UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q



[X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 20162017

 

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

 

For the transition period from ___________ _____________ to ___________._____________.

 

001-32146

 

Commission file number

 

  

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York 16-1229730
(State or other Jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation- or Organization) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300
Rochester, NY14623
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(585) 325-3610
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]      Accelerated filer [  ]      Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) [  ] Smaller reporting company [X]     emerging growth company [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes [  ] No [X]

 

As of November 12, 2016,14, 2017, there were 12,977,90316,439,327 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.02 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 

   

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1Financial Statements3
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20162017 (Unaudited) and December 31, 201520163
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016 (Unaudited)4
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016 (Unaudited)5
 Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)6
Item 2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1617
Item 4Controls and Procedures2122
   
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION22
Item 1Legal Proceedings22
Item 1ARisk Factors22
Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds22
Item 3Defaults upon Senior Securities2223
Item 4Mine Safety Disclosures2223
Item 5Other Information2223
Item 6Exhibits23
Signatures 24

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of

 

  September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS        
         
Current assets:        
Cash $823,446  $1,440,256 
Restricted cash  187,727   293,043 
Accounts receivable, net  2,077,932   2,097,433 
Inventory  1,188,359   937,830 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  336,440   313,528 
Total current assets  4,613,904   5,082,090 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,677,212   5,003,818 
Other assets  45,821   44,050 
Goodwill  2,453,349   2,453,349 
Other intangible assets, net  2,065,329   3,017,544 
         
Total assets $13,855,615  $15,600,851 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $2,114,466  $1,945,073 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  2,072,864   1,964,726 
Short-term debt  3,436,910   3,984,316 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  1,288,591   1,553,061 
         
Total current liabilities  8,912,831   9,447,176 
         
Long-term debt, net  1,896,433   2,240,596 
Other long-term liabilities  86,148   63,697 
Deferred tax liability, net  176,318   162,107 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 12,977,903 shares issued and outstanding (12,970,487 on December 31, 2015)  259,558   259,410 
Additional paid-in capital  103,907,668   103,820,170 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (86,148)  (63,697)
Accumulated deficit  (101,297,193)  (100,328,608)
Total stockholders’ equity  2,783,885   3,687,275 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $13,855,615  $15,600,851 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

  For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
             
Revenue                
Printed products $4,448,509  $3,975,259  $12,147,796  $10,678,456 
Technology sales, services and licensing  530,979   444,734   1,243,158   1,367,168 
                 
Total revenue  4,979,488   4,419,993   13,390,954   12,045,624 
                 
Costs and expenses                
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization  2,874,508   2,556,044   7,815,658   7,205,723 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock based compensation)  1,710,099   2,226,325   5,262,618   7,071,153 
Depreciation and amortization  349,143   404,774   1,049,387   1,174,900 
Total costs and expenses  4,933,750   5,187,143   14,127,663   15,451,776 
                 
Operating income (loss)  45,738   (767,150)  (736,709)  (3,406,152)
                 
Other expense:                
Interest expense  (67,739)  (88,551)  (217,665)  (257,263)
Gains on sales of investment and equipment  -   -   -   146,283 
Net loss on debt modification and extinguishment  -   -   -   (19,096)
                 
Loss before income taxes  (22,001)  (855,701)  (954,374)  (3,536,228)
                 
Income tax expense  4,737   4,737   14,211   14,211 
                 
Net loss $(26,738) $(860,438) $(968,585) $(3,550,439)
                 
Other comprehensive loss:                
Interest rate swap gain (loss)  11,843   (22,009)  (22,451)  (19,450)
                 
Comprehensive loss: $(14,895) $(882,447) $(991,036) $(3,569,889)
                 
Loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted $(0.00) $(0.07) $(0.07) $(0.31)
                 
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted  12,977,903   11,703,442   12,975,053   11,613,491 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

(Unaudited)

  2016  2015 
       
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(968,585) $(3,550,439)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from (used by) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,049,387   1,174,900 
Stock based compensation  87,738   842,265 
Paid in-kind interest  58,000   68,000 
Gain on sale of equipment  -   (46,283)
Net loss on debt modification and extinguishment  -   19,096 
Change in deferred tax provision  14,211   14,211 
Foreign currency transaction gain  -   (29,400)
Amortization of deferred financing costs  15,863   - 
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Accounts receivable  19,501   45,927 
Inventory  (250,529)  (370,598)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (24,683)  19,879 
Restricted cash  105,316   62,750 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable  169,394   979,334 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  108,138   (396,513)
Net cash from (used by) operating activities  383,751   (1,166,871)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property and equipment  (192,614)  (118,497)
Proceeds from sale of equipment  -   46,283 
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets  495,000   - 
Purchase of intangible assets  (72,953)  (990)
Net cash from (used by) investing activities  229,433   (73,204)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Payments of long-term debt  (1,229,902)  (737,240)
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  (92)  878,336 
Net cash from (used by) financing activities  (1,229,994)  141,096 
         
Net decrease in cash  (616,810)  (1,098,979)
Cash beginning of period  1,440,256   2,343,675 
         
Cash end of period $823,446  $1,244,696 
  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  (Unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash $4,223,005  $5,871,738 
Restricted cash  336,172   177,609 
Accounts receivable, net of $50,000 allowance for uncollectible accounts  1,799,005   1,890,981 
Inventory  1,913,111   1,206,377 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  308,223   350,289 
         
Total current assets  8,579,516   9,496,994 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,484,284   4,573,841 
Investment  484,930   - 
Other assets  45,821   45,821 
Goodwill  2,453,597   2,453,349 
Other intangible assets, net  1,387,039   1,896,018 
         
Total assets $17,435,187  $18,466,023 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,706,607  $2,212,653 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  1,012,719   1,290,593 
Other current liabilities  2,957,033   2,996,310 
Short-term debt  3,611,560   - 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  752,180   1,202,335 
         
Total current liabilities  10,040,099   7,701,891 
         
Long-term debt, net  1,607,752   5,249,569 
Other long-term liabilities  1,624,500   2,184,843 
Deferred tax liability, net  59,830   45,619 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 15,939,327 shares issued and outstanding (13,502,653 on December 31, 2016)  318,787   270,053 
Additional paid-in capital  106,123,997   104,338,002 
Subscriptions receivable from related party  (300,000)  - 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (35,551)  (45,343)
Accumulated deficit  (102,004,227)  (101,278,611)
Total stockholders’ equity  4,103,006   3,284,101 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $17,435,187  $18,466,023 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Revenue:                
Printed products $3,767,334  $4,448,509  $11,552,955  $12,147,796 
Technology sales, services and licensing  431,356   530,979   1,276,489   1,243,158 
                 
Total revenue  4,198,690   4,979,488   12,829,444   13,390,954 
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization  2,400,883   2,874,508   7,380,134   7,815,658 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock based compensation)  1,619,066   1,710,099   4,835,079   5,262,618 
Depreciation and amortization  352,040   349,143   1,041,789   1,049,387 
                 
Total costs and expenses  4,371,989   4,933,750   13,257,002   14,127,663 
                 
Operating (loss) income  (173,299)  45,738   (427,558)  (736,709)
                 
Other expense:                
Interest expense  (58,164)  (67,739)  (170,565)  (217,665)
Amortized debt discount  (40,854)      (113,286)    
Loss before income taxes  (272,317)  (22,001)  (711,409)  (954,374)
                 
Income tax expense  4,734   4,737   14,208   14,211 
                 
Net loss $(277,051) $(26,738) $(725,617) $(968,585)
                 
Other comprehensive loss:                
Interest rate swap gain (loss)  3,943   11,843   9,792   (22,451)
                 
Comprehensive loss: $(273,108) $(14,895) $(715,825) $(991,036)
                 
Loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted $(0.02) $(0.00) $(0.05) $(0.07)
                 
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted  14,087,849   12,977,903   13,793,946   12,975,053 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30:

(Unaudited)

  2017  2016 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(725,617) $(968,585)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from (used by) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,041,789   1,049,387 
Stock based compensation  203,111   87,738 
Paid in-kind interest  54,000   58,000 
Change in deferred tax provision  14,211   14,211 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  113,286   15,863 
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Accounts receivable  91,976   19,501 
Inventory  (706,735)  (250,529)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  70,838   (24,683)
Restricted cash  (158,563)  105,316 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (506,749)  169,394 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (867,702)  108,138 
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities  (1,376,155)  383,751 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (438,350)  (192,614)
Proceeds from sale of intangibles  -   495,000 
Purchase of intangible assets  (4,903)  (72,953)
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities  (443,253)  229,433 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Payments of long-term debt  (612,419)  (1,229,902)
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  783,094   (92)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities  170,675   (1,229,994)
         
Net decrease in cash  (1,648,733)  (616,810)
Cash at beginning of period  5,871,738   1,440,256 
         
Cash at end of period $4,223,005  $823,446 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 20162017
(Unaudited)

 

1.Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), through two of its subsidiaries, Premier Packaging Corporation which operates under the assumed name of DSS Packaging Group, and Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc., which operates under the assumed name of DSS Plastics Group, operates in the security and commercial printing, packaging and plastic ID markets. The Company develops, markets, manufactures and sells paper and plastic products designed to protect valuable information from unauthorized scanning, copying, and digital imaging. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Digital Inc. (f/k/a Extradev, Inc.), which operates under the assumed name of DSS Digital Group, develops, markets and sells digital information services, including data hosting, disaster recovery and data back-up and security services. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc., acquires intellectual property (“IP”) assets and interests in companies owning intellectual property assets, or assists others in managing their intellectual property monetization efforts, for the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8.03 of Regulation S-X for smaller reporting companies. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows include all adjustments considered necessary for their fair presentation in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. For further information regarding the Company’s accounting policies, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Document Security Systems and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates -The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. In preparing these financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure.

 

Restricted Cash – As of September 30, 2016,2017, cash of $187,727$336,712 ($293,043177,609 – December 31, 2015)2016) is restricted for payments of costs and expenses associated with one of the Company’s IP monetization programs.

Investment– In accordance with ASC 325-20, the Company records its investment in common stock of Singapore eDevelopment Limited at cost as the fair market value of the investment is not readily determinable. The Company evaluates investment for indications of impairment at least annually.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the FASB ASC establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring 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). These tiers include:

 

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
  
Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
  
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet of cash, accounts receivable, prepaids, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of revolving credit lines, notes payable and long-term debt approximates their carrying value as the stated or discounted rates of the debt reflect recent market conditions. Derivative instruments, as discussed below, are recorded as assets and liabilities at estimated fair value based on available market information.

 

Derivative Instruments -The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of interest rate swap contracts to minimize significant fluctuations in cash flowsearnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Company has onetwo interest rate swapswaps that changeschange variable rates into fixed rates on onetwo term loan. The swap qualifiesloans. These swaps qualify as a Level 2 fair value financial instrument. Theinstruments. These swap agreement isagreements are not held for trading purposes and the Company does not intend to sell the derivative swap financial instrument.instruments. The Company records the interest swap agreements on the balance sheet at fair value because suchthe agreements qualify as a cash flow hedges under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Gains and losses on these instruments are recorded in other comprehensive loss until the underlying transaction is recorded in earnings. When the hedged item is realized, gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) to the consolidated statement of operations on the same line item as the underlying transaction. The valuationvaluations of the interest rate swap isswaps have been derived from proprietary models of Citizens Bank, (defined below)N.A. based upon recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions and may reflect certain other financial factors such as anticipated profit or hedging, transactional, and other costs. The notional amounts of the swap decreasesswaps decrease over the life of the agreements. The Company is exposed to a credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter parties to the interest rate swap agreement.agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counter parties. The cumulative net loss attributable to thethis cash flow hedge recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and other liabilities at September 30, 2016 is approximately $86,000 ($64,000 - December 31, 2015), which is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets.

The Company has a notional amount of approximately $981,000 as of September 30, 2016 on its2017 was approximately $36,000 ($45,000 - December 31, 2016).

As of September 30, 2017 the Company has an interest rate swap agreement for its debt with RBS Citizens, N.A. (“Citizens Bank”) (see Note 4) which changes a variable rate into a fixed rate on a term loan as follows:

 

NotionalNotional Variable    Notional Variable     
AmountAmount Rate Fixed Cost Maturity DateAmount  Rate  Fixed Cost  Maturity Date
$980,721   3.67%  5.87% August 30, 2021927,753   4.38%  5.87% August 30, 2021

 

Impairment of Long Lived Assets and Goodwill- Long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill are assessed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that full recoverability of net asset balances through future cash flows is in question. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed at least annually, but also whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying values may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review, include (a) significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changes in the manner of or use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the Company’s overall business; (c) significant negative industry or economic trends; (d) significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period; and (e) a decline in the Company’s market capitalization below net book value.

 

Contingent Legal Expenses -Contingent legal fees associated with our commercial litigation involving our IP are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the related revenues are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal fees are paid; however, the Company may be liable for certain out of pocket legal costs incurred pursuant to the underlying legal services agreement that will be paid out from the proceeds from settlements or licenses that arise pursuant to an enforcement action, which will be expensed as legal fees in the period in which the payment of such fees is probable. Any unamortized patent acquisition costs will be expensed in the period in which a conclusion is reached in an enforcement action that does not yield future royalties potential.

 

Earnings Per Common Share - The Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share reflect the actual weighted average of shares issued and outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed including the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential shares had been issued. In a loss period, the calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share is considered to be the same, as the impact of potential common shares is anti-dilutive.

On August 26, 2016, the Company affected a one for fourone-for-four reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares of the Company’s common stock were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Instead, stockholders of record who otherwise would have been entitled to receive fractional shares were entitled to a rounding up of their fractional share to the nearest whole share, except in the case of any stockholder that owned less than four shares of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the reverse stock split. In such case, such stockholder received cash for such fractional share in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying: (x) the closing sale price of the common stock on August 25, 2016 as reported on the NYSE MKT, by (y) the amount of the fractional share. As a result, the Company issued 1,166 common shares for shares due as a result of the rounding up feature and paid $92 to buy-out the fractional shares of holders with less than four shares immediately preceding the reverse stock split.

As of September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, there were 2,498,1283,297,759 and 2,924,164 (as adjusted to reflect the one-for-four reverse stock split that took effect on August 26, 2016)2,498,128 respectively, of common stock share equivalents potentially issuable under convertible debt agreements, employment agreements, options, warrants, and restricted stock agreements, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. These shares are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share in periods in which the Company had a net loss because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive to the Company’s losses in the respective periods.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk- The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk as a result of any non-performance by the financial institutions.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, one customer2017, two customers accounted for 25% and 23%15%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 7%17% and 27%11%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively. In addition, an additionalone customer accounted for 17%25% of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 7% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2016. The risk with respect to accounts receivables is mitigated by credit evaluations the Company performs on its customers, the short duration of its payment terms for the significant majority of its customer contracts and by the diversification of its customer base.

Continuing Operations -While the Company’s net losses have decreased during the first nine months of 2016, the Company has incurred net losses in previous years and there is no assurance that the improved results of the first nine months of 2016 will be maintained.The Company has negative working capital of approximately $4,299,000 as of September 30, 2016, of which approximately $3,462,000 is related to short-term debt that could be paid by non-cash assets when due.The Company’s ability to fund its current and future commitments out of its available cash and cash generated from its operations depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors include the Company’s ability to (i) increase sales of the Company’s digital products; (ii) decrease legal and professional expenses for the Company’s intellectual property monetization business; and (iii) continue to generate operating profits from the Company’s packaging and plastic printing operations. During 2015, the Company raised gross proceeds of $1.1 million from the sale of its equity. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $823,000 in unrestricted cash and $188,000 in restricted cash and up to $800,000 available under a revolving credit line at its packaging subsidiary, which may not be sufficient to cover the Company’s future working capital requirements if these and other factors are not met. If the Company cannot generate sufficient cash from its operations in 2016, the Company will needto extend maturities of current debt, and, if necessary, and/or raise additional funds in the future in order to fund its working capital needs and pursue its business plan, although there can be no assurances, management believes that sources for these additional funds will be available through either current or future investors.

 

Reclassifications- Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. All common share and per share figures are presented on a post one for four reverse stock split basis.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements -In AugustMay 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)(FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The guidance requires an entity to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Company currently is evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASUAccounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-9 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The new guidance 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. Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations” (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”); and ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”). The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12 with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”). The revenue standards will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and itsis currently evaluating the effect that the revenue standards will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In April 2015,January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “SimplifyingNo. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. Entities will no longer be able to use the Presentationcost method of Debt Issuance Costs”, which requires all costs incurred to issue debtaccounting for equity securities. However, for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, entities may elect a measurement alternative that will allow those investments to be presented inrecorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. Upon adoption, entities must record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt.beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is adopted. The guidance on equity securities without readily determinable fair values will be applied prospectively to all equity investments that exist as of the date of the adoption of the standand. The pronouncement also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. This ASUpronouncement is effective for annualfiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with2017, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company adoptedhas not yet evaluated nor has it determined the provisions of this ASU ineffect the first quarter of 2016,standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and reclassified approximately $57,000 from “Other assets” as December 31, 2015, as a reduction to the carrying value of the respective debt instrument.related disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, which requires that lease arrangements longer than 12 months result in an entity recognizing an asset and liability. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet evaluated nor has it determined the effect of the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 iswas effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which clarifies the treatment of several types of cash receipts and payments for which there was diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We anticipate that the Company is currently evaluating theadoption of this guidance will not have a material impact that ASU 2016-09 will have on itsour consolidated financial statementsstatements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows”, regarding the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The standards update requires that the reconciliation of the beginning and related disclosures.end of period cash amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash. When restricted cash is presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, a reconciliation is required between the amounts presented on the statement of cash flows and the balance sheet. Also, the new guidance requires the disclosure of information about the nature of the restrictions. The standards update is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Inventory

 

Inventory consisted of the following:

 

 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
          
Finished Goods $658,867  $718,601  $1,315,421  $736,987 
Work in process  406,927   167,779 
WIP  385,998   314,353 
Raw Materials  122,565   51,450   211,692   155,037 
                
 $1,188,359  $937,830  $1,913,111  $1,206,377 

3. Investment

On September 12, 2017, the Company and Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd. (“HBD”) entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement whereby the Company agreed to issue and sell to HBD 683,000 shares of its common stock, which had a market value on that date of $484,930, in exchange for 21,196,552 ordinary shares and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,759 of common shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 per share of Singapore eDevelopment Limited (“SED”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly-listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. The SED shares and warrants were owned by HBD. One of the directors of the Company, Mr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is a related party to each of HBD and SED. The cost of the investment was determined to be the fair value of the Company’s common stock issued in the transaction, which was determined to have the most readily determinable fair value. As of September 30, 2017, the investment is carried at cost of approximately $485,000.

 

9
 

 

3.4. Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets are comprised of the following:

 

    September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
  Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortizaton  Net Carrying Amount  Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortizaton  Net Carrying Amount 
                     
Acquired intangibles- customer lists and non-compete agreements 5 -10 years  1,997,300   1,699,832   297,468   1,997,300   1,635,257   362,043 
Acquired intangibles-patents and patent rights Varied (1)  3,155,000   1,964,973   1,190,027   3,650,000   1,562,526   2,087,474 
Patent application costs Varied (2)  1,135,757   557,923   577,834   1,062,958   494,931   568,027 
    $6,288,057  $4,222,728  $2,065,329  $6,710,258  $3,692,714  $3,017,544 
  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  Useful Life  Gross Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying Amount   Gross Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying Amount 
                           
Acquired intangibles - customer lists and non-compete agreements 5-10 years  1,997,300   1,785,932   211,368   1,997,300   1,721,357   275,943 
Acquired intangibles - patents and patent rights Varied (1)  3,155,000   2,476,149   678,851   3,155,000   2,092,767   1,062,233 
Patent application costs Varied (2)  1,141,368   644,548   496,820   1,136,465   578,623   557,842 
    $6,293,668  $4,906,629  $1,387,039  $6,288,765  $4,392,747  $1,896,018 

 

 (1)Acquired patents and patent rights are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 2.61.84 years.
   
 (2)Patent application costs are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 8.86.3 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company received proceeds of $495,000 for the sale of certain patents that were included in a pool of acquired patents. The Company evaluates acquired patents as related pools of assets for purposes of amortization and impairment, as well as operational evaluation and use. Accordingly, the proceeds received from the sale of the patents will reduce the cost of the pool of assets until the carrying value of the pool is reduced to zero. Any excess proceeds from future sales will result in a gain. The Company also considers the impact that the sale of a portion of the pool has on expected future recoverability on the pool. No impairment was considered necessary as a result of this evaluation.

 

Intangible asset amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 amounted to $530,015$513,881 ($691,917530,015 - September 30, 2015)2016).

 

4.5. Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

 

Revolving Credit Lines-The Company’s subsidiary Premier Packaging Corporation (“Premier Packaging”) has a revolving credit line with Citizens Bank of up to $800,000 that bears interest at 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.75% (4.27%(4.98% as of September 30, 2016)2017) and maturesexpires on May 31, 2017.July 26, 2018. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the revolving line had a balance of $0 ($0 at December 31, 2015).$0.

On July 26, 2017, Premier Packaging entered into a Loan Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Citizens Bank pursuant to which Citizens agrees to lend up to $1,200,000 for the purpose of enabling Premier Packaging to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. As of the date of this report, the revolving line had a balance of $0.

 

Long-Term Debt-On December 30, 2011, the Company issued a $575,000 convertible note that was initially due on December 29, 2013, and carries an interest rate of 10% per annum. The note is secured by the assets of Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc. Interest is payable quarterly, in arrears. TheIn conjunction with the issuance of the convertible note, the Company determined a beneficial conversion feature existed amounting to approximately $88,000, which was convertible at any time duringrecorded as a debt discount to be amortized over the term at lender’s option into a total of 260,180 shares of the Company’s common stock at anote. On May 24, 2013, the Company amended the convertible note to extend the maturity date of the note from December 29, 2013 to December 29, 2015. The change in the fair value of the embedded conversion priceoption exceeded 10% of $2.21 per share.the carrying value of the original debt and, therefore, the Company accounted for this restructuring as an extinguishment in accordance with FASB ASC 470-50 “Debt Modifications and Extinguishments”. The note was written up to its fair value on the date of modification of approximately $650,000 and the premium recorded in excess of its face value was amortized over the remaining life of the note. On February 23, 2015, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 2 to extend the maturity date to December 30, 2016, eliminate the conversion feature, and to institute principal payments in the amount of $15,000 per month plus interest through the extended maturity date, and a balloon payment of $230,000 due on the extended maturity date. On April 12, 2016, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 3 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2017 and change the balloon payment to $155,000 due on the extended maturity date. On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 4 to extend the maturity date to April 30, 2018 at which point the note is scheduled to be paid in full. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration 18,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which had a fair value of $17,640. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the balance of the term loan was $275,000$95,000 ($410,000230,000 at December 31, 2015)2016).

On May 24, 2013, the Company entered into a promissory note in the principal sum of $850,000 to purchase three printing presses that were previously leased by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc., whichand carries an interest rate of 9% per annum. The note is secured by the assets of Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Secuprint Inc. Interest is payable quarterly, in arrears. The Company also issued the lender as additional consideration a five-year warrant to purchase up to 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The warrant was valued at approximately $69,000 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 60.0%, a risk free rate of return of 0.89% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates. In conjunction with the issuance of the warrants, the Company recorded a discount on debt of approximately $69,000 that was amortized over the original term of the note. The note was set to mature on May 24, 2014, but its maturity date was extended on May 2, 2014 to May 24, 2015 by the lender. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration a five-year warrant to purchase up to 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The warrant was valued at approximately $29,000 using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 70.0%, a risk free rate of return of 1.53% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates. In conjunction with the issuance of the warrants, the Company recorded expense for modification of debt of approximately $29,000. On February 23, 2015, the Company entered into Promissory Note Amendment No. 2 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2016 and to institute principal payments in the amount of $15,000 per month plus interest through the extended maturity date, and a balloon payment of $610,000 due on the extended maturity date. On April 12, 2016, the Company entered into Promissory Note Amendment No. 3 to extend the maturity date to May 31, 2017 and change the balloon payment to $430,000 due on the extended maturity date. . On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into Convertible Promissory Note Amendment No. 4 to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2018 at which point the note is scheduled to be paid in full. In exchange for the extension, the Company also issued the lender as additional consideration 18,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which had a fair value of $17,640. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the balance of the term loan was $550,000$370,000 ($685,000505,000 at December 31, 2015)2016).

Term Loan Debt- On July 19, 2013, Premier Packaging entered into an equipment loan with People’s Capital and Leasing Corp. (“PeoplesPeople’s Capital”) for a printing press. The loan is secured by the printing press. The loan was for $1,303,900, repayable over a 60-month period which commenced when the equipment was placed in service in January 2014. The loan bears interest at 4.84% and is payable in equal monthly installments of $24,511. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the loan had a balance of $625,735$356,064 ($819,681559,609 at December 31, 2015)2016).

 

On April 28, 2015, Premier Packaging entered into a term note with Citizens Bank for $525,000, repayable over a 60-month period. The loan bears interest at 3.61% and is payable in equal monthly installments of $9,591.$9,591 until April 28, 2020. Premier Packaging used the proceeds of the term note to acquire a HP Indigo 7800 Digital press. The loan is secured by the printing press. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the loan had a balance of $385,934$283,271 ($460,448360,611 at December 31, 2015)2016).

 

Promissory Notes -- On August 30, 2011, Premier Packaging purchased the packaging plant it occupies in Victor, New York, for $1,500,000, which was partially financed with a $1,200,000 promissory note obtained from Citizens Bank (“Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note calls for monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $7,658, with interest calculated as 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.15% (3.67%(4.38% at September 30, 2016)2017). Concurrently with the transaction, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to lock into a 5.87% effective interest rate for the life of the loan. The Promissory Note matures in August 2021 at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance will be due. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the Promissory Note had a balance of $980,721$927,753 ($1,021,926966,786 at December 31, 2015)2016). This note is presented net of approximately $14,000 ($18,000 at December 31, 2015) of debt issuance costs on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

On December 6, 2013, Premier Packaging entered into a Construction to Permanent Loan with Citizens Bank for up to $450,000 that was converted into a promissory note upon the completion and acceptance of building improvements to the Company’s packaging plant in Victor, New York. In May 2014, the Company converted the loan into a $450,000 note payable in monthly installments over a 5 year period of $2,500 plus interest calculated at a variable rate of 1 Month LiborLIBOR plus 3.15% (3.67%(4.38% at September 30, 2016)2017), which payments commenced on July 1, 2014. The note matures in July 2019 at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance of $300,000 is due. As of September 30, 2016,2017, the note had a balance of $382,500$352,500 ($405,247375,000 – December 31, 2015)2016).

 

Under the Citizens Bank credit facilities, the Company’s subsidiary, Premier Packaging, is subject to various covenants including fixed charge coverage ratio, tangible net worth and current ratio covenants. For the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 20162017, and September 30, 2016,2017, Premier Packaging was in compliance with the covenants. The Citizens Bank obligations are secured by all of the assets of Premier Packaging and are also secured through cross guarantees by the Company and its other wholly-owned subsidiaries, Plastic Printing Professionals and Secuprint.

Other Debt - On February 13, 2014, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (“DSSTM”), entered into an Investment Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated February 13, 2014 (the “Effective Date”) with Fortress Credit Co LLC, as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent” or “Fortress”), and certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which DSSTM contracted to receive a series of advances up to $4,500,000 (collectively, the “Advances”). Under the terms of the Agreement, on the Effective Date, DSSTM issued and sold a promissory note in the amount of $1,791,000, fixed return equity interests in the amount of $199,000, and contingent equity interests in the amount of $10,000, to each of the Investors, and in return received $2,000,000 in proceeds. To secure the Advances, DSSTM placed a lien in favor of the Investors on ten semi-conductor patents (the “Patents”) and assigned to the Investors certain funds recoverable from successful patent litigation involving these Patents, including settlement payments, license fees and royalties on the Patents. DSSTM is a plaintiff in various ongoing patent infringement lawsuits involving certain of the Patents.

 

On March 27, 2014, DSSTM received an additional $1,000,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $900,000 and fixed and contingent equity interests of $100,000. On September 5, 2014, DSSTM received the remaining $1,500,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $1,350,000 and fixed and contingent return interests of $150,000. On May 23, 2016, DSSTM remitted $495,000 in proceeds received from the sale of patent assets (Note 3)5) to Fortress under the terms of the Agreement. On September 20, 2016, DSSTM remitted $125,250 in proceeds received from a settlement to Fortress as repayment of the note principal balance under the terms of the Agreement. As of September 30, 2016, DSSTM has made aggregate payments of $770,250 on the notes. As of September 30, 2016, total net advances equaled $3,579,750, which consisted of $4,041,000 in notes and an aggregate of $459,000 of fixed and contingent equity interests, less aggregate payments of $770,250. Aggregate accrued interest totaled $191,000 as of September 30, 2016 ($132,000 as of December 31, 2015).

 

The Agreement defines certain events as Events of Default, one of which is the failure by DSSTM, on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date, which was February 13, 2016, to make payments to the Investors equal to the outstanding Advances. On February 13, 2016, being the second anniversary date of the Effective Date, DSSTM had failed to make these payments.

Underpayments and was therefore in default of the Agreement. On December 2, 2016, the parties entered into a First Amendment to Investment Agreement and Certain Other Documents (the “Amendment”). The purpose of the Amendment was to vacate DSSTM’s ongoing non-payment default under the Agreement, upon anand to amend certain provisions of the Agreement.

The Agreement was amended to add expenses in the amount of $150,000 to DSSTM’s payment obligation, payable on the Maturity Date. This amount was recorded as debt issuance costs and is being amortized on a straight line basis through the amended maturity date of February 13, 2018. The Amendment added a provision whereby DSSTM is required to deposit $300,000 on or before March 2, 2017 and (ii) a further sum of $300,000 on or before March 2, 2018, into a deposit account (collectively, the “Deposit”). The March 2, 2017 deposit was made in a timely manner. The Deposit funds will be restricted to pay certain expenses, consisting of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with certain existing patent litigation matters and other patent litigation matters which may occur after the Amendment Effective Date (the “Qualified Expenses”). In the Event of Default, the Investors may apply the then remaining Deposit to the then outstanding Obligations, if any.

Additionally per the Amendment, DSSTM agrees to pay to the Investors an amount equal to 25% of any amounts received by DSSTM for any and all types of monetization activities related to certain of its patents covering systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices (collectively, “BlueTooth Patents”), but only until the Investors have received payments under the Agreement totaling the sum of (i) the Capitalized Expenses plus (ii) payments of principal and interest on the Notes totaling the sum of (x) $4,500,000 (consisting of the previously made Advances) plus (y) additional amounts, if any, advanced by the Investors pursuant to the Agreement. In addition to the monetization interest granted the Investors in the BlueTooth Patents, DSSTM also granted the Collateral Agent and the Investors have a numbersecurity interest in certain of remedies, including rights relatedDSSTM’s unencumbered semiconductor patents to foreclosure or direct monetization offurther collateralize the Patents. As a result of the Event of Default discussed above, the sole and exclusive recourse of the Investors and the Collateral Agent is to form a special purpose entity to take possession of the Patents, subject to a perpetual, non-transferable, non-exclusive worldwide royalty-free license back to DSSTM. The Agreement further provides that, in the case of this default, the Collateral Agent and Investors will not, individually or collectively, seek to enforce any monetary judgment with respect to or against any assets of DSSTM other than the Patents and any payments received in respect of the Patents, including settlement payments, license fees and royalties on the Patents. In the event that the Collateral Agent or Investors foreclose on, and take possession of the Patents, DSSTM will still be entitled to receive any payments received in respect of the Patents in the event of a recovery by any substituted plaintiff in any related litigation proceedings, subject to payment of amounts owed under the Agreement to the Investors and the Collateral Agent. In addition, as a result of the default, the interest rate on the unpaid amounts due increased to 2% per year effective February 13, 2016.Agreement.

 

As a result of the eventSeptember 30, 2017, DSSTM has made aggregate principal payments of default, the Company has classified the remainder of the amounts due$752,180 on the notesnotes. As of approximately $3,462,000September 30, 2017, $3,611,560 is recorded as a short-term debt under the arrangement, which includes $263,500 of accrued interest, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $77,856. In addition, as of September 30, 2016.2017, $459,000 of fixed and contingent equity interests is recorded in other short-term liabilities. The balanceCompany will reduce the liability upon payment to the Investor from available proceeds from litigation, or if none by the maturity date of February 13, 2018, then such amounts will be settled by the Company by the transfer and assignment of certain of the Company’s patent assets.

6. Other Liabilities

On November 14, 2016, the Company entered into a Proceeds Investment Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Brickell Key Investments LP (“BKI”). Pursuant to the Agreement, BKI financed an aggregate of $13,500,000 in a patent purchase and monetization program to be implemented and managed by the Company (the “Financing”). Pursuant to Agreement, $3,000,000 of the Financing was used to cover the Company’s purchase of a portfolio of U.S. and foreign LED patents and a license from Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd., a Korean company (collectively, the “LED Patent Portfolio”), resulting in a basis in these assets of $0. A total of $6,000,000 of the Financing was directed by BKI to attorneys to cover anticipated attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses for legal proceedings that may transpire relating to enforcement of the LED Patent Portfolio. This amount is not included in the Company’s financial statements as the Company has no control over these funds, which are segregated and escrowed in the attorneys’ trust account.

In addition, on November 14, 2106, the condensedCompany received $4,500,000 of the Financing, which was required to be used by the Company to pay for the defense ofInter Partes Review or other similar proceedings that may be filed from time to time by defendants with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office relating to the LED Patent Portfolio, with excess amounts available for general working capital needs. As of September 30, 2017, an aggregate of approximately $3,687,000 is recorded as other liabilities by the Company, of which approximately $2,062,500 is classified as short-term. Of this amount, the Company allocated $2,500,000 which it subsequently adjusted to $1,500,000 for the payment of estimated futureInter Partes Review costs. The Company will reduce this liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to theInter Partes Review matters involving the LED Patent Portfolio as incurred. The remaining $2,217,000 in other liabilities is allocated to working capital, which the Company is amortizing this amount on a pro-rata basis over the expected remaining life of the monetization period of the LED Patent Portfolio through November 31, 2019. For this amount, the Company reduced the liability with an offset to selling, general and administrative costs by $47,500 per month from January 2017 through July 2017 and $80,000 per month in August and September of 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, there was $30,000 ofInter Partes Review costs and an aggregate of $492,500 was recorded as a reduction of the liability allocated to working capital.

On July 8, 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, purchased two patents for $500,000 covering certain methods and processes related to Bluetooth devices. In conjunction with the patent purchases, DSS Technology Management entered into a Proceed Right Agreement with certain investors pursuant to which DSS Technology Management initially received $250,000 of a total of $750,000 which it will ultimately receive thereunder, subject to certain payment milestones, in exchange for 40% of the proceeds which it receives, if any, from the use, sale or licensing of the two patents. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had received an aggregate of $650,000 from the investors pursuant to the agreement of which approximately $435,000 was in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets is presented net of approximately $25,000 of debt issuance costs.($467,000 as December 31, 2016). The Company has beenwill reduce the liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to its litigation involving the Bluetooth patents, for which the amount is available to be used for 50% of all such expenses.

As described in discussionsNote 5, On February 13, 2014, the Company’s subsidiary, DSSTM entered into an Investment Agreement with Fortress pursuant to which DSSTM contracted to receive a series of advances up to $4,500,000. Under the investors to amendterms of the Agreement, or otherwise to remedyon the eventEffective Date, DSSTM issued and sold a promissory note in the amount of default; however, there can be no assurance as$1,791,000, fixed return equity interests in the amount of $199,000, and contingent equity interests in the amount of $10,000. On March 27, 2014, DSSTM received an additional $1,000,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $900,000 and fixed and contingent equity interests of $100,000. On September 5, 2014, DSSTM received the remaining $1,500,000 under the Agreement comprised of a promissory note for $1,350,000 and fixed and contingent return interests of $150,000. The $459,000 of aggregate fixed and contingent equity interests received are recorded in current liabilities. The Company will reduce the liability upon payment to the ultimate successInvestor from available proceeds from litigation, or if none by the maturity date of these discussions.February 13, 2018, then such amounts will be reversed from other current liabilities and recorded as other income as of the maturity date.

 

5.7. Commitments and Contingencies

 

On November 26, 2013, DSS Technology Management filed suit against Apple, Inc. (“Apple”), in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, for patent infringement (the “Apple Litigation”). The complaint alleges infringement by Apple of DSS Technology Management’s patents that relate to systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices.devices DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Apple. On October 28, 2014, the case was stayed by the District Court pending a determination of Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California. On November 7, 2014, Apple’s motion to transfer the case was transferred to the Northern District of California. InCalifornia was granted. On December 30, 2014, Apple filed twoInter Partes Review(“IPR”) petitions with USPTO’sthe Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) for review of the patents at issue in the case. The PTAB instituted the IPRs on June 25, 2015. The California District Court then stayed the case pending the outcome of those IPR proceedings. Oral arguments of the IPRs took place on March 15, 2016. On2016, and on June 17, 2016, PTAB ruled in favor of Apple on both IPR petitions. DSS Technology Management has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) seeking reversal of the PTAB decisions. Oral arguments for the appeal were held on August 9, 2017, and the appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report. The patent assets underlying this matter had no carrying value as of the date of the PTAB decision and therefore, there were no impairment considerations as a result of the decision. DSS Technology Management has filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit relating to the PTAB’s IPR decision.

On March 10, 2014, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC North America, TSMC Development, Inc. (collectively “TSMC”), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America L.L.C., Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., Samsung Austin Semiconductor LLC (“ Samsung”), and NEC Corporation of America (“ NEC”), for patent infringement involving certain of its semiconductor patents. DSS Technology Management sought a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and money damages from each of the named defendants. In June, 2014, TSMC filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patents at issue. Samsung then filed an IPR petition relating to the same patents in September 2014, and filed a corrected IPR petition in October 2014. On December 31, 2014, the PTAB instituted review of several of the patent claims at issue in the case. Samsung then filed a motion with PTAB to join TSMC’s IPR proceeding. The request was granted by PTAB. On November 30, 2015, the PTAB issued a decision invalidating the patent claims at issue in the case. A Markman hearing was held in the Eastern District of Texas. Based on the District Court’s claim construction order issued on April 9, 2015, DSS Technology Management and TSMC entered in to a Joint Stipulation and Proposed Final Judgment of Non-Infringement dated May 4, 2015, subject to DSS Technology Management’s right to appeal the court’s claim construction order to the Federal Circuit, thus preserving the status quo in the event an appeal resulted in a remand for further proceedings in the District Court. On March 22, 2016, the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of TSMC in the appeal. On April 28, 2015, DSS Technology Management reached a confidential settlement with NEC, ending the litigation with NEC. On April 1, 2016, TSMC and DSS Technology Management reached a confidential settlement, which included a sale of certain of the Company’s patent assets to TSMC, ending the litigation with TSMC.

On February 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, against defendants Intel Corporation, Dell, Inc., GameStop Corp., Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., NEC Corporation of America, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, and AT&T, Inc. The complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement of two of DSSTM’s patents, injunctive relief and money damages. On December 9, 2015, Intel filed IPR petitions with PTAB for review of the patents at issue in the case. Intel’s IPRs were instituted by PTAB on June 8, 2016. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The Intel litigation has been stayed by the District Court pending final determination of the IPR proceedings.

On July 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed three separate lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of certain of its semiconductor patents. The defendants are SK Hynixet al.,Samsung Electronicset al.,and Qualcomm Incorporated. Each respective complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement, injunctive relief and money damages. On November 12, 2015, SK Hynix filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patent at issue in their case. SK Hynix’s IPR was instituted by the PTAB on May 11, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung filed an IPR petition as well. On September 23, 2016, Samsung’s IPR was instituted by PTAB. On August 16, 2016, DSS Technology Management and SK Hynix entered into a confidential settlement agreement ending the litigation between them. The pending SK Hynix IPR was then terminated by mutual agreement of the parties on August 31, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung also filed an IPR petition, which was instituted by the PTAB. On September 20, 2017, PTAB ruled in favor of Samsung for all the challenged claims relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552. DSS Technology Management intends to appeal this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit Qualcomm filed its IPR proceeding on July 1, 2016, which was then later joined with Intel’s IPRs in August 2016 by PTAB. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel/Qualcomm for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report.

 

On January 29, 2016,April 13, 2017, Document Security Systems, Inc. (“DSS”) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (collectively, “Seoul Semiconductor”) in the Company received noticeUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the dismissalpatents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 7, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Seoul Semiconductor in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division. The case is currently pending.

On April 13, 2017, DSS filed a shareholder derivative suitpatent infringement lawsuit against Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and Everlight Americas, Inc. (collectively, “Everlight”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Everlight in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The case is currently pending.

On April 13, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. (“Cree”) in New York Statethe United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, DSS refiled its patent infringement complaint against Cree in April 2015 by Benjamin Lapin, derivativelythe United States District Court for the Central District of California, and thereafter filed a first amended complaint for patent infringement against Cree in that same court on behalfJuly 14, 2017. The case is currently pending.

On July 13, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Osram GMBH, Osram OPTO Semiconductors GMBH & Co., and Osram Sylvania Inc. (collectively, “Osram”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of all others similarly situated, Plaintiff v. Robert Fagenson, Jeffrey Ronaldi, Peter Hardigan, Robert Bzdick, Jonathon Perrelli, Warren Hurwitz, Ira Greenstein, David KleinCalifornia, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and Philip Jones, Defendants,disbursements. The case is currently pending.

On August 15, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc., and Lite-On Technology Corporation in the Company, as Nominal Defendant.United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company iswe may become subject to other legal proceedings that have arisenarise in the ordinary course of business and have not been finally adjudicated. Adverse decisions in any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or our financial condition. The Company accrues for potential litigation losses when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. In the event any fees, costs, penalties or other monetary awards are assessed against the Company in any of the litigation in which it is currently involved, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

Contingent Litigation Payments – The Company retains the services of professional service providers, including law firms that specialize in intellectual property licensing, enforcement and patent law. These service providers are often retained on an hourly, monthly, project, contingent or a blended fee basis. In contingency fee arrangements, a portion of the legal fee is based on predetermined milestones or the Company’s actual collection of funds. The Company accrues contingent fees when it is probable that the milestones will be achieved and the fees can be reasonably estimated. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company hashad not accrued any contingent legal fees pursuant to these arrangements.

 

Contingent Payments – The Company is party to certain agreements with funding partners who have rights to portions of intellectual property monetization proceeds that the Company receives. As of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015,2016, there are no contingent payments due.

 

6.Stockholders’8. Shareholders’ Equity

 

On August 26, 2016, the Company affected a one-for-four reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares of the Company’s common stock were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Instead, stockholders of record who otherwise would have been entitled to receive fractional shares were entitled to a rounding up of their fractional share to the nearest whole share, except in the case of any stockholder that owned less than four shares of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the reverse stock split. In such case, such stockholder received cash for such fractional share in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying: (x) the closing sale price of the common stock on August 25, 2016 as reported on the NYSE MKT, by (y) the amount of the fractional share. As a result, the Company issued 1,166 common shares for shares due as a result of the rounding up feature and paid $92 to buy-out the fractional shares of holders with less than four shares immediately preceding the reverse stock split. All references in this report to the number of shares of our common stock and to related per-share prices (including references to periods prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split) reflect this reverse stock split.

 

Stock Options - In March 2016, threeOn August 30, 2017, the Company sold 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s senior management voluntarily cancelledunregistered common stock and five-year warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 options to purchase240,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock withat an exercise pricesprice of $3.00 per share,$1.00 to a total of two related party accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $900,000, of which 41,667$300,000 was receivable as of the options were unvested on the date of cancellation.During the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017. On September 7, 2017, the Company issuedsold 133,333 shares of unregistered common stock and five-year warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 37,500 options to purchase26,667 additional shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.00 per share with a terman exercise price of five years$1.00 to two new employees.related party accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000. In conjunction with these transactions, the Company recorded $62,000 in related costs for placement agent fees and stock listing fees. The options vest pro-ratably as follows: 1/3 on the grant date, 1/3 on the first anniversarywarrants had an estimated aggregate fair value of the grant date and 1/3 on the second anniversary of the grant date as long as the employee is employed on such dates. The options were valued at $15,000 usingapproximately $112,000 which was determined by utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with a volatility of 85.6%89.3%, a risk free rate of return of 1.28%1.7% and zero dividend and forfeiture estimates.

On September 12, 2017, the Company and Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd. (“HBD”) entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement whereby the Company agreed to issue and sell to HBD 683,000 shares of its common stock, which had a market value on that date of $484,930, in exchange for 21,196,552 ordinary shares and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,759 of common shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 per share of Singapore eDevelopment Limited (“SED”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly-listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited. The SED shares and warrants were owned by HBD. The cost of the investment was the fair value of the Company’s common stock issued in the transaction which was determined to have the most readily determinable fair value. In conjunction with these transactions, the Company recorded $13,660 in stock listing fees. As of September 30, 2017, and the investment is carried at cost of approximately $485,000.

During September of 2017, the Company received an aggregate of approximately $176,000 in proceeds from the exercise of warrants for 234,091 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Restricted Stock - During the nine months ended September 30, 2016,On January 12, 2017, the Company issued 6,250an aggregate of 200,000 shares of restricted common stock to a consultant providing marketing services tomembers of the Company. The restricted sharesCompany’s management team of which 150,000 vested on May 2, 201617, 2017 and had an aggregateaggregated grant date fair value of approximately $6,250.$126,000. The remaining 50,000 will vest if the Company achieves adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of at least $500,000 and a stock trading price of at least $1.00 per share by the close of the fourth quarter of 2017. In addition, during 2016 the Company issued an aggregate of 224,750 shares of restricted stock to members of the Company’s management team which vested on May 17, 2017 and had an aggregated grant date fair value of approximately $124,000.

Stock-Based Payments and Compensation -The Company records stock-based payment expense related to options and warrants based on the grant date fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Stock-based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants. Such awards include option grants, warrant grants, and restricted stock awards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, the Company had stock compensation expense of approximately $88,000$203,000 or less than $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share ($842,000; $0.0788,000; less than $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share for the corresponding nine months ended September 30, 2015)2016).

7.9. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Supplemental cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016 is approximately as follows:

 

 2016  2015  2017  2016 
Cash paid for interest $163,000  $189,000  $127,000  $163,000 
        
Non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Loss from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives $(22,000) $(19,000)
Financing of equipment purchases $-  $525,000 
Gain (loss) from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives  10,000  $(22,000)
Common Stock issued for investment  485,000  $- 

 

8.10. Segment Information

 

The Company’s businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as four operating segments. Two of these operating segments, Packaging and Printing, and Plastics are engaged in the printing and production of paper, cardboard and plastic documents with a wide range of features, including the Company’s patented technologies and trade secrets designed for the protection of documents against unauthorized duplication and altering. The two other operating segments, DSS Digital Group and DSS Technology Management, are engaged in various aspects of developing, acquiring, selling and licensing technology assets and are grouped into one reportable segment called Technology.

 

Approximate information concerning the Company’s operations by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 20152016 is as follows. The Company relies on intersegment cooperation and management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the results contained herein:herein.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenues from external customers $3,287,000   1,162,000   531,000   -  $4,980,000 
Depreciation and amortization  163,000   29,000   157,000   1,000   350,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   -   1,000   1,000 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders  415,000   134,000   (182,000)  (394,000)  (27,000)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenues from external customers $2,871,000   1,104,000   445,000   -  $4,420,000 
Depreciation and amortization  155,000   29,000   218,000   3,000   405,000 
Stock based compensation  17,000   9,000   8,000   165,000   199,000 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders  337,000   138,000   (739,000)  (596,000)  (860,000)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $2,719,000  $1,049,000  $431,000  $-  $4,199,000 
Depreciation and amortization  169,000   30,000   152,000   1,000   352,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   1,000   11,000   12,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  304,000   53,000   (397,000)  (237,000)  (277,000)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenues from external customers $8,871,000   3,277,000   1,243,000   -  $13,391,000 
Depreciation and amortization  469,000   86,000   492,000   2,000   1,049,000 
Stock based compensation  17,000   11,000   19,000   41,000   88,000 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders  947,000   388,000   (1,242,000)  (1,062,000)  (969,000)
Identifiable assets  9,032,000   2,167,000   2,450,000   207,000   13,856,000 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,287,000  $1,162,000  $531,000  $-  $4,980,000 
Depreciation and amortization  163,000   29,000   157,000   1,000   350,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   -   1,000 �� 1,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  415,000   134,000   (182,000)  (394,000)  (27,000)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total 
Revenues from external customers $7,663,000   3,016,000   1,367,000   -  $12,046,000 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Packaging and Printing Plastics Technology Corporate Total 
Revenue $8,122,000  $3,431,000  $1,276,000  $-  $12,829,000 
Depreciation and amortization  427,000   90,000   651,000   7,000   1,175,000   487,000   91,000   462,000   2,000   1,042,000 
Stock based compensation  52,000   29,000   75,000   686,000   842,000   -   -   38,000   165,000   203,000 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders  474,000   236,000   (2,166,000)  (2,094,000)  (3,550,000)
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  812,000   372,000   (967,000)  (943,000)  (726,000)
Identifiable assets  9,534,000   2,116,000   12,535,000   2,180,000   26,365,000   9,143,000   2,450,000   1,642,000   4,200,000   17,435,000 

 

15
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $8,871,000  $3,277,000  $1,243,000  $-  $13,391,000 
Depreciation and amortization  469,000   86,000   492,000   2,000   1,049,000 
Stock based compensation  17,000   11,000   19,000   41,000   88,000 
Net Income (loss) to common shareholders  947,000   388,000   (1,242,000)  (1,062,000)  (969,000)
Identifiable assets  9,032,000   2,167,000   2,450,000   207,000   13,856,000 

11. Subsequent Events

On November 1, 2017, the Company issued 500,000 shares of its common stock, and a three-year warrant to purchase up to 125,000 additional shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, along with a cash payment of $125,000, to Nix, Patterson & Roach LLP (“NPR”), a law firm, for the purpose of settling all accrued and outstanding billed and unbilled invoices for expenses owed by the Company to NPR in connection with various litigation matters handled by NPR on behalf of the Company. The total amount owed to NPR for litigation related expenses was approximately $714,000.

ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “1995 Reform Act”). Document Security Systems, Inc. desires to avail itself of certain “safe harbor” provisions of the 1995 Reform Act and is therefore including this special note to enable us to do so. Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements (identified by the words “estimate”, “project”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “hope”, “strategy” and similar expressions), which are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and factors, as previously set forth in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016 that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (referred to in this report as “Document Security Systems”, “DSS”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “Company”) has strategically focused its core business efforts on developing and selling anti-counterfeiting technologies and solutions. We emphasize fraud and counterfeit prevention for all forms of printed documents and digital information. The Company holds numerous patents for optical deterrent technologies that provide protection of printed information from unauthorized scanning and copying. We operate two production facilities, consisting of a combined security printing and packaging facility and a plastic card facility where we produce secure and non-secure documents for our customers. We license our anti-counterfeiting technologies to printers and brand-owners. In addition, we have a digital division which provides cloud computing services for our customers, including disaster recovery, back-up and data security services. In 2013, the Company expanded its business focus by merging with DSS Technology Management, Inc., formerly known as Lexington Technology Group, Inc., which acquires intellectual property assets and interests in companies owning intellectual property assets for the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation.

We do business in four operating segments as follows:

DSS Packaging and Printing Group - Produces custom paperboard packaging serving clients in the pharmaceutical, beverage, photo packaging, toy, specialty foods and direct marketing industries, among others. The group also provides secure and commercial printing services for end-user customers along with technical support for our technology licensees. The division produces a wide array of printed materials such as security paper, vital records, prescription paper, birth certificates, receipts, manuals, identification materials, entertainment tickets, secure coupons, parts tracking forms, brochures, direct mailing pieces, catalogs, business cards, etc. The division also provides resources and production equipment resources for our ongoing research and development of security printing and related technologies.

 

DSS Plastics Group - Manufactures laminated and surface printed cards which can include magnetic stripes, bar codes, holograms, signature panels, invisible ink, micro fine printing, guilloche patterns, biometric, radio frequency identification (RFID) and watermarks for printed plastic documents such as ID cards, event badges, and driver’s licenses.

 

DSS Digital Group - Provides data center centric solutions to businesses and governments delivered via the “cloud”. This division developed and markets AuthentiGuard, an iPhone based application system that integrates traditional printed optical deterrent technologies with proprietary digital data security based solutions for brand protection and product diversion prevention.

 

DSS Technology Management - Acquires or internally develops patented technology or intellectual property assets (or interests therein), with the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, but not limited to, investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation. Since 2013, DSS Technology Management has been involved in several patent litigation lawsuits, and as of the date of this filing, has active litigation against several companies, as summarized below.

On November 26, 2013, DSS Technology Management filed suit against Apple, Inc. (“Apple”), in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, for patent infringement (the “Apple Litigation”). The complaint alleges infringement by Apple of DSS Technology Management’s patents that relate to systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices.devices DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgementjudgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Apple. On October 28, 2014, the case was stayed by the District Court pending a determination of Apple’s motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California. On November 7, 2014, Apple’s motion to transfer the case was transferred to the Northern District of California. InCalifornia was granted. On December 30, 2014, Apple filed twoInter Partes Review(“IPR”) petitions with PTABthe Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) for review of the patents at issue in the case. The PTAB instituted the IPRs on June 25, 2015. The California District Court then stayed the case pending the outcome of those IPR proceedings. Oral arguments of the IPRs took place on March 15, 2016. On2016, and on June 17, 2016, PTAB ruled in favor of Apple on both IPR petitions. DSS Technology Management has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) seeking reversal of the PTAB decisions. Oral arguments for the appeal were held on August 9, 2017, and the appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report. The patent assets underlying this matter had no carrying value as of the date of the PTAB decision and therefore, there were no impairment considerations as a result of the decision. DSS Technology Management has filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit relating to the PTAB’s IPR decision.

 

On March 10, 2014, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC North America, TSMC Development, Inc. (referred to collectively as TSMC), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America L.L.C., Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., Samsung Austin Semiconductor LLC (referred to collectively as Samsung), and NEC Corporation of America (referred to as NEC), for patent infringement involving certain of its semiconductor patents. DSS Technology Management sought a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and money damages from each of the named defendants. In June, 2014, TSMC filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patents at issue. Samsung then filed an IPR petition relating to the same patents in September 2014, and filed a corrected IPR petition in October 2014. On December 31, 2014, the PTAB instituted review of several of the patent claims at issue in the case. Samsung then filed a motion with PTAB to join TSMC’s IPR proceeding. The request was granted by PTAB. On November 30, 2015, the PTAB issued a decision invalidating the patent claims at issue in the case. A Markman hearing was held in the Eastern District of Texas. Based on the District Court’s claim construction order issued on April 9, 2015, DSS Technology Management and TSMC entered in to a Joint Stipulation and Proposed Final Judgment of Non-Infringement dated May 4, 2015, subject to DSS Technology Management’s right to appeal the court’s claim construction order to the Federal Circuit, thus preserving the status quo in the event an appeal results in a remand for further proceedings in the District Court. On March 22, 2016, the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of TSMC in the appeal. On April 28, 2015, DSS Technology Management reached a confidential settlement with NEC, ending the litigation with NEC. On April 1, 2016, TSMC and DSS Technology Management reached a confidential settlement, which included a sale of certain of the Company’s patent assets to TSMC, ending the litigation with TSMC.

On February 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, against defendants Intel Corporation, Dell, Inc., GameStop Corp., Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., NEC Corporation of America, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, and AT&T, Inc. The complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement of two of DSSTM’s patents, injunctive relief and money damages. On December 9, 2015, Intel filed IPR petitions with PTAB for review of the patents at issue in the case. Intel’s IPRs were instituted by PTAB on June 8, 2016. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The Intel litigation has been stayed by the District Court pending final determination of the IPR proceedings.

 

On July 16, 2015, DSS Technology Management filed three separate lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of certain of its semiconductor patents. The defendants are SK Hynixet al.,Samsung Electronicset al.,and Qualcomm Incorporated. Each respective complaint alleges patent infringement and seeks judgment for infringement, injunctive relief and money damages. On November 12, 2015, SK Hynix filed an IPR petition with PTAB for review of the patent at issue in their case. SK Hynix’s IPR was instituted by the PTAB on May 11, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung filed an IPR petition as well. On September 23, 2016, Samsung’s IPR was instituted by PTAB. On August 16, 2016, DSS Technology Management and SK Hynix entered into a confidential settlement agreement ending the litigation between them. The pending SK Hynix IPR was then terminated by mutual agreement of the parties on August 31, 2016. On March 18, 2016, Samsung also filed an IPR petition, which was instituted by the PTAB. On September 20, 2017, PTAB ruled in favor of Samsung for all the challenged claims relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552. DSS Technology Management intends to appeal this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit. Qualcomm filed its IPR proceeding on July 1, 2016, which was then later joined with Intel’s IPRs in August 2016 by PTAB. On June 1, 2017, the PTAB ruled in favor of Intel/Qualcomm for all the challenged claims. On July 28, 2017, DSS Technology Management filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. The appeal is still pending as of the date of this Report.

In April and July of 2017, Document Security Systems filed patent infringement lawsuits against various defendants relating to DSS’s Light-Emitting Diode patents. Those cases were previously disclosed in the Company’s second quarter Report on Form 10-Q In August of 2017, Document Security Systems filed another patent infringement suit relating to its Light-Emitting Diode patents, the specifics of which are disclosed in this Report in Part II, Item 1 Legal Proceedings.

 

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20162017 as compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20152016

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in this quarterly report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

2016.

Revenue

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 % change Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 % change 
Revenue                                                
Printed products $4,449,000  $3,975,000   12% $12,148,000  $10,678,000   14% $3,767,000  $4,449,000   -15% $11,553,000  $12,148,000   -5%
Technology sales, services and licensing  531,000   445,000   19%  1,243,000   1,367,000   -9%  432,000   531,000   -19%  1,276,000   1,243,000   3%
Total revenue $4,980,000  $4,420,000   13% $13,391,000  $12,045,000   11% $4,199,000  $4,980,000   -16% $12,829,000  $13,391,000   -4%

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, total revenue was approximately $5.0$4.2 million, an increasea decrease of 13%16% from the corresponding three months ended September 30, 2015.2016. Revenues from the sale of printed products increased 12%decreased 15% during the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, as compared to the same period in 2015. The increase in sales was2016, primarily due to an increasea decrease in sales atorders from the Company’s largest packaging division.customer. Technology sales, services and licensing revenue increasedecreased 19% during the three months ended September 30, 20162017 as compared to the same period in 2015,2016, which primarily reflected the impact of a $150,000 one-time license settlement derivedthe Company realized in the 2016 period that did not occur in the 2017 period. Absent this item, this revenue category would have increased approximately 13% during the three months ended September 30, 2107 primarily due to an increase in revenue generated by the Company’s IP monetization business in the 2016 period.AuthentiGuard product line.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, total revenue was approximately $13.4$12.8 million, representing an increasea decrease of 11%4% from the corresponding nine months ended September 30, 2015.2016. Revenues from the sale of printed products increased 14%decreased 5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, as compared to the same period in 2015, with packaging product sales up 16% and plastic card sales up 9%, respectively,2016, primarily driven by an increasedue to a decrease in sales toorders from the Company’s largest packaging customer and an increase in technology based ID card product sales.customer. Technology sales, services and licensing revenue decreased 9%increased 3% during the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 as compared to the same period in 2015,2016, which primarily reflected a decreasean increase in sales fromrevenue generated by the Company’s digitalAuthentiGuard product group primarily due to a decrease in hardware and software resales during the 2016 period.line.

18

 

Costs and expenses

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Three Months
Ended September 30, 2017
 Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
 % change Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 % change 
Costs and expenses                                                
Cost of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $2,875,000  $2,556,000   12% $7,816,000  $7,206,000   8%
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $2,401,000  $2,875,000   -16% $7,380,000  $7,816,000   -6%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  963,000   1,008,000   -4%  2,732,000   3,021,000   -10%  920,000   1,081,000   -15%  2,761,000   3,082,000   -10%
Depreciation and amortization  349,000   405,000   -14%  1,049,000   1,175,000   -11%  352,000   349,000   1%  1,042,000   1,049,000   -1%
Professional fees  162,000   508,000   -68%  704,000   1,534,000   -54%  198,000   162,000   22%  556,000   704,000   -21%
Stock based compensation  2,000   199,000   -99%  88,000   842,000   -90%  12,000   2,000   500%  203,000   88,000   131%
Sales and marketing  79,000   57,000   39%  245,000   250,000   -2%  117,000   79,000   48%  292,000   245,000   19%
Rent and utilities  164,000   186,000   -12%  449,000   510,000   -12%  167,000   164,000   2%  462,000   449,000   3%
Other operating expenses  222,000   151,000   47%  695,000   564,000   23%  205,000   222,000   -8%  561,000   695,000   -19%
Research and development  118,000   117,000   1%  350,000   350,000   0%
                        
Total costs and expenses $4,934,000  $5,187,000   -5% $14,128,000  $15,452,000   -9% $4,372,000  $4,934,000   -11% $13,257,000  $14,128,000   -6%

 

Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortizationincludes all direct costs of printed products revenues, including materials, direct labor, transportation and manufacturing facility costs. In addition, this category includes all direct costs associated with technology sales, services and licensing including hardware and software that are resold, and fees paid to inventors or others as a result of technology licenses or settlements, if any. Costs of goods sold increased 12%decreased by 16% during the three months ended September 30, 20162017 as compared to the same period in 2015.2016. The increasedecrease on a percentage basis was less than the increaseoffset by a 16% decrease in revenuerevenues over the same period which primarily reflected an increase in sales of higher margin products during the quarter.period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, costs of goods sold increased 8%decreased by 6%, which was lessgreater than the 11% increasedecrease in revenue overon a percentage basis, for the same period which also reflected a general increase inthe improving gross margin of the Company’s sales mix toas it sees a higher marginpercentage of its sales derived from technology based products.

Sales, general and administrative compensation costs, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased 4%15% and 10% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017, as compared to the same periods in 2015, primarily due to a reduction of employee headcount, a reduction in bonus compensation and a reduction in executive management compensation.

Depreciation and amortization includes the depreciation of machinery and equipment used for production, depreciation of office equipment and building and leasehold improvements, amortization of software, and amortization of acquired intangible assets such as customer lists, trademarks, non-compete agreements and patents, and internally developed patent assets. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 14% and 11% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2015, primarily due to the eliminationimpact of amortization expense$207,500 of compensation cost sharing amounts received by the Company in conjunction with an intellectual property monetization program management arrangement the Company entered into in November of 2016 for which the Company received funds to offset certain of its compensation expenses associated with a group of patent assets that became fully-amortized in the first quarter of 2016.monetization program.

 

Professional fees decreased 68% and 54%increased 22% during the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase is primarily due to the addition of investor relations and sales and marketing consultants. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017, professional fees decreased by 21% as compared to the same periodsperiod in 2015. The decreases are primarily due to2016 as a result of a significant decreasereduction in legal and consulting fees incurred by the Company related to the intellectual property infringement suits that the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Technology Management, is currently involved in, and the elimination of legal fees associated with a derivative suit that was filed against the Company and its officers and directors in April 2015 which was dismissed in January 2016.Company.

 

Stock-based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants. Such awards include option grants, warrant grants, and restricted stock awards. Stock-based compensation decreased 99%increased 500% and 90%131%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017, as compared to the same periods in 2015, which reflects a significant decrease in2016, due to the numbercosts of restricted stock grants to certain management members during the fourth quarter of 2016 and valuethe first quarter of equity compensation granted by the Company since 2014.2017 that have vested during 2017.

 

Sales and marketing costs, which includes internet and trade publication advertising, travel and entertainment costs, sales-broker commissions, and trade show participation expenses increased 39% during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in trade-show costs48% and direct sales travel costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, sales and marketing costs were essentially flat.

Rent and utilities decreased 12%19%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to increased travel and entertainment costs related to the Company’s 2017 shareholders’ meeting.

Rent and utilities increased by 2% and 3%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same periods in 2015,2016, primarily due to a decreaseincreases in rent costs asfor the result of the move of the Company’s corporate and digital group to a new location in Rochester, New York in December 2015.Company.

 

Other operating expenses consist primarily of equipment maintenance and repairs, office supplies, IT support, bad debt expense and insurance costs.Other operating expensesincreased 47% decreased by 7% and 23%19%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017, as compared to the same periods in 2015.The increases are2016, primarily due to an increase in corporate insurance expense in the 2016 periods.

Research and development costs consist primarily of compensation costs for research personnel, third-party research costs, and consulting costs. Research and development costs were virtually flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to same periods in 2015 as the Company has made no changes toresult of a decrease in insurance costs, office expenses and the number or compensationwrite-off of research personnel involved in the research and development of the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line.previously expensed customer related fees.

 

Other Income and Expense

 

 Three Months
Ended September 30, 2017
  Three Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  % change  Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2017
  Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2016
  % change 
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change              
Other expenses                                                
Interest expense $(68,000) $(89,000)  -24% $(218,000) $(257,000)  -15% $(58,000) $(68,000)  -15% $(171,000) $(218,000)  -22%
Gain on sales of investment and equipment  -   -   0%  -   146,000   -100%
Net loss on debt modification and extinguishment  -   -   0%  -   (19,000)  -100%
                        
Amortized debt discount  (41,000)  -   100%  (113,000)  -   100%
Other expense $(68,000) $(89,000)  -24% $(218,000) $(130,000)  68% $(99,000) $(68,000)  46% $(284,000) $(218,000)  30%

 

Interest expense decreased 24%15% and 15%22%, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,2017, as compared to the same periods in 2015,2016, due to a decrease in the total debt carried by the Company in 20162017 as compared to 2015.

During2016. Amortized debt discount amounts in 2017 are due to the nine months ended September 30, 2015,commencement of debt discount amortization related to a funding agreement entered into by the Company recognized gains on salesduring the fourth quarter of investments and equipment which consisted of approximately $46,000 received by the Company’s subsidiary Premier Packaging for the sale of a printing press and $100,000 received by the Company’s subsidiary DSS Technology Management as a distribution from its investment in VirtualAgility Technology Investment LLC that the Company had previously written down to zero.

2016.

Net Loss

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015  % change  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  % change 
                          
Net loss  (27,000)  (860,000)  -97%  (969,000)  (3,550,000)  -73% $(277,000) $(27,000)  926% $(726,000) $(969,000)  -25%
                                                
Loss per common share:                                                
Basic and diluted $(0.00) $(0.07)  -100% $(0.07) $(0.31)  -77% $(0.02) $(0.00)  100% $(0.05) $(0.07)  -29%
                        
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                        
Basic and diluted  12,977,903   11,703,442   11%  12,975,053   11,613,491   12%

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016,2017, net loss was approximately $27,000,$277,000, a 97% decrease926% increase from a net loss of $860,000 in$27,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2015.2016. The increase in net loss is primarily due to the impact of significant decreases in packaging sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net loss was approximately $726,000, a decrease of 25% from a net loss of $969,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in net loss is primarily due to the combined impact of increases in technology card sales of the Company’s packaging and plastic products and a one-time settlement license of $150,000 and significant reductionsAuthentiGuard sales, in professional fees and stock based compensation costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net loss was $969,000, a 73% decrease from a net loss of $3.6 millionaddition to an overall reduction in the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease is primarily due to the combined impact of increases in sales of the Company’s packaging and plastic products and significant reductions in professional fees and stock based compensationoperating costs.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, the Company had cash of approximately $823,000$4,223,000 and restricted cash of approximately $188,000.$336,000. In addition, the Company had $800,000 available to its packaging division under a revolving credit line. While the Company has a negative net working capital of approximately $1.5 million as of September 30, 2017, approximately $3,612,000 of short-term debt and $450,000 of short term other liabilities which are due in February 2018 can be settled by the Company by the transfer and assignment of certain of the Company’s patent assets and therefore, will not require the use of the Company’s cash or other current assets to settle. As of September 30, 2017, the Company believes that it has sufficient cash to meet its cash requirements for at least the next 12 months from the filing date of this Report. In addition, the Company believes that it will have access, if needed, to sources of capital from the sale of its equity securities and debt financings.

 

Operating Cash Flow – During the first nine months of 2016,2017, the Company generatedused approximately $384,000$1.4 million of cash for operations as compared to a usethe generation of cash for operations of approximately $1.2 million during the same period in 2015. The significant improvement in operating cash flow in 2016 generally reflects the significant reduction in the Company’s net lossby operation during the first nine months of 2016 overof approximately $384,000. The significant increase in operating cash use in 2017 was primarily due to the same perioduse of cash to pay-down accounts payable and accrued expenses, an increase in 2015.net restricted cash of approximately $159,000 during 2017, and the build-up of inventory by the Company’s packaging division in anticipation of sales in the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

Investing Cash Flow During the first nine months of 2017, the Company expended approximately $438,000 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations and approximately $5,000 for the prosecution of several patent applications. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company expended approximately $193,000 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations and approximately $73,000 for the prosecution of several patent applications. The Company also received $495,000 for the sale of certain of its patent assets in conjunction with a settlement with a former litigant in one of the Company’s patent infringement suits.

 

Financing Cash Flows - During the first nine months of 2016,2017, the Company made aggregate principal payments for long-term debt of approximately $1,230,000, which included a one-time payment of $495,000 to one of its third-party funding providers.

Future Capital Needs -As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash$612,000, and received proceeds of approximately $823,000 and restricted cash of approximately $188,000. In addition,$783,000 from the Company had $800,000 available to its packaging division under a revolving credit line,which may not be sufficient to cover the Company’s future cash requirements. The Company has negative working capital of approximately $4,299,000 as of September 30, 2016, of which approximately $3,462,000 is related to short-term debt that could be paid by non-cash assets when due. The Company believes that its current cash resources and credit line resources provide it with sufficient resources to fund its operations and meet its obligations for at least the next twelve months, provided that the Company achieves or substantially achieves the key factors of its business plan over the next twelve months, including but not limited to (i) increasing salessale of the Company’s digital products, especially of its AuthentiGuard products; (ii) continuing to decrease legal and professional expenses for the Company’s intellectual property monetization business; and (iii) continuing to generate operating profits from the Company’s packaging and plastic printing operations. In the absence of any of these, we will likely need to raise capital of approximately $500,000 to $1,000,000 to fund our operations through September 30, 2017. The Company believes that it will be able to extend maturities of current debt, and, if necessary, raise additional equity and/or debt funding to fund its working capital requirements not met by its current cash and credit resources. However, there is no assurance the Company will be able to raise sufficient funds in the future if necessary to do so.common stock.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, an effect on our financial condition, financial statements, revenues or expenses.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

21

 

ITEM 4 - 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 our disclosure controls and procedures for the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016,2017, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation and on the material weakness disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016 which remained as of September 30, 2016,2017, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2016,2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is being recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that our disclosure controls are not effectively designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is being accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Plan for Remediation of Material Weaknesses

 

In response to the identified material weaknesses identified above, management, with oversight from the Company’s audit committee, plans to continue to monitor and review our control environment and to evaluate whether cost effective solutions are available to remedy the identified material weaknesses by expanding the resources available to the financial reporting process.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes to our internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act during the thirdsecond quarter of 20162017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting,reporting.

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None.On August 15, 2017, Document Security Systems, Inc. (“DSS”) filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc., and Lite-On Technology Corporation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. DSS is seeking a judgement for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending as of the date of this Report.

 

ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes to the discussion of risk factors previously disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.On November 1, 2017, the Company issued 500,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.02 per share (the “Common Stock”) and a three-year warrant to purchase up to 125,000 additional shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share (the “Warrant”), and also made a cash payment of $125,000, to Nix, Patterson & Roach LLP (“NPR”), a law firm, for the purpose of settling all accrued and outstanding billed and unbilled invoices for expenses owed by the Company to NPR in connection with various litigation matters handled by NPR on behalf of the Company. The total amount owed to NPR for litigation related expenses was approximately $714,000. The Warrant does not provide for a cashless exercise feature.

Neither the Common Stock, the Warrant, nor the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (collectively, the “Securities”) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. These Securities may not be offered or sold by the recipient in the United States in the absence of an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.*
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.*
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer as required by 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

101.INSXBRL Instance Document*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

 

*Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
   
November 14, 20162017By:/s/ Jeffrey Ronaldi
  

Jeffrey Ronaldi

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

   
November 14, 20162017By:/s/ Philip Jones
  

Philip Jones

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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