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 ended March 31, 20192020

 

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

 

For the transition period fromto ______to_______ .

 

001-32146
Commission file number

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

 

New York 16-1229730

(State or other Jurisdiction of


incorporation- or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer


Identification No.)

 

200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300
Rochester, NY 14623
(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 every Interactive Date File required to be submitted 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 such files) Yes [X] No [  ]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]Accelerated filer [  ]Non-accelerated filer [X]Smaller reporting company [X]
Emerging growth company [  ]   

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)


Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Ticker symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.02 par value per share DSS The NYSE American LLC

 

As of May 14, 2019,11, 2020, there were 18,002,7212,078,687 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.02 par value, outstanding.

 

 

  

   
 

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.


FORM 10-Q


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION3
Item 1Financial Statements3
 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 (Unaudited) and December 31, 201820193
 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 20120 and 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)4
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)5
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three and months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)

6
 

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7
Item 2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2022
Item 4Controls and Procedures2426
   
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION27

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

2527
Item 1ARisk Factors2527
Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds2527
Item 3Defaults upon Senior Securities2627
Item 4Mine Safety Disclosures2627
Item 5Other Information2627

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of

(unaudited) March 31, 2020

 

 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018  March 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash $1,336,754  $2,317,659  $3,802,000  $1,096,000 
Restricted cash  109,892   130,326 
Accounts receivable, net of $50,000 allowance for doubtful accounts  2,495,828   2,217,877 
Accounts receivable, net of $2,000 and $41,000 respectively allowance for doubtful accounts  3,582,000   4,212,000 
Inventory  1,345,667   1,563,593   1,743,000   1,708,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  309,223   285,580   514,000   460,000 
Total current assets  5,597,364   6,515,035   9,641,000   7,476,000 
                
Property, plant and equipment, net  5,015,358   5,014,494   4,925,000   5,061,000 
Investment  324,930   324,930   2,154,000   2,154,000 
Marketable securities  570,000   - 
Notes receivable  1,255,000   793,000 
Other assets  90,319   90,319   54,000   50,000 
Right-of-use assets  1,396,278   -   1,119,000   1,223,000 
Goodwill  2,453,597   2,453,597   1,769,000   2,454,000 
Other intangible assets, net  1,291,868   881,411   816,000   935,000 
        
Total assets $16,169,714  $15,279,786  $22,303,000  $20,146,000 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable $1,246,798  $1,347,491  $1,489,000  $1,492,000 
Accrued expenses and deferred revenue  965,652   1,106,346   706,000   936,000 
Other current liabilities  1,846,281   2,255,942   390,000   390,000 
Revolving line of credit  800,000   500,000 
Current portion of lease liability  369,000   397,000 
Current portion of long-term debt, net  698,369   713,427   403,000   441,000 
Current portion of lease liability  360,839   - 
Total current liabilities  5,117,939   5,423,206   4,157,000   4,156,000 
                
Long-term debt, net  1,680,285   1,721,936   2,427,000   2,310,000 
Lease liability  1,059,802   - 
Long term lease liability  750,000   826,000 
Other long-term liabilities  350,906   391,325   507,000   507,000 
Deferred tax liability, net  168,986   168,986   44,000   44,000 
                
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)        
                
Stockholders’ equity                
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 18,002,721 shares issued and outstanding (17,425,858 on December 31, 2018)  360,054   348,517 
Common stock, $.02 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized,
2,069,000 shares issued and outstanding (1,206,000 on December 31, 2019)
  42,000   24,000 
Additional paid-in capital  108,281,820   107,624,666   119,624,000   115,560,000 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (7,830)  (7,052)
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary  (67,000)  - 
Accumulated deficit  (100,842,248)  (100,391,798)  (105,181,000)  (103,281,000)
Total stockholders’ equity  7,791,796   7,574,333   14,418,000   12,303,000 
        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $16,169,714  $15,279,786  $22,303,000  $20,146,000 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

For the Three Months Ended March 31,Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 
 2019 2018  2020  2019 
Revenue:                
Printed products $4,366,054  $3,923,279  $3,949,000  $4,366,000 
Technology sales, services and licensing  442,866   454,275   479,000   443,000 
Direct marketing  573,000   - 
Total revenue  4,808,920   4,377,554   5,001,000   4,809,000 
                
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization  3,159,551   2,581,615   3,271,000   3,160,000 
Selling, general and administrative (including stock based compensation)  1,776,815   1,782,568   2,641,000   1,777,000 
Depreciation and amortization  294,407   345,667   360,000   294,000 
Impairment of goodwill  685,000   - 
        
Total costs and expenses  5,230,773   4,709,850   6,957,000   5,231,000 
        
Operating loss  (421,853)  (332,296)  (1,956,000)  (422,000)
                
Other income (expense):                
Interest income  1,668   3,074   24,000   2,000 
Interest expense  (29,665)  (49,138)  (39,000)  (30,000)
Gain on marketable securities  4,000   - 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  (600)  (27,731)  -   (1,000)
        
Loss before income taxes  (450,450)  (406,091)  (1,967,000)  (451,000)
                
Income tax expense (benefit)  -   -   -   - 
        
Net loss $(450,450) $(406,091)  (1,967,000)  (451,000)
                
Other comprehensive (loss) income:        
Interest rate swap (loss) gain  (778)  14,889 
Add: loss attributed to non-controlling interest  67,000   - 
        
Net loss to common stockholders  (1,900,000)  (451,000)
        
Other comprehensive loss:        
Interest rate swap loss  -   (1,000)
                
Comprehensive loss: $(451,228) $(391,202) $(1,967,000) $(452,000)
                
Loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted $(0.03) $(0.02)
Basic $(1.23) $(0.77)
Diluted $(1.23) $(0.77)
                
Shares used in computing loss per common share:                
Basic and diluted  17,494,750   16,599,327 
Basic  1,539,052   583,158 
Diluted  1,539,052   583,158 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(unaudited)

 2019 2018  2020  2019 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss $(450,450) $(406,091) $(1,967,000) $(451,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  294,407   345,667   360,000   294,000 
Stock based compensation  30,701   1,251   90,000   31,000 
Paid in-kind interest  -   12,000 
Unrealized gain on investment  (4,000)  - 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  600   27,731   -   1,000 
Impairment of goodwill  685,000   - 
Decrease (increase) in assets:                
Accounts receivable  (277,951)  25,689   630,000   (278,000)
Inventory  217,926   51,699   (35,000)  218,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  720   13,329   (54,000)  1,000 
Other assets  (4,000)  - 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:                
Accounts payable  (100,692)  188,795   (3,000)  (101,000)
Accrued expenses  (213,370)  (103,928)  (167,000)  (213,000)
Other liabilities  (378,183)  (249,594)  -   (378,000)
Net cash used by operating activities  (876,292)  (93,452)  (469,000)  (876,000)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (210,945)  (132,937)  (105,000)  (211,000)
Purchase of marketable securities  (566,000)  - 
Note receivable investment  (462,000)  - 
Purchase of intangible assets  (350,000)  (15,780)  -   (350,000)
Net cash used by investing activities  (560,945)  (148,717)  (1,133,000)  (561,000)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Payments of long-term debt  (57,309)  (206,542)  (121,000)  (57,000)
Borrowings from convertible note  500,000   - 
Borrowings of long-term debt  200,000   - 
Borrowings from revolving lines of credit, net  300,000   - 
Borrowings from convertible of note  -   500,000 
Issuances of common stock, net of issuance costs  (6,793)  -   3,929,000   (7,000)
Receipt of subscription receivable, net of issuance costs  -   288,000 
Net cash provided by financing activities  435,898   81,458   4,308,000   436,000 
                
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (1,001,339)  (160,711)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period  2,447,985   4,444,628 
Net increase (decrease) in cash  2,706,000   (1,001,000)
Cash at beginning of period  1,096,000   2,448,000 
                
Cash and restricted cash at end of period $1,446,646  $4,283,917 
Cash at end of period $3,802,000  $1,447,000 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

       Accumulated      Common Stock Additional Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Non- controlling Interest in Accumulated   
   Additional   Other     
 Common Stock Paid-in Subscription Comprehensive Accumulated   
 Shares  

Amount

  Capital Receivable Loss Deficit Total 
Balance, December 31, 2017  16,599,327  $331,987  $106,633,708  $(300,000) $(23,069) $(101,856,767) $4,785,859 
                            
Issuance of common stock, net  -   -   (12,000)  300,000   -   -   288,000 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   1,251   -   -   -   1,251 
Other comprehensive gain  -   -   -   -   14,889   -   14,889 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (406,091)  (406,091)
                            
Balance, March 31, 2018  16,599,327  $331,987  $106,622,959  $-  $(8,180) $(102,262,858) $4,683,907 
                             Shares Amount  Capital Loss Subsidiary Deficit Total 
Balance, December 31, 2018  17,425,858  $348,517  $107,624,666  $-  $(7,052) $(100,391,798) $7,574,333   581,000  $11,000  $107,962,000  $(7,000)  -  $(100,392,000) $7,574,000 
                                                        
Issuance of common stock, net  576,863   11,537   626,453   -   -   -   637,990   19,000   -   638,000   -   -   -   638,000 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   30,701   -   -   -   30,701   -   -   31,000   -   -   -   31,000 
Other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   (778)  -   (778)  -   -   -   (1,000)  -   -   (1,000)
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (450,450)  (450,450)  -   -   -   -   -   (451,000  (451,000
Balance, March 31, 2019  600,000  $11,000  $108,631,000  $(8,000) $-  $(100,843,000) $7,791,000 
                                                        
Balance, March 31, 2019  18,002,721  $360,054  $108,281,820  $-  $(7,830) $(100,842,248) $7,791,796 
Balance, December 31, 2019  1,206,000   24,000   115,560,000   -   -   (103,281,000)  12,303,000 
                            
Issuance of common stock, net  863,000   18,000   4,036,000   -   -   -   4,054,000 
Stock based payments, net of tax effect  -   -   28,000   -   -   -   28,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (67,000)  (1,900,000)  (1,967,000)
Balance, March 31, 2020  2,069,000  $42,000  $119,624,000  $-  $(67,000) $(105,181,000) $14,418,000 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


March 31, 2019

2020
(Unaudited)

 

1.Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), operates nine (9) business lines through twonine (9) DSS subsidiaries located around the globe.

Of the nine subsidiaries, four of itsthose have historically been the core subsidiaries of the Company: (1) Premier Packaging Corporation which operates under the assumed name of DSS(DSS Packaging Group, and Printing Group), (2) Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc (DSS Plastics Group), (3) DSS Digital Inc., whichand its subsidiaries (DSS Digital Group), and (4) DSS Technology Management, Inc. (DSS Technology Management). Premier Packaging Corporation operates underin the name of DSS Plastics Group,paper board folding carton, smart packaging and document security printing markets, Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. operates in the security and commercial printing packaging and plastic ID markets. The Company develops, markets, manufacturessystems market. These two companies develop, market, manufacture and sellssell paper and plastic products designed to protect valuable information from unauthorized scanning, copying, and digital imaging. The Company’s subsidiary, DSS Digital Inc., which also operates under the name of DSS Digital Group,researches, develops, markets and sells the Company’s digital information services, includingproducts worldwide. The primary product is AuthentiGuard®, which is a brand authentication application that integrates the Company’s counterfeit deterrent technologies with proprietary digital data hosting, disaster recovery and data back-up and security services. The Company’s subsidiary,security-based solutions. DSS Technology Management (“DSSTM”), Inc., manages, licenses and acquires intellectual property (“IP”) 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. In 2018,2020, under its Decentralize Sharing Systems, Inc. subsidiary, created a fifth business segment, Direct Marketing. Direct marketing or network marketing is designed to sell products or services directly to the public through independent distributors, rather than selling through the traditional retail market.

In addition to the four subsidiaries listed above, in 2019 and early 2020, DSS has created five new, wholly owned subsidiaries. (5) DSS Blockchain Security, Inc., a Nevada corporation, that intends to specialize in the development of blockchain security technologies for tracking and tracing solutions for supply chain logistics and cyber securities across global markets. (6) Decentralize Sharing Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation, seeks to provide services to assist companies in the new business model of the peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. (7) DSS Securities, Inc., a Nevada corporation, has been established to develop or to acquire assets in the securities trading or management arena, and to pursue two parallel streams of digital asset exchanges in multiple jurisdictions: (i) securitized token exchanges, focusing on digitized assets from different vertical industries and (ii) utilities token exchanges, focusing on “blue-chip” utility tokens from solid businesses. (8) DSS BioHealth Security, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is our business line which we will intend to invest in or to acquire companies related to the biohealth and biomedical field, including businesses focused on the research to advance drug discovery and development for the prevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncology and immuno-related diseases. This new division will place special focus on open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and influenza, among others. (9) DSS Secure Living, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, intends to develop top of the line advanced technology, energy efficiency, quality of life living environments and home security for everyone for new construction and renovations of residential single and multifamily living facilities. Aside from Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. the activity in the these newly created subsidiaries have been minimal or in various start-up or organizational phases.

On March 3, 2020, the Company, commenced operations in the Asia Pacific market throughvia its subsidiary DSS Asia Limited,Securities, entered into a share subscription agreement and loan arrangement with LiquidValue Asset Management Pte Ltd., AMRE Asset Management, Inc. and American Medical REIT Inc. under which it acquired a 52.5% controlling ownership interest in AMRE Asset Management Inc. (“AAMI”) which currently has a 93% equity interest in American Medical REIT Inc. (“AMRE”) (see Note 4).

AAMI is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) management company that sets the strategic vision and formulate investment strategy for AMRE. It manages the REIT’s assets and liabilities and provides recommendations to AMRE on acquisition and divestments in accordance with the investment strategies. American Medical REIT, Inc is a Maryland corporation, organized for the purposes of acquiring hospitals and other acute or post-acute care centers from leading clinical operators with dominant market share in secondary and tertiary markets, and leasing each property to a single operator under a triple-net lease. AMRE was formed in 2017.to originate, acquire, and lease a credit-centric portfolio of licensed medical real estate. AMRE is planned to qualify as a Real Estate Investment Trust for federal income tax purposes, which will provide. AMRE’s investors the opportunity for direct ownership of Class A licensed medical real estate. As of March 31, 2020 there have been no portfolio of licensed medical real estate originated or acquired.

 

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 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.

 

7

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, 2018.2019.

 

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

 

Use of Estimates -The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the accounts receivable, inventory, fair values of investments, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of options and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock, deferred revenue and income taxes, among others. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

Restricted CashReclassifications – As of March- Certain amounts on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for the year ended December 31, 2019 cash of $109,892 ($130,326 – December 31, 2018) is restricted for payments of costs and expenses associated with one of the Company’s IP monetization programs.have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

March 31, 2019

  December 31, 2018  

March 31, 2018

  December 31, 2017 
Cash $1,336,754  $2,317,659  $3,728,086  $4,188,623 
Restricted Cash  109,892   130,326   555,831   256,005 
Total $1,446,646  $2,447,985  $4,283,917  $4,444,628 

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.

Marketable Securities– The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified based on the nature of the securities. Marketable securities are classified as long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets as the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investments for a period of at least one year. The Company’s marketable equity securities are measured at fair value with gains and losses recognized in other income (expense). The CEO of the entity in which the Company has invested in serves as a director on the Company’s board of directors.

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 and cash equivalents, 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 notes receivable approximates their carrying value as the stated or discounted rates of the notes do not reflect recent market conditions. 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. The fair value of investments carried at cost less impairmentimpairment; however, the fair value is not considered readily determinable based on the lack of liquidity for the shares owned.

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 earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Company has an interest rate swap that changes variable rates into fixed rates on one Citizens Bank term loan relating to the Company’s subsidiary, Premier Packaging. This swap qualifies as a Level 2 fair value financial instrument. This swap agreement is not held for trading purposes and the Company does not intend to sell this derivative swap financial instrument. The Company records the interest swap agreement on the balance sheet at fair value because the agreement qualifies as a cash flow hedge 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 valuations of the interest rate swaps have been derived from proprietary models of Citizens Bank, 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 swaps 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 agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counter parties. The cumulative net loss attributable to this cash flow hedge recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and other liabilities as of March 31, 2019 was approximately $8,000 ($7,000 - December 31, 2018).

As of March 31, 2019, the Company has an interest rate swap agreement for its debt with RBS Citizens, N.A. (“Citizens Bank”) (see Note 6) which changes a variable rate into a fixed rate on a term loan as follows:

Amount  Variable  Fixed  Date
$858,865   5.64%  5.87% August 30, 2021

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill- The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment and tests the recoverability of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If a change in circumstance occurs, the Company performs a test of recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset or asset group to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, the Company will determine whether impairment has occurred for the group of assets for which the Company can identify the projected cash flows. If the carrying values are in excess of undiscounted expected future cash flows, the Company measures any impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset or asset group to its carrying value. Due to factors identified subsequent to quarter end, including the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company has quantitatively tested the carrying value of its goodwill associated with the DSS Plastics Group and has determined circumstances exist that indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists and has recorded an impairment of $685,000 at March 31, 2020.

 8 

 

Contingent Legal Expenses -Contingent legal fees 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 a conclusion is reached in an enforcement action that does not yield future royalties potential.

Business Combinations -Business combinations and non-controlling interests are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Business Combinations. Under the guidance, the assets and liabilities of the acquired business are recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value of the assets acquired exceeds the purchase price and the liabilities assumed, then a gain on acquisition is recorded. Under the guidance, all acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and in-process research and development costs are recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. The application of business combination accounting requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions.

 

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 and is calculated utilizing the treasury stock method. In a loss period, the calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share is the same, as the impact of potential common shares is anti-dilutive.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, common stock equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the Company had a net loss, since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalents were also excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2018 periods presented in which the Company had a net loss, since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

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 three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, two customers accounted for approximately 35%25% and 10%12%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 43%54% and 3%5%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, these two customers accounted for 24% and 15%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue and accounted for 27% and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of March 31, 2018.2020. 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 most of its customer contracts and by the diversification of its customer base.

 

Income Taxes - The Company recognizes estimated income taxes payable or refundable on income tax returns for the current year and for the estimated future tax effect attributable to temporary differences and carry-forwards. Measurement of deferred income items is based on enacted tax laws including tax rates, with the measurement of deferred income tax assets being reduced by available tax benefits not expected to be realized. We recognize penalties and accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Recently AdoptedRecent Accounting Pronouncements - In FebruaryJune 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)”, which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-022017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and its related amendmentsOther (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which introduced Leases (Topic 842, or “ASC 842”),eliminates the two-step process that required identification of potential impairment and a new comprehensive lease accounting model that supersedesseparate measure of the current lease guidance under Leases (Topic 840).actual impairment. The new accounting standard requires lesseesannual assessment of goodwill impairment will be determined by using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The standards update is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and has been adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak -On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and on March 10, 2020, declared it to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assetsbe a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus include restrictions on travel, and corresponding lease liabilitiesquarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for all leases with lease termscertain types of greater than 12 months. It also changes the definition of a leasepublic places and expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB added a transition option for implementation that allows companiesbusinesses. The coronavirus and actions taken to mitigate it have had and are expected to continue to usehave an adverse impact on the legacy guidanceeconomies and financial markets of many countries, including the geographical area in ASC 840, Leases, includingwhich the Company operates. While the closures and limitations on movement, domestically and internationally, are expected to be temporary, if the outbreak continues on its disclosure requirements,current trajectory the duration of the supply chain disruption could reduce the availability, or result in delays, of materials or supplies to and from the Company, which in turn could materially interrupt the Company’s business operations. Given the speed and frequency of the continuously evolving developments with respect to this pandemic, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the magnitude of the impact to its consolidated results of operations. The Company’s manufacturing facilities in both California and New York support business have been deemed essential by their respective state governments and remain operational. We have taken every precaution possible to ensure the safety of our employees.

Additionally, it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the comparative periods presentedfinancial statements have been, or will be, materially and adversely impacted in the year of adoption. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2019. The Company elected the transition package of three practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance and elected the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption, without a restatement of prior periods. Further, the Company elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less) and an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease componentsnear term as a single component for certain classes of assets. As a result of the adoption, the Company adjusted its beginning balance for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 by recording operating lease ROU assetthese conditions, including losses on inventory; impairment losses related to goodwill and liabilities through a cumulative-effect adjustment. The adoption impacted the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, but did not have an impact on the consolidated statements of operationsother long-lived assets and comprehensive loss.

At the inception of a contractual arrangement, the Company determines whether the contract contains a lease by assessing whether there is an identified asset and whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset in exchange for consideration over a period of time. If both criteria are met, the Company calculates the associated lease liability and corresponding ROU assets upon lease commencement using a discount rate based on a credit-adjusted secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the lease. The Company records lease liabilities within current or noncurrent liabilities based upon the length of time associated with the lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred, if any, and are recorded as noncurrent assets. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.obligations

 

9

The impact of the adoption of ASC 842 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 was a right-of-use asset and a lease liability of $1,489,156.

 

Continuing Operations and Going Concern – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of our assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the specific amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, which might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. While the Company has approximately $1.3$3.8 million in cash, and a positive working capital position of approximately $479,000$5.5 million as of March 31, 2019, due to the fact that2020, the Company has incurred negative cash flows from operating and investing activities over the past two years, and has projected that the Company will likely incur negative cash flows from operations in 2019, the Company has determined that it will likely need to raise capital in 2019 toyears. To continue as a going concern.concern, on February 25, 2020, Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp., acting as representative of the several underwriters, which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) of 851,852 shares, inclusive of 111,111 over-allotment shares exercised (pre-reverse stock split 25,555,556 shares and inclusive of 3,333,333 over-allotment) of the Company’s common stock. The net offering proceeds (inclusive of the over-allotment exercise) to the Company approximated $4.0 million.

 

The expected use of cash for operations in 20192020 will be primarily for funding, operating losses, working capital, legal expenses associated with its intellectual property related litigation,acquisition and investment opportunities, and the continued R&D costs, associated with the AuthentiGuard product line and the sales and marketing costs associated with the continued global roll-out of the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line. Historically, theproduct. The Company has been ablewill also use these funds to obtain equity and/or debt-based financing, including most recently when the Company raised gross proceedsmake capital improvements at its two manufacturing facilities to increase production capacity and create efficiencies, as well as to diversify its revenue streams and take advantage of $951,000 in 2017 and $1,176,000 in 2018 from the sale of its equity.profit opportunities.

 

The Company’s management intends to take actions necessary to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters includes, among other things, continued growth among our operating segments including international expansion of our AuthentiGuard product, evaluating capital raising alternatives that will increase the Company’s cash resources by at least $2 million by the end of the third quarter of 2019, and tightly controlling operating costs and reducing spending growth rates wherever possible.possible to return to profitability. In addition, the Company has taken steps, and will continue to take measures, to materially reduce the expenses and cash burn of its IP Monetization program.

 

At the Company’s current operating levels and capital usage, we believe that our $3.8 million in aggregate cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2020 would allow us to fund our nine business lines current and planned operations through May 2021. Based upon our current amount of cash on hand, management’s historical ability to raise capital, and our ability to manage our cost structure and adjust operating plans if and as required, we havethis, the Company has concluded that substantial doubt of ourits ability to continue as a going concern has been alleviated.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements2. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the two-step process that required identification of potential impairment and a separate measure of the actual impairment. The annual assessment of goodwill impairment will be determined by using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The standards update is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

2.Revenue

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach and applied the guidance to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Adoption of Topic 606 did not impact the timing of revenue recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the current or prior interim or annual periods. Accordingly, no adjustments have been made to opening retained earnings or prior period amounts.

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells printed products including packaging printing and fabrication, commercial and security printing and plastic cards and badges, including cards and badges integrated with technology such as RFID and smart chips. The Company also provides information technology services and digital authentication products and services to its customers. The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the title passes to the customer or when the service is completed and accepted by the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for shipped product or service provided. Sales and other taxes billed and collected from customers are excluded from revenue. Customers, including distributors, do not have a general right of return. The Company also derives revenue from royalties from third parties which are typically based on licensees’ net sales of products that utilize the Company’s technology, or on a per item usage of the technology on the customers’ printed products. The Company recognizes license revenue at the time it is reported by the licensee. From time to time, the Company generates license revenues through litigation settlements. For these, the Company recognizes revenue upon the execution of the agreement, when collectability is reasonably assured, or upon receipt of the minimum upfront fee for term agreement renewals, and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

 

As of March 31, 2019,2020, the Company had no unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of greater than one year. Pursuant to Topic 606, the Company has applied the practical expedient with respect to disclosure of the deferral and future expected timing of revenue recognition for transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations. The Company elected the practical expedient allowing it to not recognize as a contract asset the commission paid to its salesforce on the sale of its products as an incremental cost of obtaining a contract with a customer but rather recognize such commission as expense when incurred as the amortization period of the asset that the Company would have otherwise recognized is one year or less.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally dodoes not require collateral. Payment terms are generally 30 days but up to net 60105 for certain customers. The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at invoice amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon management’s estimates that include a review of the history of past write-offs and collections and an analysis of current credit conditions. At March 31, 2019,2020, the Company established a reserve for doubtful accounts of approximately $50,000$2,000 ($50,00041,000 – December 31, 2018)2019). The Company does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.

10

 

Sales Commissions

 

Sales commissions are expensed as incurred for contracts with an expected duration of one year or less. There were no sales commissions capitalized as of March 31, 2019.2020.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

Costs incurred by the Company related to shipping and handling are included in cost of products sold. Amounts charged to customers pertaining to these costs are reflected as revenue.

 

See Note 1211 for disaggregated revenue information.

 

3. InventoryNotes Receivable

 

Inventory consistedOn October 10, 2019, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note (“TBD Note”) with Century TBD Holdings, LLC (“TBD”), a Florida limited liability company. The Company loaned the principal sum of $500,000, of which up to $500,000 and all accrued interest can be paid by an “Optional Conversion” of such amount up to 19.8% (non-dilutable) of all outstanding membership interest in TBD. This TBD Note accrues interest at 6% and matures on October 9, 2021. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 this TBD Note had outstanding principal and interest of approximately $514,000 and $507,000, respectively.

On October 9, 2019 and November 11, 2019 the Company’s subsidiary Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. entered into two, separate on demand, secured, convertible notes with RBC Life Sciences, Inc. (RBC), a Nevada corporation. The first Note, dated October 9th, lent the principal sum of $200,000 and accrues interest at 6% with a maturity date of November 11, 2019 (“Note #1) This note also contains an “Optional Conversion” clause that allows the Company at any time, before or after the occurrence of an Event of Default, at its option, to convert the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest into a number of newly issued shares of its common stock equal to 75% of the following:total shares common stock that will be outstanding upon such conversion at a fully-diluted basis. Note #1 was also secured by and among other things all of the assets of RBC and its subsidiaries, and was guaranteed by its subsidiary, RBC Life Sciences USA, Inc. The Company had advanced $200,000 in principal Note #1 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

  Inventory 
  March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
       
Finished Goods $996,365  $1,144,695 
WIP  207,028   339,091 
Raw Materials  142,274   79,807 
         
  $1,345,667  $1,563,593 

The second Note (Note #2) dated November 11, 2019, established a secured, convertible, revolving line of credit to RBC up to an aggregate principal sum of $800,000, funded at the sole discretion of lender, and accruing at annual interest rate of 10% with a scheduled maturity date of November 11, 2024. Accrued interest on any outstanding principal balance was scheduled to be payable monthly commencing on December 25, 2019. Further, any amount of principal repaid during the term of the note is allowed to be re-advanced at any time prior to the earlier of the termination of this note or the maturity date. This note also contains an “Optional Conversion” clause that allows the Company at any time, before or after the occurrence of an Event of Default, at its option, to convert the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest into a number of newly issued shares of its common stock equal to 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of RBC direct and indirect subsidiaries. This Note #2 was also secured by a 2nd lien on all of the assets of RBC, behind the first lien securing Note #1, and a first lien on all of the assets of RBC’s multiple subsidiaries and the full guarantee of these subsidiaries. The outstanding principal and interest balance of Note #2 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, was approximately $533,000 and $83,000 respectively.

On January 24, 2020, the Company exercised its rights under the terms of the promissory note, security agreements and the guarantee agreements, and declared Note #1 in default and sought to exercise its Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 rights to accept collateral in partial satisfaction of debt. The Company chose to not exercise its option convert the outstanding principal and interest into equity, but instead elected to accept specific collateral. On February 7, 2020, RBC agreed to the deed-in-lieu of specific assets in satisfaction of part of the amount owing under Note #1. A pending valuation of the accepted assets acquired through this deed-in-lieu is in process.

On April 8, 2020, the Company initiated Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 foreclosure proceedings against the remaining assets of RBC and its subsidiaries at a public sale on April 23, 2020. Again, the Company chose to forego the optional conversion of the outstanding principal and interest into 100% ownership, as was allowed in the terms of the note. Instead it elected to pursue through a public foreclosure sale collateral that secured Note #2. As a result of the public the Company being the high bidder at that foreclosure sale, the Company now owns and controls certain former assets of RBC and its subsidiaries. A valuation of the assets acquired through foreclosure is pending.

 

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4.Business Combination

On March 3, 2020, the Company entered into a binding term sheet (the “Term Sheet”) with LiquidValue Asset Management Pte Ltd (“LVAM”), AMRE Asset Management Inc. (“AAMI”) and American Medical REIT Inc. (“AMRE”), regarding a share subscription and loan arrangement. The Term Sheet set forth the terms of a proposed transaction to establish a medical real estate investment trust in the United States and AAMI providing certain services related to the financial and capital structure of AMRE. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Company has subscribed 5,250 ordinary shares of AAMI at a purchase price of $0.01 per share for total consideration of $52.50. Concurrently, AAMI will issue 2,500 shares to LVAM, and 1,250 shares to AMRE Tennessee, LLC, AAMI’s executive management’s holding company (collectively, the “Subscription Shares”). As a result, the Company now holds 52.5% of the outstanding shares of AAMI, with LVAM and AMRE Tennessee, LLC, holding 35% and 12.5% of the remaining outstanding shares of AAMI, respectively. At the completion of the share subscription, AAMI has a 93% equity interest in AMRE. Also at the completion of the transaction, AAMI had no assets or liabilities. LVAM is an 82% owned subsidiary of Singapore eDevelopment Limited whose Chief Executive Office and largest shareholder is Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, the Chairman of the Board and largest shareholder of the Company.

Further, pursuant to and in connection with the Term Sheet, effective on March 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Promissory Note with AMRE, pursuant to which AMRE has issued the Company a promissory note for the principal amount of $800,000.00 (the “Note”). The Note matures on March 3, 2022 and accrues interest at the rate of 8.0% per annum and shall be payable in accordance with the terms set forth in the Note. Under the Note, AMRE may prepay or repay all or any portion of the Note at any time, without a premium or penalty. If not sooner prepaid, the entire unpaid principal balance of the Note including accrued interest will be due and payable in full on March 3, 2022. AMRE’s failure to pay any amount due on the Note within five days of when payment is due constitutes an event of default under the Note, pursuant to which the Company can declare the Note due and payable. The Note also provides the Company an option to provide AMRE an additional $800,000 on the same terms and conditions as the Note, including the issuance of warrants as described below. As further incentive to enter into the Note, AMRE issued the Company warrants to purchase 160,000 shares of AMRE common stock (the “Warrants”). The Warrants have an exercise price of $5.00 per share, subject to adjustment as set forth in the Warrants, and expire on March 3, 2024. Pursuant to the Warrants, if AMRE files a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering (“IPO”) of AMRE’s common stock and the IPO price per share offered to the public is less than $10.00 per share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be adjusted downward to 50% of the IPO price. The Warrants also grants piggyback registration rights to the Company as set forth in the Warrants. As of March 31, 2020, this Note had outstanding principal and interest of approximately $802,000. Upon consolidation this Note is eliminated. 

U.S. GAAP requires that for each business combination, one of the combining entities shall be identified as the acquirer, and the existence of a controlling financial interest shall be used to identify the acquirer in a business combination. The Company has determined that its aforementioned 52.5% equity interest in AAMI provides existence of a controlling financial interest and has concluded to account for this transaction in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting under FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations”(“Topic 805”). As of March 31, 2020, AMRE had incurred $139,000 of cost of which $67,000 is attributable to the non-controlling interest.

5. Investment

 

The Company owns 21,196,55283,174,129 ordinary shares of Singapore eDevelopment Limited (“SED”) a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited, and an existing three-year warrant to purchase up to 105,982,75944,005,182 ordinary shares at an exercise price of SGD$0.040 (US$0.0298) per share of Singapore eDevelopment Limited (“SED”), a company incorporated in Singapore and publicly-listed on the Singapore Exchange Limited.share. The shares and warrants are restricted for resale until September 17, 2019. At the time of the investment, 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. In 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” has and carries its investment in SED at costs. During the 4th quarterThe Chairman of 2018, the Company, determined that its investment in Singapore eDevelopment (“SED”) was impaired due toMr. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, is the decline in the share priceExecutive Director and Chief Executive Officer of SED, especially since November of 2018, which the Company believes was influenced by a general decline in equity markets in Asia caused by the tariff dispute between the United States and China. As such, in response to the decline in the trading value of the SED shares in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company performed an impairment test and determined an impairment of approximately $160,000 was warranted.SED. The carrying value of the investment as of March 31, 2019 was $324,930.

5. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are comprised of the following:

    March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
  Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount
               
Acquired intangibles - customer lists, licenses and non-compete agreements 3-10 years  1,778,848   887,698   891,150   1,284,065   823,884   460,181 
Acquired intangibles - patents and patent rights    500,000   500,000   -     500,000   500,000   -   
Patent application costs Varied (1)  1,168,155   767,437   400,718   1,168,155   746,925   421,230 
    $3,447,003  $2,155,135  $1,291,868  $2,952,220  $2,070,809  $881,411 

(1)Patent application costs are amortized over their expected useful life which is generally the remaining legal life of the patent. As of March 31, 2019, the weighted average remaining useful life of these assets in service was approximately 7 years.

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 amounted to $84,326 ($169,644 - March 31, 2018).

On October 24, 2018, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Asia Limited acquired Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd., (“Guangzhou Hotapps”) a Chinese company, in exchange for a 2-year, $100,000 unsecured promissory note. In connection with this acquisition, the Company acquired the license to do business in China to which the Company allocated a value of $85,734 as well as a related deferred tax liability of $33,333 due to outside basis differences and recorded as an intangible asset that it will amortize over a five-year period.

On March 5, 2019, the Company paid $350,000 and issued 130,435 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $144,783 in conjunction with the signing of a Master Distributor Agreement with Advanced Cyber Security Corp. (“ACS”) to for the Company to distribute ACS’s EndpointLockV™ cyber security software exclusively in thirteen countries in Asia and Australia, and non-exclusively, in the U.S. and Middle East. The aggregate cost of $494,783 of the agreement was recorded as an intangible asset to be amortized over the expected useful life of 36 months.approximately $2,154,000.

 

6. 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 (“Citizens”) of up to $800,000 that bears interest at 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.75% (6.24%2.0% (3.4% as of March 31, 2019)2020). This revolving line of credit was renewed and has a maturity date of May 31, 2019.2020 and is renewable annually. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018,2020 the revolving line had a balance of $0.$800,000.

On July 26, 2017, Premier Packaging entered into a Loan Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Citizens pursuant to which Citizens agreed to lend up to $1,200,000 to permit Premier Packaging to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. The aggregate principal balance outstanding under the Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit shall bear interest thereon at a per annum rate of 2% above the LIBOR Advantage Rate until the Conversion Date (as defined in the Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit). Effective on the Conversion Date, the interest shall be adjusted to a fixed rate equal to 2% above the bank’s Cost of Funds, as determined by Citizens. Current maturities of long-term debt are based on an estimated 48 month48-month amortization which will be adjusted upon conversion. As of March 31, 2019, the line had not yet converted and2020, had a balance of $339,600 ($339,000 at December 31, 2018).$870,000. The Company pays a monthly amount of $13,000 in principal and interest.

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On December 1, 2017, the Company’s subsidiary Plastic Printing Professionals entered into a Loan Agreement and accompanying Term Note Non-Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with Citizens pursuant to which Citizens agreed to lend up to $800,000 to enable Plastic Printing Professionals to purchase equipment from time to time that it may need for use in its business. Advances may be made under this Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit, from time to time, from December 1, 2017 until December 1, 2018. The aggregate principal balance outstanding under the Equipment Acquisition Line of Credit bears interest at 2% above the LIBOR Advantage Rate (as defined in the agreement) (4.49% at March 31, 2019) until converted. Effective on conversion, the interest rate payable on the aggregate principal balance outstanding shall be adjusted to a fixed rate equal to 2% above Citizens’ cost of funds as determined by Citizens. Prior to conversion, interest on the outstanding principal is payable in arrears monthly. After conversion, the aggregate principal balance may be repaid in (i) up to 84 installments comprised of principal and interest for new equipment or (ii) up to 60 installments comprised of principal and interest for used equipment. Commencing March 30, 2019, the line was converted into two term notes under which the Company will make monthly payments of $13,657$14,000 until November 30, 2023. Interest under the term notes is payable monthly at 5.37%. As of March 31, 2019,2020, the combined balance of the term notes was $673,691 ($684,554 at December 31, 2018).$544,000.

 

Term Loan Debt- On April 28, 2015, Premier Packaging entered into a term note with Citizens for $525,000, repayable over a 60-month period. The loan bears interest at 3.62% and is payable in equal monthly installments of $9,591$10,000 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 March 31, 2019,2020, the loan had a balance of $122,041 ($149,542 at December 31, 2018).$10,000.

 

Promissory Notes - On August 30, 2011,June 27, 2019 Premier Packaging purchasedrefinanced and consolidated the outstanding principal associated with the two promissory notes for its packaging plant it occupieslocated in Victor, New York, for $1,500,000, which was partially financed$1,200,000 with a $1,200,000 promissory note obtained from Citizens Bank (“Promissory Note”).Bank. The new Promissory Note calls for monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $7,658,$7,000, with interest calculated as 1 Month LIBOR plus 3.15% (5.64%fixed at March 31, 2019). 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 (see Note 1. “Derivative Instruments”)4.22%. The new Promissory Note matures in August 2021on June 27, 2029, at which time a balloon payment of the remaining principal balance will be$708,000 is due. As of March 31, 2019,2020, the new, consolidated Promissory Note had a balance of $858,865 ($869,865 at December 31, 2018).$1,129,000.

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 LIBOR plus 3.15% (5.64% at March 31, 2019), 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 March 31, 2019, the note had a balance of $305,000 ($315,000 – December 31, 2018).

 

The Citizens credit facilities to each of the Company’s subsidiaries, Premier Packaging and Plastic Printing Professionals, contain various covenants including fixed charge coverage ratio, tangible net worth and current ratio covenants which are tested annually at December 31. For the year ended December 31, 2018, both2019, Premier Packaging and Plastic Printing Professionals werewas in compliance with the annual covenants.covenants, however Plastic Printing Professionals was not. Plastic Printing Professionals has sought and received a one-time waiver from compliance from Citizens for this violation during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

 

On October 24, 2018, the Company’s subsidiary, DSS Asia Limited entered into a $100,000 unsecured promissory note with HotApps International Pte Ltd in conjunction with the acquisition of Guangzhou HotappsHotApps Technology Ltd., a Chinese subsidiary of HotApps International Pte Ltd, by DSS Asia Limited. The promissory note does not accrue interest and is payable in full on October 24, 2020.

Effective on February 18, 2019, Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Borrower”)

On March 2, 2020, AMRE entered into a Convertible Promissory$200,000 unsecured promissory note with LVAM. The Note (the “Note”) with LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd (the “Holder”) in the principal sum of $500,000 (the “Principal Amount”), of which upcalls for interest to $500,000 of the Principal Amount can be paid byannually on March 2 with interest fixed at 8.0%. If not paid sooner, the conversion of such amountentire unpaid principal balance is due in full on March 2, 2022. As further incentive to enter into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.02 per share, upthis Note, AMRE granted LVAM warrants to a maximum of 446,428purchase shares of common stock of AMRE (the “Common Stock”“Warrants”),. The amount of warrants granted is the equivalent of the Note Principal divided by the Exercise Price. The Warrants are exercisable for four years, and are exercisable at a conversion price$5.00 per share (the “Exercise” Price). The value of $1.12 per share.the warrants is not considered to be material. The Note carried a fixed interest rate of 8% per annum and had a term of 12-months. Accrued interest was payable in cash in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter, with the first interest payment due on June 30, 2019, and remains payable until the Principal Amount is paid in full. The Holderholder is a related party owned by onethe Chairman of the Company’s directors. Effective on March 25, 2019, the Holder exercised its conversion option and converted the Maximum Conversion Amount under the Note. As a resultboard of Holder’s election to exercise its full conversion rights under the Note, the Note was cancelled effective on March 25, 2019.directors.

 

7. Other Liabilities7.Lease Liability

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 the 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, 2016, the Company received $4,500,000 of the Financing, which was required to be used by the Company to pay for the defense of Inter 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 March 31, 2019, an aggregate of approximately $1,632,000 is recorded as other liabilities by the Company, of which approximately $1,398,000 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 future Inter Partes Review costs. The Company will reduce this liability as it pays legal and other expenses related to the Inter Partes Review matters involving the LED Patent Portfolio as incurred. The remaining $694,800 in other liabilities is allocated to working capital, which the Company is amortizing on a pro-rata basis over the expected remaining life of the monetization period of the LED Patent Portfolio through November 30, 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, $80,000 per month for the remainder of 2017 through March 2018, $86,500 per month for the remainder of 2018, and $86,850 per month through November 30, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there was approximately $161,671 of Inter Partes Review costs and an aggregate of $260,550 was recorded as a reduction of the liability allocated to working capital.

On July 8, 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, DSSTM, purchased two patents for $500,000 covering certain methods and processes related to Bluetooth devices. In conjunction with the patent purchases, DSSTM entered into a Proceed Right Agreement with certain investors pursuant to which DSSTM 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 March 31, 2019, the Company had received an aggregate of $750,000 ($750,000 in 2018) from the investors pursuant to the agreement of which approximately $448,000 was in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets ($476,000 as of December 31, 2018). The Company reduces 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.

8. Lease Liability

The Company has operating leases predominantly for operating facilities. As of March 31, 2019,2020, the remaining lease terms on our operating leases range from less than one year to approximately fivefour years. Renewal options to extend our leases have not been exercised due to uncertainty. Termination options are not reasonably certain of exercise by the Company. There is no transfer of title or option to purchase the leased assets upon expiration. There are no residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. There are no significant finance leases as of March 31, 2019.2020.

Future minimum lease payments as of March 31, 20192020 are as follows:

 

Maturity of Lease Liability   
2019 $297,105 
2020  392,987 
2021  303,956 
2022  284,130 
2023  290,499 
Thereafter  24,208 
Total lease payments  1,592,885 
Less: Imputed Interest  (172,244)
Total lease liability $1,420,641 
     
Current $360,839 
Noncurrent $1,059,802 
     
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)  4.4 
     
Weighted-average discount rate  5.4%
  Totals 
2020  295,000 
2021  305,000 
2022  290,000 
2023  270,000 
2024  22,000 
Total lease payments  1,182,000 
Less imputed interest  (63,000)
Lease liability  1,119,000 
     
Current  369,000 
Non-current  750,000 
     
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)  3.41 
     
Weighted average discount rate  5.37%

  

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The Company has an additional operating lease for equipment of $118,219 which has not commenced as of March 31, 2019, and as such, has not been recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. This operating lease is expected to commence between 2019 and 2020 with a 4-year lease term.

 

9.8. Commitments and Contingencies

 

On November 26, 2013, DSSTM 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 DSSTM’s patents that relate to systems and methods of using low power wireless peripheral devices. DSSTM is seeking a judgment 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 to the Northern District of California was granted. On December 30, 2014, Apple filed two Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) petitions with the 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, and on June 17, 2016, PTAB ruled in favor of Apple on both IPR petitions. DSSTM then 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. On March 23, 2018, the Federal Circuit reversed the PTAB, finding that the PTAB erred when it found the claims of U.S. Patent No. 6,128,290 to be unpatentable. The Federal Circuit affirmed its decision on July 12, 2018, when it denied Apple’s petition for panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s Opinion and Judgment issued on March 23, 2018. On July 27, 2018, the District Court judge lifted the Stay resuming the litigation, which hashad a trial date set for the week of February 24, 2020.

On January 14, 2020, the Court in the caseDSS Technology Management, Inc. v. Apple, Inc., 4:14-cv-05330-HSG pending in the Northern District of California issued an order that denied DSS’ motion to amend its infringement contentions. In the same Order, the Court granted Apple’s motion to strike DSS’ infringement expert report. DSS filed a motion for leave to file a motion for reconsideration of the Court’s order denying DSS the right to amend its infringement contentions and motion to strike DSS infringement expert report. On February 16, 2015, DSSTM18, 2020, the Court denied DSS’s motion for leave to file a motion for reconsideration. On February 24, 2020, the Court signed a Final Judgment stipulating that Apple was “entitled to a judgment of non-infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,128,290 as a matter of law.” On March 10, 2020 DSS filed suit inan appeal of this Final Judgment to 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 judgmentAppeals 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, DSSTM filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. On January 8, 2019, DSSTM entered into a confidential settlement agreement with Intel Corporation, Dell Inc., GameStop Corp, Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC and AT&T Mobility LLC (collectively, the “Defendants”). The Federal Circuit Appeal involving DSSTM and Intel was dismissed on January 16, 2019, and the District Court case against the Defendants was dismissed, as to all the Defendants, on February 5, 2019.

On July 16, 2015, DSSTM 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 Hynix et al., Samsung Electronics et 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 August 16, 2016, DSSTM 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. DSSTM then appealed this PTAB ruling to the Federal Circuit on November 17, 2017. TheunderDSS Technology Management v. Apple, Federal Circuit joined this appeal with the Intel appeal effective on December 7, 2017. 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, DSSTM filed a notice of appeal of the PTAB’s decision relating to U.S. Patent 6,784,552 with the Federal Circuit. A confidential patent license agreement was executed by DSSTM on November 14, 2018, covering Samsung and Qualcomm. On December 12, 2018, DSSTM and Samsung entered into a confidential release. On December 27, 2018, DSSTM and Qualcomm entered into a confidential settlement agreement. The DSSTM - Samsung District Court case was dismissed on December 17, 2018. The DSSTM - Samsung Federal Circuit Appeal was dismissed on January 2, 2019. The Federal Circuit Appeal involving DSSTM and Qualcomm was dismissed on January 16, 2019. The DSSTM - Qualcomm District Court case was dismissed on January 16, 2019. As a result, all of DSSTM’s litigation matters originally filed in the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas have been resolved and are now dismissed.Docket no. 2020-1570.

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On April 13, 2017, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (collectively, “Seoul Semiconductor”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) patents. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 7, 2017, the Company refiled its patent infringement complaint against Seoul Semiconductor in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division. On December 3, 2017, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 6,949,771. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on June 7, 2018. On April 18, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-9 of the ‘771 patent unpatentable. The Company is presently reviewing the decision to determine the next course of action with respect to this patent.did not appeal that determination. On December 21, 2017, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,256,486. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on June 21, 2018. On June 10, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-3 of the ‘486 patent unpatentable. On August 12, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the PTAB’s decisions. The Company subsequently filed a motion to vacate and remand the PTAB’s decision in light of intervening precedent under the Appointments Clause. That motion was granted on January 23, 2020. On January 25, 2018, Seoul Semiconductor filed an IPR challenging the validity of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,524,087. This IPR was instituted by the PTAB on July 27, 2018. On July 22, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1, 6-8, 15, and 17 of the ‘087 patent unpatentable. On September 23, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the PTAB’s decisions. The Company subsequently filed a motion to vacate and remand the PTAB’s decision in light of intervening precedent under the Appointments Clause. That motion was granted on February 3, 2020. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit, which is pending but stayed pending the outcome of the IPR proceedings.

On April 13, 2017, the Company filed a patent 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, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, the Company refiled its patent infringement complaint against Everlight in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On June 8, 2018, Everlight filed IPR petitions challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent Nos. 7,256,486 and 7,524,087. On June 12, 2018, Everlight filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 6,949,771, and on June 15, 2018, filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No 7,919,787. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit. On January 18, 2019, the Company and Everlight entered into a confidential settlement agreement resolving the litigation.

 

On April 13, 2017, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. (“Cree”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On June 8, 2017, the Company refiled its patent infringement complaint against Cree in the 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 July 14, 2017. The case is currently pending as of the date of this Report. On June 6, 2018, Cree filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7,256,486. This IPR was instituted and joined with the Seoul Semiconductor IPR. On June 7, 2018, Cree filed IPR petitions challenging the validity of certain claims U.S. Patent Nos. 7,524,087 and 6,949,771. Both IPRs were denied by the PTAB on November 14, 2018 as time-barred.time barred. The challenged patent is the patent that is the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit, which is pending but stayed pending the outcome of the IPR.

On August 15, 2017, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lite-On, Inc., and Lite-On Technology Corporation (collectively, “Lite-On”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The case is currently pending but is stayed pending the outcome of IPR proceedings filed by other parties.

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On December 7, 2017, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia Corporation and Nichia America Corporation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement of certain of DSS’s LED patents. The Company is seeking a judgment 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. On May 10, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7,919,787. On May 11, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7,652,297. On May 25, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7,524,087. On May 29, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 6,949,771. On May 30, 2018, Nichia filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of claims under U.S. Patent No. 7,256,486. The 6,949,771 IPR was denied institution, but the remaining IPRs were instituted by the PTAB. On December 10, 2018, Nichia refiled IPRs relating to 6,949,771, which was denied by the PTAB on April 15, 2019. These challenged patents are the patents that are the subject matter of the infringement lawsuit, which is pending but stayed pending the outcome of the IPR proceedings. On September 17, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-14 of the ‘787 patent unpatentable. The Company did not appeal that determination. On October 30, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-17 of the ‘297 patent unpatentable. The Company did not appeal that determination. On November 19, 2019, the PTAB issued a written decision determining claims 1-5 of the ‘486 patent unpatentable. The Company has appealed that determination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

In April 2019 DSS commenced an action in New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County against Jeffrey Ronaldi, our former Chief Executive Officer. This New York action seeks a declaratory judgment that, contrary to informal claims made by him, Mr. Ronaldi’s employment agreement with us expired by its terms and that he is not entitled to any cash bonuses or other unpaid amounts. The lawsuit also seeks an injunction against Mr. Ronaldi from interfering with any of DSS’ IP litigation. The defendant has been granted an extension to respond pending settlement negotiations. Mr. Ronaldi subsequently commenced an action against us in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, in November 2019, in which he alleges that we terminated his employment in April 2019 in order to avoid paying him certain employment-related amounts. Mr. Ronaldi contends that he is owed a $100,000 performance bonus for 2017 under this employment agreement with us as well as $91,000 in documented and unreimbursed expenses, and that DSS purported to terminate him for cause under the terms of his employment agreement in order to avoid paying such amounts. Mr. Ronaldi also contends that he is entitled to receive additional amounts, either under the terms of the employment agreement, or under theories of implied-in-fact contract or promissory estoppel, including, but not limited to, (i) additional performance bonuses of up to 15% of net litigation proceeds received by us from pending patent infringement litigations, of net licensing proceeds received by us other than from our internally developed IP, or of the net sales proceeds received by us in connection with the sale of any of our patent assets, (ii) earned but unpaid base salary, (iii) an equity grant of shares of our common stock, and (iv) payments for unused personal time and sick days. He seeks actual, compensatory, restitutionary and/or incidental damages in an amount to be determined at trial; prejudgment interest in an amount to be determined at trial; attorneys’ fees and costs; other costs of the suit; and such other and further relief as the court deems proper. We have made a motion to have the case dismissed and consolidated with the Monroe Co., New York, litigation. A hearing was set for April 24, 2020, for the court to consider that request, but due to the closure of the court due to pandemic a new date for the hearing will be set as soon as the court is back in operation.

Additionally, on March 2, 2020 DSS and DSSTM filed a second litigation action against Jeffrey Ronaldi in the State of New York, Supreme Court, County of Monroe,Document Security Systems, Inc. and DSS Technology Management, Inc. vs. Jeffrey Ronaldi, Index No.: 2020002300, alleging acts of self-dealing and conflicts of interest while he served as CEO of both DSS and DSS TM. Mr. Ronaldi has been served and on April 24, 2020 Mr. Ronaldi filed a Notice of Removal of this civil litigation to the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The parties are awaiting the court’s scheduling of the status conference for the management of all pretrial activities and set a tentative date for trial.

On September 18, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Seoul Semiconductor Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,315,119. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The Court has conducted an initial scheduling conference and has set a procedural schedule for the case.

On September 19, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,784,460. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. On February 11, 2020, Dree filed an IPR petition challenging the validity of the patent claims. The Court has conducted an initial scheduling conference and has set a procedural schedule for the case.

On September 20, 2019, DSS filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia Corp. and Nichia America Corp. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,879,040. The Company is seeking a judgment for infringement of the patents along with other relief including, but not limited to, money damages, costs and disbursements. The Court has conducted an initial scheduling conference and has set a procedural schedule for the case.

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On November 20, 2019, DSS Technology Management was sued in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, by Intel Corporation (“Intel”) and Apple Inc. (“Apple”). The other defendants in the litigation are Fortress Investment Group LLC, Fortress Credit Co. LLC, Uniloc 2017 LLC, Uniloc USA, INC., Uniloc Luxembourg S.A.R.L., VLSI Technology LLC, INVT SPE LLC, Inventergy Global, INC., IXI IP, LLC, and Seven Networks, LLC. The complaint includes allegations regarding a February 13, 2014 Investment Agreement between DSS Technology Management and Fortress Credit Co. LLC as well as two subsequent agreements. The complaint also contains allegations regarding DSS Technology Management’s lawsuit against Intel that was filed in February 2015 in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas (referred to below). In the complaint, Intel and Apple allege violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act and unfair competition under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 against DSS Technology Management. Additional claims are alleged against other defendants. Intel and Apple seek relief from the court including that defendants’ conduct be declared a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, Section 7 of the Clayton Act, and Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq.; that Intel and Apple recover damages against defendants in an amount to be determined and multiplied to the extent provided by law, including under Section 4 of the Clayton Act; that all contracts or agreements defendants entered into in violation of the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. be declared void and the patents covered by those transfer agreements be transferred back to the transferors; that all patents transferred to defendants in violation of the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. be declared unenforceable; and that Intel and Apple recover their costs and expenses associated with this case, together with interest. DSS Technology Management responded to the complaint on February 4, 2020 by filing a motion to dismiss and strike the complaint as well as a motion to stay discovery. The court granted the motion to stay discovery on March 25, 2020. A hearing on the motion to dismiss and to strike the complaint is set for June 18, 2020.

 

In addition to the foregoing, we may become subject to other legal proceedings that arise 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 estimable.

 

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 March 31, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had 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 March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018,2020, there are no contingent payments due.

 

10.9. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Sales of Equity - On August 30, 2017,February 20, 2020, the Company sold 1,200,000entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp. (the “Underwriter”), which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company and the purchase by the Underwriter, in a firm commitment underwritten public offering (the “Offering”), of 740,741 (22,222,223 shares pre-reverse stock split) shares of unregisteredthe Company’s common stock, $0.02 par value per share. Subject to the terms and five-year warrantsconditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, the shares were sold to the Underwriter at a public offering price of $5.40 ($0.18 per shares pre-reverse stock split) per share, less certain underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company also granted the Underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 240,000111,111 (3,333,333 shares pre-reverse stock split) additional shares of the Company’s common stock at anon the same terms and conditions for the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the Offering. The net offering proceeds to the Company from the Offering were approximately $4 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses, and assuming no exercise price of $1.00 to a totalthe Underwriter’s over-allotment option. The offering was closed on February 25, 2020. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, the Chairman of two related party accredited investors for an aggregate purchase pricethe Company’s Board of $900,000,Directors, purchased $2 million of which $300,000 was recorded as a subscription receivable as of December 31, 2017shares in the stockholders equity section. On March 29, 2018, the Company received the payment of the $300,000 subscription receivable from the investor, which is presented net of $12,000 of financing costs.Offering.

 

On July 3, 2018, Heng Fai Holdings Limited (“HFHL”) purchased 214,286February 18, 2020, in accordance with the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors compensation plan as CEO of one of the Company’s subsidiaries,11,664 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase pricewere remitted in lieu of $1.40 per share.cash as settlement of his Q3 and Q4 2019 salary of $114,000 that was accrued as of December 31, 2019. Additionally, the Company has accrued approximately $61,000 representing his salary for Q1 2020 that has not yet been settled. This amount was recorded as stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

17

On December 17, 2018, HFHL purchased 612,245 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $0.98 per share.

 

On March 5, 2019, the Company issued 130,435 shares of its common stock at $1.15 per share as partial consideration for a licensing and distribution agreement entered into with Advanced Cyber Security Corp.

On February 18, 2019, the Company had entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd in the principal sum of $500,000, of which up to $500,000 of the Principal Amount could be paid by the conversion of such amount into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.02 per share, up to a maximum of 446,428 shares of common stock (the “Maximum Conversion Amount”), at a conversion price of $1.12 per share. Effective on March 25, 2019, LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd exercised its conversion option and converted the Maximum Conversion Amount under the Note.

Stock-Based 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 threenine months ended March 31, 2019,2020, the Company had stock compensation expense of approximately $30,701$90,000 or less than $0.01$0.06 basic and diluted earningsloss per share ($1,200;31,000, or less than $0.01$0.06 basic and diluted earningsloss per share)share for the corresponding three months ended March 31, 2018).2019 ).

 

11.10. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following table summarizes supplemental cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018:2019:

 

Supplemental Cash Information      
  2019  2018 
       
Cash paid for interest $30,000  $37,000 
         
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Impact of adoption of lease accounting standards $1,498,156  $- 
(Loss) gain from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives $(1,000) $15,000 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible note $500,000  $- 
Equity issued to purchase intangible assets $145,000  $- 

  2020  2019 
       
Cash paid for interest $39,000  $30,000 
         
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Impact of adoption of lease accounting standards $-  $1,498,000 
Loss from change in fair value of interest rate swap derivatives $-  $(1,000)
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible note $-  $500,000 
Equity issued to purchase intangible assets $-  $145,000 
Satisfaction of accrued expenses with issuance of common stock $114,000  $- 

 

12.11. Segment Information

 

The Company’s nine businesses lines are organized, managed and internally reported as five 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 three otherA third operating segments,segment, Digital, is comprised of DSS Digital Group, DSS Technology Management, and DSS International, which was added in 2017, areand is engaged in research, development, marketing and selling worldwide the Company’s digital products, including and primarily our AuthentiGuard® product, which is a brand authentication application that integrates the Company’s counterfeit deterrent technologies with proprietary digital data security-based solutions. The fourth operating segment, Technology Management, primary mission has been to monetize its various aspectspatent portfolios through commercial litigation and licensing. Except for investment in its social networking related patents, we have historically partnered with various third-party funding groups in connection with patent monetization programs. The fifth segment, Direct Marketing,direct marketing or network marketing is the business of developing, acquiring, selling and licensing technology assets and are grouped into one reportable segment called Technology.products or services directly to the public,e.g., by online or telephone selling, rather than through retailers. We believe this business has significant growth potential in the blossoming “gig economy” with comparisons to the growth that is being realized in parallel businesses such as ride sharing.

18

 

Approximate information concerning the Company’s operations by reportable segment for the three monthsthree-month ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019 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 March 31, 2019 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,313,000  $1,053,000  $443,000  $-  $4,809,000 
Depreciation and amortization  225,000   41,000   28,000   -   294,000 
Interest expense  22,000   6,000   2,000   -   30,000 
Amortized debt discount  1,000   -   -   -   1,000 
Stock based compensation  4,000   -   23,000   4,000   31,000 
Net Income (loss)  89,000   (17,000)  (377,000)  (145,000)  (450,000)
Identifiable assets  9,248,000   4,506,000   1,234,000   1,182,000   16,170,000 

Period Ended March 31, 2020 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Digital  Technology Management  Direct Marketing  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,158,000  $780,000  $490,000  $-  $573,000  $-  $5,001,000 
Depreciation and amortization  223,000   57,000   9,000   14,000   -   57,000   360,000 
Interest expense  27,000   8,000   4,000   -   -   -   39,000 
Stock based compensation  4,000   -   20,000   -   -   66,000   90,000 
Impairment of goodwill  -   (685,000)  -   -   -   -   (685,000)
Net Income (loss)  22,000   (1,046,000)  (46,000)  (241,000)  204,000   (860,000)  (1,967,000)
Capital expenditures  63,000   37,000   4,000   -   -   1,000   105,000 
Identifiable assets $10,626,000  $2,962,000  $757,000  $-  $865,000  $7,093,000  $22,303,000 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Technology  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $2,918,000  $1,005,000  $454,000  $-  $4,377,000 
Depreciation and amortization  167,000   30,000   149,000   -   346,000 
Interest expense  23,000   6,000   12,000   8,000   49,000 
Amortized debt discount  1,000   -   21,000   6,000   28,000 
Stock based compensation  -   -   1,000   -   1,000 
Net Income (loss)  247,000   79,000   (497,000)  (235,000)  (406,000)
Identifiable assets  9,422,000   2,979,000   2,163,000   2,418,000   16,982,000 

Period Ended March 31, 2019 Packaging and Printing  Plastics  Digital  Technology Management  Direct Marketing  Corporate  Total 
Revenue $3,313,000  $1,053,000  $443,000  $-  $-  $-  $4,809,000 
Depreciation and amortization  225,000   41,000   28,000   -   -   -   294,000 
Interest expense  22,000   6,000   2,000   -   -   -   30,000 
Stock based compensation  4,000   -   23,000   -   -   4,000   31,000 
Impairment of goodwill  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Net Income (loss)  89,000   (17,000)  (321,000)  (56,000)  -   (146,000)  (451,000)
Capital expenditures  126,000   77,000   8,000   -   -   -   211,000 
Identifiable assets $9,248,000  $4,506,000  $1,124,000  $110,000  $-  $1,182,000  $16,170,000 

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The following tables disaggregate our business segment revenues by major source.

Printed Products Revenue Information:

 

Three months ended March 31, 2019   
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $2,961,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  352,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  503,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  550,000 
Total Printed Products $4,366,000 

Three months ended March 31, 2018    
Three months ended March 31, 2020  
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $2,610,000  $2,966,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  308,000   203,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  252,000   220,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  753,000   560,000 
Total Printed Products $3,923,000  $3,949,000 
    
Three months ended March 31, 2019    
Packaging Printing and Fabrication $2,961,000 
Commercial and Security Printing  352,000 
Technology Integrated Plastic Cards and Badges  503,000 
Plastic Cards, Badges and Accessories  550,000 
Total Printed Products $4,366,000 

 

Technology Sales, Services and Licensing Revenue Information:

Three months ended March 31, 2020  
Information Technology Sales and Services $11,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  331,000 
Royalties from Licensees  137,000 
Total Printed Products $479,000 
     
Three months ended March 31, 2019    
Information Technology Sales and Services $74,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  230,000 
Royalties from Licensees  139,000 
Total Printed Products $443,000 

Direct Marketing

Three months ended March 31, 2020    
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $573,000 
Total Direct Marketing $573,000 
     
Three months ended March 31, 2019    
Direct Marketing Internet Sales $- 
Total Direct Marketing $- 

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12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On May 4, 2020, Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) at which the Company’s stockholders approved amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of common stock of the Company by a ratio of 1-for-30 (the “Reverse Split”) with the effectiveness of such amendment to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The form of the certificate of amendment to effect the Reverse Split was subsequently approved by the Board on May 4, 2020. On May 7, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of New York to effect a 1-for-30 reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Amendment was effective at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time on May 7, 2020 (the “Effective Time”). The reverse stock split has been retroactively applied to all financial statements presented.

Three months ended March 31, 2019   
Information Technology Sales and Services $74,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  230,000 
Royalties from Licensees  139,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $443,000 
     
Three months ended March 31, 2018    
Information Technology Sales and Services $130,000 
Digital Authentication Products and Services  178,000 
Royalties from Licensees  147,000 
Total Technology Sales, Services and Licensing $455,000 

In April 2020, the Company received loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $963,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are forgivable after eight weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates employees or reduces salaries during the eight-week period.

On April 3, 2020, by unanimous written consent, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to issue individual stock grants of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, to certain managers and directors in the amount of 8,900 shares, at $0.22 per share which were immediately vested and issued. 5,800 of these shares where were fully vested restricted stock to members of the Company’s management team of with a two-year lock-up period.

On April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and the Company entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with DSS BioHealth Security, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“DBHS”), Singapore eDevelopment Limited, a Singapore corporation (“SeD”) that is listed on the Singapore Exchange, and Global BioMedical Pte Ltd, a Singapore corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SeD (“GBM”), pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the DBHS will acquire of all of the outstanding capital stock (the “Impact Shares”) of Impact BioMedical Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of GBM (“Impact BioMedical”) through a share exchange, with Impact BioMedical becoming a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the DBHS. The aggregate consideration for the Impact Shares will be the following to be issued to GBM by DSS (consideration prior to the reverse stock split noted above): (i) 14,500,000 newly issued shares of common stock of DSS, nominally valued at $3,132,000, or $0.216 per share; and (ii) 46,868 newly issued shares of a new series of perpetual convertible preferred stock of DSS (“Convertible Preferred Stock”) with a stated value of $46,868,000, or $1,000 per share, for a total consideration valued at $50 million. The Convertible Preferred Stock will be convertible into shares of common stock of DSS, subject to a 19.9% beneficial ownership conversion limitation (“blocker”) based on the total issued outstanding shares of common stock of DSS beneficially owned by GBM. Holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock will have no voting rights, except as required by applicable law or regulation, and no dividends will accrue or be payable on the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Holders of Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to a liquidation preference at a liquidation value of $1,000 per share, and the Company will have the right to redeem all or any portion of the then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, pro rata among all holders, at a redemption price per share equal to such liquidation value per share. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Impact Shares contemplated under the Share Exchange Agreement is subject to a number of customary and other conditions, including both the Company and SeD having obtained approvals from their respective shareholders, SeD having obtained requisite approval from the Singapore Exchange, and receipt by DSS of audited financial statements of Impact BioMedical, which will be included in DSS’s proxy statement soliciting the vote of its shareholders.

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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 set forth in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2019, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Document Security Systems, Inc. (referred(the “Company”) operates in nine (9) business linessegments through nine (9) DSS subsidiaries located around the globe.

Of the nine subsidiaries, four of those have historically been the core subsidiaries of the Company: (1) Premier Packaging Corporation (DSS Packaging and Printing Group), (2) Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc (DSS Plastics Group), (3) DSS Digital Inc., and its subsidiaries (DSS Digital Group), and (4) DSS Technology Management, Inc. (DSS Technology Management). Premier Packaging Corporation operates in the paper board folding carton, smart packaging and document security printing markets, Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc. operates in the security printing and plastic ID systems market. These two companies develop, market, manufacture and sell paper and plastic products designed 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 printedprotect valuable information from unauthorized scanning, copying, and copying. We operate two production facilities, consisting ofdigital imaging. DSS Digital Inc., researches, develops, markets and sells the Company’s digital products worldwide. The primary product is AuthentiGuard®, which is 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-counterfeitingbrand authentication application that integrates the Company’s counterfeit deterrent technologies to printers and brand-owners. In addition, we have awith proprietary 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 withsecurity-based solutions. DSS Technology Management Inc., formerly known as Lexington Technology Group, Inc., whichmanages, licenses and acquires intellectual property assets and interests in companies owning intellectual property(“IP”) 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. In January 2018,2020, under its Decentralize Sharing Systems, Inc. subsidiary, created a fifth business segment, Direct Marketing. Direct marketing or network marketing is designed to sell products or services directly to the Company commenced international operations with itspublic through independent distributors, rather than selling through the traditional retail market.

In addition to the four subsidiaries listed above, in 2019 and early 2020, DSS has created five new, wholly owned subsidiary,subsidiaries. (5) DSS Asia Limited,Blockchain Security, Inc., a Nevada corporation, that intends to specialize in its officethe development of blockchain security technologies for tracking and tracing solutions for supply chain logistics and cyber securities across global markets. (6) Decentralize Sharing Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation, seeks to provide services to assist companies in Hong Kong. In December 2018, thisthe new business model of the peer-to-peer decentralized sharing marketplaces. (7) DSS Securities, Inc., a Nevada corporation, has been established to develop or to acquire assets in the securities trading or management arena, and to pursue two parallel streams of digital asset exchanges in multiple jurisdictions: (i) securitized token exchanges, focusing on digitized assets from different vertical industries and (ii) utilities token exchanges, focusing on “blue-chip” utility tokens from solid businesses. (8) DSS BioHealth Security, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is our business line which we will intend to invest in or to acquire companies related to the biohealth and biomedical field, including businesses focused on the research to advance drug discovery and development for the prevention, inhibition, and treatment of neurological, oncology and immuno-related diseases. This new division acquired Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd,will place special focus on open-air defense initiatives, which curb transmission of air-borne infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and influenza, among others. (9) DSS Secure Living, Inc., a Chinese company that enhancesNevada Corporation, intends to develop top of the Company’s ability to do businessline advanced technology, energy efficiency, quality of life living environments and home security for everyone for new construction and renovations of residential single and multifamily living facilities. Aside from Decentralized Sharing Systems, Inc. the activity in China. Guangzhou Hotapps Technology Ltd, did not have revenue but has two employees and a license to do businessthe these newly created subsidiaries haves been minimal . or in China.various start-up or organizational phases. 

 

We do business inThe five operatingreporting segments are as follows:

 

DSS Packaging and Printing Group - ProducesOperating under the name Premier Packaging Corporation (a New York corporation), the DSS Packaging and Printing Group produces custom paperboard packaging serving clients in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, beverage, specialty foods, photo packaging toy, specialty foods and direct marketing industries, among others. The group also provides secureactive and commercialintelligent packaging and document security 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 folding cartons and paperboard packaging, security paper, vital records, prescription paper, birth certificates, receipts, manuals, identification materials, entertainment tickets, secure coupons and parts tracking forms, brochures, direct mailing pieces, catalogs, business cards, etc.forms. The division also provides resources and production equipment resources for our ongoing research and development of security printing, authentification 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,biometrics, radio frequency identification (RFID) and watermarks for printed plastic documents such as ID cards, event badges and driver’s licenses. DSS Plastics Group is headquartered in Brisbane, California and operates under the name of Plastic Printing Professionals, Inc., a New York corporation.

 

DSS Digital Group - This division researches, develops, markets and sells worldwide the Company’s digital products, including and primarily our AuthentiGuardAuthentiGuard® product, which is a brand authentication application that integrates the Company’s opticalcounterfeit deterrent technologies used in its security printing offerings with proprietary digital data security-based solutions. The AuthentiGuardAuthentiGuard® product allows our customers to implement a security mark utilizing conventional printing methods that is copy and counterfeit resistantcounterfeit-resistant and that can be read and recorded utilizing smartphones and other digital image capture devices, which can be utilized by that customer’s suppliers, field personnel and customersend users throughout its global product supply and distribution chains.

 

DSS and DSS Technology Management - Acquires or internally develops patented technology or intellectual property assets (or interests therein),Since its acquisition in 2013, DSS Technology Management’s primary mission has been to monetize its various patent portfolios through commercial litigation and licensing. Except for investment in its social networking related patents, we have historically partnered with various third-party funding groups in connection with patent monetization programs. It is our intent to de-emphasize and ultimately wind down this business line. While Management will continue to assert and defend the purpose of monetizing these assets through a variety of value-enhancing initiatives, including, butexisting patents and purse potential infringements as they are identified, we do not limitedintend to investments in the development and commercialization of patented technologies, licensing, strategic partnerships and commercial litigation.seek out new patent portfolios.

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DSS InternationalDirect Marketing - AssistsDirect marketing or network marketing is designed to sell products or services directly to the DSS Digital Grouppublic through independent distributors, rather than selling through the traditional retail market. We believe this business has significant growth potential in the developmentnow popular “gig economy”. Consistent with the Company’s strategic business plan and vision, we plan to enter the direct marketing or network marketing industry and take advantage of the Company’s digital authentication productsopportunities that exist. We have entered into partnerships with existing direct marketing companies to access U.S., Canadian, Asian and Pacific Rim markets. In addition, we have acquired various domestic and international operating licenses from those companies. Through the acquisitions we have secured product licenses, formulas, existing sales networks, patents, web sites, and other resources to initiate sales and revenue generation for this line. We are currently planning different options on how to take advantage of this opportunities in the Asia Pacific market.direct selling market and help DSS in its global branding.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20192020 as compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 20182019

 

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, 2018.2019.

 

Revenue

 

 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
  %
change
  Three months ended March 31, 2020 Three months ended March 31, 2019 % Change
Revenue                        
Printed products $4,366,000  $3,924,000   11% $3,949,000  $4,366,000   -10%
Technology sales, services and licensing  443,000   454,000   -2%  479,000   443,000   8%
Direct marketing  573,000   -     

n/a

 
                        
Total revenue $4,809,000  $4,378,000   10%
Total Revenue $5,001,000  $4,809,000   4%

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, total revenue was approximately $4.8 million, an increase of 10% fromincreased 4% as compared to the corresponding three months ended March 31, 2018.2019. Revenues from the sale of printedPrinted products increased 11%decreased 10% during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due to increasedsignificant decreased packaging and technology card sales and packaging sales. Technology sales, services and licensing revenue decreased 2%increased 8% during the three months ended March 31, 20192020 as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due to declinesa significant increase in digital development services.AuthentiGuard sales. Direct marketing revenue increase illustrates the Company’s entrance into the direct marketing industry and its associated opportunities.

 

Costs and expenses

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
  %
change
 
Costs and expenses            
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $3,160,000  $2,582,000   22%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  920,000   968,000   -5%
Depreciation and amortization  294,000   346,000   -15%
Professional fees  292,000   234,000   25%
Stock based compensation  31,000   1,000   3000%
Sales and marketing  116,000   92,000   26%
Rent and utilities  190,000   154,000   23%
Other operating expenses  227,000   234,000   -3%
Research and development  1,000   99,000   -99%
             
Total costs and expenses $5,231,000  $4,710,000   11%

  Three months ended March 31, 2020  Three months ended March 31, 2019  % Change 
Costs and expenses         
Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $3,271,000  $3,160,000   4%
Sales, general and administrative compensation  1,119,000   920,000   22%
Depreciation and amortization  360,000   294,000   22%
Professional fees  601,000   292,000   106%
Stock based compensation  90,000   31,000   190%
Sales and marketing  405,000   116,000   249%
Rent and utilities  207,000   190,000   9%
Impairment of goodwill  685,000   -   n/a 
Other operating expenses  219,000   228,000   -4%
             
Total costs and expenses $6,957,000  $5,231,000   33%

 

Costs of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation and amortization includes 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 by 22%4% during the three months ended March 31, 20192020 as compared to the same period in 2018,2019. This increase is driven primarily due to a generalby an increase in materiallabor and freight costs as a percentage ofat the printed products groups’ total direct costsCompany’s Packaging and an increase of outside services used by our packaging division,Plastic groups as well as a net increase in sales of 10% for the Company.inventory costs associated with its Direct Marketing business segment.

 

23

Sales, general and administrative compensation costs, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased 5%increased 22% during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due toreflects the reductionreduced effect of seniormonthly amortization of the LED IP management headcountfee advance, which was exhausted in November 2019, as well as an increase in cost of the Company’s health and a reduction in commissions and bonus compensation expense.welfare programs.

 

Depreciation and amortization include 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. For the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, depreciation and amortization expense decreased 15%increased 22% as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due to the write-offaddition of pre-production software and hardware and production equipment at the semiconductor patents during the six months ended June 30, 2018.DSS Packaging and Printing Group.

Professional fees increased 25%106% during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same period in 2018, as a result of increases in new consulting services for DSS International and2019, mostly due to increases in legal services for patent litigationthe outsourcing of corporate legal services, legal fees associated with the defense of a suit brought by Intel Corporation and corporate group.Apple, Inc. against the Company (see Note 8), and consulting fees incurred by the Direct Marketing segment.

 

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 was $31,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $1,000increased 190% driven by stock based compensation totaling approximately $61,000 accrued for the same period in 2018, due toCEO of a subsidiary of the costs of stock options granted to various employees during the second half of 2018.Company.

 

Sales and marketing costs, which include internet and trade publication advertising, travel and entertainment costs, sales-broker commissions, and trade show participation expenses increased 26%249% during the three months ended March 31, 20192020 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily as a resultsame period in 2019, resulting from an increase in commissions paid to brokers of increased travel and entertainment costs forapproximately $179,000 associated with the printed products group.Company’s Direct Marketing segment.

 

Rent and utilities increased by 23%9% during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due to an increase in rentalfacilities maintenance costs atand rent expense for the Company’s plastics division.printed products group.

 

Impairment of goodwill is a result of several factors identified subsequent to quarter end, including the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak that has led the Company to determined that circumstances exist in its DSS Plastics Group that indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists and has recorded an impairment of $685,000 at March 31, 2020. 

Other operating expensesconsist primarily of equipment maintenance and repairs, office supplies, IT support bad debt expense and insurance costs. Other operating expenses decreased by 3% during the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018, primarily as the result of decreases in dues and subscriptions and equipment expenses.

Research and development costs consist primarily of compensation costs for research personnel, third-party research costs, and consulting costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, research and development costs were approximately $1,0002020, other operating expenses decreased 4% as compared to $99,000the same period in research and development costs2019, due primarily to an adjustment in the carrying value of the Company’s allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to decreases in development costs related to the development of proprietary block chain solutions for DSS International.doubtful accounts.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
  %
change
 
          
Other income (expense):            
Interest income $2,000  $3,000   -33%
Interest expense  (30,000)  (49,000)  -39%
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  (1,000)  (28,000)  -96%
             
Total other expense $(29,000) $(74,000)  61%

  Three months ended March 31, 2020  Three months ended March 31, 2019  % Change 
Other Income (Expense)            
Interest Income $24,000  $2,000   1100%
Interest Expense  (39,000)  (30,000)  30%
Gain on marketable securities  4,000   -   n/a 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount  -   (1,000)  -100%
             
Total costs and expenses $(11,000) $(29,000)  -62%

 

Interest income isrecognized on the Company’s money market account was $2,000 formarkets as well as the three months ended March 31, 2019.notes receivable identified in Note3.

 

Interest expense decreased 39%increased 30% during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same period in 2018,2019, mostly due to a decrease in the total debt carried byinterest expense incurred with the Company inutilization of the capital line of credit at Premier Packaging Corporation during Q3 2019, as compared to 2018.well as utilization of the revolving line of credit at Premier Packaging Corporation during Q1 2020.

 

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Amortized debt discount decreased 96%remained relatively flat during the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, as compared to the same periodperiods in 2018, due to a decrease in the total debt carried by the Company in 2019 as compared to 2018.2019.

Net Loss

 

 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 %
change
  Three months ended March 31, 2020  Three months ended March 31, 2019  % Change 
              
Net loss $(451,000) $(406,000)  -11%
Net Loss $(1,967,000) $(451,000)  336%
                        
Loss per common share:                        
Basic and diluted $(0.03) $(0.02)  -50% $(1.23) $(0.77)  59%
            
Shares used in computing loss per common share:            
Basic and diluted  17,494,750   16,599,327   5%

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, the Company recorded net loss of approximately $451,000,$1,967,000, as compared to a net loss of $406,000$451,000 during the same period in 2018.2019. The increaseincreases in operating losses incurred during the three months ended March 31, 20192020 as compared to the same periodperiods in 20182019 primarily reflects increasesreflect the combined impact of a decline in revenues in the Printed Products Group coupled with the reduced effect of monthly amortization of the LED IP management fee advance, which was exhausted in November 2019, as well as an increase in cost of sales for the printed products group which outpaced increases in sales for that group.Company’s health and welfare programs., professional fees, and stock based compensation, as well as the impairment of goodwill

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of March 31, 2019,2020, the Company had cash of $1,336,754 and restricted cash of $109,892.$3,802,000.

 

Operating Cash Flow – During the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, the Company used approximately $877,000$469,000 of cash for operations as compared to the $93,000$876,000 in cash used for operations during the first three months ended March 31, 2018.2019. The increasedecrease in the use of cash for operations primarily reflects reduction in accrued liabilities during the period, and the timing of accounts receivable, and accounts payable changes at the Company’s packaging division.and accrued liabilities changes.

 

Investing Cash Flow – During the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, the Company expended approximately $211,000$105,000 on equipment for its packaging and plastic card operations, $350,000 for ACS licensing agreement forplastics groups, $566,000 on the DSS Singapore group.purchase of marketable securities, and $462,000 on note receivable investments.

 

Financing Cash Flows – During the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, the Company made aggregate principal payments for long-term debt of approximately $57,000. In addition, the$121,000 and had borrowings of $200,000 and $300,000 in relation to long-term debt and its revolving line of credit. The Company also received approximately $4,000,000 of net proceeds of approximately $500,000 from the sale of the Company’s common stock as a result of the conversion of a short-term convertible note that was entered into and converted during the three months ended March 31, 2019.stock.

 

Continuing Operations and Going ConcernThe accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of our assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the specific amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, which might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. While the Company has approximately $1.3$3.8 million in cash, and a positive working capital position of approximately $479,000$5.5 million as of March 31, 2019, respectively, due to the fact that2020, the Company has incurred negative cash flows from operating and investing activities over the past two years, and has projected that the Company will likely incur negative cash flows from operations in 2019, the Company has determined that it will likely need to raise capital in 2019 toyears. To continue as a going concern.concern, on February 25, 2020, Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp., acting as representative of the several underwriters, which provided for the issuance and sale by the Company in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) of 851,852 shares ,inclusive of 111,111 over-allotment shares exercised (pre-reverse stock split 25,555,556 shares and 3,333,333 over-allotment). of the Company’s common stock. The net offering proceeds (inclusive of the over-allotment exercise) to the Company approximated $4.0 million.

 

The expected use of cash for operations in 20192020 will be primarily for funding, operating losses, working capital, legal expensesacquisition and investment opportunities, and the continued R&D costs, associated with its intellectual property related litigation,the AuthentiGuard product line and the sales and marketing costs associateassociated with the continued global roll-out of the Company’s AuthentiGuard product line. Historically, theproduct. The Company has been ablewill also use these funds to obtain equity and/or debt-based financing, including most recently when the Company raised gross proceedsmake capital improvements at its two manufacturing facilities to increase production capacity and create efficiencies, as well as to diversify its revenue streams and take advantage of $951,000 in 2017 and $1,176,000 in 2018 from the sale of its equity.profit opportunities.

 

The Company’s management intends to take actions necessary to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters includes, among other things, continued growth among our operating segments including international expansion of our AuthentiGuard product, evaluating capital raising alternatives that will increase the Company’s cash resources by at least $2 million by the end of the current fiscal year, and tightly controlling operating costs and reducing spending growth rates wherever possible.possible to return to profitability. In addition, the Company has taken steps, and will continue to take measures, to materially reduce the expenses and cash burn of its IP Monetization program.

At the Company’s current operating levels and capital usage, we believe that our $3.8 million in aggregate cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2020 would allow us to fund our nine business lines operating current and planned operations through May 2021. Based upon our current amount of cash on hand, management’s historical ability to raise capital, and our ability to manage our cost structure and adjust operating plans if and as required, we havethis, the Company has concluded that substantial doubt of ourits ability to continue as a going concern has been alleviated.

 

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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

 

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. The financial statements as of December 31, 20182019 describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the financial statements. Additionally, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and its related amendments which introduced Leases (Topic 842, or “ASC 842”), as required, effective January 1, 2019 and elected the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption, without a restatement of prior periods. The new accounting standard requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities for all leases with lease terms of greater than 12 months. Further, the Company elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less) and an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets. As a result of the adoption, the Company adjusted its beginning balance for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 by recording an ROU asset and lease liability. The adoption impacted the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, but did not have an impact on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company uses a discount rate to determine the present value based on the rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable, or its incremental borrowing rate. Critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. A discussion of such critical accounting policies can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Other than the adoption of Topic ASC 842, thereThere have been no material changes to such critical accounting policies as of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.2020.

 

ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer who is also our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures for the quarter ended March 31, 2019,2020, 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 weaknesses disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 which remained as of March 31, 2019,2020, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of March 31, 2019,2020, 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 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 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

 

As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2019, the Company has a remediation plan and is committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment and believes that these remediation efforts will represent significant improvements in our controls. The Company has started to implement these steps, however, some of these steps will take time to be fully integrated and confirmed to be effective and sustainable. Additional controls may also be required over time. Until the remediation steps set forth above are fully implemented and tested, the material weaknesses described above will continue to exist.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

While changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 20192020 as the Company began implementation of the remediation steps described above, we believe that there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019,2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

26

PART II


OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On JanuarySee commentary in Note 8 2019, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (“DSSTM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a confidential settlement agreement with Intel Corporation, Dell Inc., GameStop Corp, Conn’s Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLCCommitments and AT&T Mobility LLC (collectively, the “Defendants”), in connection with DSSTM’s patent infringement suit filed against the Defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “District Court”) in February of 2015. The District Court case against the Defendants was dismissed, as to all the Defendants, on February 5, 2019.Contingencies.

On January 16, 2019, DSSTM’s patent infringement suit originally filed against Qualcomm Incorporated in July of 2015 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas was dismissed.

In June of 2017, Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) filed a patent infringement suit against Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and Everlight Americas, Inc. (collectively, “Everlight”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On January 18, 2019, the Company and Everlight entered into a confidential settlement agreement resolving the litigation.

 

ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changesThe Company is a smaller reporting company, as such term is defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, and is therefore not required to provide the discussion of risk factors previously disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.information required under this item.

 

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

 

On February 18, 2019, the Company entered into a Convertible Promissory Note with LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd in the principal sum of $500,000, of which up to $500,000 of the Principal Amount could be paid by the conversion of such amount into the Company’s common stock, par value $0.02 per share, up to a maximum of 446,428 shares of common stock (the “Maximum Conversion Amount”), at a conversion price of $1.12 per share. Effective on March 25, 2019, LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd exercised its conversion option and converted the Maximum Conversion Amount under the Note.

 

The Company issued 130,435 shares of the Company’s common stock in conjunction with the signing of a Master Distributor Agreement with Advanced Cyber Security Corp. (“ACS”) to for the Company to distribute ACS’s EndpointLockV™ cyber security software exclusively in thirteen countries in Asia and Australia, and non-exclusively, in the U.S. and Middle East.

 

The issuance of the above securities was deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.

ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

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 and Interim Chief Financial Officer. *
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 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.

27

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.
  
May 14, 20192020By:/s/ Frank D. Heuszel
Frank D. Heuszel
  Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

28