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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13616
STORAGE COMPUTER CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE | 02-0450593 | |
| (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OFINCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) | (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
11 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NASHUA, NH 03062
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
(603) 880-3005
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesx No¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes¨ Nox
Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| CLASS | OUTSTANDING AT NOVEMBER 10, 2003 | |
Common Stock | 37,469,196 |
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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| September 30, 2003 | December 31, 2002 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 42,054 | $ | 2,680,599 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 84,191 | 192,882 | ||||||
Inventories | 1,940,911 | 2,031,679 | ||||||
Due from officers and directors (Note C) | — | 133,247 | ||||||
Other current assets | 245,947 | 80,484 | ||||||
Total current assets | 2,313,103 | 5,118,891 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 396,960 | 537,313 | ||||||
Goodwill | 2,692,611 | 2,692,611 | ||||||
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $1,786,943 and $1,354,943 in 2003 and 2002, respectively | 1,093,057 | 1,525,057 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 6,495,731 | $ | 9,873,872 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 616,499 | $ | 472,667 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 1,415,234 | 1,705,887 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 96,311 | 202,366 | ||||||
Due to officer and affiliates (Note C) | 1,005,752 | 1,129,065 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 3,133,796 | 3,509,985 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Redeemable convertible preferred stock | — | 1,212,618 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock | — | — | ||||||
Common stock | 37,085 | 25,752 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 85,294,872 | 83,589,403 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (81,970,022 | ) | (78,463,886 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 3,361,935 | 5,151,269 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 6,495,731 | $ | 9,873,872 | ||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2003 | September 30, 2002 | September 30, 2003 | September 30, 2002 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Products and services | $ | 215,047 | $ | 618,731 | $ | 640,807 | $ | 1,971,728 | ||||||||
License fees | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 215,047 | 618,731 | 640,807 | 1,971,728 | ||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of products and services | 218,442 | 2,615,045 | 697,114 | 3,935,185 | ||||||||||||
Cost of license fees, primarily legal fees | 188,468 | 623,039 | 717,549 | 2,608,116 | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 220,413 | 570,014 | 865,984 | 2,456,143 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 115,449 | 545,916 | 439,565 | 2,489,103 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 425,993 | 1,484,831 | 1,159,402 | 3,013,192 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 144,000 | 193,821 | 432,000 | 627,714 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of identifiable intangible assets | — | 976,099 | — | 976,099 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | 14,281,336 | — | 14,281,336 | ||||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 1,312,765 | 21,290,101 | 4,311,614 | 30,386,888 | ||||||||||||
Operating loss | (1,097,718 | ) | (20,671,370 | ) | (3,670,807 | ) | (28,415,160 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income (expense), net | (7,015 | ) | 62,755 | (16,577 | ) | 43,301 | ||||||||||
Other income | 4,742 | 4,005 | 198,843 | 20,274 | ||||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net | (2,273 | ) | 66,760 | 182,266 | 63,575 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (1,099,991 | ) | (20,604,610 | ) | (3,488,541 | ) | (28,351,585 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit | — | (199,734 | ) | — | (199,734 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | (1,099,991 | ) | (20,404,876 | ) | (3,488,541 | ) | (28,151,851 | ) | ||||||||
Dividends on preferred stock including amortization of the beneficial conversion features | — | (83,238 | ) | (17,595 | ) | (598,238 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders | $ | (1,099,991 | ) | $ | (20,488,114 | ) | $ | (3,506,136 | ) | $ | (28,750,089 | ) | ||||
Loss applicable to common stockholders per basic and dilutive share | $ | (.03 | ) | $ | (.97 | ) | $ | (.10 | ) | $ | (1.44 | ) | ||||
Basic and dilutive shares outstanding | 36,803,330 | 21,076,206 | 35,845,680 | 19,947,967 | ||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, 2003 | September 30, 2002 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (3,488,541 | ) | $ | (28,151,851 | ) | ||
Reconciliation to operating cash flows: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment | 148,894 | 376,493 | ||||||
Amortization of other intangibles | 432,000 | 627,714 | ||||||
Impairment of identifiable intangible assets | — | 976,099 | ||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | 14,281,336 | ||||||
Provision for restructuring costs | — | 2,060,384 | ||||||
Provision for bad debts | — | 835,183 | ||||||
Settlement of debt and advances with directors and officers (Note C) | (184,784 | ) | — | |||||
Stock issued to 401(k) plan | 16,418 | 62,328 | ||||||
Stock issued for deferred compensation and compensatory stock | 430,467 | — | ||||||
Changes in current operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 108,691 | 645,521 | ||||||
Inventories | 90,768 | (364,936 | ) | |||||
Due from officers and directors (Note C) | 3,097 | 996,429 | ||||||
Other current assets | (165,463 | ) | 556,813 | |||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue | (35,338 | ) | 438,203 | |||||
Net cash used in operations | (2,643,791 | ) | (6,660,284 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | (8,542 | ) | (54,986 | ) | ||||
Other assets | — | 292,999 | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (8,542 | ) | 238,013 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Reduction of long-term debt | — | (83,333 | ) | |||||
Advances from officers and affiliates (Note C) | 13,788 | (63,175 | ) | |||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock for stock options | — | 239,156 | ||||||
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net of costs | — | 2,663,619 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 13,788 | 2,756,267 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | — | 69,910 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (2,638,545 | ) | (3,596,094 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period | 2,680,599 | 5,627,855 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period | $ | 42,054 | $ | 2,031,761 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash payments of interest | $ | 8,889 | $ | 41,503 | ||||
Cash received from income tax refund | — | $ | 199,734 | |||||
Preferred stock dividends paid in common stock | $ | 44,917 | $ | 414,178 | ||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2003
Note A – The Company and Basis of Presentation
Storage Computer Corporation (“Company”, “we” and “us”) and our subsidiaries are engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of computer disk arrays, computer equipment and software, worldwide. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries CyberStorage Systems Corporation, Storage Computer Europe GmbH(currently inactive), Vermont Research Products, Inc., and Storage Computer UK, Ltd.(currently inactive). Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Storage Computer France SAS, was dissolved during the second quarter 2003. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We have a 20% investment in Storage Computer (Asia) Ltd., which is accounted for by the equity method.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, containing our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. In management’s opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, all of which are of a normal, recurring nature, to fairly present our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
In addition, reference should be made to Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below.
Certain 2002 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not change previously reported total assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity or net loss.
Note B – Stockholders’ Equity
A summary of changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 follows:
| Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
Balance—December 31, 2002 | 25,751,659 | $ | 25,752 | $ | 83,589,403 | $ | (78,463,886 | ) | $ | 5,151,269 | ||||||
Exercise of stock options and deferred compensation stock purchases | 908,420 | 907 | 175,715 | 176,622 | ||||||||||||
Stock issued to 401(k) plan | 44,612 | 45 | 16,373 | 16,418 | ||||||||||||
Stock issued and compensatory stock options granted for investment banking and consulting services, respectively | 67,000 | 67 | 253,778 | 253,845 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of preferred stock | (12,382 | ) | (12,382 | ) | ||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred stock, including dividends paid on conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock | 353,560 | 354 | 44,563 | (5,213 | ) | 39,704 | ||||||||||
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock into common shares | 9,959,697 | 9,960 | 1,215,040 | 1,225,000 | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (3,488,541 | ) | (3,488,541 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance-September 30, 2003 | 37,084,948 | $ | 37,085 | $ | 85,294,872 | $ | (81,970,022 | ) | $ | 3,361,935 | ||||||
Note C – Related Party Transactions
John Thonet resigned his position as a director of the Company on April 30, 2003. At the time of his resignation, the Company owed Mr. Thonet a balance of $177,101 plus accrued and unpaid interest on a note payable representing the balance of sums advanced by him to CyberStorage Systems that was acquired by the Company in 2000, and Mr. Thonet was due $156,333 in accrued and unpaid salary by CyberStorage Systems. The Company also had a note receivable due from Mr. Thonet of $44,729 plus accrued interest. On April 30, 2003, the Company and Mr. Thonet agreed to offset the note receivable and accrued interest against the note payable and accrued interest and Mr. Thonet agreed to accept a cash payment of $40,000 in exchange for cancellation by him of the balance of the note payable. In addition, Mr. Thonet gave up any and all claims to accrued and unpaid salary and any other amounts due to him as of that date in exchange for the extension of the period for exercise of his vested stock options to purchase 62,500 shares of common stock
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until May 1, 2004. There was no charge to income related to the modification of the terms of this option since the exercise price was greater than the market value at that date.
Amounts due to officers and affiliates amounted to $1,005,752 and $1,129,065, as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. The amount reflected as of September 30, 2003 includes amounts due to the Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder of the Company for unsecured notes payable in the amount of $487,899, and accrued interest thereon in the amount of $327,208. Additionally, the September 30, 2003 balance includes cash advances and accrued interest thereon at prime plus 1% from an affiliated entity controlled by the Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder of the Company in the amount of $190,645. The cash advances that are unsecured and due upon demand, were for operating expenses and occupancy costs of the Company. Subsequent to September 30, 2003, the Board of Directors, with the Chief Executive Officer abstaining, approved the formalizing of an agreement with the affiliate in the form of a $500,000 line of credit secured by all the assets of the Company with interest at the affiliate’s cost of funds which is currently 21% and a one year term renewable by mutual agreement of the parties.
The amount reflected as of December 31, 2002 includes amounts due to the Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder of the Company for unsecured notes payable in the amount of $487,899, and accrued interest thereon in the amount of $307,731. Additionally, the December 31, 2002 balance includes the balance of the note payable and deferred compensation to a former director and Chief Operating Officer of the Company totaling $333,435 that was settled in the second quarter of 2003, as described above.
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Forward-looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 contain certain safe harbors regarding forward-looking statements. From time to time, information provided by the Company or statements made by our directors, officers or employees may contain “forward-looking” information subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements concerning the characteristics and growth of our markets and customers, our objectives and plans for future operations and products and our expected liquidity and capital resources. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and, accordingly, actual results could differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the continued and future acceptance of our products; the rate of growth in the industries of our products; the presence of competitors with greater technical, marketing and financial resources; our ability to promptly and effectively respond to technological change to meet evolving customer needs; risks associated with sales in foreign countries; and our ability to successfully expand our operations. See “Factors That May Affect Future Results” below. We undertake no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Introduction
This discussion summarizes the significant accounting policies, accounting estimates and other significant factors affecting the liquidity, capital resources and results of operations of the Company for the periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial information included in our 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Our management is also required to make certain judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates including those relating to the allowance for doubtful accounts; inventory reserves for lower of cost or market adjustments, excess quantities and discontinued products; estimated lives and impairment of tangible and intangible long-life assets; restructuring costs; litigation and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
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We believe the following critical accounting policies impact the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue from product sales at the time of shipment, provided that the price is fixed and determinable, no significant obligations remain, collectibility is probable and returns are estimable. Revenue is recognized at the time of shipment since the terms of shipment are FOB shipping point and legal title to the product passes to the customer at this time. We consider post shipment obligations such as installation and training to be relatively insignificant given the underlying nature of the product and of its installation. Revenue from services is recognized over the contract period or as services are provided. Revenue from license fees is recognized over the contract period or when received for fully-paid license agreements. These revenue accounting policies do not require significant estimates by management.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
All of our goodwill and other intangibles resulted from our acquisition of CyberStorage Systems in 2000 that was accounted for using the purchase method. In connection with the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, as of January 1, 2002, we have ceased amortizing goodwill and determined that our entire business constitutes one reporting unit for purposes of assessing potential impairment of goodwill.
A fair value approach was used to test existing goodwill for impairment as of September 30, 2002 due to several triggering events including an unfavorable decision in patent litigation in the UK High Court, London, a decline in our stock price of approximately 76% during August 2002, and a reorganization of our management team to refocus our efforts on the Storage Wide Area Networking (SWAN) market during August 2002. The market approach was the method used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Under the fair value approach, the quoted market prices in active securities markets are used as the basis for the determination of fair value. The fair value used for measuring impairment indicated by our stock price was also supplemented by the valuations indicated by a portfolio of comparable publicly traded companies. This valuation approach resulted in the recording of a goodwill impairment charge of $14,281,336 in accordance with SFAS No. 142 as of September 30, 2002.
Additionally, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, we evaluated the carrying values of our identifiable intangible assets based on the same triggering events discussed above as of September 30, 2002. We determined impairment existed for the portion of intangible assets representing customer relationships acquired from CyberStorage Systems in 2000. Accordingly, an impairment of identifiable intangible assets in the amount of $976,099 was recorded as of September 30, 2002.
Our annual evaluation of goodwill required under SFAS 142 was conducted as of September 30, 2003. Consistent with the accounting policy adopted in 2002, we used a fair value approach to test our existing goodwill for impairment at September 30, 2003. The market approach was used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Under the fair value approach, the quoted market prices in active securities markets are used as the basis for the determination of fair value. The fair value so determined indicated no impairment of goodwill existed as of September 30, 2003. Additionally, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, we conducted an evaluation of the carrying values of our identifiable intangible assets and found no impairment existed as of September 30, 2003.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for our stock-based compensation plans under Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and accordingly account for employee stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method. SFAS No.123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” established a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. We have adopted the disclosure only alternative under SFAS No.123, which requires disclosure of the pro forma effects on earnings and earnings per share as if SFAS No. 123 had been adopted as well as certain other information.
In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of SFAS Statement No. 123”. This statement amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No.148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. SFAS No. 148 also requires that those effects be disclosed more prominently by specifying the form, content, and location of those disclosures. We adopted the increased disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 during the year ended December 31, 2002. We will continue to use the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The additional disclosures required by SFAS No. 148 are as follows:
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Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders, as reported | $ | (1,099,991 | ) | $ | (20,488,114 | ) | $ | (3,506,136 | ) | $ | (28,750,089 | ) | ||||
Add: Stock based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss applicable to common stockholders, net of tax | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method of all awards, net of tax | (605,389 | ) | (614,042 | ) | (1,816,146 | ) | (1,822,951 | ) | ||||||||
Pro forma net loss applicable to common stockholders | $ | (1,705,380 | ) | $ | (21,102,156 | ) | $ | (5,322,282 | ) | $ | (30,573,040 | ) | ||||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders per basic and dilutive shares: | ||||||||||||||||
As reported | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.97 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (1.44 | ) | ||||
Pro forma | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (1.00 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (1.53 | ) | ||||
In 2002 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repricing of employee options to purchase 2,610,110 shares of common stock from exercise prices ranging between $1.44 and $12.17 per share to an exercise price of $1.37 per share, which represented the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the repricing. These options are subject to variable plan accounting, as defined in FASB Interpretation No. 44. There were no charges to earnings required during the nine-months ended September 30, 2003 related to fluctuations in our stock price. As of September 30, 2003, options to purchase 1,933,167 shares of common stock are outstanding and subject to variable plan accounting.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that we believe to be uncollectible which are determined based on historical experience and our assessment of the general financial conditions affecting our customer base. If our actual collections experience changes, revisions to our allowance may be required. We have a limited number of customers with individually large amounts due at any given balance sheet date. Any unanticipated change in one of those customer’s credit worthiness or other matters affecting the collectibility of amounts due from such customers, could have a material affect on our results of operations in the period in which such changes or events occur. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.
Intellectual Property Rights, Contingencies and Litigation
We have a substantial portfolio of patents, claims and other intellectual property rights. Costs and expenses in connection with the development of and the enforcement of our rights are expensed when incurred. Certain contingent fees for legal services are due upon the receipt of license fees over contract periods or upon receipt of payment for paid-up license arrangements. We currently are in legal proceedings in connection with the enforcement of our intellectual property rights the results of which cannot be predicted. Our failure to successfully enforce our patent rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
In the normal course of our business, we are subject to various other proceedings, lawsuits and claims relating to product, technology, labor and other matters as further described in Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes and the potential range of probable losses in these matters. The amount of loss accrual, if any, is determined after careful analysis of each matter, and is subject to adjustment if warranted by new developments or revised strategies. We believe that none of the existing matters will result in a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our future success depends on maintaining adequate liquidity and working capital to meet our operational requirements. In October 2002, we received $3 million from a license fee for our intellectual property. Despite this, revenues from products and services have fallen dramatically and there can be no assurances that we will be able to secure additional license fees of this magnitude or at all during the coming twelve months. Furthermore, given the continued volatility of the global securities markets and, in particular, the market for the securities of technology companies, as well as the recent results of our pending legal actions concerning enforcement of our intellectual property rights, we cannot assure you that we will be able to secure additional debt or equity financing. Our failure to maintain adequate liquidity and working capital would have a material adverse effect on the Company, our financial condition and results of operations.
We incurred operating losses through 2002 and in the first three quarters of 2003, and we continue to incur operating losses at this time. While the development and introduction of our new products continues, our actual sales revenue has declined significantly over the last year and continues to be at a low level. In response, in 2002, we reduced our activity level in marketing, sales and
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administration and implemented cost reduction programs primarily in employee headcount, the use of independent software subcontractors and the level of expenses for development, travel and administration.
Our operating plan and related cash flow projections for 2003 were forecasted by management anticipating only a base level of revenue from sales of our new products to new and existing customers and product upgrades, replacement parts and maintenance services from our existing customer base. We did not include any potential revenues from license fee activities. We initially projected our costs and expenses using our then current level of operating expenses for our core business activity and only the minimum requirements for the defense of our intellectual property.
Since our projected levels of revenues from products and services are not being achieved and additional financing has not been completed, management has implemented plans to further reduce the operating expense cash flow requirements to allow the Company to continue in business. On August 1, 2003, we implemented a permanent salary reduction plan, adjusted fringe benefit packages, and reduced headcount to further reduce costs. In August 2003 our Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder, through an affiliate of the Company controlled by him, began advancing funds to supplement the Company’s cash flow for operating expenses and occupancy costs until operating cash flows improve and permanent additional financing can be arranged. At the present time such advances are unsecured, due upon demand and accrue interest at the affilate’s cost of funds. Subsequent to September 30, 2003, the Board of Directors, with the Chief Executive Officer abstaining, approved the Company formalizing an agreement with the affiliate in the form of a $500,000 line of credit secured by all the assets of the Company with interest at the affiliate’s cost of funds which is currently 21% and a one year term renewable by mutual agreement of the parties.
While the dilutive effect might be significant, the Company continues to receive inquires from interested investors to provide equity financing using a variety of alternatives and the Company is pursuing these alternatives. Although there can be no assurances that we will obtain additional capital, management is committed to achieving or exceeding its base operating plan for 2003 and intends to implement those additional cost reductions and improvements in cash flow necessary to achieve this success.
In July 2003, we engaged iCapital Finance, Inc. of Irvine, California as the Company’s investment banking firm to assist us in structuring financing, providing access to capital resources, identifying candidates for marketing and distribution alliances, and to advise the Company on other strategic decisions. In September 2003 we established a sales representation relationship with Latin American Sales Solutions Consultants for our product offerings into the Latin American market. We continue to explore and negotiate strategic alliance relationships to market our new products and would also provide financial support.
There can be no assurances that we will obtain additional capital or continue to receive funds from the affiliate of the Company as described above. If we are not successful in obtaining financing or other capital, the ability of the Company to continue operations at this level will be seriously impaired.
Cash flows
Operations used approximately $2,644,000 of cash in the first nine months of 2003 compared to approximately $6,660,000 in the first nine months of 2002. The use of cash by operations in the first nine months of 2003 resulted from the net loss for the first three quarters and changes in operating assets and liabilities that were offset in part by non-cash charges related to depreciation and amortization, non-cash settlement of debt and advances to directors and the issuance of stock in payment of deferred compensation. The most significant changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to collection of accounts receivable offset by an increase in other current assets comprised primarily of prepaid compensatory stock issued for investment banking and consulting services in July and August 2003. The use of cash by operations in the first nine months of 2002 resulted from the net loss for the first three quarters which was offset in part by net cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities, non cash charges related to depreciation, amortization and provision for restructuring costs and the repayment of an advance by one of our officers.
Cash flows used in investing activities were not material during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Cash provided by investing activities during the first nine months of 2002 amounted to approximately $238,000 and related to the decrease in other assets primarily from the reclassification of a restricted cash deposit related to our intellectual property litigation to cash. The Company does not have or anticipate any significant capital equipment requirements at this time.
Cash flows provided by financing activities of approximately $13,800 during the first nine months of 2003 relate to cash advances from an affiliate offset in part by a settlement of a note payable to a former officer and director of the company. Cash provided from financing activities in the first nine months of 2002, approximately $2,756,000, represents the proceeds of employee stock option exercises and the sale of common stock to a group of private investors in May 2002, partially offset by scheduled payments of long-term debt.
Borrowing Arrangements
Other than the anticipated line of credit with the affiliate of the Company as described above, we currently have no outstanding bank loans, lines of credit, or credit facilities. See comments under Liquiidity and Capital Resources above with respect to current advances received from an affiliate of the Company.
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Working Capital (Deficiency)
Our working capital (deficiency) was approximately ($821,000) at September 30, 2003 compared with positive working capital of approximately $1,609,000 at December 31, 2002. See comments under Liquidity and Capital Resources above.
Results of Operations
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and may in the future fluctuate significantly, depending upon a variety of factors. After the acquisition of CyberStorage Systems Corporation in September 2000, we commenced a corporate-wide restructuring, including the expansion of our North America sales territories to seven regions; the initiation of a plan to re-establish our re-seller sales channel; consolidation of our European sales, marketing and service organizations; and implemented strategic marketing initiatives and programs for product development and repositioning. Although we believed these actions and the introduction of our new products in 2002 and 2003 would provide the revenue growth that would enable us to return to profitability, has not yet materialized due to the time and difficulty of finding and training qualified channel partners. We have concluded a distribution agreement for Latin America, and continue to pursue reseller partnerships in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Revenue
Revenues from sales of products and services for the three-month and nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 were $215,047 and $640,807 compared to $618,731 and $1,971,728 for the respective periods in 2002. The reduction in revenues relates to continued concentration on the realignment and refocus of our core business activity toward the Storage Wide Area Networking (SWAN) market segment for our CyberNAS Network Attached Storage and CyberVSA Storage Operating System. For the three month period ended September 30, 2003, U.S. domestic product sales and international product sales were 86% and 14%, respectively, of total revenues from products and services compared to 63% and 37% for the same period in 2002. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2003, U.S. domestic product sales and international product sales were 94% and 6%, respectively, of total revenues from products and services compared to 65% and 35% for the same period in 2002.
Cost of Products and Services
Product and service costs for the three month period and nine month period ended September 30, 2003 were $218,442 and $697,114, or 102% and 109% of revenue from products and services, compared to $2,615,045 and $3,935,185, or 423% and 200% of revenue from products and services for the respective periods in 2002. The decrease in the costs as a percentage of revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily related to an increase in the inventory reserve during the third quarter 2002 of approximately $2,000,000.
Gross Profit
Gross profit (loss) on the sale of products and services and the percentage of sales represented by such gross profit (loss) are summarized as follows:
| Nine months ended September 30, 2003 | Six months ended June 30, 2003 | Three months ended March 31, 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands except for % of sales amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit (loss) | $ | (3 | ) | (1.6 | %) | $ | (52 | ) | (12.4 | %) | $ | 31 | 11 | % | ||||||
| Nine months ended September 30, 2002 | Six months ended June 30, 2002 | Three months ended March 31, 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands except for % of sales amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit (loss) | $ | (1,963 | ) | (100 | %) | $ | 33 | 2.4 | % | $ | 44 | 5.7 | % | |||||||
Gross profits were reduced from the first quarter 2003 to the second quarter 2003 due to reduced revenue levels and the fixed nature of certain factory, technical support and service costs. Gross losses were then slightly improved from second quarter 2003 to the third quarter 2003 due to an increase in quarterly revenues with improved margins on product sales. Gross losses were improved for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002 due to inventory reserves of approximately $2,000,000 during the third quarter of 2002.
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Cost of License Fees
Costs associated with the enforcement of our patent and other intellectual property rights for the three month period and nine month period ended September 30, 2003 were $188,468 and $717,549, respectively, compared to $623,039 and $2,608,116 for the corresponding periods in 2002. These costs relate to legal fees for counsel and experts consulting fees and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of our patent and other intellectual property rights. Costs in 2002 were greater than 2003 due to amounts incurred in the UK trial relating to the enforcement of our intellectual property that took place during June 2002.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the three month period and nine month period ended September 30, 2003 were $220,413 and $865,984, respectively, compared to $570,014 and $2,456,143 for the corresponding periods in 2002. The overall decrease in costs relating to research and development relates primarily to reductions in staffing and reduction in the use of outside contractors for projects.
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 were $115,449 and $439,565, respectively, compared to $545,916 and $2,489,103 for the corresponding periods in 2002. The overall decrease in selling and marketing expenses results from the restructuring of our internal sales and marketing organization, utilization of value-added resellers and reduced headcount.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 were $425,993 and $1,159,402, respectively, compared to $1,484,831 and $3,013,192 for the corresponding periods in 2002. General and administrative expenses for 2002 included an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts and increased legal fees relating to equity financing and other corporate matters. These expenses were further decreased during 2003 by staff reductions and reduced overhead costs.
Amortization of Intangibles
Amortization of other intangible assets for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $144,000 and $432,000, respectively, compared to $193,821 and $627,714 for the corresponding periods in 2002. The decrease in amortization relates to the impairment and related write down of other identifiable intangible assets on September 30, 2002.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest income (expense), net for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 was $(7,015) and $(16,577), respectively, compared to $62,755 and $43,301 for the corresponding periods in 2002. Interest expense was reduced in 2003 due to the settlement of two notes payable late in 2002 and in April of 2003. Interest income was also reduced in 2003 due to reduced cash balances.
Other income, net of other expenses, for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $4,742 and $198,843, respectively, compared to $4,005 and $20,274 for the corresponding periods in 2002. Other income for 2003 primarily represents the gain on settlement of a note payable and accrued compensation due to a former officer and director. These gains were offset in part by the forgiveness of advances to three directors during the second quarter of 2003. The total amount of advances to directors forgiven amounted to $130,150, including accrued interest. Other income for 2002 relates primarily to translation adjustments with our European subsidiaries.
Factors That May Affect Future Results
Liquidity and Capital Resources
See information with respect to our liquidity and capital resources presented above.
Our Stock Price is Volatile
Our stock price, like that of other technology companies, is subject to significant volatility because of factors such as:
| • | the announcement of new products, services or technological innovations by us or our competitors |
| • | quarterly variations in our operating results |
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| • | decreasing product and services revenues |
| • | speculation in the press or investment community |
| • | failure to meet earning expectations |
| • | the results of intellectual property litigation |
In addition, our stock price may be affected by general market conditions, short selling activities, and domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance. Further, until recently, our stock was thinly traded. Because of these factors, any recent trends may not be considered reliable indicators of future stock prices or financial results.
Our Business May Suffer If We Cannot Protect Our Intellectual Property
We generally rely upon patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and contract rights in the United States and in other countries to establish and maintain our proprietary rights in our technology and products. However, we cannot assure you that any of our proprietary rights will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. See, for example, the recent ruling in the United Kingdom with respect to our claims against Hitachi Data Systems Limited described in Item 1 of Part II below. In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent, as do the laws of the United States. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately protect our proprietary technology against unauthorized third party copying or use, which could adversely affect our competitive position. Further, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain licenses to any technology that may be required to conduct our business or that, if obtainable, such technology can be licensed at a reasonable cost.
Intellectual Property Rights
We are aggressively pursuing the enforcement of our intellectual property rights after an extensive patent review conducted in 1999. In 2000, we retained a major law firm to enforce these rights against infringing parties, the number of which management believes to be extensive. In 2001, we began bringing legal actions against companies whose products we believed infringed on our intellectual property rights and patent portfolio. Please refer to Item 1 of Part II below for current information concerning intellectual property litigation. We intend to vigorously pursue these actions. Despite the Company’s and our legal representatives’ efforts, there can be no assurance or predictability as to any amount of recovery or the length of time it will take us to recover any royalties or license fees which may be recoverable. In addition, the expense of pursuing these rights is substantial. As a result, any failure to adequately protect our intellectual property rights and to prevail in any pending legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us. Despite our efforts to protect these intellectual property rights, unauthorized use may still occur, particularly in foreign countries.
Development of New Products and Solutions
We must make continuous investment in research and development to maintain our ongoing effort to continually improve our products and provide innovative solutions to our customers. The development of software products is a difficult and costly process and subject to many other products’ requirements and the availability of substantial capital. Our inability to timely deliver new products in the past has had an adverse effect on our operating and financial results. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively develop and timely deliver new products in the future.
Competition
We compete with many established companies in the computer storage and server industries and certain of these companies have substantially greater financial, marketing and technological resources, larger distribution capabilities, earlier access to customers and more opportunity to address customers’ various information technology requirements than we do. Our business may be adversely affected by the announcement or introduction of new products by our competitors, including hardware, software and services, price reductions of our competitors’ equipment or services and the implementation of effective marketing strategies by our competitors.
Competitive pricing pressures exist in the computer storage and server markets and have had and may in the future have an adverse effect on our revenues and earnings. There also has been and may continue to be a willingness on the part of certain competitors to reduce prices in order to preserve or gain market share, which we cannot foresee. We currently believe that pricing pressures are likely to continue. The relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines could have an adverse effect on our earnings.
Rapid Technological Changes
The computer industry is changing both dramatically and rapidly. The development of “open systems computing”, the introduction of the Internet, new fiber technologies (SAN) and the increasing storage density in disk drive technologies, have caused
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an increase in new product development and shorter time to bring the new products to market. While we believe that our Virtual Storage Architecture (VSA), StorageSuite and CyberBORG products are advanced when compared to competitive products, and complement many other products utilized in total customer solutions, we cannot assure that this will continue in the future. The failure to remain consistently ahead of competitive technologies would have a negative impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Business Alliances
Many companies are forming business alliances with their competitors to be able to provide totally integrated storage solutions to their customers. One result of these alliances is to effectively preclude competitive products from being offered to customers. Many of the relationships are exclusive and our failure to develop similar relationships will effectively reduce the number of qualified sales opportunities we will have for our products in the future. We believe that we address this issue by our return to the reseller channel sales model and having the integrator/solution providers/value added-resellers perform the solution selling required. We have had difficulty opening these sales channels and any continued problems in doing so will have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Operations The Company no longer manufactures its own proprietary hardware and has successfully ported its software products to operate on widely available commodity server hardware. Virtually all of the Company’s hardware configurations are available from multiple sources on a subassembly or fully configured basis, usually on an off-the-shelf delivery. Manufacturing activity is now limited to systems integration, final test, quality control and production of CD’s for software license sales. As volumes increase these activities may also be outsourced.
Changes in Laws, Regulations Or Other Conditions That Could Adversely Impair Our Condition
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected if any laws, regulations or standards, both foreign and domestic, relating to our products or us were newly implemented or changed.
Litigation That We May Become Involved In May Adversely Affect Us
In the ordinary course of business, we may become involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that the results of any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We have the market risk inherent in financial instruments that relates primarily to fluctuations in the prime rate of interest to be charged under the terms of the several promissory notes due to our Chief Executive Officer and other affiliate.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures.
The Company carried out an evaluation, as of September 30, 2003, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us (including our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in our periodic SEC filings. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors, which could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
In December 2001, Marketlink Technologies, LLC filed a civil action against the Company in the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan, alleging that the Company owed them a $156,000 termination payment under the terms of a manufacturers representative agreement that the Company terminated for cause in April 2001 because of Marketlink’s inability to sell the Company’s products and perform the services required by the agreement. In January 2002, the Company filed counterclaims against Marketlink in this matter, including a claim for breach of contract. The Company believes that Marketlink’s claims are without merit and denies all allegations. Further, the Company intends to vigorously defend this action. The discovery phase has been concluded and a trial date, previously set for August 2003, has been rescheduled for December 2003. We are unable to predict any outcome concerning this
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matter, but we do not believe that costs and expenses associated with defending this claim will have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
During March 2001 we filed legal actions against Hitachi Data Systems Limited in the United Kingdom for infringement of two of the European patents in our intellectual property portfolio. Hitachi filed a counterclaim against the Company alleging that these two patents were invalid. The trial was completed in July 2002 and in August 2002 the Judge ruled that neither of our patents was shown to be valid in the United Kingdom or infringed by Hitachi. On October 17, 2002, the judgment for the defendant, Hitachi, on their counterclaim was entered and our European Patent (UK) 0,294,287 (‘287) and European Patent (UK) 0,539,494 were revoked. The Order for the revocation of the ‘287 Patent was stayed pending appeal and we were granted permission to appeal the judgment so far as it concerns the ‘287 Patent. On July 30, 2003, the Court of Appeals in London dismissed our appeal.
In October 2001, we filed a patent infringement action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Veritas Software Corporation and Veritas Software Global Corporation alleging that certain Veritas Software Corporation storage products infringe Storage Computer’s intellectual property patent number U.S. 5,893,919 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Storing Data with Selectable Data Protection Using Mirroring and Selectable Parity Inhibition.” In February 2002, we filed an additional patent infringement action in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Texas, against Veritas Software Corporation and Veritas Software Global Corporation alleging that certain Veritas Software Corporation storage products infringe Storage Computer’s intellectual property, specifically U.S. 5,257,367 entitled “Data Storage system with Asynchronous Host Operating System Communication Link”. However, we amended our complaint to dismiss claims arising under this patent in September 2002. In March 2002, we filed a third patent infringement action against Veritas Software Corporation and Veritas Software Global Corporation alleging certain Veritas Software Corporation storage products infringe Storage Computer’s intellectual property patent number U.S. 6,098,128 entitled “Universal Storage Management System.” Our claim is for injunctive relief, damages and legal costs arising from the alleged infringement.
These actions were referred to a court appointed mediator with an initial mediation date in April 2002 and such mediation has continued to the present time without any mutually agreeable basis for settlement having been reached. A trial date was scheduled for November 10, 2003. However, on October 21, 2003 the Court “Ordered that all matters in this case are stayed pending the resolution of plaintiff’s and defendants’ motions for summary judgment.”
On September 23, 2002, Veritas asserted a counter claim for patent infringement with respect to patent number U.S. 5,812,753 entitled “ Methods for Initializing or Reconstructing Data Consistency Within an Array of Storage Elements.” We believe that this claim is without merit and intend to vigorously defend this action. Activity is proceeding on this matter. A trial date has been set for May 2004.
ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2003 the Company issued 67,000 shares of restricted common stock for investment banking services. These shares were issued with reliance on an exemption from registration requirements provided in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 9, 2003 the following matters were voted:
Proposal 1—The following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors:
| Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||
Theodore J. Goodlander | 34,852,803 | 560,483 | ||
Edward A. Gardner | 34,850,975 | 562,311 | ||
Steven S. Chen | 34,863,475 | 549,811 | ||
Roger E. Gauld | 35,166,142 | 247,144 | ||
Thomas A. Wooters | 35,172,142 | 241,144 | ||
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Proposal 2—The vote to ratify the action of the Board of Directors in appointing BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s auditors for the year ending December 31, 2003 was:
Votes For | Votes Against | Votes Withheld | ||
35,235,893 | 132,749 | 44,644 |
The Company received notification from the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) on April 29, 2003 that the Company was not in compliance with certain listing standards relating to stockholders’ equity and net losses. In June 2003 the Company submitted a plan to AMEX setting forth a plan for compliance with the AMEX continuing listing standards. On July 28, 2003, AMEX notified the Company that it had accepted the proposed plan and granted an extension until October 31, 2004 to regain compliance. During such period, the Company’s common stock will continue to trade on AMEX and the Company will be subject to periodic review of its progress consistent with its plan.
On July 30, 2003 the Court of Appeal in London dismissed our appeal involving our European Patent (UK) 0,294,287, which was judged to be invalid in an action against Hitachi Data Systems Limited in August 2002. See Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
| Number | Description | |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Theodore J. Goodlander, Chief Executive Officer | |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Peter N. Hood, Chief Financial Officer | |
32.1 | Section 1350 Certification of Theodore J. Goodlander, Chief Executive Officer | |
32.2 | Section 1350 Certification of Peter N. Hood, Chief Financial Officer |
(b) Reports On Form 8-K
In our Report on Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2003 we reported a press release announcing that we have retained the firm of iCapital Finance, Inc to provide investment banking services.
In our Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2003 we reported a two press releases announcing first, that the Court of Appeal in London dismissed our appeal involving European Patent (UK) 0,294,287 which was judged to be invalid in an action against Hitachi Data Systems Limited in August 2002 and, second, that The American Stock Exchange (AMEX) has accepted our plan to regain compliance with the AMEX continuing listing standards.
In our Report on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2003 we reported a press release announcing our results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
STORAGE COMPUTER CORPORATION
Registrant
| By:/s/ PETER N. HOOD |
Peter N. Hood Chief Financial Officer |
Date: November 14, 2003
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