of information technology services to the Company. The cost of these services
was approximately $ 434 and $ 464 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 27
During 2021, the Company contracted with a law
firm more than 10 percent owned, but not controlled, by the father-in-law of the chief executive officer. The firm is engaged on a contingent
fee basis and serves as escrow agent in connection with monetization of the Company’s patents in matters where the firm is serving
as counsel to the Company. In connection with the engagement, the Company recorded patent service costs of approximately $ 763,000 and
$ 909,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively. The amount recorded in 2020 includes approximately $ 407,000 in accrued
expenses and outstanding as of December 31, 2020. The accrued liability is recorded in “accounts payable and accrued liabilities.”
The accrued liability was resolved as part of a resolution with the firm at which the father-in-law of the chief executive was formerly
a partner. See Note 3 with respect to the resolution of the dispute with the prior firm. In prior periods, the Company engaged a firm
at which the father-in-law of the chief executive was formerly a partner. Because his interest in the prior firm was less than 10 %, the
prior firm was not considered a related party in prior periods.
NOTE 10 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Employment Agreements
Pursuant to a restated employment agreement, dated
November 30, 2014, with the Company’s president and chief executive officer, the Company agreed to employ him as president and chief
executive officer for a term of three years, commencing January 1, 2014, and continuing on a year-to-year basis unless terminated by either
party on not less than 90 days’ notice prior to the expiration of the initial term or any one-year extension. The agreement provides
for an initial annual salary of $ 252,000 , which may be increased, but not decreased, by the board or the compensation committee. In March
2016, the Company’s board of directors increased the chief executive officer’s annual salary to $300,000, effective January
1, 2016. The chief executive officer is entitled to a bonus if the Company meets or exceeds performance criteria established by the compensation
committee. In August 2016, the Company’s board of directors approved annual bonus compensation equal to 30% of the amount by which
our consolidated income before income taxes exceeds $500,000, but, if the Company is subject to the limitation on deductibility of executive
compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the bonus cannot exceed the amount which would be deductible pursuant
to Section 162(m). The chief executive officer is also eligible to participate in any executive incentive plans which the Company may
adopt.
Pension Benefits
Pursuant to the SEP IRA plan adopted by the Company in March 2020 the
Company deposited into a SEP IRA account of each of its participating employees a percentage of the employee’s compensation, subject
to statutory limitations on the amount of the contribution all as set forth in the IRS Form 5305-SEP. For the year ending December 31,
2021 and 2020 the percentage was set at 19 %, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s president
and chief executive officer is the only participant and $ 58,000 and $ 57,000 , respectively, was deposited his SEP IRA account.
Inventor Royalties, Contingent Litigation Funding
Fees and Contingent Legal Expenses
In connection with the investment in certain patents
and patent rights, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries executed agreements which grant to the former owners of the respective
patents or patent rights, the right to receive inventor royalties based on future net revenues (as defined in the respective agreements)
generated as a result of licensing and otherwise enforcing the respective patents or patent portfolios.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
engage third party funding sources to provide funding for patent licensing and enforcement. The agreements with the third party funding
sources may provide that the funding source receive a portion of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments. In certain instances,
these third party funding sources are entitled to receive a significant percentage of any proceeds realized until the third party funder
has recouped agreed upon amounts based on formulas set forth in the underlying funding agreement, which may reduce or delay and proceeds
due to the Company.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
retain the services of law firms in connection with their licensing and enforcement activities. These law firms may be retained on
a contingent fee basis whereby the law firms are paid on a scaled percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded
based on how and when the fees, settlements or judgments are obtained.
Depending on the amount of any recovery, it is
possible that all the proceeds from a specific settlement may be paid to the funding source and legal counsel.
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The economic terms of the inventor agreements,
funding agreements and contingent legal fee arrangements associated with the patent portfolios owned or controlled by the Company’s
operating subsidiaries, if any, including royalty rates, proceeds sharing rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary across the
patent portfolios owned or controlled by the operating subsidiaries. Inventor royalties, payments to noncontrolling interests, payments
to third party funding providers and contingent legal fees expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized
each period, the terms and conditions of revenue agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying
economic terms and obligations generating revenues each period. Inventor royalties, payments to third party funding sources and contingent
legal fees expenses will continue to fluctuate and may continue to vary significantly period to period, based primarily on these factors.
Patent Enforcement and Other Litigation
Certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries
are engaged in litigation to enforce their patents and patent rights. In connection with these patent enforcement actions, it is
possible that a defendant may request and/or a court may rule that an operating subsidiary has violated statutory authority, regulatory
authority, federal rules, local court rules, or governing standards relating to the substantive or procedural aspects of such enforcement
actions. In such event, a court may issue monetary sanctions against the Company or its operating subsidiaries or award attorney’s
fees and/or expenses to a defendant(s), which could be material, and if required to be paid by the Company or its operating subsidiaries,
could materially harm the Company’s operating results and financial position. Since the operating subsidiaries do not have any assets
other than the patents, and the Company does not have any available financial resources to pay any judgment which a defendant may obtain
against a subsidiary, such a judgement may result in the bankruptcy of the subsidiary and/or the loss of the patents, which are the subsidiaries’
only assets.
NOTE 11 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
On August 6, 2021 the Company acquired all of
the issued and outstanding equity interests of STX from Soundstreak, LLC in exchange for an obligation to coordinate and launch a structured
licensing program around the STX patent portfolio which consists of three United States patents and one United States patent application.
Soundstreak LLC is entitled to 50 % of the net proceeds, as defined in the agreement, if any, resulting from monetization of the STX patent
portfolio.
On November 16, 2021 the Company acquired all
of the issued and outstanding equity interests of LS Cloud Storage Technologies, LLC (“LSC”) in exchange for assuming ownership
and management of the entity and bearing the transaction costs.
The acquisitions were accounted for in accordance
with ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). ASC 805 provides, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed constitute a business. If the assets acquired are not a business, the reporting entity shall account for the transaction or other
event as an asset acquisition which are accounted for using a cost accumulation and allocation model under which the cost of the acquisition
is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The STX and LSC were recorded as asset acquisitions.
The cost of the LSC asset acquisition was $ 500
in legal fees, expensed at closing. The initial cost of the STX asset acquisition was $ 0 with total consideration coming in the form of
contingent consideration, which will be recognized if and when it becomes payable.
NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 27, 2022, the Company acquired, via
assignment from Intellectual Ventures Assets 181 LLC and Intellectual Ventures Assets 174 LLC, all right title and interest to four patent
portfolios consisting of fifteen United States patents and three foreign patents for a purchase price of $ 1,060,000 . The Company requested
and received a capital advance in the amount of the $ 1,060,000 purchase price from the facility with QFL.
On February 28, 2022, the Company filed a certificate
of amendment to the certificate of incorporation of Quest Licensing Corporation, a New York corporation, changing the name of the corporation
to Digital IP Advisors Incorporated.
In March 2022, the Company received operating
capital advances in the amount of $ 200,000 from QFL pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.