| (a) | We are a party to an agreement with Vantico, Inc. (the “Photopolymer Research Agreement”), dated August 15, 1990, relating to the research and development of liquid photopolymers, photopolymerizable monomers and photoinitiators for use with stereolithography technology. The agreement obligates each of the parties to cooperate in the development of liquid photopolymers, photopolymerizable monomers and photoinitiators. The agreement provides that the parties shall deal exclusively with each other in the development of liquid stereolithographic products except that: (a) We may recommend to our customers products produced by suppliers other than Vantico in the event that another supplier produces products suitable for stereolithography and Vantico cannot produce a product with similar performance parameters, (b) We may pursue the development of certain products developed pursuant to the agreement if Vantico determines it has no capabilities or interest in those products, and (c) Vantico may cooperate in developing competing products if those products involve new fields of technology which we do not have, and are not able within a reasonable time, to develop expertise. Subject to certain conditions, the agreement will remain in effect unless terminated by either party upon six months advance notice. |
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| | As part of the Photopolymer Research Agreement, the parties have agreed that if we have a change in control, then at the option of Vantico, we will be required to pay Vantico an amount equal to Vantico’s “deferred research and development costs,” up to $10 million. A “change in control” is defined to have occurred only if a person, or group of related persons, becomes the beneficial owner of in excess of 31.4% of our outstanding voting securities (that percentage to be ratably increased in the event of any sale by a Vantico affiliate of any of its shares of the our common stock), unless approved by Vantico. “Deferred research and development costs” means all costs incurred by Vantico during the five full fiscal years immediately preceding the occurrence of a change in control, multiplied by two. The existence of this provision may deter potential acquirers from seeking to acquire our company, or a significant interest in the equity securities of our company. |
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| | Simultaneously with the Photopolymer Research Agreement, we entered into a Photopolymer Distribution Agreement with Vantico, dated as of July 1, 1990, pursuant to which we are the exclusive worldwide distributor (except Japan) of liquid photopolymers manufactured by Vantico for use in stereolithography. At our request, an affiliate of Vantico currently sells these photopolymers in Japan to one of our Japanese distributors. Subject to certain conditions, so long as Vantico provides adequate supplies, we are required to fill all of its requirements for its liquid photopolymers through purchases from Vantico. Subject to certain conditions, the agreement will remain in effect unless terminated by either party upon six months advance notice. |
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| (b) | 3D Systems, Inc. v. Aaroflex et al. On January 13, 1997, we filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Central District of California, against Aarotech Laboratories, Inc. (“Aarotech”), Aaroflex, Inc. (“Aaroflex”) and Albert C. Young (“Young”). Aaroflex is a related company to Aarotech Laboratories and is one of the companies of the Aarotech group. Young is the Chairman of theBoard and ChiefExecutive Officer of both Aarotech and Aaroflex. The original complaint alleged that stereolithography equipment manufactured by Aaroflex infringes six of our patents. In August 2000, two additional patents were added to the complaint. We seek damages and injunctive relief from the defendants, who have threatened to sue us for trade libel. To date, the defendants have not filed such a suit. |
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| | Following decisions by the District Court and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on jurisdictional issues, Aarotech and Albert C. Young were dismissed from the suit, and an action against Aaroflex is proceeding in the District Court. Motions for summary judgment by Aaroflex on multiple counts contained in our complaint and on Aaroflex’s counterclaims have been dismissed, fact discovery in the case has been completed, and we have filed motions for summary judgment for patent infringement and patent validity were filed. A hearing was held May 9, 2001 on these motions. A decision on these motions is pending. Trial on any remaining undecided issues will be scheduled by the Court. |
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| (c) | 3D Systems, Inc. v. Teijin Seiki Co. Ltd. On March 21, 1997, we filed a patent infringement action in District Court in Osaka, Japan under one of its twelve Japanese patents, alleging infringement, and seeking damages from the defendant and injunctive relief (the “Teijin Seiki Lawsuit”). The action is in the early stages of prosecution. Teijin Seiki filed successful invalidation action against one of the patents. |
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| (d) | On June 6, 2001 the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed a civil action to permanently enjoin the acquisition of DTM. The Company is working with the DOJ in an effort to reach a settlement that would enable the Company to complete the merger. The Company cannot assure you that its efforts will result in a mutually agreeable settlement between the Company and the DOJ. |
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| | Spinner v. Goldstein On April 6, 2001, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the 200th Judicial District Court of Travis County, Austin, Texas, naming as defendants DTM Corporation, certain of DTM’s directors and 3D Systems Corporation. The complaint was amended on May 2, 2001. The complaint as amended asserts that the $5.80 cash consideration to be paid in the merger is inadequate and does not represent the value of the assets and the future prospects of DTM. The amended complaint also alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary obligations to the public shareholders of DTM in approving the merger agreement and that the tender offer documents distributed to the shareholders of DTM in connection with the tender fail to disclose material information. |
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| | The complaint seeks, among other things, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief prohibiting DTM from consummating the merger, and if the merger is consummated, an order rescinding the merger and awarding damages to the purported class. The complaint also seeks unspecified damages, attorney fees and other relief. The plaintiffs have requested document production from DTM and us on an expedited basis. None of the defendants have filed an answer to the complaint. |
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| | We have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the representative of the purported class in this lawsuit, providing for the settlement of the action. The terms of the settlement are not expected to have a material adverse effect on us or otherwise delay the completion of the offer or the merger. |
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| | As of June 29, 2001 we have incurred $2.1 million in connection with the proposed acquisition of DTM. These costs have been capitalized and are included in other assets on the balance sheet. |
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| (e) | Patent Opposition and Invalidation Proceedings. 3D Systems, Inc. has been granted twelve patents in Japan. An opposition was submitted against one of these patents. The opposition was dismissed and the patent has been maintained as originally issued. Furthermore, one of the twelve patents has had three invalidation trials filed against it. The highest court in Japan has upheld the finding of invalidation. |
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| (f) | EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems (“EOS”) and 3D Systems v. DTM In December 2000, EOS filed a patent infringement suit against DTM in federal court in California. EOS alleges that DTM has infringed and continues to infringe certain U.S. patents that we license to EOS. In a February 2001 press release related to EOS’s filing of the suit, EOS claimed damages of $20 million. In April 2001 consistent with an order issued by the federal court in this matter, we were added as a plaintiff to the lawsuit. These proceedings are in the pre-discovery stage. EOS has also threatened us with a breach of contract claim if, following the acquisition of DTM, we compete with EOS in the laser sintering field. (See Note 11 for a discussion of our proposed acquisition of DTM.) |
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| (g) | We are engaged in certain additional legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. On the advice of legal counsel, we believe we have adequate legal defenses and that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |