UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-K10-K/A
 
(Mark One)
[X]ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
 
[   ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission file number 001-15757
 
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware 33-0224167
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
  
10815 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 310,
San Diego, CA 92127
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(858) 673-8600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ]  No [X]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Sec. 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer[   ]Accelerated filer[X]
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
[   ]
Smaller Reporting Company
 
[   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [   ]  No [X]
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported on the OTCQB marketplace was $69,127,864. This number excludes shares of common stock held by affiliates, executive officers and directors.
 
As of March 20,April 12, 2017, there were 91,846,79592,326,286 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 
 

 
 
 
 
IMAGEWARE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (the “Amendment”) amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ImageWare Systems, Inc. (the “Company”, “our” or “we”) for the year ended December 31, 2016, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2017 (the “Original Filing”). The sole purpose of this Amendment is to include information previously omitted from Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III of the Original Filing, in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which provides that registrants may incorporate by reference certain information from a definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC within 120 days after fiscal year end.
For purposes of this Amendment, and in accordance with Rule 12b-15 under the Exchange Act, Items 10 through 14 of the Original Filing have been amended and restated in their entirety.
Except as stated herein, this Amendment does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original Filing and no attempt has been made in this Amendment to modify or update other disclosures as presented in the Original Filing.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
 
Form 10-K10-K/A
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Table ofof Contents
 
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Item 15.
Exhibits 20
 23
 
 
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTPART III
 
 This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Annual Report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as the development of new products, sales levels, expense levels and other statements regarding matters that are not historical are forward-looking statements.
ITEM 10.                        
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
 Although forward-looking statements in this Annual Report reflect the good faith judgmentThe Board of our management, such statements can only be based on factsDirectors and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include without limitation those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only asexecutive officers consist of the datepersons named in the table below. Each director serves for a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until earlier resignation or removal.  Our bylaws provide that the number of this Annual Report. We undertakedirectors shall not be less than four, but no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Annual Report. Readersmore than eight.  The directors and executive officers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Annual Report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
PART Ias follows:
 
ITEM 1.
Name
BUSINESSAgePrincipal Occupation/Position Held With the Company
Mr. S. James Miller, Jr.63Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr. Wayne Wetherell64Sr. Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Mr. David Harding47Vice President, Chief Technical Officer
Mr. Robert Brown55Vice President, Sales and Business Development
Mr. David Carey72Director
Mr. Guy Steve Hamm69Director
Mr. David Loesch72Director
Mr. John Cronin62Director
Mr. Neal Goldman72Director
Mr. Charles Crocker78Director
Mr. Dana W. Kammersgard61Director
 
 As used in this Annual Report, “S. James Miller, Jr.we,” “us,” “our,” “ImageWare,” “ImageWare Systems,” “Company” or “ has served as our Company” refersChief Executive Officer since 1990 and Chairman of the Board since 1996. He also served as our President from 1990 until 2003. From 1980 to ImageWare Systems,1990, Mr. Miller was an executive with Oak Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of components for the telecommunications industry. While at Oak Industries, Mr. Miller served as a director and allas Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chairman/President of itsOak Industries’ Pacific Rim subsidiaries. He has a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego.
 
OverviewThe Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Miller possesses substantial managerial expertise leading the Company through its various stages of development and growth, beginning in 1990 when Mr. Miller joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer, and that such expertise is extremely valuable to the Board of Directors and the Company as it executes its business plan.  In addition, the Board of Directors values the input provided by Mr. Miller given his legal experience.
 
The Company isWayne Wetherell has served as our Senior Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial Officer since May 2001 and additionally as our Secretary and Treasurer since October 2005. From 1996 to May 2001, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Wetherell was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bilstein Corporation of America, a pioneermanufacturer and leaderdistributor of automotive parts. From 1980 to 1990 Mr. Wetherell served in various financial roles culminating as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Oak Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of components for the emerging markettelecommunications industry traded on the NYSE.  Mr. Wetherell holds a B.S. degree in Management and a M.S. degree in Finance from San Diego State University.
David Harding. Mr. Harding has served as our Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since January 2006. Before joining us, Mr. Harding was the Chief Technology Officer at IC Solutions, Inc., where he was responsible for biometrically enabled software-based identity management solutions. Using those human characteristics that are unique to us all we create software that provides a highly reliable indication of a person’s identity. Our “flagship” product is our patented IWS Biometric Engine®. Scalable for small city business or worldwide deployment, our IWS Biometric Engine is a multi-biometric software platform that is hardware and algorithm independent, enablingtechnology departments including the enrollmentdevelopment and management of unlimited population sizes. It allows a usersoftware development, IT and quality assurance, as well as their respective hardware, software and human resource budgets from 2001 to utilize one or more biometrics on a seamlessly integrated platform. Our products are used2003. He was the Chief Technology Officer at Thirsty.com from 1999 to manage2000, the Chief Technology Officer at Fulcrum Point Technologies, Inc., from 1996 to 1999, and issue secure credentials, including national IDs, passports, driver licenses and access control credentials. Our products also provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, LiveScan fingerprint and investigative capabilities. We also provide comprehensive authentication security software using biometricsconsultant to secure physical and logical access to facilities or computer networks or Internet sites. Biometric technologyAccess360, which is now an integral part of all markets we address and all of our products are integrated into the IWS Biometric Engine.IBM/Tivoli, from 1995 to 1996.
 
Historically, we have marketedRobert Brown. Mr. Brown has served as our productsVice President – Sales and Business Development since June 2015. Prior to government entities atjoining the federal, state and local levels, however, throughCompany, Mr. Brown served since February 2010 as the emergenceprincipal of cloud based computing,Black Diamond Group, a mobile market that demands increased security and interoperable systems, andglobal consultancy agency representing new technology companies in connection with their relationship with Microsoft.  Prior to Black Diamond Group, Mr. Brown served as the proven successDirector of our productsBusiness Development of Ascend Communications.  Mr. Brown is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a B.S. in the government markets, has enabled us to enlarge our target market focus to include the emerging consumer and non-government enterprise marketplace.Computer Technology.
��
 
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Our biometric technologyDavid Carey was appointed to the Board in February 2006. Mr. Carey is a core software component of an organization’s security infrastructure and includes a multi-biometric identity management solution for enrolling, managing, identifying and verifying the identities of people by the physical characteristicsformer Executive Director of the human body. We develop, sellCentral Intelligence Agency. Mr. Carey briefly served on the Board of Cyberby, Inc., a public company, resigning in October 2015 and support various identity management capabilities within government (federal, statecurrently is the Chairman of Proxy Boards for DRS Technologies, and local), law enforcement, commercial enterprises,OnPoint Consulting, and transportationQinetiq North America and aviation marketsa member of the Proxy Board for identification and verification purposes. Our IWS Biometric Engine is a patented biometric identity management software platform for multi-biometric enrollment, management and authentication, managing population databases of virtually unlimited sizes. It is hardware agnostic and can utilize different types of biometric algorithms. It allows different types of biometrics to be operated at the same time on a seamlessly integrated platform. It is also offered as a Software Development Kit based search engine, enabling developers and system integrators to implement a biometric solution or integrate biometric capabilities into existing applications without having to derive biometric functionality from pre-existing applications. The IWS Biometric Engine combined with our secure credential platform, IWS EPI Builder, provides a comprehensive, integrated biometric and secure credential solution that can be leveraged for high-end applications such as passports, driver licenses, national IDs, and other secure documents.
Our law enforcement solutions enable agencies to quickly capture, archive, search, retrieve, and share digital images, fingerprints and other biometrics as well as criminal history records on a stand-alone, networked, wireless or Web-based platform. We develop, sell and support a suite of modular software products used by law enforcement and public safety agencies to create and manage criminal history records and to investigate crime. Our IWS Law Enforcement solution consists of five software modules: Capture and Investigative modules, which provide a criminal booking system with related databasesInformatica Federal Operations, Inc. as well as the abilityBoard of Trimpan, Inc. ��Mr. Carey also serves on a number of Advisory Boards, including the Advisory Board of Raytheon TCS (Trusted Computer Solutions). Mr. Carey also consults with companies both independently and as an affiliate of the Command Consulting Group.  From April 2005 to create and print mug photo/SMT image lineups and electronic mugbooks; a Facial Recognition module, which uses biometric facial recognition to identify suspects; a Web module,August of 2008, Mr. Carey served as Executive Director for Blackbird Technologies, which provides accessstate-of-the-art IT security expertise, where he assists the company with business development and strategic planning. Prior to centrally stored recordsjoining Blackbird Technologies, Mr. Carey was Vice President, Information Assurance for Oracle Corporation from September 2001 to April 2005. In addition, Mr. Carey worked for the CIA for 32 years until 2001. During his career at the CIA, Mr. Carey held several senior positions including that of Executive Director, often referred to as the Chief Operating Officer, or No. 3 person in the agency, from 1997 to 2001. Before assuming that position, Mr. Carey was Director of the DCI Crime and Narcotics Center, the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis, and Deputy Director of the Office of Global Issues. Mr. Carey is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Delaware.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Carey’s experience as a former Executive Director of the CIA, his experience dealing with IT security matters, and the extensive contacts gained over his career working within the Internetintelligence and security community, provide the Board with specialized expertise that assists the Company in a connected or wireless fashion; and a LiveScan module,the specific industries in which incorporates LiveScan capabilities into IWS Law Enforcement providing integrated fingerprint and palm print biometric management for civil and law enforcement use. The IWS Biometric Engine is also available to our law enforcement clients and allows them to capture and search using other biometrics such as iris or DNA.it operates.
 
Our secure credential solutions empower customersGuy Steve Hamm was appointed to create securethe Board in October 2004. Mr. Hamm served as CFO of Aspen Holding, a privately held insurance provider, from December 2005 to February 2007. In 2003, Mr. Hamm retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a national partner-in-charge of middle market. Mr. Hamm was instrumental in growing the Audit Business Advisory Services ("ABAS") Middle Market practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was responsible for $300 million in revenue and smart digital identification documents with complete ID systems. We develop, sell and support software and design systems which utilize digital imaging and biometrics in the productionmore than 100 partners.  Mr. Hamm is a graduate of photo identification cards, credentials and identification systems. Our products in this market consist of IWS EPI Suite and IWS EPI Builder (“SDK”). These products allow for the production of digital identification cards and related databases and records and can be used by, among others, schools, airports, hospitals, corporations or governments. We have added the ability to incorporate multiple biometrics into the ID systems with the integration of IWS Biometric Engine to our secure credential product line.San Diego State University.
 
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Hamm’s experience in public accounting, together with his management experience as a Chief Financial Officer, provide the Audit Committee of the Board with the expertise needed to oversee the Company’s finance and accounting professionals, and the Company’s independent public accountants.
Our enterprise authentication software includesDavid Loesch was appointed to the IWS Desktop Security product whichBoard in September 2001 after 29 years of service as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (“FBI”). At the time of his retirement from the FBI, Mr. Loesch was the Assistant Director in Charge of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI. Mr. Loesch was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive in 1998 and has served on the board of directors of the Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association since 1996. He is also a comprehensive authentication management infrastructure solution providing added layersmember of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Inc.  In 1999, Mr. Loesch was appointed by former Attorney General Janet Reno to serve as one of 15 original members of the Compact Council, an organization charged with promulgating rules and procedures governing the use of and exchange of criminal history records for non-criminal justice use. Mr. Loesch served in the United States Army as an Officer with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from George Washington University. Mr. Loesch continues to work as a private consultant on criminal justice information sharing and the use of biometrics to help identify criminals and individuals of special concern.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Loesch’s extensive service as a Special Agent with the FBI, together with his knowledge of security issues relevant to workstations, networksthe Company’s products and systems through advanced encryption and authentication technologies. IWS Desktop Security is optimized to enhance network security and usability, and uses multi-factor authentication methods to protect access, verify identity and help secure the computing environment without sacrificing ease-of-use features such as quick login. Additionally, IWS Desktop Security provides an easy integration with various smart card-based credentials including the Common Access Card (“CAC”), Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (“HSPD-12”), Personal Identity Verification (“PIV”) credential, and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (“TWIC”) with an organization’s access control process. IWS Desktop Securitymarkets, provides the crucial end-point componentCompany and the Board of a Logical Access Control System (“LACS”),Directors with relevant input regarding the industries in which the Company competes, and when combined with a Physical Access Control System (“PACS”), organizations benefit from a complete door to desktop access control and security model.
the markets served by the Company. 
 
 
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Recent Developments
Creation of Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series G Financing
On December 27, 2016, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 6,120 shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“John CroninSeries G Preferred”). Shares of Series G Preferred rank junior was appointed to the Company’s Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred StockBoard in February 2012. Mr. Cronin is currently Managing Director and Chairman of ipCapital Group, Inc. ("ipCG"), an intellectual property consulting firm Mr. Cronin founded in 1998.  During his time with ipCG, Mr. Cronin created both a unique ipCapital System(R) Methodology for consulting, as well as the Company’s existing indebtedness,a world-class licensing and accrue dividends at a rate oftransaction process, and worked with over 700 companies, including more than 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”). Each share of Series G Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series G Liquidation Preference”),Fortune 500. Prior to forming ipCG, Mr. Cronin spent over 17 years at IBM and is convertible, atbecame its top inventor with over 100 patents and 150 patent publications. He created and ran the option ofIBM Patent Factory, which was essential in helping IBM become number one in US patents, and the holder, intoteam that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equalcontributed to the Series G Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50.
On December 29, 2016, the Company accepted subscription forms from certain accredited investors (the “Investors”) to purchase a totalstartup and success of 1,625 shares of Series G Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series G Financing”). In addition, the Company also received executed exchange agreements from the Investors pursuant to which the Company exchanged an aggregate total of approximately 3.4 million shares of Common Stock held by the Investors for an aggregate total of approximately 4,400 shares of Series G Preferred.
Creation of Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series F Financing
On September 2, 2016, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 2,000 shares of its preferred stockIBM's licensing program. Additionally, Mr. Cronin serves as Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred”). Shares of Series F Preferred rank junior to the Company’s Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and existing indebtedness, and accrue dividends at a rate of 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Each share of Series F Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series F Liquidation Preference”), and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Series F Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50.
On September 7, 2016, the Company and Cap 1 LLC (the “Investor”), entered into a securities purchase agreement, wherein the Investor agreed to purchase 2,000 shares of Series F Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series F Financing”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $2.0 million net of issuance costs of approximately $21,000.
Amendments to Lines of Credit
On December 27, 2016, in connection with the consummation of the Series G Financing, the Company and Neal Goldman, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Holder”), agreed to enter into the fifth amendment (the “Line of Credit Amendment”) to the convertible promissory note previously issued by the Company to the Holder on March 27, 2013 (the “Goldman Line of Credit”), to provide the Company with the ability to borrow up to $5.5 million under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit, bringing the total amount the Company may borrow under its existing lines of credit to $6.0 million. In addition, the Maturity Date, as defined in the Goldman Line of Credit, was amended to be December 31, 2017. The Line of Credit Amendment was executed on January 23, 2017.
              In addition, on January 23, 2017, the Company and Charles Crocker, also a member of the Board of Directors of theat Vermont Electric Power Company amended the line of credit and promissory note, dated March 9, 2016 (the “(“Crocker LOCVELCO”), to extendArmor Designs, Inc., Document Security Systems, and Primal Fusion, Inc., and GraphOn and as a member of the maturity date thereof to December 31, 2017. No other amendments were made toadvisory board for innoPad, Inc. He holds a B.S. and a M.S.in electrical engineering, and a B.A. degree in Psychology from the Crocker LOC.University of Vermont.
 
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Cronin’s experience developing and extracting the value from intellectual property, and his experience serving on, and advising, boards of directors, will contribute to deliberations of our Board of Directors, and assist the Company as it capitalizes on the opportunities presented by its portfolio of intellectual property assets.
Neal Goldmanwas appointed to the Board in August 2012. Mr. Goldman is currently president, chief compliance officer and a director of Goldman Capital Management, Inc., an employee owned investment advisor that he founded in 1985. Additionally, Mr. Goldman is a member of the CFA institute and is Executive Chairman of Charles and Colvard, LTD, a specialty jewelry company. Mr. Goldman also served as a member of the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee for Blyth, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed designer and marketer of home decorative and fragrance products.
Mr. Goldman is the Company’s largest shareholder and has significant investment experience.  As a result, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Goldman can provide valuable guidance to the Board of Directors as it seeks to build shareholder value.
Charles Crocker was appointed to the Board in September 2012. Mr. Crocker currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Crocker Capital, a private investment company. Mr. Crocker also serves as a director of Teledyne Technologies, Inc., Bailard, Inc. and Mercator MedSystems. Teledyne Technologies, Inc. is a publically traded company. Beyond his corporate duties, Mr. Crocker serves as a Trustee of the Mary A. Crocker Trust, the Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association and the Fine Arts Museums Foundation of San Francisco. Mr. Crocker received his B.S. degree from Stanford University and M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkley.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Crocker’s significant experience serving on boards of directors, together with his investment experience, assists the Company’s Board of Directors in its deliberations and contributes to the governance of the Board.
Dana Kammersgardwas appointed to the Board in May of 2016. Mr. Kammersgard is currently the Executive Vice President, Cloud Systems and Solutions for Seagate Technology, where he is responsible for all storage systems related products and strategies. Prior to joining Seagate Systems in 2015, he served as the President, CEO and a director of Dot Hill System Corp. ("Dot Hill") since March 2006. He served as President of Dot Hill from August 2004 to March 2006. From August 1999 to August 2004, Mr. Kammersgard served as Dot Hill's 's Chief Technical Officer. Mr. Kammersgard was a founder of Artecon and served as a director from its inception in 1984 until the company's merger with Box Hill Systems Corp. in August 1999. At Artecon, Mr. Kammersgard served in various positions since 1984, including Secretary and Senior Vice President of Engineering from March 1998 until August 1999, and as Vice President of Sales and Marketing from March 1997 until March 1998. Prior to cofounding Artecon, Mr. Kammersgard was the Director of Software Development at Calma, a division of General Electric Company. Mr. Kammersgard holds a B.A. in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Kammersgard’s engineering and technical experience, coupled with his senior executive management experience with technology companies, is valuable to the Company’s Board of Directors and senior management given the technical issues and marketing challenges facing the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with in a timely manner.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics policy that applies to our directors and employees (including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions).  The Company intends to promptly disclose (i) the nature of any amendment tothis code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and (ii) the nature of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of this code of ethics that is granted to one of these specified individuals, the name of such person who is granted the waiver and the date of the waiver on our website in the future.  A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be obtained from our website at http://www.iwsinc.com.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board of Directors has discretion to determine whether to separate or combine the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. S. James Miller has served in both roles since 1996, and our Board continues to believe that his combined role is most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders, as Mr. Miller possesses in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and risks facing us, our business and our industry and is best positioned to fulfill the responsibilities of our Chief Executive Officer, as well as the Chairman’s responsibility to develop meeting agendas that focus the Board’s time and attention on the most critical matters and to facilitate constructive dialogue among Board members on strategic issues.
In addition to Mr. Miller’s leadership, the Board maintains effective independent oversight through a number of governance practices, including open and direct communication with management, input on meeting agendas, and regular executive sessions. 
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Key Product Introduction
On November 14, 2016, the Company introduced GoVerifyID® Enterprise Suite, a multi-modal, multi-factor biometric authentication solution for the enterprise market. An algorithm-agnostic solution, GoVerify ID Enterprise Suite is an end-to-end biometric platform that seamlessly integrates with an enterprise’s existing Microsoft infrastructure, offering businesses a turnkey biometric solution for quick deployment. The Company feels that this product has the potential to dramatically accelerate adoption of its biometric solution due to the worldwide prevalence of enterprise use of the Microsoft infrastructure.
Working across the entire enterprise ecosystem, GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite offers a consistent user experience and centralized administration with the highest level of security, flexibility, and usability. Specific benefits include:
 
Mobile-workforce friendly—With GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite user authentication logins are possible for a tablet or laptop even when disconnected from the corporate network. Additionally, GoVerifyID Enterprise offers a consistent user authentication experience across all login environments.
Board Role in Risk Assessment
 
Management, in consultation with outside professionals, as applicable, identifies risks associated with the Company’s operations, strategies and financial statements. Risk assessment is also performed through periodic reports received by the Audit Committee from management, counsel and the Company’s independent registered public accountants relating to risk assessment and management. Audit Committee members meet privately in executive sessions with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accountants. The Board also provides risk oversight through its periodic reviews of the financial and operational performance of the Company.

Hybrid cloud—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is linked fromDirector Independence
Our Board of Directors has determined that all of its members, other than Mr. Miller, who serves as the cloud to an enterprise’s Microsoft infrastructureCompany’s Chief Executive Officer, and is backward compatible with Windows 7, 8Mr. Goldman, who beneficially owns approximately 37% of the Company’s common stock, are “independent” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and 10. Additionally, because the solution is SaaS-based it can easily scale to process hundreds of millions of transactions and store just as many biometrics.
SEC rules regarding independence. 
 
Committees of the Board of Directors
Seamless integration—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite
Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each of which has the composition and responsibilities described below.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent accountants and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent accountants and takes those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy it that the accountants are independent of management. The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Hamm (Chairman), Carey and Loesch, each of whom is a snap-in tonon-management member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Hamm is also our Audit Committee financial expert, as currently defined under current SEC rules.  The Audit Committee met four times during the Microsoft Management console and can be centrally managed at the server. Additionally, the solution allows for seamless movement as it integrates with Active Directory using an organization’s existing Microsoft security infrastructure.
Industry Background
Biometrics and Secure Credential Markets
We believe the biometric identity management market will continue to grow as the role of biometrics becomes more widely adopted for enhancing security and complying with government regulations and initiatives and as biometric capture devices become increasingly mobile, robust and cost effective. Our biometric and secure credentialing solutions are meeting the requirements and standards for true multi-modal biometric identity management systems, as well as providing scalability to support evolving functionality.
As a result of HSPD-12, government organizations are required to adopt new processes for verifying the identity of employees and contractors as well as controlling access to secure facilities and information systems. In response to the strict requirements set forth by the Federal government, ImageWare enhanced its IWS Biometric Engine and secure credentialing product suite by adding card management and card printing modules which enable the offering of end-to-end support for PIV-I and PIV-II business processes, technical requirements, as well as the ability to partner with leading physical and logical access control vendors for logistics and deployment considerations.year ended December 31, 2016.  We believe that the HSPD-12 standards as well ascomposition of our Audit Committee meets the product enhancements created to meet those standards will, in large part, be adopted bycriteria for independence under, and the commercial marketfunctioning of our Audit Committee complies with the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and that the Company’s products will transition into those market spaces without significant customization.SEC rules and regulations.
 
 Organizations concerned with security can use our technology to create secure “smart” identification cards that can be instantly checked against a database of applicable biometrics to prevent unauthorized access to secure facilities or computer networks. We believe potential customers in these markets include, among others, large corporations, border crossings (land, air and sea), airports, hospitals, universities and government agencies.Compensation Committee
 
 Identification systems have historically been sold based uponThe Compensation Committee determines our general compensation policies and the cost-savings digital systems offer over traditional non-digital systems.compensation provided to our directors and officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and determines bonuses for our officers and other employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and determines equity-based compensation for our directors, officers, employees and consultants and administers our stock option plans.   The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Carey (Chairman), Cronin and Goldman, each of whom is a non-management member of our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee met three times during the year ended December 31, 2016. Although Messrs. Carey and Cronin meet the criteria for independence under the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and SEC rules and regulations, Mr. Goldman is not considered independent under such requirements.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of all the nonemployee members of the Board.   The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2016. We believe that the abilitycomposition of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee complies with the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and SEC rules and regulations.   
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
As permitted by Delaware law, the Company will indemnify its directors and officers against expenses and liabilities they incur to easily capture images and datadefend, settle, or satisfy any civil or criminal action brought against them on account of their being or having been Company directors or officers unless, in a digital database andany such action, they are adjudged to enable immediate and widespread access to that database for remote identification/verification will be a functionality that both public and private sector customers will require in the future and that such functionality will be one of the primary drivers for future growth within this market. We are able to provide field-proven identification productshave acted with high quality reference accounts across the board in terms of size and complexity of systems and user requirements. When combined with our proven biometric, cloud and interactive mobile messaging capabilities, we believe we can provide a leading product offering into the biometrically enabled secure identity management market.gross negligence or willful misconduct. 
 
 
 
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Law Enforcement and Public Safety Markets
ITEM 11.                       
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
The United States law enforcementCompensation Committee of our Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and public safety markets are composedmonitoring adherence to our compensation philosophy. The Board of federal, stateDirectors has delegated to the Compensation Committee the responsibility for determining our compensation policies and local law enforcement agencies.  Our target customers include local policeprocedures for senior management, including the named executive officers, periodically reviewing these policies and sheriff’s departments, primary state law enforcement agencies, prisons, special police agencies, county constable offices,procedures, and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA and ICE.  In addition, police agencies in foreign countries have shown interest in usingmaking recommendations concerning executive compensation to be considered by the full rangeboard of IWS Law Enforcement productsdirectors, when such approval is required under any of our plans or policies or by applicable laws. The Compensation Committee also has the principal responsibility for the administration of our stock plans, including the approval of stock option grants to meet the growing need for a flexible yet robust booking/investigative solution that includes the routine use of IWS Facial Recognition as well as the ability to use other biometrics. We continue to target agencies in foreign countries for our biometric and law enforcement solutions.named executive officers.
 
Law enforcement customers require demanding end-to-end solutions that incorporate robust features The compensation received by our named executive officers in fiscal year 2016 is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, below. For 2016, the named executive officers included: (i) S. James Miller, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors and functionalities such as biometricChief Executive Officer; (ii) Wayne Wetherell, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and secure credentialing capabilities, as well as instant access to centrally maintained records for real time verification of identityTreasurer; and privileges. Law enforcement has long used the multiple biometrics of fingerprint(iii) David Harding, Vice-President and face in establishing an individual’s identity record. More recently, law enforcement is seeking capability to utilize additional biometrics such as iris and DNA.  The Company’s multi-biometric platform product, the IWS Biometric Engine, allows company customers to use as many and different biometrics as desired all on a single, integrated platform.Chief Technical Officer.
 
AgenciesCompensation Philosophy
 In general, our executive compensation policies are also moving towarddesigned to recruit, retain and motivate qualified executives by providing them with a more shared experience wherecompetitive total compensation package based in large part on the executive's contribution to our financial and operational success, the executive's personal performance and increases in stockholder value as measured by the price of our common stock. We believe that the total compensation paid to our executives should be fair, reasonable and competitive.
 We seek to have a balanced approach to executive compensation with each primary element of compensation (base salary, variable compensation and equity incentives) designed to play a specific pieces of suspect/arrest data may be viewed by outside agencies allowing a suspect’s identityrole. Overall, we design our compensation programs to be quickly defined withallow for the end goal being the swift apprehensionrecruitment, retention and motivation of the subject.key executives and high-level talent required in order for us to:
 
Products and Services
achieve or exceed our annual financial plan and achieve profitability; 
 
Our identity management solutions are primarily focused around biometrics and secure credentials providing complete, cross-functional and interoperable systems. Our biometric and secure credentialing products provide complete and interoperable solutions with features and functions required throughout the entire identity management life cycle, enabling users the flexibility to make use
make continuous progression towards achieving our long-term strategic objectives to be a high-growth company with growing profitability; and
increase our share price to provide greater value to our stockholders.
Role of any desired options, such as identity proofing and enrollment, card issuance, maintenance and access control. Our solutions offer a significant benefit that one vendor’s solution is used throughout the various stages, from establishing an applicant’s verified identity, to issuance of smart card based credentials, to the usage and integration to physical and logical access control systems.
These solutions improve global communication, the integrity and authenticity of access control to facilities and information systems, as well as enhance security, increase efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy.
We categorize our identity management products and services into three basic markets: (i) Biometrics, (ii) Secure Credential, and (iii) Law Enforcement and Public Safety.  We offer a series of modular products that can be seamlessly integrated into an end-to-end solution or licensed as individual components.
Biometrics
Our biometric product line consists of the following:
GoMobile InteractiveTMExecutive Officers in Compensation Decisions
 
In July 2013, the Company introduced its mobile biometric identity management platform, GoMobile InteractiveTM (“GMI”).  Based upon acquired patented messaging platform technology combinedThe Compensation Committee considers action on executive compensation annually. They discuss their proposed actions with the Company’s patented IWS Biometric Engine®, GMI allows global business, serviceChief Executive Officer and content providersmake recommendations for any changes to the Company's Board of Directors. Only the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors are authorized to approve the compensation for any named executive officer. Since our CEO is also a member of our Board of Directors, he does not participate in any conversation or approvals related to his compensation. Compensation of new executives is based on hiring negotiations between the individuals and our CEO and/or Compensation Committee.
Elements of Compensation
 Consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives, we offer users biometric securityexecutive compensation packages consisting of the following three components:
base salary; 
annual incentive compensation (in the form of bonuses or otherwise); and
equity awards pursuant to the terms and conditions of our 1999 Stock Award Plan (the "1999 Plan").
 In each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee determines the amount and relative weighting of each component for their products, servicesall executives, including the named executive officers. Base salaries are paid in fixed amounts and content on the Android or iPhone operating systems. GMI includes a standalone application that can be used as a turnkey solution, as well as a software development kit, enabling integration with existing mobile applications for Android and iPhone.   Targeted verticals for the product include mobile banking and value transfer, retail, healthcare and entertainment services. By supporting multi-modal biometrics on a mobile device, the Company is able to offer an out-of-band security solution that is far superior to traditional password or PIN protection, which are now failing and costing businesses billions of dollars.  In addition, the GMI service supports dynamic information gathering, allowing clients to learn about their users through the use of interactive surveys that can be secured using biometrics.thus do not encourage risk taking. For 2016, we had no incentive bonus programs.
 
 
 
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IWS Biometric EngineWe also have issued stock options focusing the recipients on the achievement of certain short- and longer-term goals and objectives. For example, certain stock options were granted to our executives in 2016 will not begin vesting until their one year anniversary in 2017, and will vest in increments over the following two years until the options are fully vested in 2019. The Compensation Committee believes that these awards do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking because the ultimate value of the awards is tied to our stock price, and the vesting schedules align our employees' interests even more closely with those of our investors.
 
ThisBase Salary
 Because our compensation philosophy stresses performance-based awards, base salary is intended to be a biometric identity management platform for multi-biometric enrollment, management and authentication, managing population databasessmaller portion of unlimited sizes without regardtotal executive compensation relative to hardware or algorithm.  Searches can be 1:1 (verification), 1:N (identification), X:N (investigative) and N:N (database integrity). IWS Biometric Engine is technology and biometric agnostic, enablinglong-term equity. Therefore, we target executive base salary at the use of biometric devices and algorithms from any vendor, and the supportmedian level of the following biometric types: finger, face, iris, hand geometry, palm, signature, DNA, voice, 3D face and retina. IWS Biometric Engine is a second-generation solution from the Company that is based on field-proven ImageWare technology solutionscompensation guidelines that have been used to manage millionsapproved by the Compensation Committee. In addition, the Compensation Committee takes into account the executive's scope of biometric records since 1997responsibility and is ideal for a variety of applications including: criminal booking, background checks (civil and criminal), watch list, visa/passport and border control (air, land and sea), physical and logical access control, and other highly-secure identity management environments.  The Company believes that this product will be very attractivesignificance to the emerging commercialexecution of our long-term strategy, past accomplishments, experience and consumer marketspersonal performance and compares each executive's base salary with those of the other members of senior management. The Compensation Committee may give different weighting to each of these factors for each executive, as they deploy biometric identity management systems.it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee did not retain a compensation consultant or determine a compensation peer group for 2016. In 2016, there were no changes to the base salaries paid to our named executive officers other than an annual cost of living increase for Mr. Miller per his employment agreement.
 
Our IWS Biometric Engine is scalable, and biometric images and templates can be enrolled either live or offline.   Because it stores the enrolled images, a new algorithm can be quickly converted to support new or alternate algorithms and capture devices. The IWS Biometric Engine is built to be hardware “agnostic,” and currently supports over 100 hardware capture devices and over 70 biometric algorithms.Annual Incentive Compensation
 
The IWS Biometric Engine is available asCompensation Committee has not adopted an executive bonus plan for 2017.
Equity Awards
 Although we do not have a Software Development Kit,mandated policy regarding the ownership of shares of common stock by officers and directors, we believe that granting equity awards to executives and other key employees on an ongoing basis gives them a strong incentive to maximize stockholder value and aligns their interests with those of our other stockholders on a long-term basis. Our 1999 Plan enables us to grant equity awards, as well as other types of stock-based compensation, to our executive officers and other employees. Under authority delegated to it by the board of directors, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves all equity awards granted to named executive officers under the 1999 Plan. Typically, the options granted upon the executive's hire vest over three years with a platform for custom configurationsthird vesting on the one-year anniversary, and the remainder vesting quarterly over the next eight quarters. The options granted to meet specific customer requirements. The added suiteexecutives in connection with an annual performance review typically begin vesting on the one-year anniversary of products provides government, law enforcement, border managementthe grant date, and enterprise businesses, a wide varietyvest ratably over the following eight quarters. Our general policy is to grant the options with an exercise price equal to fair market value, which currently is the closing price of application-specific solutions that address specific government mandatesour Common Stock, as reported by the OTCQB, on the grant date.
 We intend to grant equity awards to achieve retention and technology standards. It also provides the ability to integrate into existing legacy systems and expand based upon specific customer requirements. This enables users to integrate a complete solution or components as needed. The application suite of products includes packaged solutions for:motivation:
 
HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verificationupon the hiring of key executives and other personnel;
 
Border Managementannually, when we review progress against corporate and personal goals; and
 
Applicant Identity Vettingwhen we believe that competitive forces or economic conditions threaten to cause our key executives to lose their motivation and/or where retention of these key executives is in jeopardy.
 
Mobile Acquisition
 With the Compensation Committee's approval, we grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock when we initially hire executives and other employees, as a long-term performance incentive. The Compensation Committee has determined the size of the initial option grants to newly hired executives with reference to existing guidelines and hiring negotiations with the individual, in addition to other relevant information regarding the size and type of compensation package considered necessary to enable us to recruit, retain and motivate the executive.
 
Physical Access Control
Single-Sign-On Historically, no employee was eligible for an annual performance grant until the employee had worked for us for at least sixty days. The Compensation Committee reviews the CEO's and Logical Access Control
IWS PIV Management Application.  The Company providesother executives’ performance and determines whether they should be granted an option to purchase additional shares. Aside from stock award grants in connection with annual performance reviews, we do not have a setpolicy of Enterprise Server products within our complete PIV solution,granting additional awards to executives and, these software products supply server-based featuresconsequently, the board of directors and functions, while the use case for PIV requires client-based presentation of PIV data and workflow.  The IWS PIV Management Application supplies the web-based graphical user interface that presents the user or client interfaceCompensation Committee has not adopted a policy with respect to the various server functions.  Since the server-based applications perform specific functions for specific phases of the PIV life cycle, these server-based applications need to be bound together with additional workflow processes.  The IWS PIV Management Application meets this need with software modules that interface and interconnect the server-based applications.
IWS PIV Middleware.  The IWS PIV Middleware product, which is NIST certified and listed on the GSA approved product list, is a library of functions that connect a card reader & PIV card on the hardware side with a software application. The library implements the specified PIV Middleware API functions that support interoperability of PIV Cards.  This software has been developedgranting awards in conformancecoordination with the FIPS-201 specification, and the software has been certified by the NIST Personal Identification Verification Program (“NPIVP”) Validation Authority as being compliant.
IWS Background Server.  The IWS Background Server is a software application designed specifically for government and law enforcement organizations to support the first stagerelease of biometric identity management functions such as identity proofing and vetting.  IWS Background Check Server automatically processes the submission of an applicant’s demographic and biographic data to investigative bureaus for background checks prior to issuing a credential.material non-public information.
        
 
 
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In determining the size of equity awards the Compensation Committee takes into account the executive's current position with and responsibilities to us. In September 2016, the Compensation Committee approved an option grant for 300,000 shares to Mr. Miller vesting over three years.  This grants was a result of the review by our board of directors (absent Mr. Miller’s participation) of Mr. Miller's annual performance and its annual review of compensation of our other executives. The amount of the grant was determined by considering Mr. Miller's previous option grants and current options outstanding, as well as the size of grants made to other executives. The grants to Mr. Miller was equal to or larger than any grant to other executives because of his responsibilities as CEO.
In September 2016, the Compensation Committee approved an option grant of 300,000 shares to Mr. Harding and option grants of 75,000 shares each to Mr. Wetherell and Mr. Brown vesting over three years.
Only the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee may approve options or other equity-based compensation to our executives. However, the Board of Directors has authorized the CEO to approve option grants to non-executive employees. All such grants must be consistent with equity incentive guidelines approved by the Compensation Committee. The exercise price for such grants must be equal to the closing price of a share of the Common Stock as reported by the OTCQB on the date of grant.
Going forward, we intend to continue to evaluate and consider equity grants to our executives on an annual basis. We expect to consider potential equity awards for executives at the same time as we annually review our employees' performance and determine whether to award grants for all employees.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
 
IWS Desktop Security.   Our Compensation Committee has reviewed the impact of tax and accounting treatment on the various components of our executive compensation program. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “CodeIWS Desktop Security is”) generally disallows a highly flexible, scalable and modular authentication management platformtax deduction to publicly held companies for compensation paid to "covered" executive officers, to the extent that is optimizedcompensation paid to enhance network security and usability. This architecture providessuch an additional layer of securityofficer exceeds $1.0 million during the taxable year. We endeavor to workstations, networks and systems through advanced encryption and authentication technologies. Biometric technologies (face, fingerprint, iris, voice or signature), canaward compensation that will be seamlessly coupled with TPM chips to further enhance corporate security. USB tokens, smart cards and RFID technologies candeductible for income tax purposes, though other factors will also be readily integrated.Additional features include:considered. Our Compensation Committee may authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions to Section 162(m) when we believe that such payments are appropriate to attract and retain executive talent.
 
Support for multiple authentication tools including Public Key Infrastructure (“PKI”) within a uniformed platform and Privilege Management Infrastructure (“PMI”) technology to provide more advanced access control services and assure authentication and data integrity;
Integration with IWS Biometric Engine for searching and match capabilities (1:1, 1:N and X:N);
Integration with IWS EPI Builder for the production and management of secure credentials;
Support for both BioAPI and BAPI standards;
Supports a single sign-on feature that securely manages Internet Explorer and Windows application ID and password information;
Supports file and folder encryption features; and
Supports various operating systems, including Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.
IWS Biometric Quality Assessment & Enhancement (“IWS Biometric IQA&E”).The IWS Biometric IQA&E is a biometric image enhancement and assessment solution that assists government organizations with the ability to evaluate and enrich millions of biometric images automatically, saving time and costs associated with biometric enrollment while maintaining image and database integrity.
The IWS Biometric IQA&E improves the accuracy and effectiveness of biometric template enrollments. The software may be used stand-alone or in conjunction with the IWS Biometric Engine. IWS Biometric IQA&E provides automated image quality assessment with respect to relevant image quality standards from organizations such as International Civil Aviation Organization, National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”), International Organization for Standards (“ISO”) and American Association of Motor Vehicle Association (“AAMVA”). IWS Biometric IQA&E also enables organizations to conduct multi-dimensional facial recognition, which further enhances accuracy for numerous applications including driver licenses, passports and watch lists.
IWS Biometric IQA&E automatically provides real-time biometric image quality analysis and feedback to improve the overall effectiveness of biometric images thus increasing the biometric verification performance, and maintaining database and image data integrity. IWS Biometric IQA&E provides a complete platform that includes an image enhancement library for biometric types including face, finger and iris.
Secure CredentialSay-on-Pay
 
Our secure credential products consiststockholders have not yet had the opportunity to provide feedback on our executive compensation through an advisory vote, as we have not held an annual meeting stockholders since 2011, at which time we were not required to hold a ‘Say-on-Pay’ vote as we followed the disclosure guidelines of the following:a Smaller Reporting Company.
 
GoVerifyID®On November 14, 2016,COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Company introduced GoVerifyID®Enterprise Suite, a multi-modal, multi-factor biometric authentication solutionCompensation Discussion and Analysis provisions to be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the enterprise market. An algorithm-agnostic solution, GoVerify ID Enterprise Suite is an end-to-end biometric platform that seamlessly integrates with an enterprise’s existing Microsoft infrastructure, offering businesses a turnkey biometric solution for quick deployment. The Company feels thatyear ended December 31, 2016. Based on this productreview and discussion, the Compensation Committee has the potential to dramatically accelerate adoption of its biometric solution duerecommended to the worldwide prevalenceboard of enterprise use ofdirectors that the Microsoft infrastructure.Working acrossCompensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the entire enterprise ecosystem, GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite offers a consistent user experience and centralized administration with the highest level of security, flexibility, and usability.year ended December 31, 2016.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
David Carey (Chairman)
John Cronin
Neal Goldman
 
 
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Mobile-workforce friendly—With GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite user authentication logins are possible for a tablet or laptop even when disconnected from the corporate network. Additionally, GoVerifyID Enterprise offers a consistent user authentication experience across all login environments.
Hybrid cloud—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is linked from the cloud to an enterprise’s Microsoft infrastructure and is backward compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10. Additionally, because the solution is SaaS-based it can easily scale to process hundreds of millions of transactions and store just as many biometrics.
Seamless integration—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is a snap-in to the Microsoft Management console and can be centrally managed at the server. Additionally, the solution allows for seamless movement as it integrates with Active Directory using an organization’s existing Microsoft security infrastructure.
Summary Compensation Table
 
IWS Card Management.  The following table sets forth certain information about the compensation paid or accrued during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 to our Chief Executive Officer and each of our four most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and whose annual compensation exceeded $100,000 during such year or would have exceeded $100,000 during such year if the executive officer were employed by the Company for the entire fiscal year (collectively the “The IWS Card Management System (“CMSNamed Executive Officers”) is a comprehensive solution to support and manage the issuance of smart cards complete with the following capabilities:.
 
Biometric enrollment and identity proofing with Smart Card encoding of biometrics;
Flexible models of central or distributed issuance of credentials;
Customizable card life-cycle workflow managed by the CMS; and
Integration of the CMS data with other enterprise solutions, such as physical access control and logical access control (i.e. Single-Sign-On, or SSO).
IWS EPI Suite.  This is an ID software solution for producing, issuing, and managing secure credentials and personal identification cards. Users can efficiently manage large amounts of data, images and card designs, as well as track and issue multiple cards per person, automatically populate multiple cards and eliminate redundant data entry. IWS EPI Suite was designed to integrate with our customers’ existing security and computing infrastructure. We believe that this compatibility may be an appealing feature to corporations, government agencies, transportation departments, school boards, and other public institutions.
IWS EPI Builder.  This is a software developer’s kit and a leading secure credential component of identity management and security solutions, providing all aspects of ID functionality from image and biometric capture to the enrollment, issuance and management of secure documents. It contains components which developers or systems integrators can use to support and produce secure credentials including national IDs, passports, International Civil Aviation Office -compliant travel documents, smart cards and driver licenses. IWS EPI Builder enables organizations to develop custom identification solutions or incorporate sophisticated identification capabilities into existing applications including the ability to capture images, biometric and demographic data; enable biometric identification and verification (1:1 and 1:X) as well as support numerous biometric hardware and software vendors. It also enables users to add electronic identification functionality for other applications, including access control, tracking of time and attendance, point of sale transactions, human resource systems, school photography systems, asset management, inventory control, warehouse management, facilities management and card production systems.
IWS EPI PrintFarm.  While it is the last stage of PIV Card Issuance, the PIV smart card printing process is by no means the least important stage.  Production printing of tens of thousands of PIV cards requires a significant investment and a well-engineered system.  The IWS EPI PrintFarm software offers a cost-effective yet high-performance method for high-volume card printing.
Name and Principal PositionYear Salary  Stock Awards  
Option Awards
(1)(2)
 
All Other
Compensation
  Total
               
S. James Miller, Jr.2016 $368,938  $-  $174,185 $19,816(3) $562,939
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
2015 $370,284  $-  $184,850 $21,551  $576,685
 2014 $356,699  $-  $91,935 $21,310  $469,944
                    
Wayne G. Wetherell2016 $207,333  $   $48,676 $11,787(4)  $267,796
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer,
2015 $211,320  $-  $92,425 $13,714  $317,459
Secretary, and Treasurer2014 $207,333  $-  $18,387 $13,534  $239,254
                    
David Harding2016 $242,955  $   $150,807 $4,105(5)  $397,867
Vice President and
Chief Technical Officer
2015 $234,400  $-  $154,041 $3,768  $392,209
 2014 $230,000  $-  $91,935 $3,757  $325,692
                    
Robert Brown(7)
2016 $187,292  $   $161,843 $1,301(6) $350,436
Vice President Sales and
Business Development
2015 $97,500  $-  $466,042 $253  $563,795
 2014 $-  $-  $- $-  $-
 
(1)
 
 
All option awards were granted under the 1999 Plan.
   
(2) 
The amounts presented in this column do not reflect the cash value or realizable value of option grants to the named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2016.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, no named executive officer exercised an option and therefore no value was realized during the reporting period.  The amounts reflect the grant date fair value of the options awarded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. We have elected to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. We are required to make various assumptions in the application of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and have determined that the best measure of expected volatility is based on the historical weekly volatility of our common stock. Historical volatility factors utilized in our Black-Scholes computations range from 74% to 121%. We have elected to estimate the expected life of an award based upon the SEC approved “simplified method” noted under the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110. The expected term used by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was 5.9 years. The difference between the actual historical expected life and the simplified method was immaterial.  The interest rate used is the risk free interest rate and is based upon U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term. Interest rates used in the Company’s Black-Scholes calculations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was 2.6%. Dividend yield is zero, as we do not expect to declare any dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future. In addition to the key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model, the estimated forfeiture rate at the time of valuation is a critical assumption. We have estimated an annualized forfeiture rate of 0% for corporate officers, 4.1% for members of the Board of Directors and 6.0% for all other employees. We review the expected forfeiture rate annually to determine if that percent is still reasonable based on historical experience.
 
(3) This amount includes premiums on life insurance and disability insurance of $9,216 and matching 401(k) contributions of $10,600.
   
(4) This amount includes premiums on life insurance and disability insurance of $3,377 and matching 401(k) contributions of $8,408.
   
(5) This amount includes premiums in life insurance and disability insurance of $2,905 and matching 401(k) contributions of $1,200.
   
(6) This amount includes premiums on life insurance and disability insurance of $1,301.
   
(7) Mr. Brown joined the Company in June 2015.
 
 
 
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IWS PIV Encoder.  PIV smart cards must be programmed with specific mandatory data, digital signatures and programs in order to maintain the interoperability as well as the security features specified for the cards. The IWS PIV Encoder could be considered to be a complex device driver that properly programs the PIV smart cards.  The Encoder interacts with the Card Management System for data payload elements. It interacts with the Certificate Authority to encrypt or sign the PIV smart card data with trusted certificates. Finally, it acts as the application-level device driver to make the specific PIV smart card encoding system properly program the smart card, regardless if the system is a standalone encoding system or one integrated into a card printer.Grants of Plan Based Awards
 
Law Enforcement and Public SafetyThe following table provides information on plan-based awards granted in 2016 to each of the Named Executive Officers:
 
We believe our integrated suite of software products significantly reduces the inefficiencies and expands the capabilities of traditional booking and mug shot systems. Using our products, an agency can create a digital database of thousands of criminal history records, each including one or more full-color facial images, finger and palm prints, biographic text information and images of other distinctive physical features such as scars, marks and tattoos (“SMT’s”). This database can be quickly searched using text queries, or biometric technology that can compare biometric characteristics of an unknown suspect with those in the database.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grant Date
 
 
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Share) (1)
 
 
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($) (2)
 
S. James Miller, Jr.09/20/2016
  300,000 
 $1.37 
 $249,424 
Wayne  G. Wetherell09/20/2016
  75,000 
 $1.37 
 $62,356 
David Harding09/20/2016
  300,000 
 $1.37 
 $249,424 
Robert Brown09/20/2016
  75,000 
 $1.37 
 $62,356 
 
Our investigative software products can be used to create, edit and distribute both mug photo and SMT photo lineups of any size.  In addition, electronic mug books display hundreds of images for a witness to review and from which electronic selections are made. The Witness View software component records the viewing of a lineup (mug photo or SMT) detailing the images provided for viewing along with the image or images selected. In addition to a printed report, the Witness View module provides a non-editable executable file (.exe) that may be played on any computer for court exhibit viewing purposes.
(1)Each option was granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the grant date which was equal to the closing price of a share of our common stock, as reported by the OTCQB, on the date of grant.
 
Our IWS Law Enforcement solution consists of software modules, which may also be purchased individually. The IWS Law Enforcement Capture and Investigative module make up our booking system and database. Our add-on modules include LiveScan, Facial Recognition, Law Enforcement Web and Witness View as well as the IWS Biometric Engine.
IWS Law Enforcement.  IWS Law Enforcement is a digital booking, identification and investigative solution that enables users to digitally capture, store, search and retrieve images and demographic data including mug shots, fingerprints and SMT’s. Law enforcement may choose between submitting fingerprint data directly to the State Automated Fingerprint Identification System (“AFIS”), FBI criminal repository, or other agencies as required. Additional features and functionality include real-time access to images and data, creation of photo lineups and electronic mug books, and production of identification cards and credentials.  IWS Law Enforcement also uses off-the-shelf hardware and is designed to comply with open industry standards so that it can operate on an array of systems ranging from a stand-alone personal computer to a wide area network. To avoid duplication of entries, the system can be integrated easily with several other information storage and retrieval systems, such as a records/jail management system (“RMS/JMS”) or an automated fingerprint identification system.
Capture.  This software module allows users to capture and store a variety of images (facial, SMT and others such as evidence photos) as well as biographical text information. Each record includes images and text information in an easy-to-view format made up of fields designed and defined by the individual agency. Current customers of this module range from agencies that capture a few thousand mug shots per year to those that capture hundreds of thousands of mug shots each year.
LiveScan.  This software module is FBI certified and complies with the FBI Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (“IAFIS”) Image Quality Specifications (“IQS”) while utilizing FBI certified LiveScan devices from most major vendors. LiveScan allows users to capture single to ten prints and palm data, providing an integrated biometric management solution for both civil and law enforcement use. By adding LiveScan capabilities, law enforcement organizations further enhance the investigative process by providing additional identifiers to identify suspects involved in a crime.  In addition, officers no longer need to travel to multiple booking stations to capture fingerprints and mug shots.  All booking information including images may be located at a central designation and from there routed to the State AFIS or FBI criminal history record repository.
(2)The amounts reflect the grant date fair value, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
 
-9-
 
 
Investigative.  This software module allows users to search the database created with IWS Law Enforcement. Officers can conduct text searches in many fields, including file number, name, alias, distinctive features,Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options, stock that has not vested and other information such as gang membership and criminal history. The Investigative module creates a catalogue of possible matches, allowing officers or witnesses to save timeequity incentive awards held by looking only at mug shots that closely resemble the descriptioneach of the suspect. This module can also be used to create a line-upNamed Executive Officers outstanding as of similar facial images from which a witness may identify the suspect.December 31, 2016:
 
Facial Recognition.  This software module uses biometric facial recognition and retrieval technology to help authorities identify possible suspects. Images taken from surveillance videos or photographs can be searched against a digital database of facial images to retrieve any desired number of faces with similar characteristics. This module can also be used at the time of booking to identify persons using multiple aliases. Using biometrics-based technology, the application can search through thousands of facial images in a matter of seconds, reducing the time it would otherwise take a witness to flip through a paper book of facial images that may or may not be similar to the description of the suspect. The Facial Recognition module then creates a selection of possible matches ranked in order of similarity to the suspect, and a percentage confidence level is attributed to each possible match. The application incorporates search engine technology, which we license from various facial recognition algorithm providers.
 Option Awards Stock Awards
Name
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options:
Exercisable (#)
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options:
Unexercisable (#)
 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Number of Shares That Have Not Vested (#) 
 
Market Value of Shares That Have Not Vested ($)
S. James Miller, Jr.100,000
 
 $0.20 1/27/2019
 
 — $
 —
 183,000
 
 $0.73 1/29/2020
 
 — $ —
 225,000
 
 $1.11 3/10/2021
 
 — $ —
 450,000
 
 $0.92 2/2/2022
 
 — $ —
 100,000
 
 $0.93 2/8/2023
 
 — $ —
 100,000
 
 $1.93 10/29/2023
 
 — $ —
 33,336
 
16,664 $2.29 12/15/2024
 
 — $ —
 62,500
 
87,500 $1.73 9/14/2025
 
 — $ —
   —
 
           300,000           1.37     9/20/2026
 
 — $
 —
  
 
      
 
     
Wayne G. Wetherell60,000
 
 $0.20 1/27/2019
 
 — $ —
 60,000
 
 $0.73 1/29/2020
 
 — $ —
 100,000
 
  — $0.92 2/2/2022
 
 — $ —
 10,000
 
 $1.93 10/29/2023
 
 — $ —
 6,668
 
3,332 $2.29 12/15/2024
 
 — $ —
 31,250
 
43,750 $1.73 9/14/2025
 
 — $ —
   —
 
             75,000           1.37     9/20/2026
 
 — $
 —
  
 
      
 
     
David Harding50,000
 
 $0.20 1/27/2019
 
 — $ —
 80,000
 
 $0.73 1/29/2020
 
 — $ —
 325,000
 
 $0.92 2/2/2022
 
 — $ —
 100,000
 
 $..93 2/8/2023
 
 — $ —
 75,000
 
 $1.93 10/29/2023
 
 — $ —
 33,336
 
16,664 $2.29 12/15/2024
 
 — $ —
 52,088
 
72,912 $1.73 9/14/2025
 
 — $ —
   —
 
           300,000           1.37    9/20/2026
 
 — $
 —
  
 
      
 
    
Robert Brown125,000
 
175,000 $1.70 7/16/2025
 
 — $ —
 31,250
 
43,750 $1.73 9/14/2025
 
 — $ —
 
 
  75,000  1.37   9/20/2026
 
 — $
 —
LE Web.  This software module enables authorized personnel to access and search agency booking records stored in IWS Law Enforcement through a standard Web browser from within the agency’s intranet. This module allows remote access to the IWS Law Enforcement database without requiring the user to be physically connected to the customer’s network. This application requires only that the user have access to the Internet and authorization to access the law enforcement agency’s intranet.
EPI Designer for Law Enforcement.  The EPI Designer for LE software is a design solution created for the IWS Law Enforcement databases based on the IWS EPI Suite program. This program allows integration with various IWS databases for the production of unique booking/inmate reports, wristbands, photo ID cards, Wanted or BOLO fliers, etc., created from the information stored in booking records. Designs can be created in minutes and quickly added to the IWS Law Enforcement system allowing all users with appropriate permissions immediate access to the newly added form.
Maintenance and Customer Support
We offer software and hardware support to our customers. Customers can contract with us for technical support that enables them to use a toll-free number to speak with our technical support center for software support and general assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As many of our government customers operate around the clock and perceive our systems as critical to their day-to-day operations, a very high percentage contract for technical support.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, maintenance revenues accounted for approximately 67%, 54% and 61% of our total revenues, respectively.
Software Customization and Fulfillment
We directly employ computer programmers and retain independent programmers to develop our software and perform quality control. We provide customers with software that we specifically customize to operate on their existing computer system. We work directly with purchasers of our system to ensure that the system they purchase will meet their unique needs. We configure and test the system either at our facilities or on-site and conduct any customized programming necessary to connect the system with any legacy systems already in place.  We can also provide customers with a complete computer hardware system with our software already installed and configured. In either case, the customer is provided with a complete turnkey solution, which can be used immediately. When we provide our customers with a complete solution including hardware, we use off-the-shelf computers, cameras and other components purchased from other companies such as Dell or Hewlett Packard. Systems are assembled and configured either at our facilities or at the customer’s location.
 
 
-10-
 
 
CustomersEmployment Agreements
 
We haveS. James Miller, Jr.On October 1, 2005, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Miller pursuant to which Mr. Miller serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, which agreement is currently set to expire on December 31, 2017. Historically, Mr. Miller’s employment agreement has been amended annually to extend the expiration date. The agreement provides for annual base compensation in the amount of $291,048, which amount, as a wide varietyresult of domesticcost-of-living adjustments, has increased to $376,456. Under this agreement, we will reimburse Mr. Miller for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with our business. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Miller will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate his employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to twenty-four months base salary; (ii) continuation of Mr. Miller’s fringe benefits and international customers. Mostmedical insurance for a period of three years; and (iii) immediate vesting of 50% of Mr. Miller’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards. In the event that Mr. Miller’s employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (defined below), Mr. Miller is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of Mr. Miller’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
Wayne Wetherell.On October 1, 2005, we entered into an amended employment agreement with Mr. Wetherell pursuant to which Mr. Wetherell will serve as our Chief Financial Officer. This agreement was originally for a three-year term ending September 30, 2008; however, the agreement was amended to extend the expiration date to December 31, 2012.  Upon termination, the agreement was replaced with an employment agreement, dated January 1, 2013, pursuant to which Mr. Wetherell will serve as our Chief Financial Officer through December 31, 2017, as amended, for a semi-monthly base salary of $8,639.  Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Wetherell will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate his employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to six months base salary; (ii) continuation of Mr. Wetherell’s medical and disability insurance for a period of six months; and (iii) immediate vesting of 50% of Mr. Wetherell’s outstanding unvested stock options and restricted stock awards. In the event that Mr. Wetherell’s employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (defined below), Mr. Wetherell is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of Mr. Wetherell’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
David Harding. On May 21, 2007, we entered into a Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement with Mr. David Harding, our Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. This agreement was originally for a two-year term, ending on May 21, 2009; however, the agreement was amended to extend the expiration date to December 31, 2012. Upon termination, the agreement was replaced with an employment agreement, dated January 1, 2013, pursuant to which Mr. Harding will serve as our Vice President and Chief Technical Officer through December 31, 2017, as amended, for a semi-monthly base salary of $11,458. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Harding will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate his employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to six months base salary; and continuation of Mr. Harding’s medical and disability insurance for a period of six months.   In the event that Mr. Harding’s employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (defined below), Mr. Harding is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of Mr. Harding’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
For purposes of the above-referenced agreements, termination for “cause” means the executive’s commission of a criminal act or an act of fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust or other act of gross misconduct; violations of policies or rules of the Company; refusal to follow the direction given by the Company from time to time or breach of any covenant or obligation under the above-referenced agreements or other agreements with the Company; neglect of duty; misappropriation, concealment, or conversion of any money or property of the Company; intentional damage or destruction of property of the Company; reckless conduct which endangers the safety of other persons or property during the course of employment or while on premises leased or owned by the Company; or a breach of any obligation or requirement set forth in the above-referenced agreements.  A “change in control” as used in these agreements generally means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the acquisition by any person or group of 50% or more of our IWS Law Enforcement customers are government agencies atoutstanding voting stock, (ii) the federal, state and local levelsconsummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or similar transaction other than a transaction: (1) in the United States. Our secure credential products are also being used in Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. For the year ended December 31, 2016, two customers accounted for approximately 30% or $1,162,000 of total revenue and had $78,000 trade receivables aswhich substantially all of the endholders of our voting stock hold or receive directly or indirectly 50% or more of the year, as compared to two customers that accounted for approximately 37% or $1,753,000 of total revenue and had $78,000 trade receivables asvoting stock of the endresulting entity or a parent company thereof, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the December 31, 2015. ForCompany immediately prior to the year ended December 31, 2014, one customer accounted for approximately 17%transaction; or $725,000(2) in which the holders of total revenue and had $0 trade receivablesour capital stock immediately before such transaction will, immediately after such transaction, hold as a group on a fully diluted basis the ability to elect at least a majority of the enddirectors of the year.
Our Strategy
Our strategysurviving corporation (or a parent company); (iii)  there is to provide patented open-architected identity management solutions including multi-biometric, secure credential and law enforcement technologies that are stand alone, integrated and/consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license, or bundled with key partners including channel relationships and large systems integrators such as, United Technology Security, GCR, Unisys, Lockheed Martin, IBM and Fujitsu, among others. Key elementsother disposition of our strategy for growth include the following:
Fully Exploit the Biometrics, Access Control and Identification Markets
The establishmentall or substantially all of the Departmentconsolidated assets of Homeland Security coupled withus and our Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the movementconsolidated assets of us and our Subsidiaries to an entity, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by governments aroundour stockholders in substantially the worldsame proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to authenticatesuch sale, lease, license, or other disposition; or (iv)  individuals who, on the identitydate the applicable agreement was adopted by the Board, are Directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of their citizens, employees and contractors has accelerated the adoptionDirectors; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of biometric identification systems that can provide secure credentials and instant access to centrally maintained recordsany new Director was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for real-time verificationpurposes of identity and access (physical and logical) privileges. Using our products, an organization can create secure credentials that correspond to records including images and biographic data in a digital database. A border guard or customs agent can stop an individual to quickly and accurately verify his identity against a database of authorized persons, and either allow or deny access as required. Our technology is also standards based and applied to facilitate activities such as federal identification mandates while complying with personal identification verification standards such as HSPD-12, International Civil Aviation Organization standards, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators driver licenses, voter registration, immigration control and welfare fraud identification.  We believe that these or very similar standards arethe applicable in markets throughout the world.
With the identity management market growing at a rapid pace, biometric identifiers are becoming recognized and accepted as integral components to the identification process in the public and private sectors.  As biometric technologies (facial recognition, fingerprint, iris, etc.) are adopted, identification systems mustagreement, be updated to enable their use in the field.  We have built our solutions to enable the incorporation of one or multiple biometrics, which can be associated with a record and stored both in a database and on a card for later retrieval and verification without regard to the specific hardware employed.  We believe the increasing demand for biometric technology will drive demand for our solutions.  Our identity management products are built to accommodate the use of biometrics and meet the demanding requirements across the entire identity life cycle.
Expand Law Enforcement and Public Safety Markets
We intend to use our successful installations with customers such as the Arizona Department of Public Safety, New South Wales Police, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as reference accounts and to market IWS Law Enforcementconsidered as a superior technological solution. Our recent additionmember of the LiveScan module and support for local AFIS to our IWS Law Enforcement will enhance its functionality and value to the law enforcement customer as well as increase the potential revenue the Company can generate from a system sale.  We primarily sell directly to the law enforcement community. Our sales strategy is to increase sales to new and existing customers including renewing supporting maintenance agreements. We have also established relationships with large systems integrators such as Sagem Morpho to OEM our law enforcement solution utilizing their worldwide sales force. We will focus our sales efforts in the near term to establish IWS Law Enforcement as the integrated mug shot and LiveScan system adopted in as many countries, states, large counties and municipalities as possible. Once we have a system installed in a region, we intend to then sell additional systems or retrieval seats to other agencies within the primary customer’s region and in neighboring regions. In addition, we plan to market our integrated investigative modules to the customer, including Facial Recognition, Web and WitnessView. As customer databases of digital mug shots grow, we expect that the perceived value of our investigative modules, and corresponding revenues from sales of those modules, will also grow.Incumbent Board.
 
 
 
-11-
 
 
Software as a Service Business ModelSecurities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 
 
With the advent of cloud based computing, the proliferation of smart mobile devices which allow for reliable biometric capture and the need to secure access to data, products and services, the Company believes that the market for multi-biometric solutions will expand to encompass significant deployments of biometric systems in the commercial and consumer markets. The Company therefore intends to leverage the strength of its experience servicing existing government clients who have deployed the Company’s products for large populations,following table provides information as well as its foundational patent portfolio in the field of multi-modal biometrics and the fusion of multiple biometric algorithms, to address the growing commercial and consumer market. As part of its marketing plan, the Company offered new versions of its product suite on a Software as a Service (“SaaS”) model during 2016. This new business model, which is intended to supplement the Company’s existing business model, will allow new commercial and consumer clients to biometrically verify identity in order to access data, products or services from mobile and desktop devices. As of December 2016, we have received significant interest and have entered into a number of proof of concept arrangements with customers and partners who we anticipate will initiate programs in the first half of 2017.
Mobile Applications
The Company strengthened its patent portfolio in June 2012 with the purchase of four U.S. patents relating to wireless technology from Vocel. These patents, combined with the Company’s existing foundational patents in the areas of biometric identification, verification, enrollment and fusion, provide a unique and protected foundation on which to build interactive mobile applications that are secured using biometrics.
The combination of our biometric identification technologies and wireless technologies has led to the development of the IWS Interactive Messaging System, which is a push application platform secured by biometrics that transforms mobile devices into a complete mobile ID, enabling companies to create applications that allow a range of unprecedented activities – from secure sharing of sensitive information to biometrically securing a mobile wallet. Identity authentication, using multi-modal biometrics gives users the confidence that their personal information is secure while the push marketing capabilities of the technology allow companies unparalleled interactivity that can be personalized to the needs and interests of their customers.
Sales and Marketing
We market and sell our products through our direct sales force and through indirect distribution channels, including systems integrators. As of December 31, 2016 we had salesregarding equity compensation plans approved by our security holders and account representatives based domestically in the District of Columbia, California and internationally in Mexico. Geographically,equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our sales and marketing force consisted of nine persons in the United States, and one person in Mexico as of December 31, 2016.security holders:
 
Our direct sales organization is supported by technical experts.  Our technical experts are available by telephone and conduct on-site customer presentations in support
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
 
Weighted-
Average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column) (a)
 
 
 
(a)
 
 
(b)
 
 
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1999 Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated
  6,506,843 
 $1.21 
  55,938 
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
Total
  6,506,843 
 $1.21 
  55,938 
Description of our sales professionals.Equity Compensation Plans
1999 Stock Option Plan
 
The typical sales cycle for IWS Biometric Engine and IWS Law Enforcement includes a pre-sale process1999 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on December 17, 1999. Under the terms of the 1999 Plan, the Company could, originally, issue up to define the potential customer’s needs and budget, an on-site demonstration and conversations between the potential customer and existing customers. Government agencies are typically required350,000 non-qualified or incentive stock options to purchase large systems byCommon Stock of the Company. Since then a majority of the Company’s shareholders subsequently approved an amendment to and restatement of the 1999 Plan to increase the share reserve for issuance to approximately 7.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  The 1999 Plan prohibits the grant of stock option or stock appreciation right awards with an exercise price less than fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. The 1999 Plan also generally prohibits the “re-pricing” of stock options or stock appreciation rights, although awards may be bought-out for a payment in cash or the Company’s stock. The 1999 Plan permits the grant of stock based awards other than stock options, including the grant of “full value” awards such as restricted stock, stock units and performance shares. The 1999 Plan permits the qualification of awards under the plan (payable in either stock or cash) as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Director Compensation
Each of our non-employee directors receives a listmonthly retainer of requirements$3,000 for serving on the Board of Directors, which fee may be paid either in a Request for Proposal, known as an “RFP,” and by allowing several companies to openly bidcash, options or shares of Common Stock. Board members who also serve on the Audit Committee receive additional monthly compensation of $458 for the project by responding to the RFP. If our response is selected, we enter into negotiationsChairman and $208 for the contractremaining members of the Audit Committee.   Board members who also serve on the Compensation Committee receive additional monthly compensation of $417 for the Chairman and if successful, ultimately receive a purchase order from$208 for the customer. This process can take anywhere from a few monthsremaining members of the Compensation Committee.  The members of the Board of Directors are also eligible for reimbursement for their expenses incurred in attending Board meetings in accordance with our policies. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 the total amounts paid to over a year.non-employee directors as compensation (excluding reimbursable expenses) was approximately $311,467, which amount was paid $20,500 in cash with the remainder paid in Stock Options of the Company.
 
Our Biometric and ID productsEach of our non-employee directors is also eligible to receive stock option grants under the 1999 Plan. Options granted under the 1999 Plan are also soldintended by us not to large integrators, direct via our sales force and to end users through distributors. Depending onqualify as incentive stock options under the customer’s requirements, there may be instances that require an RFP. The sales cycle can vary from a few weeks to a year.Code.
 
The term of options granted under the 1999 Plan is ten years. In addition to our direct sales force,the event of a merger of us with or into another corporation or a consolidation, acquisition of assets or other change-in-control transaction involving us, an equivalent option will be substituted by the successor corporation, provided, however, that we have developed relationships with a numbermay cancel outstanding options upon consummation of systems integrators who contract with government agencies for the installation and integration of large computer and communication systems. By acting as a subcontractor to these systems integrators, we are able to avoid the time consuming and often-expensive task of submitting proposals to government agencies, and we also gain access to large clients.
transaction by giving at least thirty (30) days’ notice.
 
 
-12-
 
 
We
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each person who served as a director during the year ended December 31, 2016, other than a director who also work with companies that offer complementary products, where value is created through product integration. Through teaming arrangements, we are able to enhance our products and to expand our customer base through the relationships and contracts of our strategic partners.served as an executive officer:
 
We plan to continue to market
 
 
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
 
 
Stock
Awards ($)
 
 
Option
Awards
($) (1)
 
 
All Other Compensation ($)
 
 
Total ($)
 
Guy Steve Hamm
 $5,500 
 $— 
 $44,758 
 $— 
 $50,258 
 
    
    
    
    
    
David Carey
 $7,500 
 $— 
 $44,758 
 $— 
 $52,258 
 
    
    
    
    
    
David Loesch
 $2,500 
 $— 
 $44,758 
 $— 
 $47,258 
 
    
    
    
    
    
John Cronin
 $2,500 
 $— 
 $44,758 
 $— 
 $47,258 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Neal Goldman
 $2,500 
 $— 
 $44,758 
 $— 
 $47,258 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Charles Crocker
 $
 $— 
 $45,811 
 $— 
 $45,811 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Dana Kammersgard
 $
 $— 
 $21,366 
 $— 
 $21,366 
(1)
The amounts reflect the grant date fair value of options recognized as compensation in 2016, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 and thus may include amounts from awards granted prior to 2016. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 12.
 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
As of  April 12, 2017, we had four classes of voting stock outstanding: (i) Common Stock; (ii) our Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”); (iii) our Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred”); (iv) our Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred”); and sell(v) our products internationally. SomeSeries G Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series G Preferred"). The following tables sets forth information regarding shares of Series B Preferred, Series E Preferred, Series F Preferred and Common Stock beneficially owned as of April 12, 2017 by: 
(i)Each of our officers and directors;
(ii)All officer and directors as a group; and
(iii)Each person known by us to beneficially own five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, Series B Preferred, Series E Preferred and Series F Preferred.  Percent ownership is calculated based on 239,400 shares of Series B Preferred, 12,000 shares of Series E Preferred, 2,000 shares of Series F Preferred, 6,021 shares of Series G Preferred and 92,326,286 shares Common Stock outstanding at April 12, 2017.
 Unless otherwise noted, the addresses of the challenges and risks associated with international sales include the difficulty in protecting our intellectual property rights, difficulty in enforcing agreements through foreign legal systems and volatility and unpredictability in the political and economic conditions of foreign countries. We believe we can work to successfully overcome these challenges.
Competition
The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Markets
Due to the fragmented nature of the law enforcement and public safety market and the modular nature of our product suite, we face different degrees of competition with respect to each IWS Law Enforcement module. We believe the principal bases on which we compete with respect to all of our products are:
the unique ability to integrate our modular products into a complete biometric, LiveScan, imaging and investigative system;
our reputation as a reliable systems supplier;
the usability and functionality of our products; and
the responsiveness, availability and reliability of our customer support.
Our law enforcement product line faces competition from other companies such as DataWorks Plus and 3M.  Internationally, thereindividuals listed below are often a number of local companies offering solutions in most countries.
Secure Credential Market
Due to the breadth of our software offering in the secure credential market space, we face differing degrees of competition in certain market segments. The strength of our competitive position is based upon:
our strong brand reputation with a customer base which includes small and medium-sized businesses, Fortune 500 corporations and large government agencies;
the ease of integrating our technology into other complex applications; and
the leveraged strength that comes from offering customers software tools, packaged solutions and Web-based service applications that support a wide range of hardware peripherals.
Our software faces competition from Datacard Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of hardware, software and consumables for the ID market as well as small, regionally based companies.
Biometric Market
The market to provide biometric systems to the identity management market is evolving and we face competition from a number of sources. We believe that the strength of our competitive position is based on:
our ability to provide a system which enables the enrollment, management and authentication of multiple biometrics managing population databases of unlimited sizes;
searches can be 1:1 (verification), 1:N (identification), X:N (investigative), and N:N (database integrity); and
the system is technology and biometric agnostic, enabling the use of biometric devices and algorithms from any vendor, and the support of the following biometric types: finger, face, iris, hand geometry, palm, DNA, signature, voice, and 3D face and retin.
10815 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 310, San Diego, California 92127.
 
 
 
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Our multi-biometric product faces competition from French-based Safran, Irish-based Daon, 3M and Aware Inc., noneBeneficial Ownership of which have offerings with the scope and flexibility of our IWS Biometric Engine and its companion suite of products or relevant patent protection.Series B Preferred
 
Intellectual Property
Name, Address and Title (if applicable)
 
Series B Convertible Redeemable 
Preferred Stock (1)
 
 
% Ownership of Class (1)
 
Darrelyn Carpenter
  28,000 
  12%
 
    
    
Frederick C. Orton
  20,000 
  8%
 
    
    
Howard Harrison
  20,000 
  8%
 
    
    
Wesley Hampton
  16,000 
  7%
 
We rely on trademark, patent, trade secret and copyright laws and confidentiality and license agreements to protect our intellectual property. We have several federally registered trademarks including the trademark ImageWare and IWS Biometric Engine as well as trademarks for which there are pending trademark registrations with the United States, Canadian and other International Patent & Trademark Offices.
(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.  
 
We hold several issued patents and have several other patent applications pending for elementsBeneficial Ownership of our products. We believe we have the foundational patents regarding the use of multiple biometrics and continue to be an IP leader in the biometric arena. It is our belief that this intellectual property leadership will create a sustainable competitive advantage.  We are an early pioneer in the first to file patents related to Multi-Modal Biometrics and currently are the worldwide leader in Multi-Modal Biometric patents with 20 patents worldwide and 14 patents pending. These technologies will allow biometric matching for identity verification while protecting the privacy of an individual.  It is our belief that such technology will be critical to providing biometric management solutions for the consumer market where privacy protection has been a historical issue and barrier to biometric adoption.Series E Preferred
 
The Company strengthened its patent portfolio in June 2012 with the purchase of four U.S. patents relating to wireless technology from Vocel. These patents, combined with the Company’s existing foundational patents in the areas of biometric identification, verification, enrollment and fusion, provide a unique and protected foundation on which to build interactive mobile applications that are secured using biometrics.
Name, Address and Title (if applicable)
 
Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (1)
 
 
% Ownership of Class (1)
 
Charles L. Frischer
  2,636 
  22%
 
    
    
Neal Goldman
  2,278 
  19%
 
    
    
CF Special Situation Fund I LP(2)
  2,286 
  19%
 
    
    
Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, LP I(3)
  1,500 
  12.5%
 
The combination of our biometric identification technologies and wireless technologies has led to the development of the IWS Interactive Messaging System, which is a push application platform secured by biometrics that transforms mobile devices into a complete mobile ID, enabling companies to create applications that allow a range of unprecedented activities – from secure sharing of sensitive information to biometrically securing a mobile wallet. Identity authentication, using multi-modal biometrics, gives users the confidence that their personal information is secure while the push marketing capabilities of the technology allow companies unparalleled interactivity that can be personalized to the needs and interests of their customers.
(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.  
(2)
Includes 120 shares held in the name of CF Special Situation Fund II, LP, and 286 shares held by Robert T. Clutterbuck.  Mr. Clutterbuck has shared voting and dispositive power of these shares.
(3)Includes 450 shares held in the name of Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, LP and 300 shares held by Wynnefield Small Cap Value Offshore Fund Ltd.
  
We regard our software as proprietary and retain title to and ownershipBeneficial Ownership of the software we develop.  We attempt to protect our rights in the software primarily through patents and trade secrets.  We have not published the source code of most of our software products and require employees and other third parties who have access to the source code and other trade secret information to sign confidentiality agreements acknowledging our ownership and the nature of these materials as our trade secrets.Series F Preferred
 
Despite these precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized parties to copy or reverse-engineer portions of our products.  While our competitive position could be threatened by disclosure or reverse engineering of this proprietary information, we believe that copyright and trademark protection are less important than other factors such as the knowledge, ability, and experience of our personnel, name recognition and ongoing product development and support.
Name, Address and Title (if applicable)
 
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (1)
 
 
% Ownership of Class (1)
 
CAP 1, LLC
  2,000 
  100%
 
Our software products are licensed to end users under a perpetual, nontransferable, nonexclusive license that stipulates which modules can be used and how many concurrent users may use them.  These forms of licenses are typically not signed by the licensee and may be more difficult to enforce than signed agreements in some jurisdictions.
(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.  
 
Research and Development
Our research and development team consisted of 38, 38 and 32 programmers, engineers and other employees as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We also contract with outside programmers for specific projects as needed. We spent approximately $5.3 million, $4.6 million and $4.5 million on research and development in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We continually work to increase the speed, accuracy, and functionality of our existing products. We anticipate that our research and development efforts will continue to focus on new technology and products for the identity management markets.
 
 
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EmployeesBeneficial Ownership of Series G Preferred
 
We had a total of 69, 67 and 61 full-time employees as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreement, and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
Environmental Regulation
Our business does not require us to comply with any particular environmental regulations.
Name, Address and Title (if applicable)
 
Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (1)
 
 
% Ownership of Class (1)
 
CF Special Situations Fund (2)
  5,215 
  87%
 
    
    
Charles L. Frischer
  469 
  8%
 
ITEM 1A.
(1)
RISK FACTORSBeneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.  
 
An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our Common Stock, you should consider carefully the specific risks detailed in this “Risk Factors” section and any prospectus or prospectus supplement. If any of these risks occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed, the price of our Common Stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
(2)
Includes 3,380 shares held in the name of CF Special Situation Fund I, LP, 223 shares held in the name of CF Special Situation Fund I, LP, 1,612 shares held by Robert T. Clutterbuck.  Mr. Clutterbuck has shared voting and dispositive power of these shares.  
 
Available borrowings under our Lines of Credit may be insufficient to provide for our working capital needs for the next twelve months.  In the event such Lines of Credit are insufficient to provide for our working capital requirements, we will need to raise additional capital to continue as a going concern.
            During the year ended December 31, 2016, we incurred borrowings under the Lines of Credit of approximately $2,650,000, which amounts are due and payable on December 31, 2017.  Subsequent to December 31, 2016 through the date of this report, we incurred additional borrowings under the Lines of Credit of $1,000,000. As a result, available borrowings under our Lines of Credit are $2,350,000. We anticipate needing to increase our borrowings under the Line of Credits to continue to fund our working capital needs, thereby increasing the aggregate amount of indebtedness due and payable on or before December 31, 2017.
If we are unable to implement our business plan, we may not generate sufficient revenue and profit to repay these borrowings in full when due. As a result, unless the holders of the notes issued under the Lines of Credit convert any outstanding balance into shares of Common Stock, we will need to seek an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit on or before December 31, 2017. If we are unable to extend the maturity date of the Lines of Credit, we will be required to raise additional capital through debt and/or equity financing to continue as a going concern.  No assurances can be given that any such financing will be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. At this time, we do not have any commitments for alternative financing or for an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit. The inability to obtain debt or equity financing in a timely manner and in amounts sufficient to fund our operations, if necessary, would have an immediate and substantial adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have a history of significant recurring losses totaling approximately $156.8million at December 31, 2016, and these losses may continue in the future.
As of December 31, 2016, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $156.8million, and these losses may continue in the future. We expect to continue to incur significant sales and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative expenses. As a result, we will need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability, and we may never achieve profitability.
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate significantly in the future.
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past.  These fluctuations in operating results are the consequence of:
varying demand for and market acceptance of our technology and products;
changes in our product or customer mix;
the gain or loss of one or more key customers or their key customers, or significant changes in the financial condition of one or more of our key customers or their key customers;
 
 
our ability to introduce, certify and deliver new products and technologies on a timely basis;
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
 
Name and Address
 
Number of Shares (1)
 
 
Percent of Class (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S. James Miller, Jr. (3)
  2,114,189 
  2.3%
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
    
    
 
    
    
David Carey (4)
 195,689
  * 
Director
    
    
 
    
    
G. Steve Hamm (5)
 195,775
  * 
Director
    
    
 
    
    
David Loesch (6)
 223,897
  * 
Director
    
    
 
    
    
Neal I. Goldman (7)
 34,115,915
  36.5%
Director
    
    
 
    
    
John Cronin (8)
 156,189
  * 
Director
    
    
 
    
    
Charles Crocker (9)
 631,189
  * 
Director
    
    
 
    
    
Wayne Wetherell (10)
  586,201 
  * 
SVP of Administration, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
    
    
 
    
    
David Harding (11)
  835,006 
  * 
Chief Technical Officer
    
    
 
    
    
Robert Brown (12)
  175,000 
  * 
Vice President, Sales and Business Development
    
    
 
    
    
Total beneficial ownership of directors and officers as a group (10 persons):
  39,281,550 
  42.0%
  the announcement or introduction of products and technologies by our competitors;
(1)All entries exclude beneficial ownership of shares issuable pursuant to options that have not vested or that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date hereof or which will not become vested or exercisable within 60 days of  April 12, 2017.
 
competitive pressures on selling prices;
costs associated with acquisitions and the integration of acquired companies, products and technologies;
our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies, products and technologies;
our accounting and legal expenses; and
general economic conditions.
These factors, some of which are not within our control, will likely continue in the future. To respond to these and other factors, we may need to make business decisions that could result in failure to meet financial expectations. If our quarterly operating results fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price could drop suddenly and significantly. Most of our expenses, such as employee compensation and inventory, are relatively fixed in the short term. Moreover, our expense levels are based, in part, on our expectations regarding future revenue levels. As a result, if our revenue for a particular period were below our expectations, we would not be able to proportionately reduce our operating expenses for that period. Any revenue shortfall would have a disproportionately negative effect on our operating results for the period.
We depend upon a small number of large system sales ranging from $100,000 to in excess of $2,000,000 and we may fail to achieve one or more large system sales in the future.
Historically, we have derived a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of sales of large, relatively expensive systems, typically ranging in price from $100,000 to $2,000,000. If we fail to receive orders for these large systems in a given sales cycle on a consistent basis, our business could be significantly harmed. Further, our quarterly results are difficult to predict because we cannot predict in which quarter, if any, large system sales will occur in a given year. As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations are not a good indication of our future performance. In some future quarters, our operating results may be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, in which case the market price of our Common Stock may decrease significantly.
Our lengthy sales cycle may cause us to expend significant resources for as long as one year in anticipation of a sale to certain customers, yet we still may fail to complete the sale.
When considering the purchase of a large computerized identity management system, potential customers may take as long as eighteen months to evaluate different systems and obtain approval for the purchase. Under these circumstances, if we fail to complete a sale, we will have expended significant resources and received no revenue in return. Generally, customers consider a wide range of issues before committing to purchase our products, including product benefits, ability to operate with their current systems, product reliability and their own budgetary constraints. While potential customers are evaluating our products, we may incur substantial selling costs and expend significant management resources in an effort to accomplish potential sales that may never occur. In times of economic recession, our potential customers may be unwilling or unable to commit resources to the purchase of new and costly systems.
A significant number of our customers and potential customers are government agencies that are subject to unique political and budgetary constraints and have special contracting requirements, which may affect our ability to obtain new and retain current government customers.
A significant number of our customers are government agencies. These agencies often do not set their own budgets and therefore have little control over the amount of money they can spend from quarter-to-quarter or year-to-year. In addition, these agencies experience political pressure that may dictate the manner in which they spend money. Due to political and budgetary processes and other scheduling delays that may frequently occur relating to the contract or bidding process, some government agency orders may be canceled or substantially delayed, and the receipt of revenues or payments from these agencies may be substantially delayed. In addition, future sales to government agencies will depend on our ability to meet government contracting requirements, certain of which may be onerous or impossible to meet, resulting in our inability to obtain a particular contract. Common requirements in government contracts include bonding requirements, provisions permitting the purchasing agency to modify or terminate at will the contract without penalty, and provisions permitting the agency to perform investigations or audits of our business practices, any of which may limit our ability to enter into new contracts or maintain our current contracts.
(2)
 
Percentages are rounded to nearest one-tenth of one percent. Percentages are based on 92,326,286 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 12, 2017. Options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the stockholder holding the options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that stockholder, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of any other stockholder.
(3)Includes 75,201 shares held jointly with spouse, 1,270,502 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, each exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(4)Includes 94,003 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(5)Includes 96,503 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(6)Includes 94,003 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, each exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(7)
Includes 1,198,947 shares issuable upon the conversion of Series E Preferred Stock and 66,503 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, each exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017. Mr. Goldman exercises sole voting and dispositive power over 30,968,215 shares, and shared voting and dispositive power over 3,147,700 reported shares, of which 3,000,000 shares are owned by the Goldman Family 2012 GST Trust and 147,700 shares are owed by The Neal and Marlene Goldman Foundation.
(8)Includes 116,503 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(9)Includes 116,503  shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(10) Includes 275,001 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(11)Includes 730,006 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
(12)Includes 175,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2017.
* less than 1% 
 
 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, two customers accounted for approximately 30% of our total revenues. Any material decrease in revenue from these customers, or in the event the Company is unable to replace the revenue with additional customers, our financial condition and results from operations could be materially and adversely affected.
ITEM 13.                       
 During the year ended December 31, 2016, two customers accounted for approximately 30% or $1,162,000of our total revenues. If these customers were to significantly reduce its relationship with the Company, or in the event the Company is unable to replace the revenue through the sale of its products to additional customers, the Company’s financial condition and results from operations could be negatively impacted, and such impact would be material.
We occasionally rely on systems integrators to manage our large projects, and if these companies do not perform adequately, we may lose business.
We occasionally act as a subcontractor to systems integrators who manage large projects that incorporate our systems, particularly in foreign countries. We cannot control these companies, and they may decide not to promote our products or may price their services in such a way as to make it unprofitable for us to continue our relationship with them. Further, they may fail to perform under agreements with their customers, in which case we might lose sales to these customers. If we lose our relationships with these companies, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
We are dependent upon third parties for the successful integration of our products, and/or the launch of our products. Any delay in the integration of our products, or the launch of third party products may materially affect our results from operations and financial condition.
              Our current marketing strategy involves the distribution of our products through larger product partners and/or resellers that will either resell our product alongside theirs, OEM a white label version of our products, or sell our products fully integrated into their offerings.  Our strategy leaves us largely dependent upon the successful rollout of our products by our distribution partners.  We have experienced delays in the rollout of our products due to these factors in 2016 and so far in 2017, and no assurances can be given that we will not experience delays in the future. Any delays negatively affect our results from operations and financial condition.
If the patents we own or license, or our other intellectual property rights, do not adequately protect our products and technologies, we may lose market share to our competitors and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Our success depends significantly on our ability to protect our rights to the technologies used in our products. We rely on patent protection, trade secrets, as well as a combination of copyright and trademark laws and nondisclosure, confidentiality and other contractual arrangements to protect our technology. However, these legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage. In addition, we cannot be assured that any of our current and future pending patent applications will result in the issuance of a patent to us. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) may deny or require significant narrowing of claims in our pending patent applications, and patents issued as a result of the pending patent applications, if any, may not provide us with significant commercial protection or may not be issued in a form that is advantageous to us. We could also incur substantial costs in proceedings before the PTO. These proceedings could result in adverse decisions as to the claims included in our patents.
Our issued and licensed patents and those that may be issued or licensed in the future may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from marketing related products. Additionally, upon expiration of our issued or licensed patents, we may lose some of our rights to exclude others from making, using, selling or importing products using the technology based on the expired patents. We also must rely on contractual rights with the third parties that license technology to us to protect our rights in the technology licensed to us. Although we have taken steps to protect our intellectual property and technology, there is no assurance that competitors will not be able to design around our patents. We also rely on unpatented proprietary technology. We cannot assure you that we can meaningfully protect all our rights in our unpatented proprietary technology or that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary products or processes or otherwise gain access to our unpatented proprietary technology. We seek to protect our know-how and other unpatented proprietary technology with confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees. However, such agreements may not provide meaningful protection for our proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure or other breaches of the agreements or in the event that our competitors discover or independently develop similar or identical designs or other proprietary information. In addition, we rely on the use of registered and common law trademarks with respect to the brand names of some of our products. Our common law trademarks provide less protection than our registered trademarks. Loss of rights in our trademarks could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If we fail to apply for intellectual property protection or if we cannot adequately protect our intellectual property rights in these foreign countries, our competitors may be able to compete more effectively against us, which could adversely affect our competitive position, as well as our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHITable of ContentsP
If third parties claim that we infringe their intellectual property rights, we may incur liabilities and costs and may have to redesign or discontinue selling certain products.
Whether a product infringes a patent involves complex legal and factual issues, the determination of which is often uncertain. We face the risk of claims that we have infringed on third parties’ intellectual property rights. Searching for existing intellectual property rights may not reveal important intellectual property and our competitors may also have filed for patent protection, which is not yet a matter of public knowledge, or claimed trademark rights that have not been revealed through our availability searches. Our efforts to identify and avoid infringing on third parties’ intellectual property rights may not always be successful. Any claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could:
increase the cost of our products;S AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
be expensive and time consuming to defend;
result in us being required to pay significant damages to third parties;
force us to cease making or selling products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;
require us to redesign, reengineer or rebrand our products;
require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property, the terms of which may not be acceptable to us;
require us to indemnify third parties pursuant to contracts in which we have agreed to provide indemnification to such parties for intellectual property infringement claims;
divert the attention of our management; and
result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of the affected products until the litigation is resolved.
In addition, new patents obtained by our competitors could threaten a product’s continued life in the market even after it has already been introduced.
We operate in foreign countries and are exposed to risks associated with foreign political, economic and legal environments and with foreign currency exchange rates.
We have significant foreign operations. As a result, we are exposed to risks, including among others, risks associated with foreign political, economic and legal environments and with foreign currency exchange rates. Our results may be adversely affected by, among other things, changes in government policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflation measures, currency conversions, collection of receivables abroad and rates and methods of taxation.
We depend on key personnel, the loss of any of whom could materially adversely affect future operations.
Our success will depend to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our executive officers and other key personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of these key employees and any negative market or industry perception arising from the loss of such services could have a material adverse effect on us and the trading price of our Common Stock.  Our business will also be dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Acquiring and keeping these personnel could prove more difficult or cost substantially more than estimated and we cannot be certain that we will be able to retain such personnel or attract a high caliber of personnel in the future.
We face competition from companies with greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources, and, if we are unable to compete effectively with these competitors, our market share may decline and our business could be harmed.
We face competition from other established companies. A number of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, significantly greater financial, technological, sales, marketing and other resources than we do.  As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or client requirements, more quickly develop new products or devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products and services than we can.  Likewise, their greater capabilities in these areas may enable them to better withstand periodic downturns in the identity management solutions industry and compete more effectively on the basis of price and production.  In addition, new companies may enter the markets in which we compete, further increasing competition in the identity management solutions industry.
We believe that our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including the type and quality of our products and the strength of our brand names, as well as many factors beyond our control. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins, loss of market share and an inability to generate cash flows that are sufficient to maintain or expand the development and marketing of new products, any of which would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Securities
Our Common Stock is subject to “penny stock” rules.
Our Common Stock is currently defined as a “penny stock” under Rule 3a51-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act. “Penny stocks” are subject to Rules 15g-2 through 15g-7 and Rule 15g-9, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and institutional accredited investors. Among other things, for transactions covered by these rules, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. Consequently, these rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our Common Stock and affect the ability of holders to sell their shares of our Common Stock in the secondary market. To the extent our Common Stock is subject to the penny stock regulations, the market liquidity for our shares will be adversely affected.
Our stock price has been volatile, and your investment in our Common Stock could suffer a decline in value.
There has been significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of equity securities, which is unrelated to the financial performance of the companies issuing the securities. These broad market fluctuations may negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you pay for those shares due to fluctuations in the market price of our Common Stock caused by changes in our operating performance or prospects and other factors.
Some specific factors that may have a significant effect on our Common Stock market price include:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results or future prospects;
our announcements or our competitors’ announcements of new products;
the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);
strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates;
developments regarding our patents or proprietary rights or those of our competitors;
our inability to raise additional capital as needed;
substantial sales of Common Stock underlying warrants and preferred stock;
concern as to the efficacy of our products;
changes in financial markets or general economic conditions;
sales of Common Stock by us or members of our management team; and
changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding our Common Stock, other comparable companies or our industry generally.
Our future sales of our Common Stock could adversely affect its price and our future capital-raising activities could involve the issuance of equity securities, which would dilute shareholders’ investments and could result in a decline in the trading price of our Common Stock.
We may sell securities in the public or private equity markets if and when conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time. Sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Common Stock and our ability to raise capital. We may issue additional Common Stock in future financing transactions or as incentive compensation for our executive management and other key personnel, consultants and advisors. Issuing any equity securities would be dilutive to the equity interests represented by our then-outstanding shares of Common Stock. The market price for our Common Stock could decrease as the market takes into account the dilutive effect of any of these issuances. Furthermore, we may enter into financing transactions at prices that represent a substantial discount to the market price of our Common Stock. A negative reaction by investors and securities analysts to any discounted sale of our equity securities could result in a decline in the trading price of our Common Stock.
The holders of our preferred stock have certain rights and privileges that are senior to our Common Stock, and we may issue additional shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval that could have a material adverse effect on the market value of the Common Stock.
Our Board of Directors (“Board”) has the authority to issue a total of up to four million shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions, including voting rights, of the preferred stock, which typically are senior to the rights of the Common Stockholders, without any further vote or action by the Common Stockholders. The rights of our Common Stockholders will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of the preferred stock that have been issued, or might be issued in the future. Preferred stock also could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock. This could delay, defer, or prevent a change in control. Furthermore, holders of preferred stock may have other rights, including economic rights, senior to the Common Stock. As a result, their existence and issuance could have a material adverse effect on the market value of the Common Stock. We have in the past issued and may from time to time in the future issue, preferred stock for financing or other purposes with rights, preferences, or privileges senior to the Common Stock. As of December 31, 2016, we had four series of preferred stock outstanding, Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”), Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock(“Series E Preferred”), Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred”) and Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred”).
The provisions of our Series B Preferred prohibit the payment of dividends on our Common Stock unless the dividends on our preferred shares are first paid. In addition, upon a liquidation, dissolution or sale of our business, the holders of our Series B Preferred will be entitled to receive, in preference to any distribution to the holders of Common Stock, initial distributions of $2.50 per share, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends. As of December 31, 2016, we had cumulative undeclared dividends on our Series B Preferred of approximately $8,000.
The provisions of our Series E Preferred prohibit the payment of dividends on our Common Stock unless the dividends on our preferred shares are first paid.  In addition, upon a liquidation, dissolution or sale of our business, the holders of our Series E Preferred will be entitled to receive, in preference to any distribution to the holders of Series F Preferred, Series G Preferred and Common Stock, initial distributions of $1,000 per share, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.At December 31, 2016, we had accrued $0 in Series E Preferred dividends. The provisions of our Series E Preferred also limit indebtedness of the Company toany commercial bank loan entered into by the Company to an amount not to exceed $2.0 million; and monies borrowed under credit lines of the Company existing on the Issuance Date in an amount not to exceed $6.0 million.
The provisions of our Series F Preferred prohibit the payment of dividends on our Common Stock unless the dividends on our preferred shares are first paid.  In addition, upon a liquidation, dissolution or sale of our business, the holders of our Series F Preferred will be entitled to receive, in preference to any distribution to the holders of Series G Preferred and Common Stock, initial distributions of $1,000 per share, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.At December 31, 2016, we had accrued $0 in Series F Preferred dividends.
The provisions of our Series G Preferred prohibit the payment of dividends on our Common Stock unless the dividends on our preferred shares are first paid.  In addition, upon a liquidation, dissolution or sale of our business, the holders of our Series G Preferred will be entitled to receive, in preference to any distribution to the holders of Common Stock, initial distributions of $1,000 per share, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.At December 31, 2016, we had accrued $0 in Series G Preferred dividends.
Certain large shareholders may have certain personal interests that may affect the Company.
As a result of the shares issued to Goldman Capital Management and related entities controlled by Neal Goldman, a member of our Board of Directors (together, “Goldman”), Goldman beneficially owns, in the aggregate, approximately 36.6% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities.  As a result, Goldman has the potential ability to exert influence over both the actions of the Board of Directors and the outcome of issues requiring approval by the Company’s shareholders.  This concentration of ownership may have effects such as delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company that may be favored by other shareholders or preventing transactions in which shareholders might otherwise recover a premium for their shares over current market prices.
Our corporate documents and Delaware law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of the Company.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition involving us that our stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our certificate of incorporation authorizes preferred stock, which carries special rights, including voting and dividend rights. With these rights, preferred stockholders could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.
We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under these provisions, if anyone becomes an “interested stockholder,” we may not enter into a “business combination” with that person for three years without special approval, which could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer and could delay or prevent a change of control. For purposes of Section 203, “interested stockholder” means, generally, someone owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of ours that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock during the past three years, subject to certain exceptions as described in Section 203.
We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future.
We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid on the Common Stock for the foreseeable future. The payment of any cash dividend by us will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, capital, regulatory requirements and financial condition. Furthermore, the terms of our Series B Preferred and Series E Preferred directly limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock.
ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in San Diego, California where we occupy 9,927 square feet of office space. This facility is leased through October 2017 at a cost of approximately $18,000 per month. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we also occupied the following spaces at December 31, 2016:
1,508 square feet in Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on March 31, 2021. This lease was renewed in April 2016 for a five-year period ending on March 31, 2021. Renewal terms were substantially unchanged from the existing lease;
8,045 square feet in Portland, Oregon, at a cost of approximately $16,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on October 31, 2018; and
304 square feet of office space in Mexico City, Mexico, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on November 30, 2017.
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There is currently no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company or any of our subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company, our Common Stock, any of our subsidiaries or of the Company’s or our subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, in which an adverse decision could have a material adverse effect.
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
 Our Common Stock does not trade on an established securities exchange. Our Common Stock is quoted under the symbol “IWSY” on the OTCQB marketplace. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our Common Stock for each quarter in 2016 and 2015:
2016 Fiscal Quarters
 
High
 
 
Low
 
First Quarter
 $1.49 
 $0.85 
Second Quarter
 $1.52 
 $1.06 
Third Quarter
 $1.47 
 $1.12 
Fourth Quarter
 $1.35 
 $0.95 
 
    
    
2015 Fiscal Quarters
 
High
 
 
Low
 
First Quarter
 $2.36 
 $1.50 
Second Quarter
 $1.89 
 $1.39 
Third Quarter
 $2.04 
 $1.41 
Fourth Quarter
 $1.64 
 $.90 
Holders
As of March 20, 2017, we had approximately 187 holders of record of our Common Stock. A significant number of our shares were held in street name and, as such, we believe that the actual number of beneficial owners is significantly higher.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our Common Stock over the five-year period ending December 31, 2016 with the cumulative total returns during the same period on the NASDAQ Composite Index and the S&P Information Technology Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2011 in our Common Stock and in the shares represented by each of the other indices, and that all dividends were reinvested.
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
 12/31/1112/31/1212/31/1312/31/1412/31/1512/31/16
ImageWare Systems, Inc. $100.00 $106.25 $241.25 $300.00 $162.50 $166.25
NASDAQ Composite Index $100.00 $115.91 $160.32 $181.80 $192.21 $206.63
S&P Information Technology $100.00 $114.82 $147.47 $177.13 $187.63 $213.61
The stock performance graph above shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
 As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company had cumulative undeclared dividends of approximately $8,000 relating to our Series B Preferred. At December 31, 2016 and 2015 we had cumulative undeclared dividends of $0 and $240,000, respectively relating to our Series E Preferred. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 we had cumulative undeclared dividends of $0 relating to our Series F Preferred and Series G Preferred.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
For a discussion of our equity compensation plans, please see Item 12 of this Annual Report.
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following data has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, including the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2016 and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this report. You should read the selected financial data set forth below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
Statement of Operations Data:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product
 $1,249 
 $2,192 
 $1,634 
 $2,686 
 $1,145 
Maintenance
  2,563 
  2,577 
  2,525 
  2,618 
  2,806 
 
  3,812 
  4,769 
  4,159 
  5,304 
  3,951 
Cost of revenues:
    
    
    
    
    
Product
  243 
  1,117 
  257 
  319 
  227 
Maintenance
  827 
  827 
  735 
  771 
  975 
Gross profit
  2,742 
  2,825 
  3,167 
  4,214 
  2,749 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Operating expenses:
    
    
    
    
    
General and administrative
  3,722 
  3,437 
  3,818 
  3,378 
  3,430 
Sales and marketing
  3,021 
  2,791 
  2,471 
  2,129 
  1,830 
Research and development
  5,332 
  4,643 
  4,495 
  3,869 
  3,180 
Depreciation and amortization
  129 
  164 
  179 
  125 
  69 
 
  12,204 
  11,035 
  10,963 
  9,501 
  8,509 
Loss from operations
  (9,462)
  (8,210)
  (7,796)
  (5,287)
  (5,760)
 
    
    
    
    
    
Interest expense
  245 
  447 
  416 
  221 
  18 
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
   
   
   
  4,776 
  4,712 
Other income, net
  (201)
  (145)
  (297)
  (443)
  (322)
Loss before income taxes
  (9,506)
  (8,512)
  (7,915)
  (9,841)
  (10,168)
 
    
    
    
    
    
Income tax expense
  21 
  22 
  25 
  8 
  22 
Net loss
 $(9,527)
 $(8,534)
 $(7,940)
 $(9,849)
 $(10,190)
Preferred dividends
  (1,347)
  (1,065)
  (51)
  (51)
  (51)
Net loss available to common shareholders
 $(10,874)
 $(9,599)
 $(7,991)
 $(9,900)
 $(10,241)
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
 $(0.09)
 $(0.12)
 $(0.14)
Preferred dividends
  (0.02)
  (0.01)
  (—)
  (—)
  (—)
Basic and diluted loss per share available to common shareholders
 $(0.12)
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
 $(0.12)
 $(0.14)
Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
  94,426,783 
  93,786,079 
  91,795,971 
  81,231,962 
  70,894,916 
Balance Sheet Data:
 
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 $1,586 
 $3,352 
 $218 
 $2,363 
 $4,225 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
  287 
  349 
  266 
  302 
  328 
Inventory, net
  23 
  46 
  916 
  505 
  262 
Other current assets
  135 
  69 
  86 
  148 
  86 
Total Current Assets
  2,031 
  3,816 
  1,486 
  3,318 
  4,901 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Property and equipment, net
  93 
  162 
  211 
  245 
  150 
Other assets
  34 
  98 
  153 
  395 
  44 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
  106 
  117 
  144 
  172 
  200 
Goodwill
  3,416 
  3,416 
  3,416 
  3,416 
  3,416 
Total Assets
 $5,680 
 $7,609 
 $5,410 
 $7,546 
 $8,711 
 
    
    
    
    
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
Current Liabilities:
    
    
    
    
    
Accounts payable
 $425 
 $198 
 $459 
 $486 
 $759 
Deferred revenue
  1,045 
  1,059 
  1,827 
  1,662 
  1,561 
Accrued expenses
  1,047 
  1,149 
  1,013 
  924 
  1,266 
Derivative liabilities
   
   
   
  57 
   
Convertible lines of credit to related parties, net
  2,528 
   
   
  55 
  65 
Total Current Liabilities
  5,045 
  2,406 
  3,299 
  3,184 
  3,651 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Convertible secured notes payable, net of discount
   
   
  1,311 
   
   
Derivative liabilities
   
   
   
   
  2,244 
Pension obligation
  1,895 
  1,511 
  1,834 
  1,031 
  401 
Other long-term liabilities
   
   
   
   
  72 
Total Liabilities
  6,940 
  3,917 
  6,444 
  4,215 
  6,368 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):
    
    
    
    
    
Preferred stock, authorized 4,000,000 shares:
    
    
    
    
    
Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
  2 
  2 
  2 
  2 
  2 
Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred stock, $0.01 par value
   
   
   
   
   
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred stock, $0.01 par value
   
   
   
   
   
Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred stock, $0.01 par value
   
   
   
   
   
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
  917 
  940 
  934 
  874 
  765 
Additional paid-in capital
  156,195 
  149,902 
  135,982 
  131,652 
  120,182 
Treasury stock, at cost
  (64)
  (64)
  (64)
  (64)
  (64)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  (1,543)
  (1,195)
  (1,594)
  (830)
  (139)
Accumulated deficit
  (156,767)
  (145,893)
  (136,294)
  (128,303)
  (118,403)
Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
  (1,260)
  3,692 
  ( 1,034)
  3,331 
  2,343 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
 $5,680 
 $7,609 
 $5,410 
 $7,546 
 $8,711 
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including (without limitation) the disclosures made under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors,” and in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
The Company is a pioneer and leader in the emerging market for biometrically enabled software-based identity management solutions. Using those human characteristics that are unique to us all, we create software that provides a highly reliable indication of a person’s identity. Our “flagship” product is our patented IWS Biometric Engine®. Scalable for small city business or worldwide deployment, our IWS Biometric Engine is a multi-biometric software platform that is hardware and algorithm independent, enabling the enrollment and management of unlimited population sizes. It allows a user to utilize one or more biometrics on a seamlessly integrated platform. Our products are used to manage and issue secure credentials, including national IDs, passports, driver licenses and access control credentials. Our products also provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, LiveScan fingerprint and investigative capabilities. We also provide comprehensive authentication security software using biometrics to secure physical and logical access to facilities or computer networks or Internet sites. Biometric technology is now an integral part of all markets we address and all of our products are integrated into the IWS Biometric Engine.
With the advent of cloud based computing, the proliferation of smart mobile devices which allow for reliable biometric capture and the need to secure access to data, products and services, the Company believes that the market for multi-biometric solutions will expand to encompass significant deployments of biometric systems in the commercial and consumer markets.  The Company therefore intends to leverage the strength of its experience servicing existing government clients who have deployed the Company’s products for large populations, as well as its foundational patent portfolio in the field of multi-modal biometrics and the fusion of multiple biometric algorithms, to address the growing commercial and consumer market.
Our biometric technology is a core software component of an organization’s security infrastructure and includes a multi-biometric identity management solution for enrolling, managing, identifying and verifying the identities of people by the physical characteristics of the human body. We develop, sell and support various identity management capabilities within government (federal, state and local), law enforcement, commercial enterprises, and transportation and aviation markets for identification and verification purposes. Our IWS Biometric Engine is a patented biometric identity management software platform for multi-biometric enrollment, management and authentication, managing population databases of virtually unlimited sizes. It is hardware agnostic and can utilize different types of biometric algorithms. It allows different types of biometrics to be operated at the same time on a seamlessly integrated platform. It is also offered as a Software Development Kit based search engine, enabling developers and system integrators to implement a biometric solution or integrate biometric capabilities into existing applications without having to derive biometric functionality from pre-existing applications. The IWS Biometric Engine combined with our secure credential platform, IWS EPI Builder, provides a comprehensive, integrated biometric and secure credential solution that can be leveraged for high-end applications such as passports, driver licenses, national IDs, and other secure documents.
Our law enforcement solutions enable agencies to quickly capture, archive, search, retrieve, and share digital images, fingerprints and other biometrics as well as criminal history records on a stand-alone, networked, wireless or Web-based platform. We develop, sell and support a suite of modular software products used by law enforcement and public safety agencies to create and manage criminal history records and to investigate crime. Our IWS Law Enforcement solution consists of five software modules: Capture and Investigative modules, which provide a criminal booking system with related databases as well as the ability to create and print mug photo/SMT image lineups and electronic mugbooks; a Facial Recognition module, which uses biometric facial recognition to identify suspects; a Web module, which provides access to centrally stored records over the Internet in a connected or wireless fashion; and a LiveScan module, which incorporates LiveScan capabilities into IWS Law Enforcement providing integrated fingerprint and palm print biometric management for civil and law enforcement use. The IWS Biometric Engine is also available to our law enforcement clients and allows them to capture and search using other biometrics such as iris or DNA.
Our secure credential solutions empower customers to create secure and smart digital identification documents with complete ID systems. We develop, sell and support software and design systems which utilize digital imaging and biometrics in the production of photo identification cards, credentials and identification systems. Our products in this market consist of IWS EPI Suite and IWS EPI Builder (“SDK”). These products allow for the production of digital identification cards and related databases and records and can be used by, among others, schools, airports, hospitals, corporations or governments. We have added the ability to incorporate multiple biometrics into the ID systems with the integration of IWS Biometric Engine to our secure credential product line.
Our enterprise authentication software includes the IWS Desktop Security product which is a comprehensive authentication management infrastructure solution providing added layers of security to workstations, networks and systems through advanced encryption and authentication technologies. IWS Desktop Security is optimized to enhance network security and usability, and uses multi-factor authentication methods to protect access, verify identity and help secure the computing environment without sacrificing ease-of-use features such as quick login. Additionally, IWS Desktop Security provides an easy integration with various smart card-based credentials including the Common Access Card (“CAC”), Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (“HSPD-12”), Personal Identity Verification (“PIV”) credential, and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (“TWIC”) with an organization’s access control process. IWS Desktop Security provides the crucial end-point component of a Logical Access Control System (“LACS”), and when combined with a Physical Access Control System (“PACS”), organizations benefit from a complete door to desktop access control and security model.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to utilize accounting policies and make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingencies as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a fiscal period. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application.
Significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory carrying values, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, accounting for loss contingencies, recoverability of goodwill and acquired intangible assets and amortization periods, assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of share based payments, assumptions used in the application of fair value methodologies to calculate the fair value of derivative liabilities, revenue and cost of revenues recognized under the percentage of completion method and assumptions used in the application of fair value methodologies to calculate the fair value of pension assets and obligations.
The following are our critical accounting policies because we believe they are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require critical management judgments and estimates about matters that are uncertain. If actual results or events differ materially from those contemplated by us in making these estimates, our reported financial condition and results of operations for future periods could be materially affected.
Revenue Recognition.  Our revenue recognition policy is significant because our revenue is a key component of our consolidated results of operations. We recognize revenue from the following major revenue sources:
Long-term fixed-price contracts involving significant customization;
Fixed-price contracts involving minimal customization;
Software licensing;
Sales of computer hardware and identification media; and
Post-contract customer support (“PCS”).
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are consistent with U.S. GAAP including Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition”, ASC 605-35“Revenue Recognition, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts”, “Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin 104,"and ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition, Multiple Element Arrangements”. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
The Company recognizes revenue and profit as work progresses on long-term, fixed-price contracts involving significant amounts of hardware and software customization using the percentage of completion method based on costs incurred to date, compared to total estimated costs upon completion. The primary components of costs incurred are third party software and direct labor cost including fringe benefits.  Revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed are classified as current assets under “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts”. Amounts billed to customers in excess of revenue recognized are classified as current liabilities under “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts”. Revenue from contracts for which the Company cannot reliably estimate total costs, or there are not significant amounts of customization, are recognized upon completion.For contracts that require significant amounts of customization that the Company accounts for under the completed contract method of revenue recognition, the Company defers revenue recognition until customer acceptance is received. For contracts containing either extended or dependent payment terms, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as payment has been received by the Company.The Company also generates non-recurring revenue from the licensing of its software. Software license revenue is recognized upon the execution of a license agreement, upon deliverance, when fees are fixed and determinable, when collectability is probable and when all other significant obligations have been fulfilled. The Company also generates revenue from the sale of computer hardware and identification media. Revenue for these items is recognized upon delivery of these products to the customer. The Company’s revenue from periodic maintenance agreements is generally recognized ratably over the respective maintenance periods provided no significant obligations remain and collectability of the related receivable is probable. Amounts collected in advance for maintenance services are included in current liabilities under "Deferred revenues".  Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  We provide an allowance for our accounts receivable for estimated losses that may result from our customers’ inability to pay. We determine the amount of allowance by analyzing historical losses, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends, and the age of the accounts receivable balances and changes in our customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Valuation of Goodwill, Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets.  The Company accounts for its intangible assets under the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”. In accordance with ASC 350, intangible assets with a definite life are analyzed for impairment under ASC 360-10-05 and intangible assets with an indefinite life are analyzed for impairment under ASC 360. In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill, or the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired is tested for impairment using a fair value approach at the “reporting unit” level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment (referred to as a component) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at the component level. The Company’s reporting unit is at the entity level. The Company recognizes an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. The Company uses fair value methodologies to establish fair values.
We assess impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:
Significant underperformance relative to historical or expected future operating results;
Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy of our overall business; and
Significant negative industry or economic trends.
The Company annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a need, tests the carrying amount of goodwill for impairment. The Company performs its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year. A two-step impairment test is used to first identify potential goodwill impairment and then measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss, if any. The first step was conducted by determining and comparing the fair value, employing the market approach, of the Company’s reporting units to the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company determined that its only reporting unit is Identity Management. Based on the results of this impairment test, the Company determined that its goodwill assets were not impaired as of December 31, 2016.
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their net book value may not be recoverable. When such factors and circumstances exist, the Company compares the projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated useful lives against their respective carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value, based on market value when available, or discounted expected cash flows, of those assets and is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. The Company’s management currently believes there is no impairment of its long-lived assets. There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions will not change or demand for the Company’s products under development will continue. Either of these could result in future impairment of long-lived assets.
There are many management assumptions and estimates underlying the determination of an impairment loss, and estimates using different, but reasonable, assumptions could produce significantly different results. Significant assumptions include estimates of future levels of revenues and operating expenses. Therefore, the timing and recognition of impairment losses by us in the future, if any, may be highly dependent upon our estimates and assumptions. There can be no assurance that goodwill impairment will not occur in the future.
Stock-Based Compensation.  At December 31, 2016, the Company had one stock-based compensation plan for employees and nonemployee directors, which authorize the granting of various equity-based incentives including stock options and restricted stock.
The Company estimates the fair value of its stock options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, consistent with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. The fair value of stock options granted is recognized to expense over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is recognized using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense is reported in general and administrative, sales and marketing, engineering and customer service expenses based upon the departments to which substantially all of the associated employees report and credited to additional paid-in capital.  
ASC 718 requires the use of a valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. The Company is required to make various assumptions in the application of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company has determined that the best measure of expected volatility is based on the historical weekly volatility of the Company’s Common Stock. Historical volatility factors utilized in the Company’s Black-Scholes computations for options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 ranged from 65% to 116%. The Company has elected to estimate the expected life of an award based upon the SEC approved “simplified method” noted under the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110.  The expected term used by the Company to value the grants issued in 2016, 2015 and 2014 as computed by this method was 5.17 years. The effect of the difference between the actual historical expected life and the simplified method was immaterial.  The interest rate used is the risk-free interest rate and is based upon U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term. Interest rates used in the Company’s Black-Scholes calculations were 2.6% for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.  Dividend yield is zero as the Company does not expect to declare any dividends on the Company’s common shares in the foreseeable future.
In addition to the key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model, the estimated forfeiture rate at the time of valuation is a critical assumption. The Company has estimated an annualized forfeiture rate of approximately 0% for corporate officers, 4.1% for members of the Board of Directors and 6.0% for all other employees.  The Company reviews the expected forfeiture rate annually to determine if that percent is still reasonable based on historical experience.
Income Taxes.The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences related to temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes at each year-end, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation allowance is established when necessary based on the weight of available evidence, if it is considered more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income tax expense is the sum of current income tax plus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
ASC 740-10 requires a company to first determine whether it is more-likely-than-not (defined as a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that a tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits as of the reporting date, assuming that taxing authorities will examine the position and have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets this more-likely-than-not threshold is then measured and recognized at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority.
We recognize and measure uncertain tax positions in accordance with U.S. GAAP, pursuant to which we only recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Any tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. U.S. GAAP further requires that a change in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions be recognized in earnings in the quarter of such change. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
We file annual income tax returns in multiple taxing jurisdictions around the world. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, we believe that our analysis of income tax reserves reflects the most likely outcome. We adjust these reserves, if any, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular position could require the use of cash.
Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the Company’s provision for income taxes. No assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is reflected in the Company’s historical income tax provisions and accruals.  The Company adjusts these items in light of changing facts and circumstances.  To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.
The Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) limits the availability of certain tax credits and net operating losses that arose prior to certain cumulative changes in a corporation’s ownership resulting in a change of control of the Company.  The Company’s use of its net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards will be significantly limited because the Company believes it underwent “ownership changes,” as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, in 1991, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2011 and 2012, though the Company has not performed a study to determine the limitation.  The Company has reduced its deferred tax assets to zero relating to its federal and state research credits because of such limitations.  The Company continues to disclose the tax effect of the net operating loss carryforwards at their original amount as the actual limitation has not yet been quantified.   The Company has also established a full valuation allowance for substantially all deferred tax assets due to uncertainties surrounding its ability to generate future taxable income to realize these assets. Since substantially all deferred tax assets are fully reserved, future changes in tax benefits will not impact the effective tax rate. Management periodically evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax assets. If it is determined at some time in the future that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized, the valuation allowance would be reduced accordingly at that time.
Fair-Value Measurements.The Company accounts for fair value measurements in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:
Level 1Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.  Determining whether a fair value measurement is based on Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 inputs is important because certain disclosures are applicable only to those fair value measurements that use Level 3 inputs.  The use of Level 3 inputs may include information derived through extrapolation or interpolation which involves management assumptions.
For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Comparison of Results for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 Product Revenue
Net Product Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended
 December 31,
2016
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
  
Year Ended
 December 31,
2015
  
$
Change
 
%
Change
  
Year Ended
 December 31,
2014
 
                     
Software and royalties$857   (744) (46)%  $1,601  $288 22% $1,313 
Percentage of total net product revenue 69%         73%          80%
Hardware and consumables$68   34  100%  $34  $(76)(69)% $110 
Percentage of total net product revenue 5%         2%          7%
Services$324   (233) (42)%  $557  $346 164% $211 
Percentage of total net product revenue 26%         25%         13%
Total net product revenue$1,249   (943) (43)%  $2,192  $558 34% $1,634 
Software and royalty revenue decreased 46% or approximately $744,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. This decrease is due to lower project related sales of our identity management software of approximately $542,000, lower sales of boxed identity management software sold through our distribution channel of approximately $93,000, lower royalty revenue of approximately $84,000 and lower law enforcement project revenue of approximately $25,000.
Software and royalty revenue increased 22% or approximately $288,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.  This increase is due to the recognition of identification software license revenue principally attributable to two significant customers and to a lesser extent identification software royalties and lower law enforcement project related revenue, offset by lower sales of boxed identity management software sold through our distribution channel.
Revenue from the sale of hardware and consumables increased 100% or approximately $34,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015.  This increase resulted from higher sales of hardware and consumables in project solutions.
During the 2015 period, revenue from the sale of hardware and consumables decreased 69% or approximately $76,000 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.  This decrease resulted from lower revenues from project solutions containing hardware and consumable components.
Services revenue is comprised primarily of software integration services, system installation services and customer training.  Such revenue decreased 42% or approximately $233,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015,due primarily to the completion of the service element in identity management project solutions in the 2015 period.
 Services revenue increased 164% or approximately $346,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, dueprimarily to the completion of the service elements in certain identity management project solutions.
We believe that the period-to-period fluctuations of identity management software revenue in project-oriented solutions are largely due to the timing of government procurement with respect to the various programs we are pursuing.  Although no assurances can be given, based on management’s current visibility into the timing of potential government procurements and potential partnerships and current pilot programs, we believe that we will see an increase in government procurement and implementations with respect to identity management initiatives during 2017; however, government procurement initiatives, implementations and pilots are frequently delayed and extended, as was the case in the year ended December 31, 2016, and we cannot predict the timing of such initiatives.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we continued to accelerate our efforts to move the Biometric Engine into cloud and mobile markets, and expanded our end-user market into non-government sectors including commercial, consumer and healthcare applications.  In November 2016, we introduced our new GoVerifyID Enterprise suite for customers that want to add biometric identity verification to their Microsoft infrastructure. While we anticipated results from these initiatives during the 2016 fiscal year, many of those initiatives were delayed to 2017.  As a result, we anticipate that we will see positive developments from these efforts beginning in the first half of 2017, which management believes should help us to begin to smooth out our period-to-period fluctuations in revenue and enable us to provide better visibility into the timing of future revenues.
 Maintenance Revenue
Net Maintenance Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended
 December 31,
2016
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
2015
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
2014
 
                  
Maintenance Revenue $2,563   (14)  (1)%  $2,577  $52   2% $2,525 
Maintenance revenue was approximately $2,563,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to approximately $2,577,000 and $2,525,000 for the corresponding periods in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, identity management maintenance revenue was approximately $1,181,000 as compared to $1,114,000 for the comparable period in 2015.  The increase in identity management maintenance revenue of approximately $67,000 reflects the expansion of our installed base. Law enforcement maintenance revenue was approximately $1,382,000 for the twelve months ended December 2016 as compared to $1,463,000 for the comparable period in 2015. This decrease is primarily due to the expiration of certain law enforcement maintenance contracts.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, maintenance revenue increased approximately $52,000 as compared to the comparable period in 2014 due primarily the expansion on the Company’s identity management installed base.
We anticipate growth of our maintenance revenue through the retention of existing customers combined with the continued expansion of our installed base resulting from the completion of project-oriented work, however we cannot predict the timing of this anticipated growth.
Cost of Product Revenue
Cost of Product
Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
2016
  
$
Change
 
%
Change
  
Year Ended
 December 31,
2015
  
$
Change
  
%
Change
  
Year Ended
 December 31,
2014
 
                     
Software and royalties $78   (11)(12%) $89  $23   35% $66 
Percentage of software and royalty product revenue  9%         6%          5%
Hardware and consumables $43   (2)(4%) $45  $(46)  (51)% $91 
Percentage of hardware and consumables product revenue  63%        132%          83%
Services $122   (861)(88%) $983  $883   883% $100 
Percentage of services product revenue  39%        176%          47%
Total cost of product revenue $243   (874)(78%) $1,117  $860   335% $257 
Percentage of total product revenue   20%
        51%          16%
The cost of software and royalty product revenue decreased 12% or approximately $11,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. The cost of software and royalty revenue increased approximately $23,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014. This increase is due primarily to increases in third party software costs attributable to higher sales of software. In addition to changes in costs of software and royalty product revenue caused by revenue level fluctuations, costs of products can vary as a percentage of product revenue from period to period depending upon level of software customization and third party software license content included in product sales during a given period.
The cost of product revenue for our hardware and consumable sales during the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased approximately $2,000 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015 despite higher hardware and consumable revenue of approximately $34,000 primarily due to the 2015 period containing approximately $21,000 in hardware equipment written off due to substantial doubt as to recoverability.During the year ended December 31, 2015, our cost of product revenue for our hardware and consumable sales decreased by approximately $46,000,as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, primarily due to increased sales of hardware and consumable during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Cost of services revenue decreased 88% or approximately $861,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. This decrease reflects higher professional service revenue of approximately $322,000 due to the positive impact of non-recurring revenue received from one customer in the 2015 period combined with higher level and more costly service resources utilized in the generation of such non-recurring revenue during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2016. Also contributing to this decrease was the write-off of $261,000 in capitalized labor costs due to doubts as to the recoverability of such costs in the 2015 period. Costs of service revenue can vary depending upon the complexity of the project solution and the mix of labor resources utilized to complete the service element.
Cost of services revenue increased 833% or approximately $883,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014. This uncharacteristic increase reflects higher professional service revenue of approximately $322,000 due to the positive impact of non-recurring revenue received from one customer in the 2015 period combined with higher level and more costly service resources utilized in the generation of such non-recurring revenue during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014. Also contributing to this uncharacteristic increase is the write-off of $261,000 in capitalized labor costs due to doubts as to the recoverability of such costs. Costs of service revenue can vary depending upon the complexity of the project solution and the mix of labor resources utilized to complete the service element.
Cost of Maintenance Revenue
Maintenance cost
of revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
2016
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
2015
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
  
Year Ended
 December 31,
2014
 
                 
Total maintenance cost of revenue $827 $  0%$827 $92 (13)% $735 
Percentage of total maintenance revenue  32%       32%       29%
Cost of maintenance revenue increased 13% or approximately $92,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014 resulting principally from higher departmental expenses driven primarily by headcount increases for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.
Product Gross Profit
Product gross profit
(dollars in thousands)
 
Years Ended
 December 31,
2016
 
 
$
Change
 
 
%
Change
 
 
Years Ended
 December 31,
2015
 
 
$
Change
 
 
%
Change
 
 
Years Ended
 December 31,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Software and royalties
 $779 
 $(733)
  (48)%
 $1,512 
 $265 
  21%
 $1,247 
Percentage of software and royalty product revenue
  91%
    
    
  94%
    
    
  95%
Hardware and consumables
 $25 
 $36 
  327%
 $(11)
 $(30)
  (158)%
 $19 
Percentage of hardware and consumables product revenue
  37%
    
    
  (32)%
    
    
  17%
Services
 $202 
 $628 
  147%
 $(426)
 $(537)
  (484)%
 $111 
Percentage of services product revenue
  61%
    
    
  (77)%
    
    
  53%
Total product gross profit
 $1,006 
 $(69)
  (6)%
 $1,075 
 $(302)
  (22)%
 $1,377 
Percentage of total product revenue
  81%
    
    
  49%
    
    
  84%
Software and royalty gross profit decreased 48% or approximately $733,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period in 2015,due primarily to lower software and royalty product revenue of approximately $744,000. In addition to changes in costs of software and royalty product revenue caused by revenue level fluctuations, costs of products can vary as a percentage of product revenue from period to period depending upon level of software customization and third party software license content included in product sales during a given period.
Software and royalty gross profit increased 21% or approximately $265,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the corresponding period in 2014,due primarily to higher software and royalty product revenue of approximately $288,000. In addition to changes in costs of software and royalty product revenue caused by revenue level fluctuations, costs of products can vary as a percentage of product revenue from period to period depending upon level of software customization and third party software license content included in product sales during a given period.
Hardware and consumables gross profit increased approximately $36,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the 2015 period.This increase resulted from higher sales of hardware and consumables in project solutions of approximately $34,000 combined with corresponding lower cost of hardware and consumables product revenue of $2,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015.
Hardware and consumables gross profit decreased approximately $30,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the 2014 period.This decrease resulted from lower sales of hardware and consumables in project solutions of approximately $76,000 combined with corresponding lower cost of hardware and consumables product revenue of $66,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.
Services gross profit increased 147% or approximately $628,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period in 2015, due to lower service revenue of approximately $233,000 combined with lower cost of service revenue of approximately $861,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015.  The decrease in service revenue and uncharacteristically high cost of service revenue in the 2015 period reflect the impact of non-recurring revenue received from one customer in the 2015 period combined with significant costs incurred from implementation challenges. The Company’s contract with this one customer in the 2015 period also included software product revenue of approximately $440,000, offset by minimal costs. Also contributing to the services gross profit increase was the write-off of $261,000 in capitalized labor costs due to doubts as to the recoverability of such costs in the 2015 period.
Services gross profit decreased 484% or approximately $537,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, due primarily to higher service revenue of approximately $346,000 offset by higher cost of service revenue of approximately $622,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.  The increase in service revenue and uncharacteristically high cost of service revenue reflects the impact of non-recurring revenue received from one customer in the 2015 period due to significant costs incurred from implementation challenges. The Company’s contract with this one customer in the 2015 period also included software product revenue of approximately $440,000, offset by minimal costs. Also contributing to the services gross profit decrease was the write-off of $261,000 in capitalized labor costs due to doubts as to the recoverability of such costs.
 Maintenance Gross Profit
Maintenance gross profit
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended
 December 31,
 2016
 
$
 Change
 
%
 Change
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
 2015
 
$
 Change
 
%
 Change
 
Year Ended
 December 31,
 2014
 
               
Total maintenance gross profit$1,736  (14
)
(1)% $1,750  $(40)(2)% $1,790 
Percentage of total maintenance revenue 68%       68%        71
Gross margins related to maintenance revenue were 68% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease of approximately $14,000 for the 2016 year as compared to the corresponding 2015 period primarily resulted from lower maintenance revenue of approximately $14,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. Gross margins related to maintenance revenue were 68% and 71%, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The dollar decrease of approximately $40,000 for the 2015 year as compared to the corresponding 2014 period primarily resulted from higher maintenance revenue of approximately $52,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014 offset by higher cost of maintenance revenue of approximately $92,000 for the 2015 year as compared to the 2014 year.
 Operating Expense
Operating Expense
(dollars in thousands)
 
Year Ended
December 31,
  $  %  
Year Ended
December 31,
  $  %  
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 2016  Change  Change  2015  Change  Change  2014 
                      
General and administrative $3,722  $285   8% $3,437  $(381)
  (10)% $3,818 
Percentage of total net revenue  98%          72%          92%
Sales and marketing $3,021  $230   8% $2,791  $320   13% $2,471 
Percentage of total net revenue  79%          59%          59%
Research and development $5,332  $689   15% $4,643  $148   3% $4,495 
Percentage of total net revenue  140%          97%          108%
Depreciation and amortization $129  $(35)  (22)% $164  $(15)
  (8)% $179 
Percentage of total net revenue  3%          3%          4%
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense is comprised primarily of salaries and other employee-related costs for executive, financial, and other infrastructure personnel. General legal, accounting and consulting services, insurance, occupancy and communication costs are also included with general and administrative expense.
The dollar increase of approximately $285,000 in general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period in 2015, is comprised of the following major components:
Increase in personnel related expense of approximately $331,000 due to head count increases;
Decrease in professional fees including consulting services and contract services of approximately $101,000due primarily to decreases in patent related expenses of approximately $134,000, decreases in legal fees of approximately $14,000, decreases in various consulting, contract services and corporate expenses of approximately $34,000, offset by increases in public/inventory relation fees of approximately $35,000 and auditing fees of approximately $46,000;
Increase in stock-based compensation expense of approximately $96,000; and
Decrease in travel, insurances, licenses, dues, rent, and office related costs of approximately $41,000.
The dollar decrease of approximately $381,000 in general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, is comprised of the following major components:
Decrease in professional fees including consulting services and contract services of approximately $450,000due primarily to decreases in professional services and investor relation fees of approximately $108,000, decreases in legal fees of approximately $360,000, decreases in various consulting and contract services of approximately $42,000, decrease in Board of Director fees of approximately $23,000, offset by increases in patent expenses of approximately $71,000 and auditing fees of approximately $12,000;
Decrease in personnel related expense of approximately $47,000 due to head count decreases;
Increase in stock-based compensation expense of approximately $68,000; and
Increase in travel, insurances, licenses, dues, rent, and office related costs of approximately $48,000.
We continue to focus our efforts on achieving additional future operating efficiencies by reviewing and improving upon existing business processes and evaluating our cost structure. We believe these efforts will allow us to continue to gradually decrease our level of general and administrative expense expressed as a percentage of total revenue.
Sales and Marketing Expense
Sales and marketing expense consists primarily of the salaries, commissions, other incentive compensation, employee benefits and travel expense of our sales, marketing, and business development.
The dollar increase in sales and marketing expense of approximately $230,000during the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period in 2015, is primarily comprised of the following major components:
Increase in personnel related expense of approximately $49,000 due primarily to increases in headcount;
Increase in professional services of approximately $195,000 resulting primarily from increased utilization of sales consultants;
Increase in contract services and office related expense of approximately $50,000;
Decrease in our Mexico sales office related expense of approximately $65,000 due primarily to lower contractor utilization for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the comparable period in 2015 due to the completion of certain identity management projects;
Decrease in travel and trade show expense and other selling expense of approximately $52,000; and
Increase in stock-based compensation of approximately $53,000.

The dollar increase in sales and marketing expense of approximately $320,000during the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, is primarily comprised of the following major components:
Increase in personnel related expense of approximately $173,000 due primarily to severance charges and increases in headcount;
Increase in professional services of approximately $31,000 resulting primarily from the modification of certain warrants issued to sales consultants;
Decrease in contract services, travel and trade show expense and office related expense of approximately $18,000;
Increase in our Mexico sales office related expense of approximately $64,000 due primarily to higher contractor utilization combined with lower levels of capitalized contractor fees for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the comparable period in 2014 due to the completion of certain identity management projects;
Increase in contract services and other selling expense of approximately $46,000 offset by decreases in office related expense of approximately $5,000; and
Increase in stock-based compensation of approximately $29,000.
We anticipate that the level of expense incurred for sales and marketing during the year ended December 31, 2016 will increase as we pursue large project solution opportunities.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense consists primarily of salaries, employee benefits and outside contractors for new product development, product enhancements, custom integration work and related facility costs.
Research and development expense increased approximately $689,000for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period in 2015, due primarily to the following major components:
Increase in personnel expenditures of approximately $702,000 due to the full year effect of several headcount increases in mid-2015 combined with lower levels of capitalized labor for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the comparable period in 2015 due to the completion of certain identity management projects;
Increase in contractor fees and contract services of approximately $51,000;
Increase in stock-based compensation of approximately$48,000; and
Decrease in office related expense and travel of approximately $112,000.
Research and development expense increased approximately $148,000for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the corresponding period in 2014, due primarily to the following major components:
Increase in personnel expenditures of approximately $390,000 due to headcount increases combined with lower levels of capitalized labor for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the comparable period in 2014 due to the completion of certain identity management projects;
Decrease in contractor fees and contract services of approximately $382,000;
Increase in stock-based compensation of approximately$27,000; and
Increase in office related expense and travel of approximately $113,000.
Our level of expenditures in research and development reflects our belief that to maintain our competitive position in markets characterized by rapid rates of technological advancement, we must continue to invest significant resources in new systems and software as well as continue to enhance existing products.
Depreciation and Amortization
During the year ended December 31, 2016, depreciation and amortization expense decreased approximately $35,000 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2015, depreciation and amortization expense decreased approximately $15,000 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.  The relatively small amount of depreciation and amortization in both periods is a reflection of the relatively small property and equipment carrying value.
Interest Expense (Income), Net
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized interest income of $3,000 and interest expense of $248,000. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized interest income of $7,000 and interest expense of $454,000. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized interest income of $29,000 and interest expense of $445,000.
 Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 contains the following components:
Approximately $48,000 of amortization expense of deferred financing fees related to the Lines of Credit;
Approximately $97,000 of amortization expense of recognized beneficial conversion feature related to the Lines of Credit borrowings;
Approximately $102,000 related to coupon interest on our 8% Line of Credit borrowings; and
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 contains the following components:
Approximately $53,000 of amortization expense of deferred financing fees related to the Lines of Credit;
Approximately $385,000 of amortization expense of recognized beneficial conversion feature related to the Lines of Credit borrowings;
Approximately $12,000 related to coupon interest on our 8% Line of Credit borrowings; and
Approximately $4,000 related to miscellaneous interest charges.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 contains the following components:
Approximately $369,000 of amortization expense of deferred financing fees related to the Lines of Credit;
Approximately $56,000 of amortization expense of recognized beneficial conversion feature related to the Lines of Credit borrowings;
Approximately $19,000 related to coupon interest on our 7% related party convertible notes and 8% Line of Credit borrowings;
Approximately $1,000 related to miscellaneous interest charges;
Coupon interest of approximately $4,000 related to our Related Party Convertible Notes; and
Deferred financing fee amortization expense of approximately $218,000.
Other Income
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized other income of approximately $201,000and other expense of $0.  Other income for the year ended December 31, 2016 is comprised of approximately $200,000 from the write off of certain accrued expenses due the expiration of the legal statute of limitations on such liabilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized other income of approximately $145,000and other expense of $0.  Other income for the year ended December 31, 2015 is comprised of approximately $46,000 relating to the litigation settlement of certain patent infringement matters in favor of the Company and approximately $99,000 from the recovery of a previously written-off accounts receivable.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized other income of approximately $297,000and other expense of $0.  Other income for the year ended December 31, 2014 is comprised of approximately $223,000from the write off of certain accounts payable and accrued expenses due the expiration of the legal statute of limitations on such liabilities, approximately $35,000 relating to the litigation settlement of certain patent infringement matters in favor of the Company, approximately $37,000 from the return of an advertising deposit previously written off due to uncertainties regarding its return and $2,000 in miscellaneous receipts.
Income Tax Expense
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded an expense of $21,000 from income taxes, as compared to an expense of $22,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, and expense of $25,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, our expense for income taxes of $21,000 and 22,000, respectively, related to taxes on income generated in certain foreign jurisdictions offset by research and development tax credits generated in certain foreign jurisdictions.
We have incurred consolidated pre-tax losses during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and have incurred operating losses in all prior periods. Management has determined that it is more likely than not that a tax benefit from such losses will not be realized. Accordingly, we did not record a benefit for income taxes for these periods.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
Historically, our principal sources of cash have included customer payments from the sale of our products, proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and proceeds from the issuance of debt, including our Lines of Credit (defined below). Our principal uses of cash have included cash used in operations, product development, payments relating to purchases of property and equipment and repayments of borrowings. We expect that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for product development including customization of identity management products for enterprise and consumer applications, further development of intellectual property, development of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) capabilities for existing products as well as general working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We expect that, as our revenues grow, our sales and marketing and research and development expenses will continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate and, as a result, we will need to generate significant net revenues to achieve and sustain income from operations.
Reliance on Lines of Credit
In March 2013, the Company and Holder entered into the Goldman Line of Credit with available borrowings of up to $2.5 million. In March 2014, available borrowings under the Goldman Line of Credit were increased to an aggregate total of $3.5 million (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Amendment, the Holder had the right to convert up to $2.5 million of the outstanding balance of the Goldman Line of Credit into shares of the Company's Common Stock for $0.95 per share. Any remaining outstanding balance was convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock for $2.25 per share.
As consideration for the initial Goldman Line of Credit, the Company issued a warrant to the Holder, exercisable for 1,052,632 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the "Line of Credit Warrant"). The Goldman Line of Credit Warrant had a term of two years from the date of issuance and an exercise price of $0.95 per share.  As consideration for entering into the Amendment, the Company issued to the Holder a second warrant, exercisable for 177,778 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Amendment Warrant”). The Amendment Warrant expired on March 27, 2015 and had an exercise price of $2.25 per share.
The Company estimated the fair value of the Line of Credit Warrant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: term of two years, a risk-free interest rate of 2.58%, a dividend yield of 0%, and volatility of 79%. The Company recorded the fair value of the Line of Credit Warrant as a deferred financing fee of approximately $580,000 to be amortized over the life of the Goldman Line of Credit. The Company estimated the fair value of the Amendment Warrant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: term on one year, a risk-free interest rate of 2.58%, a dividend yield of 0% and volatility of 74%. The Company recorded the fair value of the Amendment Warrant as an additional deferred financing fee of approximately $127,000 to be amortized over the life of the Goldman Line of Credit.
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded an aggregate of approximately $48,000 and $53,000, respectively in deferred financing fee amortization expense which is recorded as a component of interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
In April 2014, the Company and the Holder entered into a further amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit to decrease the available borrowings to $3.0 million (the “Second Amendment”).  Contemporaneous with the execution of the Second Amendment, the Company entered into a new unsecured line of credit with the Second Holder with available borrowings of up to $500,000 (the “$500K Line of Credit”), which amount was convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $2.25 per share. As a result of these amendments, total available borrowings under the Lines of Credit available to the Company remained unchanged at a total of $3.5 million. In connection with the Second Amendment, the Holder assigned and transferred to the Second Holder one-half of the Amendment Warrant.
In December 2014, the Company and the Holder entered into a further amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit to increase available borrowings to $5.0 million and extend the maturity date of the Goldman Line of Credit to March 27, 2017 (the “Third Amendment”). Also, as a result of the Third Amendment, the Holder had the right to convert up to $2.5 million outstanding principal, plus any accrued but unpaid interest (“Outstanding Balance”) into shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $0.95 per share, the next $500,000 Outstanding Balance into shares of Common Stock for $2.25 per share and any remaining outstanding balance thereafter into shares of Common Stock for $2.30 per share. The Third Amendment also modified the definition of a “Qualified Financing” to mean a debt or equity financing resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $5.0 million.
In February 2015, as a result of the Series E Financing, the Company issued 1,978 shares of Series E Preferred to the Holder to satisfy $1,950,000 in principal borrowings under the Goldman Line of Credit plus approximately $28,000 in accrued interest. As a result of the Series E Financing, the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Goldman Line of Credit was reduced to $3,050,000 with the maturity date unchanged, and the $500K Line of Credit was terminated in accordance with its terms.
In March 2016, the Company and the Holder entered into a fourth amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit (the “Fourth Amendment”) solely to (i) increase available borrowings to $5.0 million; (ii) extend the maturity date to June 30, 2017, and (iii) provide for the conversion of the outstanding balance due under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock as is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the outstanding balance by $1.25.
Contemporaneous with the execution of the Fourth Amendment, the Company entered into a new $500K Line of Credit with available borrowings of up to $500,000 with the Second Holder, which replaced the original $500K Line of Credit that terminated as a result of the consummation of the Series E Financing.  Similar to the Fourth Amendment, the new $500K Line of Credit with the Second Holder matures on June 30, 2017, and provides for the conversion of the outstanding balance due under the terms of the $500K Line of Credit into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock as is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the outstanding balance by $1.25.
On December 27, 2016, in connection with the consummation of the Series G Financing, the Company and Holder agreed to enter into the Fifth Amendment (the “Line of Credit Amendment”) to the Goldman Line of Credit to provide the Company with the ability to borrow up to $5.5 million under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit. In addition, the Maturity Date, as defined in the Goldman Line of Credit was amended to be December 31, 2017. The Line of Credit Amendment was executed on January 23, 2017.
In addition, on January 23, 2017, the Company and the Second Holder amended the $500K Line of Credit to extend the maturity date thereof to December 31, 2017. No other amendments were made to the $500K Line of Credit.
The Company evaluated the Lines of Credit and determined that the instruments contain a contingent beneficial conversion feature, i.e. an embedded conversion right that enables the holder to obtain the underlying Common Stock at a price below market value. The beneficial conversion feature is contingent as the terms of the conversion do not permit the Company to compute the number of shares that the holder would receive if the contingent event occurs (i.e. future borrowings under the Line of Credit). The Company has considered the accounting for this contingent beneficial conversion feature using the guidance in ASC 470, Debt. The guidance in ASC 470 states that a contingent beneficial conversion feature in an instrument shall not be recognized in earnings until the contingency is resolved. The beneficial conversion features of future borrowings under the Line of Credit will be measured using the intrinsic value calculated at the date the contingency is resolved using the conversion price and trading value of the Company’s Common Stock at the date the Lines of Credit were issued (commitment date). Pursuant to borrowings made during the 2015 year, the Company recognized approximately $146,000 in beneficial conversion feature as debt discount. As a result of the retirement of all amounts outstanding under the Lines of Credit in 2015, the Company recognized all remaining unamortized debt discount of approximately $385,000 as a component of interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As there was $2,650,000 in borrowings under the Lines of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded approximately $146,000 in debt discount attributable to the beneficial conversion feature during the year ended December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company accreted approximately $97,000, respectively, of debt discount as a component of interest expense.
The following table sets forth the Company’s activity under its Lines of Credit for the periods indicated:
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2014
$1,550
     Borrowing under Lines of Credit
750
     Repayments
(350)
     Exchange of Indebtedness for Series E Preferred Stock
(1,950)
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2015
$
     Borrowings under Lines of Credit
2,650
     Repayments
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2016
$2,650
We currently do not anticipate generating sufficient revenue and profit to repay these borrowings in full when due. Therefore, unless the holders of the notes issued under the Lines of Credit convert any outstanding balance into shares of Common Stock, we will need to seek an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit on or before December 31, 2017. If remaining available borrowings under our Lines of Credit are insufficient or we are unable to extend the maturity date of the Lines of Credit, we will be required to raise additional capital through debt and/or equity financing to continue operations. No assurances can be given that any such financing will be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. At this time, we do not have any commitments for alternative financing or for an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit.
Going Concern and Management's Plan
At December 31, 2016, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $3.0 million, compared to a working capital surplus of approximately $1.4 million at December 31, 2015. Our principal sources of liquidity at December 31, 2016 consisted of available borrowings under our Lines of Credit of $3.35 million, and approximately $1.68 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to approximately $3.35 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015.
Considering our projected cash requirements, our available cash will be insufficient to repay borrowings under our Lines of Credit in full when due at December 31, 2017, and may be insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this report, in the event our projected revenue opportunities fail to materialize as currently anticipated. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. To address our working capital requirements, management will continue to access available borrowings under our existing Lines of Credit, and will continue to seek additional equity and/or debt financing through the issuance of additional debt and/or equity securities. In addition, management intends to seek an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit on or before December 31, 2017. There are currently no formal committed financing arrangements to support our projected cash shortfall, including commitments to purchase additional debt and/or equity securities, or extend the maturity dates of the Lines of Credit.
In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to continue to raise capital and generate positive cash flows from operations. However, the Company operates in markets that are emerging and highly competitive. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital, operate at a profit or generate positive cash flows in the future.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $7,911,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $7,183,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 and $6,422,000 during the year ended December 31, 2014.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in operating activities consisted of net loss of $9,527,000 and an increase in operating cash from changes in assets and liabilities of $383,000. We also incurred $1,235,000 in net non-cash costs including $1,162,000 in stock based compensation, $145,000 in debt issuance cost amortization and debt discount amortization, and $129,000 in depreciation and amortization offset by $200,000 of non-cash income primarily from the write-off of certain accrued expenses due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we generated cash of $35,000 from reductions in current assets and generated cash of $348,000 through increases in current liabilities and deferred revenues, excluding debt.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash used in operating activities consisted of net loss of $8,534,000 and a decrease in operating cash from changes in assets and liabilities of $572,000. We also incurred $1,923,000 in net non-cash costs including $1,040,000 in stock based compensation (which includes $80,000 in warrants modified in lieu of cash as compensation), $438,000 in debt issuance cost amortization and debt discount amortization, $281,000 related to the write down of capitalized labor inventory to net realizable value, and $164,000 in depreciation and amortization. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we generated cash of $523,000 from  reductions in current assets and used cash of $1,095,000 through reductions in current liabilities and deferred revenues, excluding debt.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, net cash used in operating activities consisted of net loss of $7,940,000 and an increase in operating cash from changes in assets and liabilities of $228,000. We also incurred $1,290,000 in net non-cash costs including $909,000 in stock based compensation (which includes $53,000 in warrants issued in lieu of cash as compensation), $426,000 in debt issuance cost amortization and debt discount amortization, and $179,000 in depreciation and amortization offset by $224,000 of non-cash income primarily from the write-off of certain accounts payable and accrued expenses due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we used cash of $314,000 to fund increases in current assets and generated cash of $542,000 through increases in current liabilities and deferred revenues, excluding debt.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $49,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, $87,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $117,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,we used cash to fund capital expenditures of computer equipment, software and furniture and fixtures.This level of equipment purchases resulted primarily from the replacement of older equipment.
Financing Activities
We generated cash of $6,195,000 from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $10,337,000for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $4,414,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we generated cash of $2,000,000 from the Series F Financing offset by $21,000 in offering costs, and $1,625,000 from the Series G Financing, offset by $11,000 in offering costs, $3,000 from the exercise of 12,626 Common Stock options and $2,650,000 from borrowings under the Lines of Credit. We used cash of $51,000 for the payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred.  
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we generated cash of $10,022,000 from the Series E Financing offset by $67,000 in offering costs, $33,000 from the exercise of 39,705 Common Stock options and $750,000 from borrowings under the Goldman Line of Credit offset by the repayment of $350,000 under the Goldman Line of Credit. We used cash of $51,000 for the payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated cash of $2,848,000 from the exercise of 4,742,632 Common Stock warrants and $67,000 from the exercise of 98,617 Common Stock options. We also generated cash of $1,550,000 from the issuance of notes payable with warrants resulting from borrowing under the Goldman Line of Credit. We used cash of $51,000 for the payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred.
Debt
At December 31, 2016, we had approximately $2,528,000 in outstanding debt, net of unamortized debt discount of approximately $122,000 and in addition the Company owed approximately $102,000 in related accrued interest.
   Contractual Obligations
Total contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2016 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
 
 
Payment Due by Year
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Less than 1 Year
 
 
1-3 Years
 
 
3-5 Years
 
 
More than 5 Years
 
Operating lease obligations
 $728 
 $450 
 $269 
 $9 
 $ 
Notes payable under related party lines of credit
  2,650 
  2,650 
   
   
   
Total
 $3,378 
 $3,100 
 $269 
 $9 
 $ 
   Real Property Leases
Our corporate headquarters are located in San Diego, California where we occupy 9,927 square feet of office space. This facility is leased through October 2017 at a cost of approximately $18,000 per month. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we also occupied the following spaces at December 31, 2016:
1,508 square feet in Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on March 31, 2021. This lease was renewed in April 2016 for a five-year period ending on March 31, 2021. Renewal terms were substantially unchanged from the existing lease;
8,045 square feet in Portland, Oregon, at a cost of approximately $16,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on October 31, 2018; and
304 square feet of office space in Mexico City, Mexico, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month, until the expiration of the lease on November 30, 2017.
In addition to the corporate headquarters lease in San Diego, California, we also lease space in Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada; and Mexico City, Mexico.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based compensation related to equity options and restricted stock has been classified as follows in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
      Cost of revenue
 $20 
 $15 
 $12 
      General and administrative
  714 
  618 
  572 
      Sales and marketing
  224 
  171 
  142 
      Research and development
  204 
  156 
  130 
 
    
    
    
Total
 $1,162 
 $960 
 $856 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2016, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, special purpose or variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we did not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As a result, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships. We do not have relationships and transactions with persons or entities that derive benefits from their non-independent relationship with us or our related parties except as disclosed elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), or other standard setting bodies, which are adopted by us as of the specified effective date.  Unless otherwise discussed, the Company’s management believes the impact of recently issued standards not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption. See Note 1 to these consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Impact of Inflation
The primary inflationary factor affecting our operations is labor costs and we do not believe that inflation has materially affected earnings during the past four years. Substantial increases in costs and expenses, particularly labor and operating expenses, could have a significant impact on our operating results to the extent that such increases cannot be passed along to customers and end users.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A significant number of our contracts require payment in U.S. dollars.  We therefore do not engage in hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates, although in the event any future contracts are denominated in a foreign currency, we may do so in the future.  As a result, our financial results are not affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm are included in Item 15 of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2016. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports submitted under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.  In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework.
(b) Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., our  independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which report is included in Part IV below.
(c) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have determined that there have been no changes, in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report identified in connection with the evaluation described in the above paragraph that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
                The information required by this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end and is incorporated in this report by reference.
ITEM 11. 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
                The information required by this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end and is incorporated in this report by reference.
ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
                The information required by this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end and is incorporated in this report by reference.
ITEM 13. 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
                The information required by this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end and is incorporated in this report by reference.
ITEM 14. 
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
                The information required by this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year end and is incorporated in this report by reference
PART IV
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
Exhibit No.Description
2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 15, 2005).
3.1Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 15, 2005).
3.2Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 14, 2011).
3.3Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 16, 2017).
3.4Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2015).
3.5Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 9, 2016).
3.6
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
3.7
Amendment No. 1 to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
4.1Form of Amendment to Warrant, dated March 21, 2012, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 4, 2012).
10.1Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2005, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 30, 2005).
10.2Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the Company with its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-93131), filed December 20, 1999, as amended).
10.3Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 21, 2007).
10.4Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2005).
10.52001 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed November 14, 2001).
10.6Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September 25, 2007, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 26, 2007).
10.7Office Space Lease between I.W. Systems Canada Company and GE Canada Real Estate Equity, dated July 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.8Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 29, 2008 by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.9Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between Company and Charles Aubuchon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.10Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between Company and David Harding (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.11First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.12Form of Convertible Note dated November 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.13Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 6, 2009, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.14Office Space Lease between the Company and Allen W. Wooddell, dated July 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.15Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 10, 2009, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.16Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 12, 2011, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2011).
10.17Note Exchange Agreement, dated December 12, 2011, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2011).
10.18Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 10, 2011, between the Company and S. James Miller, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed January 17, 2012).
10.19Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 31, 2012, between the Company and S. James Miller, Jr., (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 4, 2012.
10.20Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2013, between the Company and Wayne Wetherell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 7, 2013).
10.21Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2013, between the Company and David Harding (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 7, 2013).
10.22Convertible Promissory Note dated March 27, 2013 issued by the Company to Neal Goldman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 1, 2013).
10.23Amendment to Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 12, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 13, 2014).
10.24Note Exchange Agreement, dated January 29, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2015).
10.25
Sixth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller and the Company, dated November 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 7, 2013).
10.26Seventh Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller, Jr. and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.27Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.28Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.29Amendment No. 3 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 8, 2014 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 10, 2014).
10.30Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.31
Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.32

Eighth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.33Amendment No. 4 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 8, 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 10, 2017).
10.34Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 9, 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 10, 2017).
10.35Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September 7, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 9, 2016).
10.36Amendment No. 5 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated January 23, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 10-K, filed January 26, 2017).
10.37Form of Subscription Agreement for Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.38Form of Exchange Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.39
Ninth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between James Miller, Jr. and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.40
Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.41Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 30, 2016).
21.1List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2010).
23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1Certification of CEO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14, filed herewith
31.2Certification of CFO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14, filed herewith.
32Certification of CEO and CFO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(b) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, filed herewith.
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
SIGNATURES  
 In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
Registrant
Date: March 30, 2017
ImageWare Systems, Inc.
/s/ S. James Miller, Jr.
S. James Miller, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), President
Date: March 30, 2017/s/ Wayne Wetherell
Wayne Wetherell
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: March 30, 2017/s/ S. James Miller, Jr.
S. James Miller, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Date: March 30, 2017/s/ David Loesch
David Loesch
Director
Date: March 30, 2017/s/ Steve Hamm
Steve Hamm
Director
/s/ David Carey
Date: March 30, 2017David Carey
Director
/s/ John Cronin
Date: March 30, 2017John Cronin
Director
/s/ Neal Goldman
Date: March 30, 2017Neal Goldman
Director
/s/ Charles Crocker
Date: March 30, 2017Charles Crocker
Director
/s/ Dana Kammersgard
Date: March 30, 2017Dana Kammersgard
Director
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Number
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of:
ImageWare Systems, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ImageWare Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of ImageWare Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of ImageWare Systems, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 30, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred recurring operating losses and is dependent on additional financing to fund operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
San Diego, California
March 30, 2017
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of:
ImageWare Systems, Inc.

We have audited ImageWare Systems, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). ImageWare Systems, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, ImageWare Systems, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of ImageWare Systems, Inc. and our report dated March 30, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
San Diego, California
March 30, 2017
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 $1,586 
 $3,352 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1 and $3 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
  287 
  349 
Inventory, net
  23 
  46 
Other current assets
  135 
  69 
Total Current Assets
  2,031 
  3,816 
 
    
    
Property and equipment, net
  93 
  162 
Other assets
  34 
  98 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
  106 
  117 
Goodwill
  3,416 
  3,416 
Total Assets
 $5,680 
 $7,609 
 
    
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
    
    
 
    
    
Current Liabilities:
    
    
Accounts payable
 $425 
 $198 
Deferred revenue
  1,045 
  1,059 
Accrued expenses
  1,047 
  1,149 
Convertible lines of credit to related parties, net of discount
  2,528 
   
Total Current Liabilities
  5,045 
  2,406 
 
    
    
Pension obligation
  1,895 
  1,511 
Total Liabilities
  6,940 
  3,917 
 
    
    
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit):
    
    
Preferred stock, authorized 4,000,000 shares:
    
    
Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; designated 750,000 shares, 389,400 shares issued, and 239,400 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015; liquidation preference $607 at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
  2 
  2 
Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; designated 12,000 shares, 12,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015; liquidation preference $12,000 and $12,240 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
   
   
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; designated 2,000 shares, 2,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively; liquidation preference $2,000 at December 31, 2016.
   
   
Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; designated 6,120 shares, 6,021 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively; liquidation preference $6,021 at December 31, 2016.
   
   
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 91,853,499 and 94,077,599 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 91,846,795 and 94,070,895 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
  917 
  940 
Additional paid-in capital
  156,195 
  149,902 
Treasury stock, at cost 6,704 shares
  (64)
  (64)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  (1,543)
  (1,195)
Accumulated deficit
  (156,767)
  (145,893)
Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
  (1,260)
  3,692 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
 $5,680 
 $7,609 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product
 $1,249 
 $2,192 
 $1,634 
Maintenance
  2,563 
  2,577 
  2,525 
 
  3,812 
  4,769 
  4,159 
Cost of revenues:
    
    
    
Product
  243 
  1,117 
  257 
Maintenance
  827 
  827 
  735 
Gross profit
  2,742 
  2,825 
  3,167 
 
    
    
    
Operating expenses:
    
    
    
General and administrative
  3,722 
  3,437 
  3,818 
Sales and marketing
  3,021 
  2,791 
  2,471 
Research and development
  5,332 
  4,643 
  4,495 
Depreciation and amortization
  129 
  164 
  179 
 
  12,204 
  11,035 
  10,963 
Loss from operations
  (9,462)
  (8,210)
  (7,796)
 
    
    
    
Interest expense
  245 
  447 
  416 
Other income, net
  (201)
  (145)
  (297)
Loss before income taxes
  (9,506)
  (8,512)
  (7,915)
 
    
    
    
Income tax expense
  21 
  22 
  25 
Net loss
 $(9,527)
 $(8,534)
 $(7,940)
Preferred dividends
  (1,347)
  (1,065)
  (51)
Net loss available to common shareholders
 $(10,874)
 $(9,599)
 $(7,991)
 
    
    
    
Basic and diluted loss per common share — see Note 2:
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
 $(0.09)
Preferred dividends
  (0.02)
  (0.01)
  (—)
Basic and diluted loss per share available to common shareholders
 $(0.12)
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
  94,426,783 
  93,786,079 
  91,795,971 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 $(9,527)
 $(8,534)
 $(7,940)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
    
    
    
Reduction (increase) in additional minimum pension liability
  (347)
  332 
  (744)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  (1)
  67 
  (20)
Comprehensive loss
 $(9,875)
 $(8,135)
 $(8,704)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

 
 
Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
Additional Paid-In
 
 
Accumulated Other Compre-hensive
 
 
  Accumulated 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
 Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Shares 
 
 
Amount 
 
 
Capital
 
 
   Loss 
 
 
  Deficit 
 
 
  Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
  239,400 
 $2 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  87,555,317 
 $874 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $131,652 
 $(830)
 $(128,303)
 $3,331 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to warrant exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  4,742,632 
  47 
  - 
  - 
  2,801 
  - 
  - 
  2,848 
Settlement of derivative liabilities pursuant to warrants exercised for cash
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  57 
  - 
  - 
  57 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to cashless warrant exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  868,565 
  9 
  - 
  - 
  (9)
  - 
  - 
  - 
Warrants issued to secure increase in line of credit borrowing facility
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  128 
  - 
  - 
  128 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to option exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  98,617 
  1 
  - 
  - 
  66 
  - 
  - 
  67 
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  296 
  - 
  - 
  296 
Warrants issued in lieu of cash as compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  53 
  - 
  - 
  53 
Conversion of related party notes payable to Common Stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  154,607 
  2 
  - 
  - 
  83 
  - 
  - 
  85 
Stock-based compensation expense
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  94,116 
  1 
  - 
  - 
  855 
  - 
  - 
  856 
Additional minimum pension liability
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (744)
  - 
  (744)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (20)
  - 
  (20)
Dividends on preferred stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (51)
  (51)
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (7,940)
  (7,940)
Balance at December 31, 2014
  239,400 
 $2 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  93,513,854 
 $934 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $135,982 
 $(1,594)
 $(136,294)
 $(1,034)
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 (In thousands, except share amounts)
(continued)
 
 
 Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
 Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
 Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
 Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 
 Common Stock
 
 
 Treasury Stock
 
 Additional Paid-In
 
 Accumulated Other Compre- hensive
 
 Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Capital 
 Loss 
 Deficit 
 Total 
Balance at December 31, 2014
  239,400 
 $2 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  93,513,854 
 $934 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $135,982 
 $(1,594)
 $(136,294)
 $(1,034)
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Issuance of Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock for cash, net of issuance costs
  - 
  - 
  10,022 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  9,955 
  - 
  - 
  9,955 
Conversion of related party debt into Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
  - 
  - 
  1,978 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,978 
  - 
  - 
  1,978 
Issuance of Common  Stock in payment of Series E Preferred dividends
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  478,664 
  5 
  - 
  - 
  769 
  - 
  (774)
  - 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to cashless warrant exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  45,376 
  1 
  - 
  - 
  (1)
  - 
  - 
  - 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to option exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  39,705 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  33 
  - 
  - 
  33 
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  146 
  - 
  - 
  146 
Warrants modified in lieu of cash as compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  80 
  - 
  - 
  80 
Stock-based compensation expense
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  960 
  - 
  - 
  960 
Reduction in minimum pension liability
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  332 
  - 
  332 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  67 
  - 
  67 
Dividends on preferred stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (291)
  (291)
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (8,534)
  (8,534)
Balance at December 31, 2015
  239,400 
 $2 
  12,000 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  94,077,599 
 $940 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $149,902 
 $(1,195)
 $(145,893)
 $3,692 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 (In thousands, except share amounts)
(continued)
 
 Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred 
 Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred 
 
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred
 
 Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred 
 Common Stock
 
 Treasury Stock
 
 Additional Paid-In
 
 Accumulated Other Compre- hensive
 
 Accumulated 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares 
 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Shares 
 Amount 
 Capital 
 
Loss
 
 
Deficit
 
 Total 
Balance at December 31, 2015
  239,400 
 $2 
  12,000 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  - 
 $- 
  94,077,599 
 $940 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $149,902 
 $(1,195)
 $(145,893)
 $3,692 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Issuance of Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock for cash, net of issuance costs
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  2,000 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,979 
  - 
  - 
  1,979 
Issuance of Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock for cash, net of issuance costs
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,625 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,614 
  - 
  - 
  1,614 
Issuance of Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock in exchange for Common Stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  4,396 
  - 
  (3,383,830)
  (34)
  - 
  - 
  31 
  - 
  - 
  (3)
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to cashless warrant exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  144,459 
  1 
  - 
  - 
  (1)
  - 
  - 
  - 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to option exercises
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  12,626 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  3 
  - 
  - 
  3 
Recognition of beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  219 
  - 
  - 
  219 
Stock-based compensation expense
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,162
  - 
  - 
  1,162
Additional minimum pension liability
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (347)
  - 
  (347)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (1)
  - 
  (1)
Dividends on preferred stock
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,002,645 
  10 
  - 
  - 
  1,286 
  - 
  (1,347)
  (51)
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 -
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (9,527)
  (9,527)
Balance at December 31, 2016
  239,400 
 $2 
  12,000 
 $- 
  2,000 
 $- 
  6,021 
 $- 
  91,853,499 
 $917 
  (6,704)
 $(64)
 $156,195
 $(1,543)
 $(156,767)
 $(1,260)
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Net loss
 $(9,527)
 $(8,534)
 $(7,940)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:
    
    
    
Depreciation and amortization
  129 
  164 
  179 
Amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs
  145 
  438 
  426 
Stock-based compensation
  1,162 
  960 
  856 
Write down of capitalized labor inventory to net realizable value
   
  281 
   
Reduction in accounts payable and accrued expenses from expiration of statute of limitations
  (200)
   
  (224)
Warrants modified/issued in lieu of cash as compensation for services
   
  80 
  53 
Change in assets and liabilities
    
    
    
Accounts receivable
  62 
  (83)
  35 
Inventory
  23 
  589 
  (411)
Other assets
  (50)
  17 
  62 
Accounts payable
  227 
  (261)
  188 
Accrued expenses
  94 
  (76)
  130 
Deferred revenue
  (13)
  (768)
  165 
Pension obligation
  37 
  10 
  59 
 
    
    
    
Total adjustments
  1,616 
  1,351 
  1,518 
 
    
    
    
Net cash used by operating activities
  (7,911)
  (7,183)
  (6,422)
 
    
    
    
Cash flows from investing activities
    
    
    
Purchase of property and equipment
  (49)
  (87)
  (117)
 
    
    
    
Net cash used by investing activities
  (49)
  (87)
  (117)
 
    
    
    
Cash flows from financing activities
    
    
    
Proceeds from line of credit, net
  2,650 
  400 
  1,550 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  3 
  33 
  67 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs
  3,593 
  9,955 
   
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders
  (51)
  (51)
  (51)
Proceeds from exercised warrants to purchase stock
   
   
  2,848 
 
    
    
    
Net cash provided by financing activities
  6,195 
  10,337 
  4,414 
 
    
    
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  (1)
  67 
  (20)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
  (1,766)
  3,134 
  (2,145)
        Cash at beginning of year
  3,352 
  218 
  2,363 
        Cash at end of year
 $1,586 
 $3,352 
 $218 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
    
    
    
        Cash paid for interest
 $ 
 $1 
 $2 
        Cash paid for income taxes
 $ 
 $ 
 $1 
Summary of non-cash investing and financing activities:
    
    
    
Conversion of related party notes payable into Common Stock
 $ 
 $ 
 $85 
Conversion of related party notes payable into Series E Preferred
 $ 
 $1,978 
 $ 
Beneficial conversion feature of convertible debt
 $219 
 $146 
 $296 
Accrued unpaid dividends on Series E Preferred
 $ 
 $240 
 $ 
Stock dividend on Series E Preferred
 $1,228 
 $774 
 $ 
       Stock dividend on Series F Preferred
 $63 
 $240 
 $ 
Stock dividend on Series G Preferred
 $5 
 $ 
 $ 
Issuance of Common Stock pursuant to cashless warrant exercises
 $1 
 $1 
 $9 
Exchange of Common Stock for Series G Preferred
 $34 
 $ 
 $ 
Reduction (increase) in additional minimum pension liability
 $(347)
 $332 
 $(744)
Reclassification of warrants previously classified as derivative liabilities to additional paid-in capital
 $ 
 $ 
 $57 
Issuance of common warrants securing line of credit borrowing facility
 $ 
 $ 
 $128 
Issuance of restricted stock pursuant to achievement of vesting conditions
 $ 
 $ 
 $1 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
IMAGEWARE SYSTEMS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014
1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
Overview
As used in this Annual Report, “we,” “us,” “our,” “ImageWare,” “ImageWare Systems,” “Company” or “our Company” refers to ImageWare Systems, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. ImageWare Systems, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware. The Company is a pioneer and leader in the emerging market for biometrically enabled software-based identity management solutions. Using those human characteristics that are unique to us all, the Company creates software that provides a highly reliable indication of a person’s identity. The Company’s “flagship” product is the patented IWS Biometric Engine®. The Company’s products are used to manage and issue secure credentials, including national IDs, passports, driver licenses and access control credentials. The Company’s products also provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint LiveScan and investigative capabilities. The Company also provides comprehensive authentication security software using biometrics to secure physical and logical access to facilities or computer networks or internet sites. Biometric technology is now an integral part of all markets the Company addresses and all of the products are integrated into the IWS Biometric Engine.
Recent Developments
Creation of Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series G Financing
On December 27, 2016, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 6,120 shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred”). Shares of Series G Preferred rank junior to the Company’s Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock as well as the Company’s existing indebtedness, and accrue dividends at a rate of 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”). Each share of Series G Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series G Liquidation Preference”), and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Series G Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50.
On December 29, 2016, the Company accepted subscription forms from certain accredited investors (the “Investors”) to purchase a total of 1,625 shares of Series G Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series G Financing”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $1,625,000 net of issuance costs of approximately $11,000. In addition, the Company also received executed exchange agreements from the Investors pursuant to which the Company exchanged an aggregate total of approximately 3.4 million shares of Common Stock held by the Investors for an aggregate total of approximately 4,400 shares of Series G Preferred.
Creation of Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series F Financing
On September 2, 2016, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 2,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred”). Shares of Series F Preferred rank junior to the Company’s Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and existing indebtedness, and accrue dividends at a rate of 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Each share of Series F Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series F Liquidation Preference”), and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Series F Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50.
On September 7, 2016, the Company and Cap 1 LLC (the “Investor”), entered into a securities purchase agreement, wherein the Investor agreed to purchase 2,000 shares of Series F Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series F Financing”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $2.0 million net of issuance costs of approximately $21,000.
Amendments to Lines of Credit
On December 27, 2016, in connection with the consummation of the Series G Financing, the Company and Neal Goldman, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Holder”), agreed to enter into the fifth amendment (the “Line of Credit Amendment”) to the convertible promissory note previously issued by the Company to the Holder on March 27, 2013 (the “Goldman Line of Credit”), to provide the Company with the ability to borrow up to $5.5 million under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit, bringing the total amount the Company may borrow under its existing lines of credit to $6.0 million. In addition, the Maturity Date, as defined in the Goldman Line of Credit, was amended to be December 31, 2017. The Line of Credit Amendment was executed on January 23, 2017.
              In addition, on January 23, 2017, the Company and Charles Crocker, also a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, amended the line of credit and promissory note, dated March 9, 2016 (the “Crocker LOC”), to extend the maturity date thereof to December 31, 2017. No other amendments were made to the Crocker LOC.
Key Product Introduction
On November 14, 2016, the Company introduced GoVerifyID® Enterprise Suite, a multi-modal, multi-factor biometric authentication solution for the enterprise market. An algorithm-agnostic solution, GoVerify ID Enterprise Suite is an end-to-end biometric platform that seamlessly integrates with an enterprise’s existing Microsoft infrastructure, offering businesses a turnkey biometric solution for quick deployment. The Company feels that this product has the potential to dramatically accelerate adoption of its biometric solution due to the worldwide prevalence of enterprise use of the Microsoft infrastructure.
Working across the entire enterprise ecosystem, GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite offers a consistent user experience and centralized administration with the highest level of security, flexibility, and usability. Specific benefits include:
Mobile-workforce friendly—With GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite user authentication logins are possible for a tablet or laptop even when disconnected from the corporate network. Additionally, GoVerifyID Enterprise offers a consistent user authentication experience across all login environments.
Hybrid cloud—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is linked from the cloud to an enterprise’s Microsoft infrastructure and is backward compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10. Additionally, because the solution is SaaS-based it can easily scale to process hundreds of millions of transactions and store just as many biometrics.
Seamless integration—GoVerifyID Enterprise Suite is a snap-in to the Microsoft Management console and can be centrally managed at the server. Additionally, the solution allows for seamless movement as it integrates with Active Directory using an organization’s existing Microsoft security infrastructure.
Liquidity, Going Concern and Management's Plan
Historically, our principal sources of cash have included customer payments from the sale of our products, proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and proceeds from the issuance of debt, including our Lines of Credit (defined above). Our principal uses of cash have included cash used in operations, product development, payments relating to purchases of property and equipment and repayments of borrowings. We expect that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for product development including customization of identity management products for enterprise and consumer applications, further development of intellectual property, development of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) capabilities for existing products as well as general working capital and capital expenditure requirements. Management expects that, as our revenues grow, our sales and marketing and research and development expenses will continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate and, as a result, we will need to generate significant net revenues to achieve and sustain income from operations.
                At December 31, 2016, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $3.0 million, compared to a working capital surplus of approximately $1.4 million at December 31, 2015. Our principal sources of liquidity at December 31, 2016 consisted of available borrowings under our Lines of Credit of $3.35 million, and approximately $1.68 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to approximately $3.35 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015.
                Considering our projected cash requirements, our available cash will be insufficient to repay borrowings under our Lines of Credit in full when due at December 31, 2017, and may be insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this report, in the event our projected revenue opportunities fail to materialize as currently anticipated. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. To address our working capital requirements, management will continue to access available borrowings under our existing Lines of Credit, and will continue to seek additional equity and/or debt financing through the issuance of additional debt and/or equity securities. In addition, management intends to seek an extension of the maturity date of the Lines of Credit on or before December 31, 2017. There are currently no formal committed financing arrangements to support our projected cash shortfall, including commitments to purchase additional debt and/or equity securities, or extend the maturity dates of the Lines of Credit.

In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to continue to raise capital and generate positive cash flows from operations. However, the Company operates in markets that are emerging and highly competitive. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital, operate at a profit or generate positive cash flows in the future.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries are XImage Corporation, a California Corporation, ImageWare Systems ID Group, Inc. a Delaware corporation (formerly Imaging Technology Corporation), I.W. Systems Canada Company, a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company, ImageWare Digital Photography Systems, Inc., LLC a Nevada limited liability company (formerly Castleworks LLC), Digital Imaging International GmbH, a company formed under German laws and Image Ware Mexico S de RL de CV, a company formed under Mexican laws.All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Operating Cycle
Assets and liabilities related to long-term contracts are included in current assets and current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, although they will be liquidated in the normal course of contract completion which may take more than one operating cycle.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, inventory carrying values, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, accounting for loss contingencies, recoverability of goodwill and acquired intangible assets and amortization periods, assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of share based payments, revenue and cost of revenues recognized under the percentage of completion method and assumptions used in the application of fair value methodologies to calculate the fair value of pension assets and obligations. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Accounts Receivable
In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit without collateral requirements to its customers that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria. Accounts receivable are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are considered delinquent when the due date on the invoice has passed. The Company records its allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of various factors. The Company considers historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, the credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect customers’ ability to pay to determine the level of allowance required.  Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when all collection efforts by the Company have been unsuccessful.
Inventories
Finished goods inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined using the average cost method, or market. See Note 6.
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
Property and equipment, consisting of furniture and equipment, are stated at cost and are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from three to five years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals or improvements are capitalized. When assets are sold or abandoned, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. Expenditures for leasehold improvements are capitalized. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenues and lines of credit payable to related parties, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from the following major revenue sources:
Long-term fixed-price contracts involving significant customization;
Fixed-price contracts involving minimal customization;
Software licensing;
Sales of computer hardware and identification media; and
Post-contract customer support (“PCS”).
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are consistent with U.S. GAAP including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition”, ASC 605-35 “Revenue Recognition, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts”, “Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin 104”, and ASC 605-25 “Revenue Recognition, Multiple Element Arrangements”. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
The Company recognizes revenue and profit as work progresses on long-term, fixed-price contracts involving significant amount of hardware and software customization using the percentage of completion method based on costs incurred to date compared to total estimated costs at completion. The primary components of costs incurred are third party software and direct labor cost including fringe benefits. Revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed are classified as current assets under “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts”. Amounts billed to customers in excess of revenues recognized are classified as current liabilities under “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts”. Revenue from contracts for which the Company cannot reliably estimate total costs or there are not significant amounts of customization are recognized upon completion. For contracts that require significant amounts of customization that the Company accounts for under the completed contract method of revenue recognition, the Company defers revenue recognition until customer acceptance is received. For contracts containing either extended or dependent payment terms, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as payment has been received by the Company. The Company also generates non-recurring revenue from the licensing of its software. Software license revenue is recognized upon the execution of a license agreement, upon deliverance, when fees are fixed and determinable, when collectability is probable, when all other significant obligations have been fulfilled and the Company has obtained vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of the fair value of the undelivered element. VSOE of fair value for customer support services is determined by reference to the price the customer pays for such element when sold separately; that is, the renewal rate offered to customers. In those instances when objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for the undelivered items but not for the delivered items, the residual method is used to allocate the arrangement consideration. Under the residual method, the amount of arrangement consideration allocated to the delivered items equals the total arrangement consideration less the aggregate fair value of the undelivered items. The Company also generates revenue from the sale of computer hardware and identification media. Revenue for these items is recognized upon delivery of these products to the customer. The Company’s revenue from periodic maintenance agreements is generally recognized ratably over the respective maintenance periods provided no significant obligations remain and collectability of the related receivable is probable. Pricing of maintenance contracts is consistent period to period and calculated as a percentage of the software or hardware revenue.  Amounts collected in advance for maintenance services are included in current liabilities under "Deferred revenue". Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.
Goodwill
The Company accounts for its intangible assets under the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”. In accordance with ASC 350, intangible assets with a definite life are analyzed for impairment under ASC 360-10-05 “Property, Plant and Equipment” and intangible assets with an indefinite life are analyzed for impairment under ASC 360 annually, or more often if circumstances dictate. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year, or if required, at the end of each fiscal quarter.  In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill, or the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired is tested for impairment using a fair value approach at the “reporting unit” level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment (referred to as a component) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at the component level. The Company’s reporting unit is at the entity level. The Company recognizes an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. The Company uses fair value methodologies to establish fair values.
The Company did not record any goodwill impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014.
Intangible and Long Lived Assets
Intangible assets are carried at their cost less any accumulated amortization.  Any costs incurred to renew or extend the life of an intangible or long lived asset are reviewed for capitalization.  The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their net book value may not be recoverable. When such factors and circumstances exist, the Company compares the projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated useful lives against their respective carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value, based on market value when available, or discounted expected cash flows, of those assets and is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. The Company’s management currently believes there is no impairment of its long-lived assets. There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions will not change or demand for the Company’s products under development will continue. Either of these could result in future impairment of long-lived assets.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash with high quality financial institutions and at times during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 exceeded the FDIC insurance limits of $250,000. Sales are typically made on credit and the Company generally does not require collateral. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, the credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect customers’ ability to pay to determine the level of allowance required. Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $1,000 and $3,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2016 two customers accounted for approximately 30% or $1,162,000 of total revenues and had trade receivables of $78,000 as of the end of the year.  For the year ended December 31, 2015 two customers accounted for approximately 37% or $1,753,000 of total revenues and had trade receivables of $78,000 as of the end of the year. For the year ended December 31, 2014, one customer accounted for approximately 17% or $725,000 of total revenues and $0 trade receivables as of the end of the year.
Stock-Based Compensation
 At December 31, 2016, the Company had one stock-based compensation plan for employees and nonemployee directors, which authorize the granting of various equity-based incentives including stock options and restricted stock.
The Company estimates the fair value of its stock options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, consistent with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. The fair value of stock options granted is recognized to expense over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is recognized using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense is reported in operating expenses based upon the departments to which substantially all of the associated employees report and credited to additional paid-in-capital. Stock-based compensation expense related to equity options was approximately $1,162,000, $744,000 and $618,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
ASC 718 requires the use of a valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards. The Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. The Company is required to make various assumptions in the application of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company has determined that the best measure of expected volatility is based on the historical weekly volatility of the Company’s Common Stock. Historical volatility factors utilized in the Company’s Black-Scholes computations for options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 ranged from 65% to 116%. The Company has elected to estimate the expected life of an award based upon the SEC approved “simplified method” noted under the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110. The expected term used by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was 5.17 years. The difference between the actual historical expected life and the simplified method was immaterial. The interest rate used is the risk-free interest rate and is based upon U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term. Interest rates used in the Company’s Black-Scholes calculations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 averaged 2.6%. Dividend yield is zero as the Company does not expect to declare any dividends on the Company’s common shares in the foreseeable future.
In addition to the key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model, the estimated forfeiture rate at the time of valuation is a critical assumption. The Company has estimated an annualized forfeiture rate of approximately 0% for corporate officers, 4.1% for members of the Board of Directors and 6.0% for all other employees. The Company reviews the expected forfeiture rate annually to determine if that percent is still reasonable based on historical experience.
Restricted stock units are recorded at the grant date fair value with corresponding compensation expense recorded ratably over the requisite service period.
Income Taxes
Current income tax expense or benefit is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable or refundable for the current year. A deferred income tax asset or liability is computed for the expected future impact of differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax credits and loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the foreign subsidiary’s local currency as the functional currency. Revenues and expenses of such subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars at weighted-average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities have been translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date. The resulting translation gain and loss adjustments are recorded directly as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, unless there is a sale or complete liquidation of the underlying foreign investments. The Company translates foreign currencies of its German, Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries. The cumulative translation adjustment, which is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, decreased approximately $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, increased approximately $67,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and decreased approximately $20,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss consists of net gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net loss. For the Company, the only items are the cumulative translation adjustment and the additional minimum liability related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, recognized pursuant to ASC 715-30, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans – Pension".
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company incurred approximately $24,000 in advertising expenses during the year ended December 31, 2016, $12,000 in advertising expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015 and $9,000 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Loss Per Share
Basic loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted to include, if dilutive, potential dilutive shares consisting of convertible preferred stock, convertible notes payable, stock options and warrants, calculated using the treasury stock and if-converted methods.  For diluted loss per share calculation purposes, the net loss available to commons shareholders is adjusted to add back any preferred stock dividends and any interest on convertible debt reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods.
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Numerator for basic and diluted loss per share:
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Net loss
 $(9,527)
 $(8,534)
 $(7,940)
Preferred dividends
  (1,347)
  (1,065)
  (51)
Net loss available to common shareholders
 $(10,874)
 $(9,599)
 $(7,991)
 
    
    
 
 
 
Denominator for basic loss per share — weighted-average shares outstanding
  94,426,783 
  93,786,079 
  91,795,971 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
   
   
Denominator for diluted loss per share — weighted-average shares outstanding
  94,426,783 
  93,786,079 
  91,795,971 
 
    
    
 
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per share:
    
    
 
 
 
Net loss
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
 $(0.09)
Preferred dividends
  (0.02)
  (0.01)
  (—)
Net loss available to common shareholders
 $(0.12)
 $(0.10)
 $(0.09)
 The following potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computations of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as their effect would have been antidilutive:
 
 
Potential Dilutive Securities:
 
Common Share Equivalents at December 31, 2016
 
 
Common Share Equivalents at December 31, 2015
 
 
Common Share Equivalents at December 31, 2014
 
Convertible lines of credit
  2,201,903 
   
  1,649,548 
Convertible redeemable preferred stock – Series B
  46,029 
  46,029 
  46,029 
Convertible redeemable preferred stock – Series E
  6,315,789 
  6,442,105 
   
Convertible redeemable preferred stock – Series F
  1,333,333 
   
   
Convertible redeemable preferred stock – Series G
  4,014,000 
   
   
Stock options
  6,506,843 
  5,376,969 
  4,057,296 
Warrants
  175,000 
  450,000 
  977,778 
Total Potential Dilutive Securities
  20,592,897 
  12,315,103 
  6,730,651 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), or other standard setting bodies, which are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company’s management believes the impact of recently issued standards not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
FASB ASU No. 2014-09.In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU No. 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In July 2015, the FASB finalized a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new standard. For public entities, the deferral results in the new revenue standard being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Calendar year-end public companies are therefore required to apply the revenue guidance beginning in their 2018 interim and annual financial statements. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.We currently anticipate adopting the standard using the cumulative effect transition method during the first fiscal quarter in 2018.
FASB ASU No. 2014-15. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15,Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU No. 2014-15 became effective in the fourth quarter of 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-15 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2015-03. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.”The standard requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected. The standard became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2015-03 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2015-11. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11,“Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”.The amendments in ASU No. 2015-11 require an entity of measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market could be replacement cost, net realizable value, or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU No. 2015-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU No. 2015-11 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2016-01. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”.The amendments in this ASU address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments and apply to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. The amendments in this ASU also simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring assessment for impairment qualitatively at each reporting period. That impairment assessment is similar to the qualitative assessment for long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. An entity should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We plan to adopt the provisions of this ASU for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 and are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
    FASB ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”. This guidance will result in key changes to lease accounting and will aim to bring leases onto balance sheets to give investors, lenders, and other financial statement users a more comprehensive view of a company's long-term financial obligations as well as the assets it owns versus leases. The new leasing standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and anticipates commencement of adoption planning in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018.
FASB ASU No. 2016-06. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (“ASU 2016-06”), which will reduce diversity of practice in identifying embedded derivatives in debt instruments. ASU 2016-06 clarifies that the nature of an exercise contingency is not subject to the “clearly and closely” criteria for purposes of assessing whether the call or put option must be separated from the debt instrument and accounted for separately as a derivative. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-06 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2016-08. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)(“ASU 2016-08”). ASU 2016-08 clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The guidance includes indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
FASB ASU No. 2016-09. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2016-10. In April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”). ASU 2016-10 provides further implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and also improves the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
FASB ASU No. 2016-13. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU No. 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU No. 2016-15.In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 eliminates the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments for debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, the maturing of a zero coupon bond, the settlement of contingent liabilities arising from a business combination, proceeds from insurance settlements, distributions from certain equity method investees and beneficial interests obtained in a financial asset securitization. ASU 2016-15 designates the appropriate cash flow classification, including requirements to allocate certain components of these cash receipts and payments among operating, investing and financing activities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within those fiscal years.The retrospective transition method, requiring adjustment to all comparative periods presented, is required unless it is impracticable for some of the amendments, in which case those amendments would be prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
FASB ASU No. 2017-04.In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.The amendments of this ASU eliminate step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The amendments of this ASU also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and if it fails that qualitative test, to perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
3.  FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING
The Company accounts for fair value measurements in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:
Level 1Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by ASC 820, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2016
 
($ in thousands)
 
Total
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Pension assets
 $1,645 
 $1,645 
 $ 
 $ 
   Totals
 $1,645 
 $1,645 
 $ 
 $ 
 
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2015
 
($ in thousands)
 
Total
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Pension assets
 $1,557 
 $1,557 
 $ 
 $ 
   Totals
 $1,557 
 $1,557 
 $ 
 $ 
The Company’s pension assets are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using market prices. The pension assets are primarily comprised of the cash surrender value of insurance contracts. All plan assets are managed in a policyholder pool in Germany by outside investment managers. The investment objectives for the plan are the preservation of capital, current income and long-term growth of capital.
The Company monitors the activity within each level and any changes with the underlying valuation techniques or inputs utilized to recognize if any transfers between levels are necessary.  That determination is made, in part, by working with outside valuation experts for Level 3 instruments and monitoring market related data and other valuation inputs for Level 1 and Level 2 instruments.
4.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
The Company has intangible assets in the form of trademarks, trade names and patents. The carrying amount of the Company’s acquired trademarks and trade names was $0 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which include accumulated amortization of $347,000 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Amortization expense related to trademarks and tradenames was $0, $15,000 and $15,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. All intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives with no estimated residual values. Any costs incurred by the Company to renew or extend the life of intangible assets will be evaluated under ASC No. 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, for proper treatment.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s patent intangible assets were $105,000 and $117,000 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which includes accumulated amortization of $554,000 and $542,000 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Amortization expense for patent intangible assets was $12,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Patent intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their remaining life of approximately 9.5 years. There was no impairment of the Company's intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
The Company annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a need, tests the carrying amount of goodwill for impairment. The Company performs its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year. A two-step impairment test is used to first identify potential goodwill impairment and then measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss, if any. The first step was conducted by determining and comparing the fair value, employing the market approach, of the Company’s reporting unit to the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company continues to have only one reporting unit, Identity Management. Based on the results of this impairment test, the Company determined that its goodwill was not impaired during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
The estimated acquired intangible amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
 
Estimated Amortization
Expense
($ in thousands)
 
         2017
 $12 
         2018
  12 
         2019
  12 
         2020
  12 
         2021
  12 
         Thereafter
  45 
         Totals
 $105 
5.  RELATED PARTIES
 
Related Party Convertible Notes
 
On November 14, 2008, the Company entered into a series of convertible promissory notes (the “Related-Party Convertible Notes”), aggregating $110,000 with certain officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors, including S. James Miller, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The Related-Party Convertible Notes bear interest at 7.0% per annum and were originally due February 14, 2009. In conjunction with the original issuance of the Related-Party Convertible Notes in 2008, the Company issued an aggregate of 149,996 warrants to the note holders to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company. The warrants have an exercise price $0.50 per share and may be exercised at any time from November 14, 2008 until November 14, 2013. No warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock were outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2015,2016, and no warrants were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2016.
 
The Company did not repay the Related-Party Convertible Notes on the due date. In August 2009, the Company received from the Related-Party Convertible Note holders a waiver of default and extension to January 31, 2010 of the maturity date of the Related-Party Convertible Notes. As consideration for the waiver and note extension, the Company issued to the Related-Party Convertible Note holders an aggregate of 150,000 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.50 per share and expire on August 25, 2014, of which no warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock were outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.
 
On January 21, 2013, the holders of the Related-Party Convertible Notes agreed to extend the due date on their respective convertible notes to be due and payable not later than June 30, 2015, however, the Related-Party Convertible Notes will be callable at any time, at the option of the note holder, prior to June 30, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2014, holders of Related-Party Convertible Notes in the principal amount of $85,034 elected to convert their respective Related-Party Convertible Notes into 154,607 shares of Common Stock.
 
Lines of Credit
 
In March 2013, the Company and Holder entered into the Goldman Line of Credit with available borrowings of up to $2.5 million. In March 2014, the Goldman Line of Credit’s borrowing was increased to an aggregate total of $3.5 million (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Amendment, the Holder had the right to convert up to $2.5 million of the outstanding balance of the Goldman Line of Credit into shares of the Company's Common Stock for $0.95 per share. Any remaining outstanding balance was convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock for $2.25 per share.
 
As consideration for the initial Goldman Line of Credit, the Company issued a warrant to the Holder, exercisable for 1,052,632 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the "Line of Credit Warrant"). The Goldman Line of Credit Warrant had a term of two years from the date of issuance and an exercise price of $0.95 per share.  As consideration for entering into the Amendment, the Company issued to the Holder a second warrant, exercisable for 177,778 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Amendment Warrant”). The Amendment Warrant expired on March 27, 2015 and had an exercise price of $2.25 per share.
 
The Company estimated the fair value of the Line of Credit Warrant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: term of two years, a risk-freerisk free interest rate of 2.58%, a dividend yield of 0%, and volatility of 79%. The Company recorded the fair value of the Line of Credit Warrant as a deferred financing fee of approximately $580,000 to be amortized over the life of the Goldman Line of Credit. The Company estimated the fair value of the Amendment Warrant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: term on one year, a risk-freerisk free interest rate of 2.58%, a dividend yield of 0% and volatility of 74%. The Company recorded the fair value of the Amendment Warrant as an additional deferred financing fee of approximately $127,000 to be amortized over the life of the Goldman Line of Credit.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, the Company recorded an aggregate of approximately $48,000 $53,000 and $369,000,$53,000, respectively in deferred financing fee amortization expense which is recorded as a component of interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
In April 2014, the Company and the Holder entered into a further amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit to decrease the available borrowings to $3.0 million (the “Second Amendment”).  Contemporaneous with the execution of the Second Amendment, the Company entered into a new unsecured line of credit with the Second Holder with available borrowings of up to $500,000 (the “Crocker LOC”$500K Line of Credit), which amount was convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $2.25 per share. As a result of these amendments, total available borrowings under the Lines of Credit available to the Company remained unchanged at a total of $3.5 million. In connection with the Second Amendment, the Holder assigned and transferred to the Second Holder one-half of the Amendment Warrant.
 
In December 2014, the Company and the Holder entered into a further amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit to increase the available borrowing to $5.0 million and extend the maturity date of the Goldman Line of Credit to March 27, 2017 (the “Third Amendment”). Also, as a result of the Third Amendment, the Holder had the right to convert up to $2.5 million outstanding principal, plus any accrued but unpaid interest (“Outstanding Balance”) into shares of the Company’s Common Stock for $0.95 per share, the next $500,000 Outstanding Balance into shares of Common Stock for $2.25 per share and any remaining outstanding balance thereafter into shares of Common Stock for $2.30 per share. The Third Amendment also modified the definition of a “Qualified Financing” to mean a debt or equity financing resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $5.0 million.
 
In February 2015, as a result of the Series E Financing, the Company issued 1,978 shares of Series E Preferred to the Holder to satisfy $1,950,000 in principal borrowings under the Goldman Line of Credit plus approximately $28,000 in accrued interest. As a result of the Series E Financing, the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Goldman Line of Credit was reduced to $3,050,000 with the maturity date unchanged and the $500K Line of Credit was terminated in accordance with its terms.
 
In March 2016, the Company and the Holder entered into a fourth amendment to the Goldman Line of Credit (the “Fourth Amendment”) solely to (i) increase available borrowings to $5.0 million; (ii) extend the maturity date to June 30, 2017, and (iii) provide for the conversion of the outstanding balance due under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock as is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the outstanding balance by $1.25.
 
Contemporaneous with the execution of the Fourth Amendment, the Company entered into a new $500K Line of Credit with available borrowings of up to $500,000 with the Second Holder, which replaced the original $500K Line of Credit that terminated as a result of the consummation of the Series E Financing.  Similar to the Fourth Amendment, the new $500K Line of Credit with the Second Holder matures on June 30, 2017, and provides for the conversion of the outstanding balance due under the terms of the $500K Line of Credit into that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock as is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the outstanding balance by $1.25.
 
On December 27, 2016, in connection with the consummation of the Series G Financing, the Company and Holder agreed to enter into the Fifth Amendment (the “Line of Credit Amendment”) to the Goldman Line of Credit to provide the Company with the ability to borrow up to $5.5 million under the terms of the Goldman Line of Credit. In addition, the Maturity Date, as defined in the Goldman Line of Credit was amended to be December 31, 2017. The Line of Credit Amendment was executed on January 23, 2017.
 
In addition, on January 23, 2017, the Company and the Second Holder amended the $500K Line of Credit to extend the maturity date thereof to December 31, 2017. No other amendments were made to the $500K Line of Credit.
The Company evaluated the Lines of Credit and determined that the instruments contain a contingent beneficial conversion feature, i.e. an embedded conversion right that enables the holder to obtain the underlying Common Stock at a price below market value. The beneficial conversion feature is contingent as the terms of the conversion do not permit the Company to compute the number of shares that the holder would receive if the contingent event occurs (i.e. future borrowings under the Line of Credit). The Company has considered the accounting for this contingent beneficial conversion feature using the guidance in ASC 470, Debt. The guidance in ASC 470 states that a contingent beneficial conversion feature in an instrument shall not be recognized in earnings until the contingency is resolved. The beneficial conversion features of future borrowings under the Line of Credit will be measured using the intrinsic value calculated at the date the contingency is resolved using the conversion price and trading value of the Company’s Common Stock at the date the Lines of Credit were issued (commitment date). Pursuant to borrowings made during the 2015 year, the Company recognized approximately $146,000 in beneficial conversion feature as debt discount. As a result of the retirement of all amounts outstanding under the Lines of Credit in 2015, the Company recognized all remaining unamortized debt discount of approximately $385,000 as a component of interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As there was $2,650,000 in borrowings under the Lines of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded approximately $146,000 in debt discount attributable to the beneficial conversion feature during the year ended December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company accreted approximately $97,000, respectively, of debt discount as a component of interest expense. At December 31, 2016, unamortized note discount was approximately $122,000.
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s activity under its Lines of Credit for the periods indicated:
 
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2014
 $1,550 
     Borrowing under Lines of Credit
  750 
     Repayments
  (350)
     Exchange of Indebtedness for Series E Preferred Stock
  (1,950)
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2015
 $ 
     Borrowings under Lines of Credit
  2,650 
     Repayments
   
Balance outstanding under Lines of Credit as of December 31, 2016
 $2,650 
 
6.  INVENTORYReview, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
 
InventoriesAs provided in the charter of $23,000 asour Audit Committee, it is our policy that we will not enter into any transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of December 31, 2016 were comprisedthe SEC’s Regulation S-K unless the Audit Committee or another independent body of work in processour Board of $19,000 representing direct labor costs on in-process projectsDirectors first reviews and finished goods of $4,000 net of reserves for obsolete and slow-moving items of $3,000.approves the transactions. 
 
InventoriesIn addition, pursuant to our Code of $46,000Ethical Conduct and Business Practices, all employees, officers and directors of ours and our subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in any relationship or financial interest that is an actual or potential conflict of interest with us without approval. Employees, officers and directors are required to provide written disclosure to the Chief Executive Officer as soon as they have any knowledge of December 31, 2015 were compriseda transaction or proposed transaction with an outside individual, business or other organization that would create a conflict of work in processinterest or the appearance of $42,000, representing direct labor costs on in-process projects, approximately $21,000 of equipment related to in-process projects and finished goods of $4,000 net of reserves for obsolete and slow-moving items of $3,000. The balance of direct labor costs on in-process projects of $42,000 at December 31, 2015, reflects a write down of approximately $261,000 to net realizable value.
Appropriate consideration is given to obsolescence, excessive levels, deterioration and other factors in evaluating net realizable value and required reserve levels.one.
 
7.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment at December 31, 2016 and 2015, consists of:
($ in thousands)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment
 $935 
 $887 
Leasehold improvements
  11 
  11 
Furniture
  101 
  101 
 
  1,047 
  999 
Less accumulated depreciation
  (954)
  (837)
 
 $93 
 $162 
Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $117,000, $137,000 and $152,000, respectively.
8.  ACCRUED EXPENSES
Principal components of accrued expenses consist of:
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensated absences
 $313 
 $260 
Wages, payroll taxes and sales commissions
  28 
  11 
Customer deposits
  198 
  69 
Liquidated damages
   
  200 
Royalties
  147 
  147 
Pension and employee benefit plans
  7 
  6 
Income and sales taxes
  161 
  131 
Dividends
  27 
  261 
Interest payable to related parties
  102 
   
Other
  64 
  64 
 
 $1,047 
 $1,149 
9.  LINES OF CREDIT
Outstanding lines of credit consist of the following:
($ in thousands)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
Lines of Credit
8% convertible lines of credit. Face value of advances under lines of credit $2,650 at December 31, 2016 and $0 at December 31, 2015, respectively. Discount on advances under lines of credit is $122 at December 31, 2016 and $0 at December 31, 2015, respectively. Maturity date is December 31, 2017.
$2,528
$
Total lines of credit to related parties
2,528
Less current portion
(2,528)
Long-term lines of credit to related parties
$
$
Lines of Credit
For a more detailed discussion of the Company’s Lines of Credit, see Note 5 Related Parties.
10.  INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740,Accounting for Income Taxes,(ASC 740). Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences related to temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes at each year-end, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation allowance is established when necessary based on the weight of available evidence, if it is considered more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income tax expense is the sum of current income tax plus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.  The Company has established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of such asset.
ASC 740 requires a company to first determine whether it is more-likely-than-not (defined as a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that a tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits as of the reporting date, assuming that taxing authorities will examine the position and have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets this more-likely-than-not threshold is then measured and recognized at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority.  The amount accrued for uncertain tax positions was zero at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2015, respectively.
The Company’s uncertain position relative to unrecognized tax benefits and any potential increase in these liabilities relates primarily to the allocations of revenue and costs among the Company’s global operations and the impact of tax rulings made during the period affecting its tax positions. The Company’s existing tax position could result in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The amount of interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $12,000 and $11,000, respectively.
Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the Company’s provision for income taxes. No assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is reflected in the Company’s historical income tax provisions and accruals. The Company adjusts these items in light of changing facts and circumstances. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.
The significant components of the income tax provision are as follows:
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Current
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Federal
 $ 
 $ 
 $ 
State
   
   
   
Foreign
  21 
  22 
  25 
 
    
    
    
Deferred
    
    
    
Federal
   
   
   
State
   
   
   
Foreign
   
   
   
 
    
    
    
 
 $21 
 $22 
 $25 

The principal components of the Company’s deferred tax assets at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
($ in thousands)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
 $17,829
 $15,948 
 $14,200 
Intangible and fixed assets
  102 
  220 
  427 
Stock based compensation
  2,324
  1,861 
  1,565 
Reserves and accrued expenses
  8 
  8 
  6 
Other
   
   
  (85)
 
  20,263 
  18,037 
  16,113 
Less valuation allowance
  (20,263)
  (18,037)
  (16,113)
 
    
    
    
Net deferred tax assets
 $ 
 $ 
 $ 
A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the statutory income tax rates to loss before income taxes is as follows:
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts computed at statutory rates
 $(3,239)
 $(2,902)
 $(2,699)
State income tax, net of federal benefit
  (462)
  (262)
  (212)
Expiration of net operating loss carryforwards
  1,082 
  695 
  708 
Non-deductible interest
  49 
  149 
  145 
Foreign taxes
  362 
  413 
  386 
Other
  3 
  5 
  4 
Net change in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
  2,226 
  1,924 
  1,693 
 
    
    
    
 
 $21 
 $22 
 $25 
The Company has established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of such assets.
At December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, a portion of which may be available to offset future taxable income for tax purposes. The federal net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates from 2021 through 2036. The state net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates from 2029 through 2036.
The Internal Revenue Code (the"Code") limits the availability of certain tax credits and net operating losses that arose prior to certain cumulative changes in a corporation’s ownership resulting in a change of control of the Company. The Company’s use of its net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards will be significantly limited because the Company believes it underwent “ownership changes”, as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, in 1991, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2011 and 2012, though the Company has not performed a study to determine the limitation. The Company has reduced its deferred tax assets to zero relating to its federal and state research credits because of such limitations. The Company continues to disclose the tax effect of the net operating loss carryforwards at their original amount in the table above as the actual limitation has not yet been quantified. The Company has also established a full valuation allowance for substantially all deferred tax assets due to uncertainties surrounding its ability to generate future taxable income to realize these assets. Since substantially all deferred tax assets are fully reserved, future changes in tax benefits will not impact the effective tax rate. Management periodically evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax assets. If it is determined at some time in the future that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized, the valuation allowance would be reduced accordingly at that time.
               Tax returns for the years 2012 through 2016 are subject to examination by taxing authorities.
11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Employment Agreements
The Company has employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, its Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, and its Chief Technical Officer. The Company may terminate the agreements with or without cause. Subject to the conditions and other limitations set forth in each respective employment agreement, each executive will be entitled to the following severance benefits if the Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination  (as defined in the employment agreements) by the Company or by the executive:
Under the terms of the agreement, the Chief Executive Officer will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate his employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to twenty-four months base salary; (ii) continuation of fringe benefits and medical insurance for a period of three years; and (iii) immediate vesting of 50% of outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards. In the event that the Chief Executive Officer’s employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreements), the Chief Executive Officer is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of the Chief Executive Officer’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
Under the terms of the employment agreements with our Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, this executive will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate their employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to six month's of base salary; (ii) continuation of their fringe benefits and medical insurance for a period of six months; (iii) immediate vesting of 50% of their outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards. In the event that their employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreements), they are entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of their outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
Under the terms of the employment agreement with our Chief Technical Officer, this executive will be entitled to the following severance benefits if we terminate his employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of base salary; (ii) continuation of their fringe benefits and medical insurance for a period of six months. In the event that his employment is terminated within six months prior to or thirteen months following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreements), he is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of his outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards will immediately vest.
On December 28, 2016, the Company entered into amendments to the employment agreements for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Technical Officer. Effective October 20, 2016, the term of each executive officer's employment agreement was extended until December 31, 2017.
Litigation
There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company or any of our subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company, our Common Stock, any of our subsidiaries or of the Company’s or our subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, in which an adverse decision could have a material adverse effect.
Leases
The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in San Diego, California where we occupy 9,927 square feet of office space. This facility is leased through October 2017 at a cost of approximately $18,000 per month. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we also occupied the following spaces at December 31, 2016:
1,508 square feet in Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on March 31, 2021. This lease was renewed in April 2016 for a five-year period ending on March 31, 2021. Renewal terms were substantially unchanged from the existing lease;
8,045 square feet in Portland, Oregon, at a cost of approximately $16,000 per month until the expiration of the lease on October 31, 2018; and
304 square feet of office space in Mexico City, Mexico, at a cost of approximately $3,000 per month until November 30, 2017.
 At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments are as follows:
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
2017
 $450 
2018
  201 
2019
  34 
2020
  34 
2021
  9 
Total
 $728 
Rental expense incurred under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $492,000, $477,000 and $430,000, respectively.
12.  EQUITY
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize the issuance of two classes of stock to be designated “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock”. The Preferred Stock may be divided into such number of series and with the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine.
Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
The Company had 239,400 shares of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”) outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had cumulative undeclared dividends of approximately $8,000 ($0.03 per share). There were no conversions of Series B Preferred into Common Stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The Company paid dividends of approximately $51,000 to the holders of our Series B Preferred in 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Series E Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
On January 29, 2015, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations of the Series E Preferred Stock with the Delaware Secretary of State, designating 12,000 shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Series E Preferred. Shares of Series E Preferred accrue dividends at a rate of 8% per annum if the Company chooses to pay accrued dividends in cash, and 10% per annum if the Company chooses to pay accrued dividends in shares of Common Stock. Each share of Series E Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.90. The Series E Preferred shall be subordinate to and rank junior to the Company's Series B Preferred and all indebtedness of the Company. Each holder of the Series E Preferred is entitled to vote on all matters, together with the holders of Common Stock, on an as converted basis.
Any time after the six-month period following the issuance date, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Series E Preferred outstanding upon thirty (30) calendar day's prior written notice (the “Company's Redemption Notice”) in cash at a price per share of Series E Preferred equal to 110% of the liquidation preference amount plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.  Also, simultaneous with the occurrence of a change of control transaction, the Company, at its option, shall have the right to redeem all or a portion of the outstanding Series E Preferred in cash at a price per share of Series E Preferred equal to 110% of the liquidation preference amount plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.
In February 2015, the Company consummated a registered direct offering conducted without an underwriter or placement agent. In connection therewith, the Company issued 12,000 shares of Series E Preferred to certain investors at a price of $1,000 per share, with each share convertible into 526.32 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $1.90 per share.
On December 29, 2016, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series E Amendment”) with the Delaware Division of Corporations. The Series E Amendment made the following changes to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock: (i) the Company may only make dividend payments in cash received from positive cash flow from operations; (ii) beginning on July 1, 2017, in the event the Company pays accrued dividend payments in shares of Common Stock for more than four consecutive quarterly periods, holders of shares of Series E Preferred will have the right to immediately appoint two designees to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Director Appointment Provision”); (iii) dividend payments incurred on December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017 may be paid in shares of Common Stock, without triggering the Director Appointment Provision; and (iv) the term Permitted Indebtedness (as defined in the Series E Certificate of Designations) was revised to cover permitted borrowings of up to $6.0 million.
The Company had 12,000 shares of Series E Preferred outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had cumulative undeclared dividends of approximately $0 and $240,000, respectively.  There were no conversions of Series E Preferred into Common Stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued the holders of Series E Preferred 950,362 shares of Common Stock as payment of dividends due, on a quarterly basis, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company paid the holders of our Series E Preferred cash dividends of $240,000 and issued the holders of our Series E Preferred 478,664 shares of common stock as payment of quarterly dividends for the period of January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015.
Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
In September 2016, we filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 2,000 shares of our preferred stock as Series F Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred”). Shares of Series F Preferred rank junior to shares of Series B Preferred and Series E Preferred, as well as our existing indebtedness, and accrue dividends at a rate of 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of Common Stock.
Each share of Series F Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Liquidation Preference”), and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Series F Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50 (the “Series FConversion Shares”).
Any time after the six-month period following the issuance date, in the event the arithmetic average of the closing sales price of the Company’s Common Stock is or was at least $2.50 for twenty (20) consecutive trading days, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Series F Preferred outstanding upon thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice in cash at a price per share of Series F Preferred equal to 110% of the Series F Liquidation Preference, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.  Also, simultaneous with the occurrence of a Change of Control transaction (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), the Company, at its option, shall have the right to redeem all or a portion of the outstanding Series F Preferred in cash at a price per share of Series F Preferred equal to 110% of the Liquidation Preference Amount plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.
In September 2016, the Company offered and sold 2,000 shares of Series F Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series F Financing”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $2,000,000 net of issuance costs of approximately $21,000.
The Company had 2,000 shares of Series F Preferred outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and no shares outstanding at December 31, 2015.  At December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative undeclared dividends of $0.  There were no conversions of Series F Preferred into Common Stock during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company issued the holders of Series F Preferred 48,513 shares of Common Stock as payment of dividends due, on a quarterly basis, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.
 
 
ITEM 14.                        
Series G Convertible Redeemable Preferred StockPRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
 
In December 27, 2016, the Company filed the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Division of Corporations, designating 6,120 shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred”). Shares of Series G Preferred rank junior to the Company’s Series B Preferred, Series E Preferred, Series F Preferred as well as the Company’s existing indebtedness, and accrue dividends at a rate of 10% per annum, payable on a quarterly basis in shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of Series G Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series G Liquidation Preference”), and is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the Series G Liquidation Preference, divided by $1.50.
On December 29, 2016, the Company accepted subscription forms from certain accredited investors to purchase a total of 1,625 shares of Series G Preferred for $1,000 per share (the “Series G Financing”), resulting in gross proceedsThe following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company of $1,625,000, net of issuance cost of approximately $11,000. In addition,for the Company also received executed exchange agreements from the Investors pursuant to which the Company exchanged an aggregate total of 3,383,830 shares of common stock held by the Investors for an aggregate total of 4,396 shares of Series G Preferred.
The Company had 6,021 shares of Series G Preferred outstanding as offiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and no shares outstanding at December 31, 2015.  At December 31, 2016,2015 by Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. ("MHM"), the Company had cumulative undeclared dividendsCompany's independent registered public accounting firm.  MHM leases substantially all its personnel, who work under the control of $0.  There were no conversionsMHM shareholders, from wholly owned subsidiaries of Series G Preferred into Common Stock during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company issued the holders of Series G Preferred 3,770 shares of Common Stock as payment of dividends due, on a quarterly basis, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.CBIZ, Inc., in an alternative practice structure.
 
Common Stock
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit fees
 $202,000
 
 $214,000 
 
    
    
Audit-related fees
  
 
  
 
 
    
    
Tax fees
  
 
  
 
 
    
    
All other fees
   
  
 
 
    
    
Total Fees
 $202,000
 
 $214,000 
 
The following table summarizes outstanding Common Stock activityAudit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved all fees described above.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the following periods:pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent auditor, currently Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services, and tax services up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual explicit case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee’s members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
-19-
PART IV
 
ITEM 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
Common Stock
Exhibit No.Description
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 15, 2005).
Shares outstanding at December 31, 20133.1
87,548,613
Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 15, 2005).
     Shares issued pursuant3.2Certificate of Amendment to warrants exercised for cash
4,742,632
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 14, 2011).
     Shares issued pursuant3.3Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to cashless warrants exercised
868,565
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 16, 2017).
     Conversion3.4Certificate of related-party notes payable into CommonDesignations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
154,607
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2015).
     Shares issued as compensation in lieu3.5Certificate of cash
94,116
Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 9, 2016).
     Shares issued pursuant3.6Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to option exercises
98,617
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
Shares outstanding at3.7Amendment No. 1 to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 31, 2014
93,507,150
30, 2016).
     Shares issued pursuant4.1Form of Amendment to payment of stock dividendWarrant, dated March 21, 2012, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Series E Preferred
478,664
Form 10-K, filed April 4, 2012).
     Shares issued pursuant10.1Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2005, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to cashless warrants exercised
45,376
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 30, 2005).
     Shares issued pursuant10.2Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the Company with its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to option exercises
39,705
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-93131), filed December 20, 1999, as amended).
Shares outstanding at December 31, 201510.3
94,070,895
Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan Award (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed November 21, 2007).
     Shares issued pursuant10.4Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to payment of stock dividendExhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Series E Preferred
950,362
Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2005).
     Shares issued pursuant10.52001 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to payment of stock dividendExhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Series F Preferred
48,513
Form 10-QSB, filed November 14, 2001).
     Shares issued pursuant10.6Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September 25, 2007, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to payment of stock dividendExhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Series G Preferred
3,770
Form 8-K, filed September 26, 2007).
     Shares issued pursuant10.7Office Space Lease between I.W. Systems Canada Company and GE Canada Real Estate Equity, dated July 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to cashless warrants exercised
144,459
Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
     Shares issued pursuant10.8Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 29, 2008 by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to option exercises
12,626
Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.9Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between Company and Charles Aubuchon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.10Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between Company and David Harding (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.11First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2008, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.12Form of Convertible Note dated November 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.13Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 6, 2009, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
-20-
10.14Office Space Lease between the Company and Allen W. Wooddell, dated July 25, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.15Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 10, 2009, between the Company and S. James Miller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2010).
10.16Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 12, 2011, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2011).
10.17Note Exchange Agreement, dated December 12, 2011, by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2011).
10.18Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 10, 2011, between the Company and S. James Miller, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed January 17, 2012).
10.19Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated January 31, 2012, between the Company and S. James Miller, Jr., (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 4, 2012.
10.20Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2013, between the Company and Wayne Wetherell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 7, 2013).
10.21Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2013, between the Company and David Harding (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 7, 2013).
10.22Convertible Promissory Note dated March 27, 2013 issued by the Company to Neal Goldman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 1, 2013).
10.23Amendment to Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 12, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 13, 2014).
10.24Note Exchange Agreement, dated January 29, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 2, 2015).
10.25Sixth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller and the Company, dated November 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 7, 2013).
10.26Seventh Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller, Jr. and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.27Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.28Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated January 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 15, 2015).
10.29Amendment No. 3 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated December 8, 2014 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 10, 2014).
10.30Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.31Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.32Eighth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between S. James Miller and the Company, dated December 14, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015).
10.33Amendment No. 4 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 8, 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 10, 2017).
-21-
10.34Convertible Promissory Note, dated March 9, 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 10, 2017).
10.35Form of common sharesSecurities Purchase Agreement, dated September 7, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 9, 2016).
10.36Amendment No. 5 to Convertible Promissory Note, dated January 23, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 10-K, filed January 26, 2017).
10.37Form of Subscription Agreement for Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.38Form of Exchange Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.39Ninth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between James Miller, Jr. and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).
10.40
(3,383,830Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between Wayne Wetherell and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 30, 2016).)
Shares outstanding at10.41Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement, by and between David E. Harding and the Company, dated October 20, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 31, 201630, 2016).
21.1
91,846,795
List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by referenced to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2010).
23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1Certification of CEO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14, filed herewith.
31.2Certification of CFO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14, filed herewith.
32*Certification of CEO and CFO as Required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(b) (17 CFR 240.15d-14(b)) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
101.INS *XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH *XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL *XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF *XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB *XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE *XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
* Previously filed in Original Filing.
 
 
 
F-32-22-
Warrants
 
As of December 31, 2016, warrants to purchase 175,000SIGNshares of Common Stock at prices ranging from $0.80 to $1.10 were outstanding. All warrants are exercisable as of December 31, 2016 and expire as of September 1, 2017, with the exception of an aggregate of 150,000 warrants, which become exercisable only upon the attainment of specified events.ATURES
 
The following table summarizes warrant activity for the following periods:
 
 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
Weighted-
 Average
 Exercise Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
  6,598,416 
 $0.63 
    Granted
  302,778 
 $2.02 
    Expired / Canceled
  (55,000)
 $1.10 
    Exercised
  (5,868,416)
 $0.58 
Balance at December 31, 2014
  977,778 
 $1.22 
    Granted
   
 $0.00 
    Expired / Canceled
  (419,444)
 $1.86 
    Exercised
  (108,334)
 $1.01 
Balance at December 31, 2015
  450,000 
 $0.67 
    Exercised
  (275,000)
 0.55
Balance at December 31, 2016
  175,000 
 0.84 
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company modified 200,000 warrants previously issued to a consultant by eliminating certain performance condition requirements resulting in such warrants vesting pursuant to the passage of time. The Company determined the modification date fair value In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the vested warrants usingSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, the Black-Scholes option valuation model and recorded approximately $80,000 in expense for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company used the following assumptions in the application of the Black-Scholes option valuation modes: an exercise price of $1.72, a term of 0.77 years, a risk-free interest rate of 2.58%, a dividend yield of 0% and volatility of 64%. Such expense is recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as a component of sales and marketing expense. There were no warrant modifications during the year ended December 31, 2016.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were 275,000 warrants exercised pursuantRegistrant has duly caused this Report to cashless transactions resulting in the issuance of 144,459 shares of Common Stock. The intrinsic value of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2016 was approximately $85,000.  
F-33
13.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock Options
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had one active stock-based compensation plan: the 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Plan”).
1999 Plan
The 1999 Plan was adoptedbe signed on its behalf by the Company’s Board of Directors on December 17, 1999. Under the terms of the 1999 Plan, the Company could, originally, issue up to 350,000 non-qualified or incentive stock options to purchase Common Stock of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company subsequently amended and restated the 1999 Plan whereby it increased the share reserve for issuance to approximately 7.0 million shares of the Company’s Common Stock.  The 1999 Plan prohibits the grant of stock option or stock appreciation right awards with an exercise price less than fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. The 1999 Plan also generally prohibits the “re-pricing” of stock options or stock appreciation rights, although awards may be bought-out for a payment in cash or the Company’s stock. The 1999 Plan permits the grant of stock based awards other than stock options, including the grant of “full value” awards such as restricted stock, stock units and performance shares. The 1999 Plan permits the qualification of awards under the plan (payable in either stock or cash) as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The number of options issued and outstanding and the number of options remaining available for future issuance are shown in the table below. On July 1, 2014, the Company began soliciting written consents from its shareholders to approve an amendment to the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder from approximately 4.0 million to approximately 7.0 million (the “Amendment”).  As of July 21, 2014, the Company had received written consents approving the Amendment from over 50% of the Company’s stockholders. As such, the Amendment was approved. The number of authorized shares available under the plan for issuance at December 31, 2016 was 6,562,781. The number of available shares under the plan for issuance at December 31, 2016 was 55,938.
A summary of the activity under the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
 
 
Options
 
 
Weighted-
 Average
 Exercise
 Price
 
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
  3,783,411 
 $0.94 
  7.4 
Granted
  435,000 
 $2.13 
   
Expired/Cancelled
  (62,498)
 $1.96 
   
    Exercised
  (98,617)
 $0.68 
   
 
    
    
    
Balance at December 31, 2014
  4,057,296 
 $1.06 
  6.8 
Granted
  2,110,000 
 $1.63 
   
Expired/Cancelled
  (750,622)
 $1.86 
   
    Exercised
  (39,705)
 $0.87 
   
 
    
    
    
Balance at December 31, 2015
  5,376,969 
 $1.17 
  6.9 
Granted
  1,264,000 
 1.34
 
  -
 
Expired/Cancelled
  (121,500)
  $1.29
 
  -
 
    Exercised
  (12,626)
 0.21
 
  -
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
  6,506,843 
  $1.21 
  6.6
 
F-34
At December 31, 2016, a total of 6,506,843 options were outstanding of which 4,366,374 were exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.08 per share with a remaining weighted average contractual term of approximately 6.8 years.  The Company expects that, in addition to the 4,366,374 options that were exercisable as of December 31, 2016, another 2,080,563 will ultimately vest resulting in a combined total of 6,446,937.  Those 6,446,937 shares have a weighted average exercise price of $1.20 and an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $1,740,000 as of December 31, 2016. Stock-based compensation expense related to equity options was approximately $1,162,000, $744,000 and $618,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of options granted to employees during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $0.82, $1.18 and $1.37, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options amounted to approximately $1,719,849, which will be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 2.1 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2016,undersigned, there were 12,626 options exercised for cash resulting in the issuance of 12,626 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and proceeds of approximately $3,000.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, there were 39,705 options exercised for cash resulting in the issuance of 39,705 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and proceeds of approximately $34,000.
The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $11,000 and $35,000, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercisable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $1,679,000 and $1,575,000, respectively.  The intrinsic value of options that vested during 2016 was approximately 34,000. The aggregate intrinsic value for all options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $1,744,000 and $1,652,000, respectively.
In September 2016, the Company issued an aggregate of 168,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors in return for their service from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. Such options will vest at the rate of 14,000 options per month on the last day of each month during the 2017 year. The options have an exercise price of $1.37 per share and a term of 10 years. The Company will begin recognition of compensation based on the grant-date fair value ratably over the 2017 requisite service period.
In September 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 144,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors in return for their service from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Such options vest at the rate of 12,000 options per month on the last day of each month during the 2016 year. The options have an exercise price of $1.73 per share and a term of 10 years. Pursuant to this issuance, the Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $178,000 the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 based on the grant-date fair value of the options determined using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model.
In May 2016, the Company issued an aggregate of 16,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to a new member of the Company’s Board of Directors in return for their service from May 2016 through December 31, 2016. Such options vest at the rate of 2,000 options per month on the last day of each month during the 2016 year. The options have an exercise price of $1.29 per share and a term of 10 years. Pursuant to this issuance, the Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $12,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 based on the grant-date fair value of the options determined using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model.
Restricted Stock Awards
There were no restricted stock awards issued during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
In December 2014, the Company issued 94,116 shares of its Common Stock to certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors as compensation for services to be rendered through December 2015.  Such shares vested monthly over the 12 months of 2015 with any unvested shares being forfeitable should the Board members’ service be terminated during 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $216,000 as compensation expense related to this stock issuance.
In December 2013, the Company issued 144,000 shares of its Common Stock to certain members of the Company's Board of Directors as compensation for services to be rendered through December 2014. Such shares are forfeitable should the Board members' service be terminated. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded approximately $238,000 as compensation expense.
F-35
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based compensation related to equity options and restricted stock has been classified as follows in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Cost of revenues
 $20 
 $15 
 $12 
General and administrative
  714 
  618 
  572 
Sales and marketing
  224 
  171 
  142 
Research and development
  204 
  156 
  130 
 
    
    
    
Total
 $1,162 
 $960 
 $856 
Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance
The following table summarizes the Common Stock reserved for future issuance as of December 31, 2016:unto duly authorized.
 
Registrant
Date: April 21, 2017
 
ImageWare Systems, Inc.
Common Stock
/s/ S. James Miller, Jr.
 
Convertible preferred stock – Series B, Series E, Series F and Series G
11,709,151
Convertible lines of credit
2,201,903
Stock options outstanding
6,506,843
Warrants outstanding
175,000
Authorized for future grant under stock option plans
55,938
S. James Miller, Jr.
 
20,648,835
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), President
 
14.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
During 1995, the Company adopted a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan (the “Plan”). All U.S. based employees aged 21 years and older are eligible to become participants after the completion of 60 day's employment. The Plan provides for annual contributions by the Company of 50% of employee contributions not to exceed 8% of employee compensation.  Effective April 1, 2009, the Plan was amended to provide for Company contributions on a discretionary basis. Participants may contribute up to 100% of the annual contribution limitations determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
Employees are fully vested in their share of the Company’s contributions after the completion of five years of service. In 2014, the Company authorized contributions of approximately $118,000 for the 2014 plan year of which $88,000 were paid prior to December 31, 2014.  In 2015, the Company authorized contributions of approximately $119,000 for the 2015 plan year of which $83,000 were paid prior to December 31, 2015. In 2016, the Company authorized contributions of approximately $150,000 for the 2016 plan year of which $111,000 were paid prior to December 31, 2016. 
15.  PENSION PLAN
One of the Company’s dormant foreign subsidiaries maintains a defined benefit pension plan that provides benefits based on length of service and final average earnings. The following table sets forth the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of the Company’s plan; amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements; and the assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the benefit obligations as of December 31:
F-36
($ in thousands)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Change in benefit obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
 $3,068 
 $3,488 
 $2,821 
Service cost
   
   
   
Interest cost
  75 
  70 
  106 
Actuarial (gain) loss
  542 
  (123)
  1,003 
Effect of exchange rate changes
  (114)
  (356)
  (442)
Effect of curtailment
   
   
   
Benefits paid
  (31)
  (11)
   
Benefit obligation at end of year
  3,540 
  3,068 
  3,488 
 
    
    
    
Change in plan assets:
    
    
    
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  1,557 
  1,654 
  1,790 
Actual return of plan assets
  142 
  40 
  47 
Company contributions
  28 
  34 
  43 
Benefits paid
  (31)
   
   
Effect of exchange rate changes
  (51)
  (171)
  (226)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  1,645 
  1,557 
  1,654 
Funded status
  (1,895)
  (1,511)
  (1,834)
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)
  1,831 
  1,413 
  1,911 
Unrecognized prior service (benefit) cost
   
   
   
Additional minimum liability
  (1,831)
  (1,413)
  (1,911)
Unrecognized transition (asset) liability
   
   
   
Net amount recognized
 $(1,895)
 $(1,511)
 $(1,834)
 
    
    
    
Plan Assets
    
    
    
Pension plan assets were comprised of the following asset categories at December 31,
    
    
    
Equity securities
  5.7%
  5.0%
  6.4%
Debt securities
  87.2%
  89.3%
  87.4%
Other
  7.1%
  5.7%
  6.2%
Total
  100%
  100%
  100%
 
    
    
    
Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
    
    
    
Service cost
 $ 
 $ 
 $ 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations
  75 
  70 
  106 
Expected return on plan assets
   
   
   
Amortization of prior service costs
   
   
   
Amortization of actuarial loss
   
   
   
Net periodic benefit costs
 $75 
 $70 
 $106 
 
    
    
    
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, were
    
    
    
Discount rate
  1.7%
  2.4%
  2.2%
Expected return on plan assets
  4.0%
  4.0%
  4.0%
Rate of pension increases
  2.0%
  2.0%
  2.0%
Rate of compensation increase
  N/A 
  N/A 
  N/A 
 
    
    
    
The following discloses information about the Company’s defined benefit pension plan that had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31,
    
    
    
Projected benefit obligation
 $3,540 
 $3,068 
 $3,488 
Accumulated benefit obligation
 $3,540 
 $3,068 
 $3,488 
Fair value of plan assets
 $1,645 
 $1,557 
 $1,654 
F-37
As of December 31, 2016, the following benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows (in thousands):
2017
 $76 
2018
 $78 
2019
 $80 
2020
 $81 
2021
 $97 
2022 — 2026
 $624 
The Company made contributions to the plan of approximately $28,000 during year 2016, $34,000 during year 2015 and approximately $43,000 during 2014.
The investment objectives for the plan are the preservation of capital, current income and long-term growth of capital. The Company’s pension assets are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, as defined under ASC 820, because they are valued using market prices. The pension assets are primarily comprised of the cash surrender value of insurance contracts. All plan assets are managed in a policyholder pool in Germany by outside investment managers. The measurement date used to determine the benefit information of the plan was January 1, 2017.
16.  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive income is the combination of the additional minimum liability related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, recognized pursuant to ASC 715-30, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans – Pension” and the accumulated gains or losses from foreign currency translation adjustments. The Company translates foreign currencies of its German, Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using the period end exchange rate. Revenue and expenses were translated using the weighted-average exchange rates for the reporting period.  All items are shown net of tax.
As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
($ in thousands)
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional minimum pension liability
 $(1,338)
 $(991)
 $(1,323)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  (205)
  (204)
  (271)
Ending balance
 $(1,543)
 $(1,195)
 $(1,594)
F-38
17.  QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
 
2016 (by quarter)
 
 
  1 
  2 
  3 
  4 
 
    
    
    
    
Revenues
 $1,043 
 $996 
 $848 
 $925 
Cost of Sales
  279 
  275 
  232 
  284 
Operating expenses
  3,028 
  2,995 
  2,955 
  3,226 
Loss from Operations
  (2,264)
  (2,274)
  (2,339)
  (2,585)
Interest expense (income), net
  11 
  36 
  89 
  109 
Other expense (income), net
  (1)
  (200)
  - 
  - 
Income tax expense (benefit)
  3 
  4 
  3 
  11 
Net loss
 $(2,277)
 $(2,114)
 $(2,431)
 $(2,705)
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss per share:
    
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(0.03)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.03)
 $(0.03)
Preferred dividends
 $(0.00)
 $(0.01)
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
Basic loss per share to common shareholders
 $(0.03)
 $(0.03)
 $(0.03)
 $(0.03)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
  94,073,367 
  94,298,567 
  94,550,721 
  94,779,243 
 
 
2015 (by quarter)
 
 
  1 
  2 
  3 
  4 
 
    
    
    
    
Revenues
 $991 
 $1,695 
 $1,181 
 $902 
Cost of Sales
  286 
  798 
  321 
  539 
Operating expenses
  2,641 
  2,660 
  2,813 
  2,921 
Loss from Operations
  (1,936)
  (1,763)
  (1,953)
  (2,558)
Interest expense (income), net
  437 
  (2)
  1 
  11 
Other expense (income), net
  (46)
   
  (99)
   
Income tax expense (benefit)
  3 
  6 
  3 
  10 
Net loss
 $(2,330)
 $(1,767)
 $(1,858)
 $(2,579)
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss per share:
    
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(0.03)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.03)
Preferred dividends
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
Basic loss per share to common shareholders
 $(0.03)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.03)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
  93,515,640 
  93,674,349 
  93,876,339 
  94,070,895 
F-39
 
 
2014 (by quarter)
 
 
  1 
  2 
  3 
  4 
 
    
    
    
    
Revenues
 $1,063 
 $937 
 $919 
 $1,240 
Cost of Sales
  251 
  232 
  248 
  261 
Operating expenses
  2,706 
  2,667 
  2,793 
  2,797 
Loss from Operations
  (1,894)
  (1,962)
  (2,122)
  (1,818)
Interest expense (income), net
  79 
  105 
  104 
  128 
Other expense (income), net
  (283)
  (5)
  (1)
  (8)
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
  12 
  3 
  10 
Net loss
 $(1,690)
 $(2,074)
 $(2,228)
 $(1,948)
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss per share:
    
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
Preferred dividends
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
 $(0.00)
Basic loss per share to common shareholders
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
 $(0.02)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
  88,604,221 
  91,930,400 
  93,162,548 
  93,384,834 
18.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to December 31, 2016, the Company has borrowed an additional $1,500,000 through March 30, 2017 under the Lines of Credit.
 
 
 
 
 
F-40-23-