SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] | Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 |
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| For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010 |
or
[ ] | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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| For the transition period from to |
Commission File Number 333-110680
VIASPACE INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 76-0742386 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) | |
2102 Business Center Drive, Suite 130, Irvine, CA 92612
(Address of principal executive offices)
(626) 768-3360
(Issuer’s telephone number)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES [_] NO [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [_] | Accelerated filer [_] |
Non-accelerated filer [_] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company [X] |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES [_] NO [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 944,310,817 shares of $0.001 par value common stock issued and outstanding as of May 10, 2010.
VIASPACE INC.
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VIASPACE INC.
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
ASSETS | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | | |
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Related party receivables | | | | | | | | |
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Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation | | | | | | | | |
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Land use right, net of accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
Intellectual property, net of accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
Grass license, net of accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
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Current portion of long-term debt | | | | | | | | |
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TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | |
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Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 923,458,602 and 903,505,407 issued and outstanding in 2010 and 2009, respectively | | | | | | | | |
Additional paid in capital | | | | | | | | |
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Total stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
VIASPACE INC.
| | (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | | | | | | |
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Total other income (expense) | | | | | | | | |
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LOSS INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | |
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NET LOSS ATTRIBUTED TO VIASPACE | | | | | | | | |
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LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS— Basic and diluted | | | | | | | | |
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NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTED TO VIASPACE SHAREHOLDERS — Basic and diluted | | | | | | | | |
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING—Basic and diluted | | | | | | | | |
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* Less than $0.01 per common share.
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Other Comprehensive Income | | | | | | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
VIASPACE INC.
| | Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Additional Paid in Capital | | | Treasury Stock | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total | |
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BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Stock compensation expense related to stock options | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares issued to consultants, vendors, employees and directors for services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
VIASPACE INC.
| | (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
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Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | | | | |
Stock option compensation expense | | | | | | | | |
Stock compensation expense related to stock issued | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses paid in stock issued | | | | | | | | |
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Gain on disposal of vehicle | | | | | | | | |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | | | | | | |
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Accrued expenses and other | | | | | | | | |
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Net cash used in operating activities | | | | | | | | |
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Additions to fixed assets | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from disposal of vehicle | | | | | | | | |
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Net cash used in investing activities | | | | | | | | |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Payments on short-term debt | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | | | | | | |
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NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period | | | | | | | | |
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Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | | |
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Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Activities for 2010:
| · | The Company issued 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for future services valued at $174,000. This amount was recorded at issuance as prepaid expenses. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
VIASPACE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2009 (Audited)
Note 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business - VIASPACE Inc. (“we”, “us”, “VIASPACE”, or the “Company”) is a renewable and alternative energy company with a global reach. We operate three separate businesses. We grow a fast-growing, high yield, low carbon, nonfood energy crop called Giant King Grass (“GKG”) through our majority owned subsidiary, VIASPACE Green Energy Inc. (“VGE”) which can be burned in 100% biomass power plants to generate electricity; made into pellets that can be burned together with coal to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants; generate bio methane through anaerobic digestion, and can be used as a feedstock for low carbon liquid biofuels for transportation. Cellulosic ethanol and other liquid biofuels, collectively called Grassoline, do not use corn or other food sources as feedstock. GKG can also be used as animal feed. GKG and other plants absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. When they are burned, they release the carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, but it is the same carbon dioxide that was removed from the atmosphere, and that the process is carbon neutral. Small amounts of fossil fuel are used by the farm equipment, transportation of GKG and fertilizer, so that the overall process is low carbon, but much lower than burning coal or other fossil fuels directly. GKG has been independently tested by customers and been shown to have excellent energy content and very high bio methane production. We also manufacture framed copyrighted artwork in China and market and sell the artwork in the U.S. We produce disposable fuel cartridges that provide the energy sour ce for portable electronics powered by fuel cells. VIASPACE is headquartered in California with business activities in China, Korea and Japan.
VIASPACE was founded in 1998 as a private company to commercialize proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense. VIASPACE has licensed patents, and software technology from California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”), which manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (“JPL”) for NASA. VIASPACE became a public company on June 22, 2005. On October 21, 2008, the Company and its then wholly-owned subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy (“VGE”), acquired an equity interest in Inter-Pacific Arts, Corp. (“IPA BVI”), a British Virgin Islands company that manufactures high quality, copyrighted, framed artwork at its factory in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC’), and sells the framed art to large retailers in the US. IPA BVI, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangzhou Inter-Pacific Arts Corp., a Chinese wholly owned foreign enterprise registered in Guangdong province ("IPA China") which also has a worldwide license to cultivate and sell GKG.
Company Background - On June 22, 2005, ViaSpace LLC, which was founded in July 1998, acquired the non-operating shell company Global-Wide Publication Ltd. (“GW”). GW was incorporated in the State of Nevada on July 14, 2003. Upon the date of the merger, GW was renamed VIASPACE Inc. The transaction was accounted for as a reverse merger and a recapitalization of the Company.
Going Concern - At March 31, 2010, the Company has negative working capital of $2,564,000 and an accumulated deficit of $33,360,000. Our financial statements were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have not made any adjustments to the financial statements as a result of the outcome of the uncertainty described above. Accordingly, the value of the Company in liquidation may be different from the amounts in our financial statements. The Company has addressed this concern by laying off certain of its staff and reducing operating expenses. In addition, the Company has sold non-core and as yet non-profitable business units. The Company is now focused primarily on three main business units including the GKG business, framed artwork business and the fuel cell business.
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) for financial information and with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, the unaudited financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto inc luded in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these interim financial statements. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Certain reclassifications were made to the March 31, 2009 consolidated financial statements, to conform to the March 31, 2010 consolidated financial statement presentation.
Noncontrolling Interest - Certain amounts presented for prior periods that were previously designated minority interest have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51,” (codified in FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810) which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCIs”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability (as was previously the case); that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions, rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses; and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance. This standard also required changes to certain presentation and disclosure requirements. The provisions of the standard were applied to all NCIs prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which were applied retrospectively to all periods presented. As a result, upon adoption, the Company retroactively reclassified the “Minority interest” previously included in the “Other liabilities” s ection of the consolidated balance sheet to a new component of equity with respect to NCIs in consolidated subsidiaries. The adoption also impacted certain captions previously used on the consolidated statement of income and other comprehensive income, largely identifying net income including NCI and net income attributable to the Company.
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries represents the minority stockholders’ proportionate share of equity of Direct Methanol Fuel Corporation (“DMFCC”), Ionfinity LLC (“Ionfinity”) and VGE. The Company’s controlling interest requires the results of these companies’ operations be included in the consolidated financial statements. The percentage of DMFCC, Ionfinity and VGE not owned by the Company is shown as NCI in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $500,000 as NCI representing an investment in DMFCC by a minority shareholder. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $6,477,000 and $6,487,000, respectively, representing C ommon Shareholder NCIs in Ionfinity and VGE.
Principles of Consolidation - The Company is generally a founding shareholder of its affiliated companies which are accounted for by consolidation. Affiliated companies include VGE, DMFCC, Ionfinity, VIASPACE Security, Inc. (“VIASPACE Security”) and Concentric Water Technology LLC (”Concentric Water”) in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a controlling voting interest, are consolidated. Under this method, an affiliated company’s results of operations are reflected within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Transactions between the Company and its consolidated affiliated companies are eliminated in consolidation. The Company adopted SFAS No. 141(R), “Busine ss Combinations” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 805), which requires use of the purchase method for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001.
Fiscal Year End - The Company’s fiscal year ends December 31.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements - The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk - The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents. The Company maintains all of its cash accounts with high credit quality institutions. Such balances with any one institution may exceed FDIC insured limits.
Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The allowance for doubtful accounts relates to specifically identified receivables that are evaluated individually for collectability. We determine a receivable is uncollectible when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the receivable agreement, without regard to any subsequent restructurings. Factors considered in assessing collectability include, but are not limited to, a customer’s extended delinquency, requests for restructuring and filings for bankruptcy.
Marketable Securities - The Company accounts for marketable securities in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“SFAS No. 115”) (codified in FASB ASC Topic 320). SFAS No. 115 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and all debt securities. SFAS No. 115 applies to marketable equity securities and all debt securities, carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred tax effect, and requires that they be reported as an item of other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any marketabl e securities.
Inventory - Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method. Market is determined using net realizable value. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence, excess quantities and other factors in evaluating net realizable value. Inventory only consists of raw material at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The following is a summary of inventory by business line at March 31, 2010 (unaudited):
The following is a summary of inventory at December 31, 2009:
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for substantially all assets and estimated lives as follows:
Land Use Right – All land in the PRC is government owned and cannot be sold to any individual or company. IPA China acquired land use rights for the land occupied by its manufacturing facility in 2005. VGE acquired land use rights in 2009 on land of approximately 100 hectares, or 250 acres in Guangdong province of the PRC to grow GKG.
License – IPA China has a license to grow and sell a new fast-growing hybrid grass known as GKG used for production of biofuels and as feed for livestock. IPA China sublicensed this right from China Gate Technology Co., Ltd. (Licensor) who obtained the original license from the inventor. IPA China did not directly pay for the license. VIASPACE issued shares of its common stock to Licensor upon the acquisition of IPA China by VIASPACE and VGE on October 21, 2008 to pay for the license.
Intangible Assets - The Company’s intangible assets consist of, among other things, (1) licenses to patents that are amortized over periods through the expiration date of the patents (up to twenty years); (2) software application code that is amortized over three years; and (3) software licenses with an estimated useful life of five years. All intangible assets are subject to impairment tests on an annual or periodic basis. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess is recognized. Amortizing intangibles are currently evaluated for impairment using the methodology set forth in SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (Codified in FASB ASC Topic 360).
Impairment of Long-lived Assets - The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may no longer be recoverable. If the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) from the use of an asset are less than the carrying value, a write-down would be recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value. For purposes of estimating future cash flows from impaired assets, the Company groups assets at the lowest level from which there is identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flow of other groups of assets. There have been no impairment charges recorded by the Company.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 85), requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values of financial instruments. The recorded value of accounts receivables, related party receivables, related party payables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature. The recorded values of long-term debt and liabilities approximate fair value.
Income Taxes– The Company utilizes FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740), which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of events that were included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. For IPA China, the statutory corporate income tax rate for foreign enterprises in the PRC is 25% for 2010. IPA BVI is a British Virgin Islands international company and not subject to any United States income taxes. The Company does not have any deferred tax assets or liabilities recorded for the periods covered by the accompanying financial statements.
Revenue Recognition – Product Revenue. VIASPACE has generated revenues to date on product revenue shipments. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB No. 104”) (codified in FASB ASC Topic 605), VIASPACE recognizes product revenue provided that (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery to the customer has occurred, (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. The price is considered fixed or determina ble when it is not subject to refund or adjustments. Our standard shipping terms are freight on board shipping point. If the Company ships product whereby a customer has a right of return or review period, the Company does not recognize revenue until the right of return or review period has lapsed. Prior to the period lapsing, this revenue would be recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s Balance Sheet.
Product Development Revenue on Fixed-Price Contracts With Milestone Values Defined. Ionfinity has generated revenues to date on fixed-price contracts for government contracts. These contracts have clear milestones and deliverables with distinct values assigned to each milestone. The government is not obligated to pay Ionfinity the complete value of the contract and can cancel the contract if the Company fails to meet a milestone. Although the government can cancel the contract if a milestone is not met, the Company is not required to refund any payments for prior milestones that have been approved and paid by the government. The milestones do not require the delivery of multiple elemen ts as noted in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” ("EITF No. 00-21") (codified in FASB ASC Topic 605),. In accordance with SAB No. 104, the Company treats each milestone as an individual revenue agreement and only recognizes revenue for each milestone when all the conditions of SAB 104 defined earlier are met.
Framed art sales. In accordance with SAB No. 104, IPA BVI and IPA China recognize product revenue provided: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery to the customer has occurred, (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. The price is considered fixed or determinable when it is not subject to refund or adjustments. Our standard shipping terms are free on board shipping point. Some of the Company’s products are sold in the PRC and are subject to Chinese value-added tax. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their finished product. Revenue is recorded net of VAT taxes.
Cost of Goods Sold – Cost of goods sold consists primarily of material costs, employee compensation, depreciation and related expenses, which are directly attributable to the production of products. Any write-down of inventory to lower of cost or market is also recorded in cost of goods sold.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss) – IPA China’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States dollars ("USD") as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders' equity as "Accumulated other comprehensive income". Gains and losses resulting f rom foreign currency transactions are included in income. There has been no significant fluctuation in exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date. IPA BVI’s sales are denominated in USD.
Segment Reporting and Geographic Information – SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280) requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company's management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company.
Stock Based Compensation - VIASPACE and DMFCC have stock-based compensation plans. Effective with VIASPACE and DMFCC’s fiscal year that began January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the accounting and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) (codified in FASB ASC Topic 718), using the modified prospective application transition method. The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to consultants and vendors in exchange for goods and services in accordance with the provisions of EITF Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiri ng, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services”, and EITF Issue No. 00-18, “Accounting Recognition for Certain Transactions Involving Equity Instruments Granted to Other than Employees”. The measurement date for the fair value of the equity instruments issued is determined at the earlier of: (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the consultant or vendor is reached or (ii) the date at which the consultant or vendor's performance is complete. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-18, an asset acquired in exchange for the issuance of fully vested, non-forfeitable equity instruments should not be presented or classified as an offset to equity on the grantor's balance sheet once the equity instrument is granted for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the Company records the fair value of the f ully vested, non-forfeitable common stock issued for future consulting services as prepaid expenses in its consolidated balance sheet.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share - The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (SFAS No. 128”) (codified in FASB ASC Topic 260), and SEC SAB No. 98 (“SAB No. 98”). Under the provisions of SFAS No. 128 and SAB No. 98, basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Research and Development - The Company charges research and development expenses to operations as incurred.
NOTE 2 — ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable are comprised of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
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U.S. Government customers | | | | | | | | |
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Total accounts receivable | | | | | | | | |
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | | | | | | | | |
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NOTE 3 — PREPAID EXPENSES
During 2009, the Company entered into agreements with certain of its consultants and vendors whereby the Company issued registered shares of the Company’s common stock under an existing registration statement on Form S-8 as well as unregistered shares of common stock in exchange for future services to be provided to the Company. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the remaining value of these agreements was $498,000 (unaudited) and $601,000, respectively, which is included in prepaid expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Other prepaid expenses were $32,000 (unaudited) and $50,000 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
NOTE 4 — FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets are comprised of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total property and equipment | | | | | | | | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense was $20,000 (unaudited) and $11,000 (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
NOTE 5 — LAND USE RIGHT
Land use right is composed of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less: Accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense was $9,000 (unaudited) and $5,000 (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amortization for the next five years will be: 2011 - $38,000; 2012 - $37,000; 2013 - $30,000; 2014 - $30,000; and 2015 - $30,000.
NOTE 6 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intellectual Property
Intangible asset balances related to intellectual property are comprised of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively:
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less: Accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
Intellectual property, net | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense was $4,000 (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2009. The amortization expense for the next five years will be $16,000 in each year.
License to Grass
As more fully explained in Note 8, VIASPACE and VGE acquired IPA China and IPA BVI on October 21, 2008. IPA China has a worldwide license to cultivate and sell a fast-growing high yield hybrid grass called GKG that has the potential to be used in the production of nonfood biofuels and, in the more immediate term, animal feedstock for dairy cows, pigs, sheep, goats, fish and other animals. VIASPACE issued 30,576,007 shares to the Licensor of the GKG valued at $507,000 on the date of acquisition. The grass license is being amortized over an estimated useful life of 20 years.
Amortization expense was $4,000 (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2009. The amortization expense for the next five years will be $16,000 in each year.
License to Grass is composed of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less: Accumulated amortization | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Goodwill
As more fully explained in Note 8, VIASPACE and VGE acquired IPA China and IPA BVI on October 21, 2008 and recorded goodwill of $12,322,000 related to the acquisition.
NOTE 7 — OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN AFFILIATED COMPANIES
DMFCC. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company owned 71.4% of the outstanding shares of DMFCC.
VGE. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company owned 59.3% of the outstanding shares of VGE.
Ionfinity. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company owned 46.3% of the outstanding membership interests of Ionfinity. The Company has two seats on Ionfinity’s board of managers out of four seats. The Company provides management and accounting services for Ionfinity. The Company also acts as tax partner for Ionfinity for income tax purposes. Due to these factors, Ionfinity is considered economically and organizationally dependent on the Company and as such is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The minority interest held by other members is disclosed separately in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 8 — ACQUISITION OF IPA
On October 21, 2008, VIASPACE and VGE entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Sung Hsien Chang ("Chang"), and China Gate Technology Co., Ltd., a Brunei Darussalam company ("Licensor"). Under the Purchase Agreement, we agreed to acquire 100% of Inter-Pacific Arts Corp., a BVI international business company ("IPA BVI"), and the entire equity interest of Guangzhou Inter-Pacific Arts Corp., a Chinese wholly owned foreign enterprise registered in Guangdong province ("IPA China") from Chang, the sole shareholder of IPA BVI and IPA China. In exchange, VIASPACE agreed to pay $16 million in a combination of cash, and newly-issued shares of VIASPACE and our ordinary shares. In addition, VIASPACE issued shares of its common stock to Licensor and in exchange Licensor sub licensed c ertain fast growing grass technology to IPA China.
The transactions under the Purchase Agreement ("Acquisition") were to involve two phases. At the first closing on October 21, 2008, we issued 3,500,000 newly-issued shares to Chang and his designees. VIASPACE issued 215,384,615 shares of its common stock to Chang and 30,576,007 shares of common stock to Licensor. Chang delivered 70% of the outstanding common stock of IPA BVI to us. At that point, we controlled 70% of IPA BVI. Accordingly, we consolidated their results, assets and liabilities in our financial statements. IPA China became a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPA BVI (and indirectly, our subsidiary) subsequent to the First Closing on June 9, 2009.
The conditions to VIASPACE’s and VGE’s obligations to consummate the second closing included: (1) representations and warranties of Chang and Licensor remained true at closing; (2) Chang complied with the material covenants under the agreement; (3) the issuance of the securities to Chang and Licensor were exempt from registration, including under Regulation D for which the issuance of the first closing shares relied upon; (4) Chang executed certain compliance certificates; (5) customary permits, consents and waivers were obtained; (6) books and records were delivered to VIASPACE; (7) an officer’s certificate regarding each target’s charter documents were delivered; (8) due diligence had been satisfactorily completed; and (9) Chang shall have transferred his entire equity interest in IPA China to IPA BVI.
The conditions to Chang’s and Licensor’s obligation to consummate the second closing included: (1) representations and warranties of VIASPACE and us remained true at closing; (2) VIASPACE and we complied with the material covenants under the agreement; (3) books and records of VIASPACE were delivered or made available to Chang and his counsel; (4) any necessary third party consents shall have been obtained; and (5) VIASPACE shall be prepared to deliver $4.8 million plus interest in cash to Chang. To our knowledge, all of these criteria, other than the cash payment were met. Even if the Second Closing did not occur, the remaining 30% of IPA BVI was to be transferred by Chang to VGE prior to the Second Closing deadline.
In addition, the Licensor and Chang, the seller of IPA China and IPA BVI, each represented that at least 100 hectares of arable land in Guangdong province in China will be available for grass farming by IPA China within 12 months after the First Closing Date. IPA China secured 45 hectares of arable land in the first quarter of 2009 and leased an additional 55 hectares in the third quarter of 2009. The requirement was met.
On August 21, 2009, the parties entered into a second Amendment to the Purchase Agreement whereby VIASPACE irrevocably assigned to Chang and Licensor the VIASPACE shares issued to Chang and Licensor in the First Closing of the Purchase Agreement. Licensor agreed to limit sales of VIASPACE common shares issued at the First Closing to 8,800,000 shares in any 90-day period.
As required by the Purchase Agreement, VGE filed a Form S-1 Registration Statement with the SEC on June 3, 2009 covering the resale of a portion of VGE common stock issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement as permitted by SEC regulations. The SEC declared the VGE Form S-1 Registration Statement effective on December 31, 2009. On January 14, 2010, VGE received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) that its shares of common stock are approved for listing on the OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol VGREF.OB. This satisfied the requirement in the Purchase Agreement that VGE stock be listed on a Trading Market.
Following various additional amendments to the Purchase Agreement, the deadline for the Second Closing in which the remaining minority interest of 30% of IPA BVI equity holdings would be transferred to us was February 15, 2010. At the Second Closing deadline, VIASPACE was to pay $4.8 million ("Cash Consideration") plus Interest (as determined below) since the First Closing, in cash to Chang. Interest on the Cash Consideration shall accrue at 6% for the first six months after the First Closing, and then 18% until June 10, 2009, and then at an annual rate of 6% thereafter. As of March 31, 2010, the entire amount of Cash Consideration due from VIASPACE to Chang was $5.296 million. We have control of the assets of IPA BVI through our majority ownership position and there is no restriction on the Company’s ability to transfer or capitalize on such assets at any time, including prior to the cash payment due Chang from VIASPACE.
The Second Closing did not occur on the February 15, 2010 deadline. However, Chang, VIASPACE and VGE agreed to continue negotiating an alternative closing and purchase of IPA and those negotiations are continuing as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q.
The value paid by VIASPACE and VGE for the acquisition was $15,832,000 composed of: fair market value of VIASPACE stock issued for assets acquired - $4,589,000; VIASPACE loan to Mr. Sung Hsien Chang - $4,800,000; and VIASPACE minority interest in VGE - $6,443,000. The net assets acquired totaled $3,003,000. The excess of value paid for the acquisition in excess of net assets acquired was assigned to: grass license - $507,000 and goodwill - $12,322,000 which are recorded on the balance sheet of VIASPACE.
NOTE 9 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Sale of Humidity Sensor Business Unit
On April 20, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase and Support Services Agreement (the “Landtec Purchase Agreement”) with Landtec North America, a California corporation ("Buyer"). Pursuant to the Landtec Purchase Agreement, the Company transferred certain assets related to the Company's tunable diode laser-based humidity sensor business to the Buyer. On April 20, 2009, pursuant to the terms of the Landtec Purchase Agreement, the Company closed the transaction to sell assets related to its humidity sensor business for $210,000. Seller received $170,000 on April 20, 2009 from Buyer and received $40,000 on June 22, 2009.
The Company recorded a gain on sale of assets related to this Landtec Purchase Agreement of $176,000 in the second quarter of 2009. Discontinued operations of $7,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, related to the operations that were sold are shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to this business that was sold.
NOTE 10 — STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
VIASPACE Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
On October 20, 2005, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company adopted the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) including the 2005 Non-Employee Director Option Program (the “2005 Director Plan”). The Plan was also approved by the holders of a majority of the Company’s common stock. The Plan originally provided for the reservation for issuance under the Plan of 28,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. On July 12, 2006, the Company filed a Form S-8 Registration Statement with the SEC registering 28,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. On February 14, 2008, the Board and the holders of a majority of the Company’s common stock approved an amendment to the Plan which increases the maximum ag gregate number of shares which may be issued in the Plan to 99,000,000 shares. On April 30, 2008, the Company filed a Form S-8 Registration Statement registering 71,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In addition, effective January 1, 2009 and each January 1 thereafter during the term of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares under the Plan are to be increased so that the maximum aggregate number of shares is equivalent to 30% of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the immediately preceding December 31. On February 4, 2009, the Company filed a Form S-8 Registration Statement registering 146,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31, 2008.
The Plan is designed to provide additional incentive to employees, directors and consultants of the Company through the awarding of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and other awards. On February 13, 2006, the Board approved the 2006 Non-Employee Director Option Program (the “2006 Director Plan”) replacing the 2005 Director Plan and the 2006 Director Plan was approved by the holders of a majority of the Company’s common stock. The 2006 Director Plan awards a one-time grant of 125,000 options, or such other number of options as determined by the Board of Directors as plan administrator of the 2006 Director Plan, to newly appointed outside members of the Company’s Board and annual grants of 50,000 options, or such other n umber of options as determined by the Board of Directors, to outside members of the Board that have served at least six months.
The Company’s Board administers the Plan, selects the individuals to whom options will be granted, determines the number of options to be granted, and the term and exercise price of each option. Stock options granted pursuant to the terms of the Plans generally cannot be granted with an exercise price of less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of the grant. The term of the options granted under the Plan cannot be greater than 10 years. Options to employees and directors generally vest over four years but the actual length of the vesting term is determined by the Board. An aggregate of 76,919,746 shares were available for future grant at March 31, 2010. During the year ended March 31, 2010, the Company granted 30,000,000 stock options to employees to purcha se common shares with an exercise price of $0.012 per share. During this same period, no stock options were cancelled due to employees, directors or consultants terminating employment or service with the Company.
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued 325,517 shares of common stock under the Plan to employees for services provided to the Company. The stock compensation expense recorded relating to these share issuances was based on fair market value on the date of grant and totaled $7,200 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
SFAS No. 123(R) requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values using the modified prospective transition method. SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards to employees and directors on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite services periods on a straight-line basis in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company elected to adopt the detailed method provided in SFAS No. 123(R) for calculating the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool (“APIC pool”) related to the tax effects of employee stock-based compensation, and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC pool and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the income tax effects of employee stock-based compensation awards that are outstanding upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).
The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model has assumptions for risk free interest rates, dividends, stock volatility and expected life of an option grant. The risk free interest rate is based upon market yields for United States Treasury debt securities at a maturity near the term remaining on the option. Dividend rates are based on the Company’s dividend history. The stock volatility factor is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected life of an option grant is based on management’s estimate as no options have been exercised in the Plan to date. The Company calculated a forfeiture rate f or employees and directors based on historical information. A forfeiture rate of 0% is used for options granted to consultants. The fair value of each option grant to employees, directors and consultants is calculated by the Black-Scholes method and is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each stock option award. For stock options issued, including those issued to employees, directors, consultants and advisory board members for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the following range of assumptions:
| | (Unaudited) | | (Unaudited) |
| | | | 2.53% |
| | | | 0% |
| | | | 126.13% |
| | | | 6.67 years |
| | | | 49.9% |
Employee and Director Option Grants
The following table summarizes activity for employees and directors in the Company’s Plan for 2010:
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term In Years | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors during 2010 was $0.012 per share. The Company recorded $123,000 of compensation expense for employee and director stock options during 2010. At March 31, 2010, there was a total of $434,000 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements under the Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two and one quarter years. At March 31, 2010, the fair value of options vested for employees and directors was $252,000. There were no options exercised during 2010.
Consultant Option Grants
The following table summarizes activity for consultants in the Company’s Plan for 2010:
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term In Years | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were no stock options granted to consultants during 2010. The Company recorded zero of compensation expense for consultant stock options during 2010. At March 31, 2010, there was a total of zero unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements. At March 31, 2010, the fair value of options vested for consultants was $23,000. There were no options exercised during 2010.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation 2002 Stock Option / Stock Issuance Plan
DMFCC formed a stock-based compensation plan in 2002 entitled the 2002 Stock Option / Stock Issuance Plan (the “DMFCC Option Plan”) that reserved 2,000,000 shares of DMFCC common stock for issuance to employees, non-employee members of the board of directors of DMFCC, board members of its parent company, consultants, and other independent advisors. As of March 31, 2010, options to purchase 1,396,000 shares of DMFCC common stock were outstanding and 604,000 shares remained available for grant under the DMFCC Option Plan. Of these outstanding options, 1,030,000 are incentive stock options issued to employees and 366,000 are non-statutory stock options issued to consultants. During the period ended March 31, 2010, DMFCC issued no stock options.
DMFCC uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair market value of each option granted. The Black-Scholes option pricing model includes assumptions for risk free interest rates, dividends, stock volatility and expected life of an option grant. For stock options that are issued, the fair value of each option grant is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each stock option award.
The following table summarizes activity in the DMFCC Option Plan for the period ended March 31, 2010:
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term In Years | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DMFCC recorded zero stock option compensation expense during 2010 and 2009. There were no options exercised during 2010.
Warrants
The Company has issued warrants to purchase 624,000 common shares of the Company to non-affiliate parties at exercise prices ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per share. These warrants expire between November 2, 2011 and March 8, 2012.
NOTE 11 — SHORT-TERM DEBT
Concentric Water entered into a long-term debt agreement with the Community Development Commission (“CDC”) in 2004 for $100,000, with interest of 5%, monthly payments of $1,610, with the final payment originally due in September 2009. The loan was secured by the assets of Concentric Water. On January 27, 2010, the Company and the CDC agreed to restructure the agreement whereby Concentric Water agreed to pay $1,986 in monthly principal payments beginning February 1, 2010 for 18 months. The interest rate on the loan remained at 5%.
VIASPACE Security entered into a long-term debt agreement with the CDC in 2004 for $50,000, with interest of 5%, monthly payments of $1,151, with the final payment due in September 2009. The Company received an extension of time to repay this loan and paid this loan off in full on January 20, 2010 in the amount of $9,357.
Summary of Loans and Long-Term Debt
Loans and Long-term debt is comprised of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively:
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
CDC of the County of Los Angeles, secured, with interest at 5% due July 1, 2011 | | | | | | | | |
CDC of the County of Los Angeles, secured, with interest at 5% due January 20, 2010 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less Current Portion of Long-term Debt | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Due to Sung Hsien Chang
As discussed in Note 8, VIASPACE is obligated to pay Sung Hsien Chang $4,800,000 related to the Second Closing of the acquisition of IPA China and IPA BVI by VGE and the Company. The Second Closing did not occur on the February 15, 2010 deadline. However, Chang, VIASPACE and VGE agreed to continue negotiating an alternative closing and purchase of IPA and those negotiations are continuing as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q. Interest expense on the $4,800,000 accrues at 6% for the first six months after the First Closing, and then 18% until June 10, 2009, and then an annual rate of 6%. The $4,800,000 loan is shown as a related party loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2010, there is accrued interest of $496,000 related to this lo an included in accrued expenses.
NOTE 12 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the number of authorized shares of the Company’s preferred stock was 10,000,000 shares. The par value of the preferred stock is $0.001. There were no shares outstanding of preferred stock as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
Common Stock
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock was 1,500,000,000 shares. The par value of the common stock is $0.001. Common stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters voted on by stockholders.
As of December 31, 2009, there were 903,505,407 shares of common stock outstanding. During 2010, the Company issued 325,517 shares of common stock under an existing Form S-8 Registration Statement to employees for services provided or to be provided to the Company. In addition, the Company issued 19,627,678 unregistered shares of common stock to employees, consultants and vendors for services provided or to be provided to the Company. All of the share issuances in 2010 were recorded at fair market value on the date of grant. As of March 31, 2010, there were 923,458,602 shares of common stock outstanding.
NOTE 13 — INCOME TAX
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company has accrued no interest or penalties at March 31, 2010. As of the date of these financial statements, the 2008, 2007, and 2006 income tax years are open to the possibility of examination by federal and state taxing authorities.
The Company did not record a provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as a result of operating losses. The Company has recorded valuation allowances to fully reserve its deferred tax assets, as management believes it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. It is possible that management’s estimates as to the likelihood of realization of its deferred tax assets could change as a result of changes in estimated operating results. Should management conclude that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets are, at least in part, realizable, the valuation allowance will be reduced and recognized as a deferred income tax benefit in the statement of operations in the period of change. The Company has Federal ne t operating loss carryovers of approximately $14,500,000 available at December 31, 2009.
NOTE 14 — RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company has no retirement plans in effect at March 31, 2010.
NOTE 15 — OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company evaluates its reportable segments in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”) (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280). For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, was the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) pursuant to SFAS No. 131. The CODM allocates resources to the segments based on their business prospects, product development and engineering, and marketing and strategy.
The Company operates in four reportable segments. The operations of DMFCC and VIASPACE Corporate’s energy related business are included in the Energy segment. The operations of Ionfinity are included in the Security segment. The operations of IPA China and IPA BVI are included in the Framed Artwork segment. The operations of VGE are included in the Grass segment.
Effective with the acquisition of IPA by VGE on October 21, 2008, the Company added two reportable segments. One is the framed-artwork segment which specializes in manufacturing and selling high-quality, copyrighted, framed artwork to retail stores. In addition, there is a grass business segment, which plans to grow, harvest and sell GKG as a livestock feed as well as a future feedstock for biofuel production.
Energy Segment:
| (i) | DMFCC: DMFCC is a provider of disposable fuel cartridges and intellectual property protection for manufacturers of direct methanol and other liquid hydrocarbon fuel cells. Direct methanol fuel cells are expected to be replacements for traditional batteries and are expected to gain a substantial market share in the future because they offer longer operating time as compared to current lithium ion batteries and may be instantaneously recharged by simply replacing the disposable fuel cartridge. |
| (ii) | VIASPACE Corporate: VIASPACE Corporate is identifying and pursuing additional business opportunities in areas including batteries and battery test equipment, alternative fuels, and new products to conserve energy and reduce emissions. |
Security Segment:
| (i) | Ionfinity: Ionfinity is working on a next-generation mass spectrometry technology, which could significantly improve the application of mass spectrometry for industrial process control and environmental monitoring and could also spawn a new class of detection systems for homeland security. |
Framed-Artwork Segment:
| (i) | IPA China and IPA BVI: Specialize in manufacturing high-quality, copyrighted, framed artwork in the PRC which is sold to retail stores in the U.S. |
Grass Segment:
| (i) | VGE: VGE is growing GKG in the PRC to be harvested and sold initially as a livestock feed and in the future as a feedstock for biofuel production and as a clean alternative to coal in electricity generating power plants, |
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1 to these financial statements). The Company evaluates segment performance based on income (loss) from operations excluding infrequent and unusual items.
The amounts shown as “Corporate Administrative Costs” consist of unallocated corporate-level operating expenses. In addition, the Company does not allocate other income/expense, net to reportable segments.
Information on reportable segments for the three months ended:
| | | |
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | (Unaudited) March 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
Income (Loss) From Operations: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss From Operations by Reportable Segments | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Administrative Costs | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Stock Compensation and Warrant Expense | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had one customer which made up 65% and 43%, respectively, of our total consolidated revenues.
NOTE 16 — NET LOSS PER SHARE
The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 (codified in FASB ASC Topic 260). Under the provision of SFAS No. 128, basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings would customarily include, if dilutive, potential shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants is reflected in earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 by application of the treasury stock method. For the periods presented, the computation of diluted loss per share equaled basic loss per share as the inclusion of any dilutive instruments would have had an antid ilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation in the periods presented.
The following table sets forth common stock equivalents (potential common stock) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 that are not included in the loss per share calculation since their effect would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated:
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | (Unaudited) March 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | (Unaudited) March 31, 2009 | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to common stock | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
NOTE 17 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Other than as listed below, we have not been a party to any significant transactions, proposed transactions, or series of transactions, and in which, to our knowledge, any of our directors, officers, five percent beneficial security holders, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons has had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are Related Party Receivables and Payables. The Related Party Receivables and Payables are detailed below. Sung Hsien Chang is President of VGE and CEO of IPA China and IPA BVI. JJ International (“JJ”) is a company owned by Sung Hsien Chang that operates separately. IPA China recorded revenues of $158,000 from JJ for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
The following table represents a summary of Related Party Receivables at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) March 10, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Due from Sung Hsien Chang | | | | | | | | |
Due from JJ International | | | | | | | | |
Due from employee of IPA China | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company included as a related party payable $94,000 and $110,000, respectively, representing accrued salary and partner draw due Dr. Kukkonen, CEO of ViaSpace LLC prior to its merger with the Company on June 22, 2005. In addition, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company owes $331,000 and $281,000, respectively, to Dr. Kukkonen for earned salary that has not been paid.
On October 31, 2006, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with Denda Associates Co. Ltd. ("Denda Associates"). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Denda Associates will provide the Company with consulting and business development expertise to assist the Company with expanding into the Japanese market. Denda Associates was founded by Mr. Nobuyuki Denda, who serves as its CEO and who also served on the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Denda resigned from the Board of Directors effective July 1, 2008 for personal health reasons. As of March 31, 2010, $11,000 is owed to Mr. Denda.
The following table represents a summary of Related Party Payables at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| | (Unaudited) March 31, 2010 | | | December 31, 2009 | |
Due to employee of IPA China | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Due to Directors of Ionfinity | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Due to Sung Hsien Chang
As discussed in Note 8, the Company is obligated to pay Sung Hsien Chang $4,800,000 related to the Second Closing of the acquisition of IPA China and IPA BVI by VGE and the Company. Interest expense on the $4,800,000 accrues at 6% for the first six months after the First Closing, and then 18% until June 10, 2009, and then an annual rate of 6%. The $4,800,000 loan is shown as a related party loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2010, there is accrued interest of $496,000 related to this loan included in accrued expenses.
NOTE 18— OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company is not currently in any long term office lease. Lease on land in the PRC is discussed in Note 1 and Note 5. Rent expense charged to operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $12,000 (unaudited) and $27,000 (unaudited), respectively. Amortization expense related to land leases in the PRC was $9,000 (unaudited) and $5,000 (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Operations in the PRC
IPA China’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in the North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
The Company’s sales, purchases and expenses transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance.
Litigation
The Company is not party to any legal proceedings at the present time.
NOTE 19 — FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
On February 25, 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2010-09 Subsequent Events Topic 855 “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements,” effective immediately. The amendments in the ASU remove the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. Revised financial statements include financial statements revised as a result of either correction of an error or retrospective application of US GAAP. The FASB believes these amendments remove potential conflicts with the SEC’s literature. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On March 5, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11 Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 “Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives.” This ASU clarifies the guidance within the derivative literature that exempts certain credit related features from analysis as potential embedded derivatives requiring separate accounting. The ASU specifies that an embedded credit derivative feature related to the transfer of credit risk that is only in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another is not subject to bifurcation from a host contract under ASC 815-15-25, Derivatives and Hedging — Embedded Derivatives — Recognition. All other embedded credit derivative features should be analyzed to determine whether their economic characteristics and risks are “cle arly and closely related” to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and whether bifurcation is required. The ASU is effective for the Company on July 1, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 20— SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 16, 2010, VIASPACE and Sung Hsien Chang ("Chang") entered into a Share Purchase Agreement ("April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which Chang would transfer 6,506,000 shares of common stock of VGE to the Company and the Company would grant Chang (i) 241,667,000 newly-issued shares of its common stock, (ii) one share of Series A Preferred Stock which controls 50.1% of the voting power of Company equity securities, and (iii) a secured promissory note in the principal amount of approximately $5.3 million.
The April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement was designed to close the acquisition of IPA discussed in Note 8. The closing of the transactions contemplated under the April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement ("Revised Closing") is expected to occur on or before May 28, 2010. Immediately prior to the Revised Closing, it is expected that Chang would take ownership of the 5,100,000 shares of VGE common stock discussed in Note 8. Then, at the Revised Closing, under the terms of the April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement, VIASPACE will purchase 6,506,000 shares of VGE from Chang (including the 5,100,000 VGE shares that VIASPACE delivered to Chang) and will own 75.7% of the outstanding shares of VGE (this compares to 5.1 million shares or 59.3% of the outstanding shares of VGE in the Purchase Agreement). VGE will own 100 % of the outstanding stock interests of IPA BVI and IPA China. Chang will receive additional 241,667,000 newly issued common shares of the Company and retain 400,000 shares of common stock in VGE (approximately a 4.7% beneficial interest). In addition, the Company will create a new class of preferred stock called "Series A Preferred Stock" and will grant to Chang one (1) newly issued share of Series A Preferred Stock. This 1 share of Series A Preferred Stock will give him 50.1% voting control of VIASPACE which will expire when certain conditions are met.
Under the April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement, the $4.8 million plus interest debt that was previously due to Chang at the Second Closing will be converted to a five-year Secured Promissory Note ("Secured Note") at 6% interest with a starting principal balance of approximately $5.3 million. On or before the Revised Closing, anticipated to occur on or before May 28, 2010, the Company, VGE, IPA BVI and IPA China will also enter into related security agreements including a Stock Pledge Agreement, Security Agreement and Guaranty Agreement. Through these agreements, the obligations under the Secured Note will be secured by all assets of the Company (other than the Company’s security ownership in its Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation and Ionfinity LLC subsidiaries).
In addition, the Company has agreed to enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with Chang that will grant him unlimited "piggyback rights" and certain demand registration rights related to the newly issued common shares that VIASPACE will issue to Chang upon closing and other VIASPACE common shares that Chang holds.
Concurrent with the execution of the April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement, the Company delivered an irrevocable stock power that allows Chang to transfer title of 5,100,000 VGE shares of common stock from the Company to Chang at any time if the April 2010 Share Purchase Agreement is terminated or the Revised Closing does not occur on May 28, 2010. The stock power also entitled Chang as of April 16, 2010, to the full right and power to act for all intents and purposes as the sole and absolute owner of the 5.1 million shares, including the right to vote the VGE shares. The Company also agreed to indemnify Chang against any lawsuit brought by the Company for actions or omissions taken by Chang for exercising the powers under the stock power.
Upon the Revised Closing, Chang will transfer 6,506,000 VGE shares to VIASPACE (including 5,100,000 VGE shares in the name of VIASPACE but that Chang has the power to transfer title through the irrevocable stock power if the transaction is not closed by May 28, 2010), or 75.7% of the outstanding shares of VGE.
At the Revised Closing, the parties expect that Chang will also be appointed to VIASPACE’s board of directors and have the right to designate two additional board members to the VIASPACE board, which currently has five members. Chang will remain President of VGE. In addition, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, CEO of the Company will remain as CEO of VGE. Mr. Stephen Muzi, CFO of the Company will remain CFO of VGE. Chang, Kukkonen and Muzi will enter into new employment agreements with VGE prior to closing. Chang will receive a salary of no less than $240,000 per annum, Kukkonen will receive a salary of no less than $240,000 per annum, and Muzi will receive a salary of no less than $180,000 per annum. VGE will also grant Chang, Kukkonen and Muzi stock options to purchase 550,000, 550,000 and 250,000 shares of VGE common s tock, respectively, with vesting to occur over a period of 24 months.
Chang’s obligation to effect the Revised Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various closing conditions, including without limitation: (1) the perfection of first priority liens in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents; (2) execution of the employment agreements between VGE and each of Kukkonen, Muzi and Chang; and (3) delivery of appropriate good standing certificates.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
The following discussion contains certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements”. Such statements appear in a number of places in this Report, including, without limitation, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition or Plan of Operation.” These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and requirements that are difficult to predict or are beyond our cont rol. Our future results may differ materially from those currently anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including those described below under “Risks Related to Our Future Operations” and our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this Report and in conjunction with our 2009 annual report on Form 10-K.
VIASPACE Overview
VIASPACE Inc. (“we”, “us”, “VIASPACE”, or the “Company”) is a renewable and alternative energy company with a global reach. We operate three separate businesses. We grow a fast-growing, high yield, low carbon, nonfood energy crop called Giant King Grass (“GKG”) which can be burned in 100% biomass power plants to generate electricity; made into pellets that can be burned together with coal to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants; generate bio methane through anaerobic digestion, and can be used as a feedstock for low carbon liquid biofuels for transportation. Cellulosic ethanol and other liquid biofuels, collectively called Grassoline, do not use corn or other food sources as feedstock. GKG can also be used as an imal feed. GKG and other plants absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. When they are burned, they release the carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, but it is the same carbon dioxide that was removed from the atmosphere, and that the process is carbon neutral. Small amounts of fossil fuel are used by the farm equipment, transportation of GKG and fertilizer, so that the overall process is low carbon, but much lower than burning coal or other fossil fuels directly. GKG has been independently tested by customers and been shown to have excellent energy content and very high bio methane production. We also manufacture framed copyrighted artwork in China and market and sell the artwork in the U.S. We produce disposable fuel cartridges that provide the energy source for portable electronics powered by fuel cells. We do not build the power plant or biofuel plant; rather we grow GKG that is needed as the fuel or feedstock. We do not make fuel cells, but instead we make disposable fuel cartridges for fuel cell and electronics manufacturers such as Samsung. Both the grass and the fuel cartridge businesses could represent potentially large and recurring revenue streams. We grow GKG on 250 acres of leased land in China to serve as a nursery for expansion, a demonstration plot for potential partners and customers, to provide samples for potential customers, and as a grass source for our own products. VIASPACE is based in California with business activities in China, Korea and Japan.
VIASPACE was founded in 1998 as a private company to commercialize proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense. VIASPACE has licensed patents, and software technology from California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”), which manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (“JPL”) for NASA. VIASPACE became a public company on June 22, 2005. On October 21, 2008, the Company and its then wholly-owned subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy (“VGE”), acquired an equity interest in Inter-Pacific Arts, Corp. (“IPA BVI”), a British Virgin Islands profitable company that manufactures high quality, copyrighted, framed artwork at its factory in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC’), and sells the fra med art to large retailers in the US. IPA BVI, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangzhou Inter-Pacific Arts Corp., a Chinese wholly owned foreign enterprise registered in Guangdong province ("IPA China") which also has a worldwide license to cultivate and sell GKG. See Note 8 and Note 20 for a description of the acquisition of IPA BVI and IPA China.
The Company’s web site is www.VIASPACE.com.
Critical accounting policies and estimates
Financial Reporting Release No. 60, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies” (“FRR60”) issued by the SEC, suggests that companies provide additional disclosure and commentary on those accounting policies considered most critical. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. For a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies discussed below, see the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of expenses tha t are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions. The following accounting policies require significant management judgments and estimates:
VIASPACE and DMFCC have generated revenues on product revenue shipments. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” (“SAB No. 104”), VIASPACE and DMFCC recognize product revenue provided that (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery to the customer has occurred, (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. The price is considered fixed or determinable when it is not subject to refund or adjustments. Our standard shipping terms are freight on board shipping point. If the Company ships product whereby a customer has a right of return or rev iew period, the Company does not recognize revenue until the right of return or review period has lapsed. Prior to the period lapsing, this revenue would be recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s balance sheet.
Ionfinity has generated revenues to date on fixed-price contracts for government contracts. These contracts have clear milestones and deliverables with distinct values assigned to each milestone. The government is not obligated to pay Ionfinity the complete value of the contract and can cancel the contract if the Company fails to meet a milestone. The milestones do not require the delivery of multiple elements as noted in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” ("EITF No. 00-21"). In accordance with SAB No. 104, the Company treats each milestone as an individual revenue agreement and only recognizes revenue for each milestone when all the conditions of SAB No. 104 defined earlie r are met.
In accordance with SAB No. 104, IPA BVI and IPA China recognize product revenue provided: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery to the customer has occurred, (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. The price is considered fixed or determinable when it is not subject to refund or adjustments. Our standard shipping terms are free on board shipping point. Some of the Company’s products are sold in the PRC and are subject to Chinese value-added tax. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their finished product. 160;Revenue is recorded net of VAT taxes.
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to consultants and vendors in exchange for goods and services in accordance with the provisions of EITF Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services”, and EITF Issue No. 00-18, “Accounting Recognition for Certain Transactions Involving Equity Instruments Granted to Other than Employees”. The measurement date for the fair value of the equity instruments issued is determined at the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the consultant or vendor is reached or (ii) the date at which the consultant or vendor's performance is complete. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the e quity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-18, an asset acquired in exchange for the issuance of fully vested, non-forfeitable equity instruments should not be presented or classified as an offset to equity on the grantor's balance sheet once the equity instrument is granted for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the Company records the fair value of the fully vested, non-forfeitable common stock issued for future consulting services as prepaid expenses in its consolidated balance sheet.
The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. There is no assurance that actual results will not differ from these estimates.
See footnotes in the accompanying financial statements regarding recent financial accounting developments.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to March 31, 2009
Revenues
Revenues were $927,000 and $820,000 for 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of $107,000. IPA BVI and IPA China recorded revenues of $757,000 in 2010 from the sales of framed-artwork primarily to retail U.S. customers, an increase of $166,000 from the comparable period in 2009. Ionfinity incurred revenues of $170,000 in 2010, a decrease of $4,000 from 2009. Ionfinity recorded revenues in both years from a Phase II U.S. Army contract and a Phase II U.S. Navy contract. DMFCC recorded revenues in 2009 of $55,000 from a fuel cell contract it had with Samsung, but did not record any similar revenues in 2010.
Cost of Revenues
Costs of revenues were $676,000 and $526,000 for 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of $150,000. IPA BVI and IPA China recorded cost of revenues of $532,000 from the sales of framed-artwork, an increase of $197,000 over the same period in 2009, due to higher revenues recorded during 2010 and higher manufacturing costs. Ionfinity recorded increased cost of revenues of $2,000 during 2010 as compared with 2009. DMFCC recorded decreased cost of revenues of $49,000 in 2010 compared with 2009.
Gross Profit
The resulting effect on these changes in revenues and cost of revenues from 2009 to 2010 was a decrease in gross profits from $294,000 in 2009 to $251,000 in 2010, a decrease of $43,000.
Operations Expenses
Operations expenses were $28,000 and $9,000 for 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of $19,000. The increase is primarily due to operations expenses incurred by VGE in the production of its GKG in China. This includes operating costs for salaries, equipment, maintenance, utilities and fuel costs. The Company expects operations expenses for VGE to increase in the future as more expenditures are incurred to grow, harvest and produce GKG.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $894,000 and $1,066,000 for 2010 and 2009, respectively, a decrease of $172,000. Commissions incurred in the framed-artwork business decreased $103,000 from 2009 to 2010 as less commissions were paid. Stock option and stock compensation expenses decreased $283,000 from 2009 to 2010 primarily due to lower amounts of Company’s common stock issued to employees, consultants and vendors for services. Consulting expenses increased $162,000 from 2009 to 2010 due to higher costs. Accounting fees increased $56,000 due to increased audit fees from 2009 to 2010. Legal fees increased $20,000 due to costs incurred related to the acquisition of IPA. Travel costs increased $28,000 due to increased sales and mark eting travel related to the GKG business. Other selling, general and administrative expenses, net, decreased by $52,000 during 2010 from the same period in 2009.
Loss from Operations
The resulting effect on these changes in gross profits, operations expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses from 2009 to 2010 was a decrease in the loss from operations from $781,000 in 2009 to $671,000 in 2010, a decrease of $110,000.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased by $58,000 from 2009 to 2010, due to lower interest expense recorded on the related party loan payable to Sung Hsien Chang related to the acquisition of IPA by the Company on October 21, 2008.
Other Income
Other income increased $115,000 from 2009 to 2010 primarily due to interest income being recorded on the amounts owed to the Company by Sung Hsien Chang and JJ International.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s net loss was $630,000. Non-cash expenses totaled $330,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 composed primarily of stock compensation expense related to stock and stock options issued to employees, directors and consultants. General working capital used $41,000 in 2010. Net cash used in operating activities was $341,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Net cash used in investing activities was $109,000 for 2010, related primarily to capital expenditures incurred by VGE in building a new storage facility and purchasing equipment for its GKG business. The Company also received proceeds of $17,000 from the disposal of a vehicle. In addition, VGE incurred $4,000 in costs associated with entering into a new land lease in the PRC to grow GKG.
Net cash used in financing activities was $15,000 in 2010 related to principal payments on Company loans to the Community Development Commission.
At March 31, 2010, the Company has negative working capital of $2,564,000 and an accumulated deficit of $33,360,000. Our financial statements were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have not made any adjustments to the financial statements as a result of the outcome of the uncertainty described above. Accordingly, the value of the Company in liquidation may be different from the amounts set forth in our financial statements. The Company has addressed this concern by laying off certain of its staff and reducing operating expenses. In addition, the Company has sold non-core and as yet non-profitable business units. The Compan y is now focused primarily on three main business units including the GKG business, framed artwork business and the fuel cell business.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations at March 31, 2010:
| | Total | | | Less than 1 Year | | | 1-3 Years | | | 3-5 Years | | | More than 5 Years | |
Long-term debt obligations (a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | The annual installment of principal and interest on the notes payable owed to the Community Development Commission as discussed in the accompanying footnotes to the consolidated financial statements are noted. |
There are no other major outstanding contractual obligations.
Due to Sung Hsien Chang
As discussed in Note 8, the Company is obligated to pay Sung Hsien Chang $4,800,000 related to the Second Closing of the acquisition of IPA China and IPA BVI by VGE and the Company. Interest expense on the $4,800,000 accrues at 6% for the first six months after the First Closing, and then 18% until June 10, 2009, and then an annual rate of 6%. The $4,800,000 loan is shown as a related party loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2010, there is accrued interest of $496,000 related to this loan included in accrued expenses.
Inflation and Seasonality
We have not experienced material inflation during the past five years. Seasonality has historically not had a material effect on our operations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2010.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our exposure to market risk is confined to our cash and cash equivalents. We invest excess cash and cash equivalents in high-quality money market funds that invest in federal agency notes and United States treasury notes, which we believe are subject to limited credit risk. We currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. The effective duration of our portfolio is all current with no investment of a long-term duration. Due to the short-term nature of our investments, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to interest rate risk arising from our investments.
Most of our transactions are conducted in United States dollars, although we do have some research and development, and sales and marketing agreements with consultants outside the United States. The majority of these transactions are conducted in United States dollars. If the exchange rate changed by ten percent, we do not believe that it would have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide o nly reasonable assurance of achieving an entity’s disclosure objectives. The likelihood of achieving such objectives is affected by limitations inherent in disclosure controls and procedures. These include the fact that human judgment in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns in internal control can occur because of human failures such as simple errors, mistakes or intentional circumvention of the established processes.
At the end of the period covered by this report and at the end of each fiscal quarter therein, the Company’s management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level described above as of the end of the period covered in this report.
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has evaluated any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter. Based on that evaluation, management, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company have concluded that no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control ove r financial reporting. The Company is a non-accelerated filer and is required to comply with the internal control reporting and disclosure requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2010.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company does not have any legal proceedings as of March 31, 2010.
Risk Factors Which May Affect Future Results
The Company wishes to caution that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, other than as set forth below:
Risks Related To Our Business
We have incurred losses and anticipate continued losses for the foreseeable future.
Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $630,000. The Company’s net loss decreased in 2010 from 2009 although we are not yet profitable on a consolidated basis. We have not yet achieved profitability and expect to continue to incur net losses until we recognize increased revenues from GKG sales, framed-artwork sales, customer contracts, product sales or other sources. Because we do not have an operating history upon which an evaluation of our prospects can be based, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies seeking to develop new and rapidly evolving technologies. To address these risks, we must, among other things, respond to competitive factors, continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and continue to develop our technologies. We may not be successful in addressing these risks. We can give no assurance that we will achieve or sustain profitability.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on future financing.
Goldman Parks Kurland Mohidin, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, included an explanatory paragraph in its report on our financial statements for 2009, which expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The inclusion of a going concern explanatory paragraph in Goldman Parks Kurland Mohidin, LLP’s report on our financial statements could have a detrimental effect on our stock price and our ability to raise additional capital if needed.
Our financial statements were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. We have not made any adjustments to the financial statements as a result of the outcome of the uncertainty described above. Accordingly, the value of the Company in liquidation may be different from the amounts set forth in our financial statements.
Our continued success will depend on our ability to achieve profitability or to raise capital in order to fund the development and commercialization of our products. Failure to be profitable or to raise additional capital may result in substantial adverse circumstances, including our inability to continue the development of our products and our liquidation.
Our revenues to date have been to a few customers, the loss of which could result in a severe decline in revenues.
The Company had one customer who made up 65% of the consolidated revenues of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2010. We believe that this trend of revenues to a few customers will continue in the near future. A loss of any customer by the Company could significantly reduce recognized revenues.
Risks Related To An Investment In Our Stock
Any future sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could depress the trading price of our common stock, lower our value and make it more difficult for us to raise capital.
Any sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock (or the prospect of sales) may depress the price of our common stock. In particular, we anticipate that the issuance of newly-issued shares to Chang in connection with an alternate arrangement to enable us to hold interests in VGE, and in turn, IPA BVI and IPA China may be very dilutive. In addition, these sales could lower our value and make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Further, the timing of the sale of the shares of our common stock may occur at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on terms more favorable to us.
The Company has 1,500,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, of which 923,458,602 were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2010. Of these issued and outstanding shares, 346,824,718 shares (37.6% of the total issued and outstanding shares) are currently held by our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders (including Dr. Carl Kukkonen, CEO and Director; Mr. Stephen J. Muzi, CFO; Mr. Sung Hsien Chang, President of VGE; Mr. Amjad Abdallat, Director; Mr. Rick Calacci, Director; General Bernard Randolph, Director; Ms. Angelina Galiteva, Director; and SNK Capital Trust). On April 10, 2006, SNK Capital Trust agreed to a lock-up of its 61,204,286 shares until April 9, 2011. No other shares are currently subject to any lock-up arrangement. Of the total shares i ssued and outstanding at March 31, 2010, 365,217,934 are accounted by our transfer agent as restricted under Rule 144. These shares could be released in the future if requested by the holder of the shares, subject to volume and manner of sale restrictions under Rule 144. A total of 558,240,668 shares of the Company’s common stock are accounted for by our transfer agent as free trading shares at March 31, 2010.
We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares currently held by management and principal shareholders), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.
Our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders own 37.6% of our voting stock, which may allow them to control substantially all matters requiring shareholder approval, and their interests may not align with the interests of our other stockholders.
Our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders hold, in the aggregate, 37.6% of our outstanding shares as of March 31, 2010. This percentage will increase if the Company finalizes its arrangement with Chang. Accordingly, some of these shareholders may decide to act in concert, and can control us through their ability to determine the election of our directors, to amend our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and to take other actions requiring the vote or consent of shareholders, including mergers, going private transactions and extraordinary transactions, and the terms of these transactions. Mr. Chang would also be granted Series A Preferred Stock which empowers him with supermajority voting rights even after he holds less than a majority of outstanding voting securities.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On January 25, 2010, the Company issued Dr. Kukkonen, CEO of the Company, 3,358,712 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock for salary valued at $50,000 on the date of issuance. On January 25, 2010 and February 24, 2010, the Company issued Mr. Stephen Muzi, CFO of the Company, 4,068,966 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock for salary valued at $60,000 on the date of issuance. On February 24, 2010, the Company issued consultants 12,200,000 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock for consulting services valued at $177,000 on the date of issuance.
The shares were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We made a determination that these parties were sophisticated investors with enough knowledge and experience in business to evaluate the risks and merits of accepting our shares as payment for their services and the Company believes that each party was given or had access to detailed financial and other information with respect to the Company. These vendors acquired the shares for investment purposes without view to distribution, and there was no general advertising or general solicitation in connection with the issuance of the shares. Further, restrictive transfer legends were placed on all certificates issued to these parties, and no underwriting or selling commissions were paid in connection with these share issuances.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
(a) Exhibits
10.1 | Share Purchase Agreement dated April 16, 2010 by and among the Registrant and Sung Hsien Chang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2010). |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. * |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. * |
32 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. * |
* Filed herewith.
[SIGNATURES PAGE FOLLOWS]
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VIASPACE Inc. |
| (Registrant) |
| |
| |
Date: May 14, 2010 | /s/ CARL KUKKONEN |
| Carl Kukkonen |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| |
| |
Date: May 14, 2010 | /s/ STEPHEN J. MUZI |
| Stephen J. Muzi |
| Chief Financial Officer |