Internal Revenue Code Section 382 imposes limitations on the use of net operating loss carryovers when the stock ownership of one or more 5% stockholders (stockholders owning 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding capital stock) has increased by more than 50 percentage points. Additionally the separate-return-limitation-year (SRLY) rules that apply to consolidated returns may limit the utilization of losses in a given year when consolidated tax returns are filed. Management has determined that because of a recent history of recurring losses, the ultimate realization of the net operating loss carryovers is not assured and has recorded a full valuation allowance. Public trading of company stock poses a risk of an ownership change beyond the control of the Company that could trigger a limitation of the use of the loss carryover.
The deferred tax asset valuation allowance increased by $2,589,000 and $2,098,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.The deferred tax asset valuation allowance increased by $3,885,000 and $4,403,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 14 – Related Party Transactions
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company is owed $705,499 and $5,648,652, respectively, from affiliated companies - primarily CSS. The Company is part of CSS’s central cash management system whereby payroll and benefits are administered by CSS and the related expenses are charged to its subsidiaries and funds are transferred between affiliates to fulfill joint liquidity needs and business initiatives. Advances and repayments occur periodically. The Company and CSS do not charge interest on the net advances.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded management and license fees of $2,213,493 and $1,352,054, respectively, and $4,533,177 and $2,676,461 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, payable to CSS.
Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
The Company is obligated under non-cancellable lease agreements for certain facilities and services, which frequently include renewal options and escalation clauses. For leases that contain predetermined fixed escalations, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rent expense and amounts payable under the lease as lease obligations. Lease obligations due within one year are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These leases expire at various points through 2031.
Rent expense related to these leases was $499,711 and $436,007 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $999,422 and $914,308 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Content Obligations
Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of content. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time we enter into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title is delivered, accepted and becomes available for exploitation, a content liability is recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $47,366,363 of content obligations, comprised of $20,776,600 in film library acquisition obligations, $1,849,375 of programming obligations and $24,740,388 of accrued participation costs.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $25,849,529 of content obligations, comprised of $8,616,562 in film library acquisition obligations, $4,697,316 of programming obligations and $12,535,651 of accrued participation costs.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company from time to time enters into contractual arrangements under which it agrees to commitments with producers and other content providers for the acquisition of content and distribution rights