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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2012

Commission file number 0-11254

COPYTELE, INC.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware     11-2622630

(State or other jurisdiction of

    (I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

    Identification No.)

900 Walt Whitman Road

Melville, NY

      11747

(Address of principal executive offices)

    (Zip Code)

(631) 549-5900

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                    Yes   X          No        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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   X          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 Exchange 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.

On June 8, 2012, the registrant had outstanding 182,682,922 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, which is the registrant’s only class of common stock.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements.

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and October 31, 2011

  

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the six months ended April  30, 2012 and 2011

  

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three months ended April  30, 2012 and 2011

  

5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the six months ended April 30, 2012

  

6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended April  30, 2012 and 2011

  

7

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

8 – 24

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

  

25 - 37

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

  

38

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

  

38

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

  

39

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

  

39

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

  

39

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

  

39

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

  

39

Item 5. Other Information.

  

39

Item 6. Exhibits.

  

39

SIGNATURES

  

40

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

   April 30,
2012
    October 31,
2011
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 130,729      $ 774,040   

Short-term investment in U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit

     1,549,931        2,249,159   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     107,499        97,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,788,159        3,120,357   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment in Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts, at market value

     4,864,489        5,382,051   

Investment in Volga-Svet, Ltd., at cost

     127,500        127,500   

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,182,202 and $2,178,291, respectively

     13,613        15,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 6,793,761      $ 8,645,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 558,736      $ 374,691   

Accrued liabilities

     139,987        85,778   

Deferred revenue, non-refundable license fees

     1,433,990        1,644,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,132,713        2,105,148   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contingencies (Note 10)

    

Deferred revenue, non-refundable license fee

     -        482,651   

Loan payable to related party (Note 1)

     5,000,000        5,000,000   

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, par value $100 per share; 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

     -        -   

Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 240,000,000 shares authorized; 181,464,647 and 176,131,047 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

     1,814,646        1,761,310   

Additional paid-in capital

     125,957,681        125,127,246   

Loan receivable from related party (Note 1)

     (5,000,000     (5,000,000

Accumulated deficit

     (122,593,717     (120,830,523

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (517,562     -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity

     (338,952     1,058,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 6,793,761      $ 8,645,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Six Months Ended
April 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Net revenue

    

Revenue from sales of encryption products, net

   $ 3,925      $ 103,873   

Display technology license fee

     693,340        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     697,265        103,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue and operating expenses

    

Cost of encryption products sold

     1,234        29,858   

Research and development expenses

     1,253,890        1,508,718   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,207,595        1,378,989   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of revenue and operating expenses

     2,462,719        2,917,565   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (1,765,454     (2,813,692

Interest income

     2,260        543   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (1,763,194     (2,813,149

Provision for income taxes

     -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (1,763,194   $ (2,813,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

    

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.01   $ (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic and diluted

     179,435,408        161,227,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Three Months  Ended
April 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Net revenue

    

Revenue from sales of encryption products, net

   $ 1,400      $ 86,915   

Display technology license fee

     246,670        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     248,070        86,915   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenue and operating expenses

    

Cost of encryption products sold

     497        24,652   

Research and development expenses

     604,211        731,806   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     521,560        618,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of revenue and operating expenses

     1,126,268        1,374,469   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (878,198     (1,287,554

Interest income

     1,089        514   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (877,109     (1,287,040

Provision for income taxes

     -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     $(877,109   $ (1,287,040
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

    

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.00   $ (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic and diluted

     180,597,215        166,418,894   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2012 (UNAUDITED)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in

Capital
    Loan
Receivable
From

Related Party
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Par Value         Deficit     Income (Loss)     Equity  

Balance, October 31, 2011

    176,131,047      $ 1,761,310      $ 125,127,246      $ (5,000,000   $ (120,830,523   $ -      $ 1,058,033   

Stock option compensation to employees

    -        -        111,105        -        -        -        111,105   

Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options under stock option plans

    1,290,000        12,900        195,550        -        -        -        208,450   

Common stock issued to employees pursuant to stock incentive plans

    3,738,690        37,387        487,222        -        -        -        524,609   

Common stock issued to consultants pursuant to stock incentive plans

    304,910        3,049        36,558        -        -        -        39,607   

Unrealized (loss) on investment in Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts

    -        -        -        -        -        (517,562     (517,562

Net loss

    -        -        -        -        (1,763,194     -        (1,763,194
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, April 30, 2012

    181,464,647      $ 1,814,646      $ 125,957,681      $ (5,000,000   $ (122,593,717   $ (517,562   $ (338,952
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

     For the Six Months Ended
April 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Cash flow from operating activities:

    

Payments to suppliers, employees and consultants

   $ (1,553,792   $ (1,437,894

Cash received from sales of product and services

     3,925        102,173   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (1,549,867     (1,335,721
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities:

    

Disbursements to acquire short-term investments in certificates of deposit

     (1,000,000     (1,548,927

Proceeds from the sale or maturities of short-term investments in U.S. government

securities and certificates of deposit

     1,699,706        199,910   

Proceeds from sale of Digital Info Security Co., Inc. common stock

     -        118,777   

Payments for purchases of property and equipment

     (1,600     (8,453
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     698,106        (1,238,693
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities:

    

Private placement

     -        1,250,000   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     208,450        577,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     208,450        1,827,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (643,311     (747,014

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     774,040        1,094,116   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 130,729      $ 347,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

  

 

Net loss

   $ (1,763,194   $ (2,813,149

Stock option compensation to employees

     111,105        309,380   

Stock option compensation to consultants

     -        44,034   

Stock awards granted to employees pursuant to stock incentive plans

     524,609        959,992   

Stock awards granted to consultants pursuant to stock incentive plans

     39,607        36,341   

Depreciation expense

     3,911        3,985   

Gain on sale of Digital Info Security Co., Inc. common stock

     -        (30,169

Other

     (478     (372

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (10,341     52,367   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     238,254        101,870   

Deferred revenue

     (693,340     -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

  

 

$

 

(1,549,867

 

  $ (1,335,721
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1.

BUSINESS AND FUNDING

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Our principal operations include the development, production and marketing of thin flat display technologies, including low-voltage phosphor color displays and low-power passive E-Paper® displays, and the development, production and marketing of multi-functional encryption products that provide information security for domestic and international users over several communications media.

The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting, and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The information contained herein is as of April 30, 2012 and for the six and three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011. In management’s opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for such periods) have been included herein. We are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that management believes are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We have evaluated subsequent events for possible disclosure through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CopyTele, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CopyTele International Ltd. (“CopyTele International”) and CopyTele Marketing Inc. (“CopyTele Marketing”). CopyTele International and CopyTele Marketing were incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in July 2007 and September 2007, respectively. CopyTele International was formed for the purpose of holding an investment in global depository receipts of Videocon Industries Limited, an Indian company (“Videocon”). As of April 30, 2012, CopyTele Marketing was inactive. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The results of operations for interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any interim period. Reference is made to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto

 

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included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011, for more extensive disclosures than contained in these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Form 10-Q to “dollars” or “$” refer to US dollars.

Funding and Management’s Plans

Since our inception, we have met our liquidity and capital expenditure needs primarily through the proceeds from sales of common stock in our initial public offering and in private placements, upon exercise of warrants issued in connection with the private placements and our initial public offering, and upon the exercise of stock options. In addition, we have generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products and from license fees from Videocon related to our display technology pursuant to the Videocon License Agreement (as defined below). In May 2011, we entered into the AUO License Agreements (as defined below) with AU Optronics Corp., a Taiwanese company (“AUO”), and in June 2011 we received an initial license fee from AUO.

During the six months ended April 30, 2012, our cash used in operating activities was approximately $1,550,000. This resulted from payments to suppliers, employees and consultants of approximately $1,554,000, which was offset by cash of approximately $4,000 received from collections of accounts receivable related to sales of encryption products. Our cash provided by investing activities during the six months ended April 30, 2012 was approximately $698,000, which resulted from approximately $1,700,000 received upon the sale or maturities of short-term investments consisting of certificates of deposit and U.S. government securities, offset by purchases of short-term investments consisting of certificates of deposit of $1,000,000 and the purchase of equipment for approximately $2,000. Our cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended April 30, 2012 was approximately $208,000, which resulted from cash received upon the exercise of stock options. As a result, our cash, cash equivalents, and investments in certificates of deposit and U.S. government securities at April 30, 2012 decreased by approximately $1,342,000 to approximately $1,681,000 from approximately $3,023,000 at October 31, 2011.

Total employee compensation expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $1,344,000 and $1,742,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $630,000 and $774,000, respectively. During the six-months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, a significant portion of employee compensation consisted of the issuance of stock and stock options to employees in lieu of cash compensation. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock awards granted to employees, for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $525,000 and $960,000, respectively, and the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $119,000 and $484,000, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees and directors, for the six-month periods

 

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ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $111,000 and $309,000 respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $30,000 and $50,000, respectively.

In February 2011, we sold 7,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock in a private placement at a price of $0.1786 per share, for proceeds of $1,250,000, of which 3,360,000 shares were sold to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and director, and the two other directors of the Company. In conjunction with the sale of the common stock, we issued warrants to purchase 7,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock. Each warrant grants the holder the right to purchase one share of our common stock (or 7,000,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate) at the purchase price of $0.1786 per share on or before February 8, 2016. The warrants were valued at $0.0756 per share using a Black-Scholes pricing model, adjusted for the estimated impact on fair value of the restrictions relating to the warrants.

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and investments in U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit, together with cash flows from expected sales of our encryption products and revenue relating to our display technologies, and other potential sources of cash flows or necessary expense reductions including employee compensation, will be sufficient to enable us to continue our marketing, production, and research and development activities for at least 12 months from the end of this reporting period. However, our projections of future cash needs and cash flows may differ from actual results. If current cash on hand and cash that may be generated from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell our investment securities or other financial assets or our debt or additional equity securities or obtain loans from various financial institutions where possible. The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our shareholders. Subsequent to January 2012, certain employees formerly receiving compensation in stock were compensated in cash. Management will continue to evaluate its compensation polices and may, in future periods, continue to compensate employees and consultants by issuing stock or stock options. We currently have no arrangements with respect to additional financing. We can give no assurance that we will generate sufficient revenues in the future (through sales, license fees and royalties, or otherwise) to satisfy our liquidity requirements or sustain future operations, that our production capabilities will be adequate, that other products will not be produced by other companies that will render our products obsolete, that employees and consultants will continue to accept stock as compensation, or that other sources of funding, such as sales of equity or debt, would be available, if needed, on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain such funding if needed or if we cannot sufficiently reduce operating expenses, we would need to curtail or cease some or all of our operations.

AU Optronics Corp.

In May 2011, we entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “EPD License Agreement”) with AUO. Under the EPD License Agreement, we provided AUO with an exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license of our E-Paper ® display patents and technology (the “EPD Licensed Technology”), for AUO (or an AUO subsidiary) to

 

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produce, market and sell products containing the EPD Licensed Technology, with the right to sublicense the technology to third parties. We retained the non-exclusive right to use the EPD Licensed Technology in a non-competitive manner.

In May 2011, we also entered into another license agreement (the “Nano Display License Agreement” and together with the EPD License Agreement, the “AUO License Agreements”) with AUO. Under the Nano Display License Agreement, we provided AUO with a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license of our Nano Display (as defined below) patents and technology (the “Nano Display Licensed Technology”), for AUO (or an AUO subsidiary) to produce, market and sell products containing the Nano Display Licensed Technology, with the right to consent to the granting of licenses of the Nano Display Licensed Technology to third parties.

Under the AUO License Agreements, AUO has agreed to pay CopyTele an aggregate license fee of up to $10 million, of which $3 million was paid by AUO in June 2011 and the remaining $7 million is payable upon completion of certain conditions for the respective technologies, in each case subject to a 20% foreign withholding tax. Accordingly, in June 2011 we received a payment from AUO, net of the withholding tax, of $2.4 million. In addition, the AUO License Agreements also provide for the basis for royalty payments by AUO to CopyTele.

Related Party Transactions with Videocon Industries Limited

In November 2007, we entered into a Technology License Agreement (as amended in May 2008, the “Videocon License Agreement”) with Videocon. In April 2008, the Indian Government approved the Videocon License Agreement. Under the Videocon License Agreement, we provided Videocon with a non-transferable, worldwide license of our technology for thin, flat, low voltage phosphor Nano Display (the “Videocon Licensed Technology”), for Videocon (or a Videocon Group company) to produce and market products, including TVs, incorporating displays utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology. With the approval and support of Videocon, we entered into the AUO License Agreements for AUO to utilize their production facilities to produce our display technologies, including the Videocon Licensed Technology, for their own products and potentially for Videocon products. Additional licenses of the Videocon Licensed Technology to third parties require the joint agreement of CopyTele, Videocon, and AUO.

Under the terms of the Videocon License Agreement, we were scheduled to receive a license fee of $11 million from Videocon, payable in installments over a 27 month period and an agreed upon royalty from Videocon based on display sales by Videocon (which royalty will decrease when a specified sales level and time period are reached and may increase under other certain circumstances as a result of significant improvements in the Videocon Licensed Technology). As of April 30, 2012, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $3.2 million. The initial installment commenced in May 2008 however certain license fee payments have been subsequently deferred in light of our joint decision to jointly develop improved versions of our Nano Display technology and the additional time and effort required by Videocon and us to incorporate the

 

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developmental improvements related thereto which are aimed at reducing the power consumption, improving the reliability and lowering the fabrication cost. However, the aggregate amount of the payments did not change and Videocon’s obligation to make such payments continues to be subject to CopyTele’s limited performance requirements and is not dependent on any specific performance standards which must be met by completion or delivery of prototypes of CopyTele’s products in the development stage. No such license fee payments were received from Videocon during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 and we cannot presently estimate future payment dates for license fee payments from Videocon. We are currently in discussion with Videocon, however, we cannot give any estimate as to the outcome of these discussions.

Under the Videocon License Agreement we continue to have the right to produce and market products utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology. We also continue to have the right to utilize Volga-Svet Ltd., a Russian corporation (“Volga”), in which we have a 19.9% ownership interest and with whom we have been working with for more than fourteen years, and an Asian company with whom we have been working with for more than eight years, to produce and market products utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology.

At the same time we entered into the Videocon License Agreement in November 2007, we also entered into a Share Subscription Agreement (the “Share Subscription Agreement”) with Mars Overseas Limited, an affiliate of Videocon (“Mars Overseas”). Under the Share Subscription Agreement, Mars Overseas purchased 20,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock (the “CopyTele Shares”) from us for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000. Also in November 2007, our wholly-owned subsidiary, CopyTele International, entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement with Global EPC Ventures Limited (“Global”), for CopyTele International to purchase from Global 1,495,845 global depository receipts of Videocon (the “Videocon GDRs”) for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000.

For the purpose of effecting a lock up of the Videocon GDRs and CopyTele Shares (collectively, the “Securities”) for a period of seven years, and therefore restricting both parties from selling or transferring the Securities during such period, CopyTele International and Mars Overseas entered into two Loan and Pledge Agreements in November 2007. The Videocon GDRs are to be held as security for a loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000 from Mars Overseas to CopyTele International, and the CopyTele Shares are similarly held as security for a loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000 from CopyTele International to Mars Overseas. The loans are for a period of seven years, do not bear interest, and prepayment of the loans will not release the lien on the Securities prior to the end of the seven year period. The loan agreements provide for customary events of default, which may result in forfeiture of the Securities by the defaulting party, and also provide for the transfer to the respective parties, free and clear of any encumbrances under the agreements, any dividends, distributions, rights or other proceeds or benefits in respect of the Securities. The loan receivable from Mars Overseas is classified as a contra-equity under shareholders’ equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet; because the loan receivable is secured by the CopyTele Shares and the Share Subscription Agreement and Loan and Pledge Agreement were entered into concurrently.

 

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Revenue Recognition

Revenues from sales are recorded when all four of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred and title has transferred or services have been rendered; (iii) our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.

We have assessed the revenue guidance of ASC 605-25 to determine whether multiple deliverables in our arrangements with AUO represent separate units of accounting. Under the AUO License Agreements, we received initial license fees of $3 million and could receive up to an additional $7 million in license fees upon completion of certain conditions for the respective technologies. We have determined that the transfer of the licensed patents and technology and the effort involved in completion of the conditions for the respective technologies represent a single unit of accounting for each technology. Accordingly, using a proportional performance method, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 we began recognizing the $3 million initial license fees over the estimated periods that we expect to complete the conditions for the respective technologies and not recognize the $7 million as it is considered contingent revenue. Upon completion of the various conditions for the respective technologies, the additional license fees of $7 million will be recognized over the respective performance periods, limiting the revenue recognized on a cumulative basis to the aggregate license fee payments received from AUO. At each reporting period we assess the progress in completing these efforts and recognize license fee revenue over the remaining estimated period that we expect to complete the conditions for the respective technologies. On this basis, we reassessed the performance period during the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and, accordingly, revenue for certain technology has been deferred. This technology represents approximately 30% of the non-refundable deferred revenue on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2012. Such revenue will be recognized upon our determination of the appropriate performance period. This is reflected in the recognized license fee revenue from AUO for the six-month and three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 of approximately $693,000 and $247,000, respectively. License fee payments received from AUO which are in excess of the amounts recognized as revenue (approximately $1,434,000 as of April 30, 2012) are recorded as non-refundable deferred revenue on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The AUO License Agreements also provide for the basis for royalty payments on future production, if any, by AUO to CopyTele, which we have determined represent separate units of accounting. We have not recognized any royalty income under the AUO License Agreements.

 

2.

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

We maintain stock equity incentive plans under which we may grant non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance awards, or stock units to employees, directors and consultants.

 

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Stock Option Compensation Expense

We account for stock options granted to employees and directors using the accounting guidance in ASC 718 “Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). In accordance with ASC 718, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. We recognize compensation expense for stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the grant. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees and directors, of approximately $111,000 and $309,000, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and approximately $30,000 and $50,000 during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such compensation expense is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in either research and development expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable based on the functions performed by such employees and directors.

Included in stock based compensation cost related to stock options granted to employees and directors recorded during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $4,000 and $4,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $2,000 and $2,000, respectively, of expense related to the amortization of compensation cost for stock options granted in prior periods but not yet vested. As of April 30, 2012, there was approximately $4,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements for stock options granted to employees and directors which is expected to be amortized during the current fiscal year.

We account for stock options granted to consultants using the accounting guidance under ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” (“ASC 505-50”). In accordance with ASC 505-50, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. We recognized consulting expense for options granted to non-employee consultants, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $-0- and $44,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of $-0-, and $42,000, respectively. Such consulting expense is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in either research and development expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable based on the functions performed by such consultants. As of April 30, 2012, there was no unrecognized consulting expense related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements for stock options granted to consultants.

Fair Value Determination

We separate the employees and directors we grant stock options to into three relatively homogenous groups, based on exercise and post-vesting employment termination behaviors. To determine the weighted average fair value of stock options on the date of grant for options granted to employees and directors, we take a weighted average of the assumptions used for each of these groups. The fair value of stock options

 

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granted to consultants is determined on an individual basis. Stock options we granted during the six-months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of awards of options with 10-year terms which vested immediately.

The following weighted average assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted during the six and three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended April 30,
     For the Three Months
Ended April 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Weighted average fair value at grant date

     $0.08         $0.12         $0.08         $0.11   

Valuation assumptions:

           

Expected life ( years)

     1.43         3.04         1.0         4.29   

Expected volatility

     124%         101%         125%         106%   

Risk-free interest rate

     .20%         .85%         .18%         1.44%   

Expected dividend yield

     0             0             0             0       

The expected term of stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. Actual historical performance is used for awards exercised or cancelled. For awards that remain unexercised and outstanding, even exercise over the remaining contractual term is assumed. Each category is weighted for its relative size in the population and is then multiplied by the indicated expected term for each category to arrive at the expected term for the population. We estimated the expected volatility of our shares of common stock based upon the historical volatility of our share price over a period of time equal to the expected term of the options. We estimated the risk-free interest rate based on the implied yield available on the applicable grant date of a U.S. Treasury note with a term equal to the expected term of the underlying grants. We made the dividend yield assumption based on our history of not paying dividends and our expectation not to pay dividends in the future. Under ASC 718, the amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Accordingly, we reduce the fair value of the stock option awards for expected forfeitures, which are forfeitures of the unvested portion of surrendered options. We estimated expected forfeitures based on our historical experience.

We will reconsider use of the Black-Scholes pricing model if additional information becomes available in the future that indicates another model would be more appropriate, or if grants issued in future periods have characteristics that cannot be reasonably estimated using this model. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of ASC 718 and ASC 505-50 in future periods, the compensation expense that we record may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period.

 

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Stock Option Activity

During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we granted options to purchase 1,290,000 shares and 2,805,000 shares, respectively, to employees, directors and consultants of common stock at weighted average exercise prices of $0.16 and $0.22 per share, respectively, pursuant to the CopyTele, Inc. 2010 Share Incentive Plan (the “2010 Share Plan”). During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, stock options to purchase 1,290,000 shares and 2,545,000 shares, respectively, of common stock were exercised with aggregate proceeds of approximately $208,000 and $577,000, respectively.

Stock Option Plans

As of April 30, 2012, we have two stock option plans: the CopyTele, Inc. 2003 Share Incentive Plan (the “2003 Share Plan”), and the 2010 Share Plan, which were adopted by our Board of Directors on April 21, 2003 and July 14, 2010, respectively.

The remaining outstanding stock options granted under the CopyTele, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan and the CopyTele, Inc. 2000 Share Incentive Plan expired during fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The 2003 Share Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance awards and stock units to key employees and consultants. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2003 Share Plan is 70,000,000 shares. The 2003 Share Plan was administered by the Stock Option Committee through June 2004, from June 2004 through July 2010, the 2003 Share Plan was administered by the Board of Directors and since July 2010, the 2003 Share Plan has been administered by the Stock Option Committee, which determines the option price, term and provisions of each option. The exercise price with respect to all of the options granted under the 2003 Share Plan since its inception was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. As of April 30, 2012, the 2003 Share Plan had 143,990 shares available for future grants.

Information regarding the 2003 Share Plan for the six months ended April 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

     Shares      Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Options Outstanding at October 31, 2011

     17,552,045         $0.81             $ -0-

Cancelled

     35,000         0.85            
  

 

 

       

Options outstanding and exercisable at April 30, 2012

     17,517,045         $.81             $ -0-
  

 

 

       

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding under the 2003 Share Plan as of April 30, 2012:

 

    

Options Outstanding & Exercisable

Range of

Exercise

Prices

   Number
Outstanding
  

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Life (in years)

  

Weighted
Average
Exercise

Price

$0.25 - $0.65

   4,600,970    3.08    $0.57        

$0.68 - $0.84

   5,136,075    4.32    $0.79        

$0.86 - $0.92

   4,650,000    5.35    $0.89        

$1.04 - $1.46

   3,130,000    3.66    $1.10        

The 2010 Share Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance awards and stock units to key employees and consultants. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2010 Share Plan was initially 15,000,000 shares. On July 6, 2011, the 2010 Share Plan was amended by our Board of Directors to increase the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be granted to 27,000,000 shares. Current and future non-employee directors are automatically granted nonqualified stock options to purchase up to 60,000 shares of common stock upon their initial election to the Board of Directors and 60,000 shares of common stock at the time of each subsequent annual meeting of our shareholders at which they are elected to the Board of Directors. The 2010 Share Plan is administered by the Stock Option Committee, which determines the option price, term and provisions of each option. The exercise price with respect to the options granted under the 2010 Share Plan was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. As of April 30, 2012, the 2010 Share Plan had 2,151,965 shares available for future grants.

Information regarding the 2010 Share Plan for the six months ended April 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Options Outstanding at October 31, 2011

     1,050,000        $0.31            

Granted

     1,290,000        $0.16            

Exercised

     (1,290,000     $0.16            
  

 

 

      

Options Outstanding at April 30, 2012

     1,050,000        $0.31               $ -0-       
  

 

 

      

Options Exercisable at April 30, 2012

     990,000        $0.32               $ -0-       
  

 

 

      

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding under the 2010 Share Plan as of April 30, 2012:

 

    

Options Outstanding

  

Options Exercisable


Range of
Exercise
Prices
   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
  

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$0.17 - $0.37

   1,050,000    8.75    $0.31    990,000    9.0    $0.32

Stock Awards

We account for stock awards granted to employees and consultants based on their grant date fair value, in accordance with ASC 718 and ASC 505-50, respectively. During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we issued 3,738,690 shares and 5,115,195 shares, respectively, of common stock to certain employees for services rendered, principally in lieu of cash compensation, pursuant to the 2010 Share Plan. We recorded compensation expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of approximately $525,000 and $960,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $119,000 and $484,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to employees. Such compensation expense is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in either research and development expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable based on the functions performed by such employees and directors. In addition, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we issued 304,910 shares and 203,935 shares, respectively, of common stock to consultants for services rendered pursuant to the 2010 Share Plan. We recorded consulting expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $40,000 and $36,000, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $3,000 and $20,000, respectively for the shares of common stock issued to consultants. Such consulting expense is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in either research and development expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable based on the functions performed by such consultants.

 

3.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable from sales in the ordinary course of business. Management reviews our accounts receivable for potential doubtful accounts and maintains an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. Generally, no collateral is received from customers for our accounts receivable. Our policy is to write-off uncollectable amounts at the time it is determined that collection will not occur. During the six months ended April 30, 2012, one customer in the Display Technology Segment represented 100% of that segment’s revenue and 99.5% of total net revenue. During the six months ended April 30, 2011, one customer in the Encryption Products and Services Segment represented 35% of that segment’s revenue and total net revenue.

 

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4.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In accordance with ASC 820, we have categorized our financial assets, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below. We do not have any financial liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 - Financial assets whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market which we have the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Financial assets whose values are based on quoted market prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets.

Level 3 – Financial assets whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset. We do not currently have any Level 3 financial assets.

The following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2012:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Money market funds – Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,146       $ -       $ -       $ 8,146   

U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit - Short-term investments

        1,549,931            1,549,931   

Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts

     4,864,489               4,864,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

   $ 4,872,635       $ 1,549,931       $ -       $ 6,422,566   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2011:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Money market funds – Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,685       $ -       $ -       $ 5,685   

U.S. government securities - Cash and cash equivalents

        599,994            599,994   

U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit - Short-term investments

        2,249,159            2,249,159   

Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts

     5,382,051               5,382,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

   $ 5,387,736       $ 2,849,153       $ -       $ 8,236,889   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our non financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a non-recurring basis include our property and equipment which are measured using fair value techniques whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a condition of impairment exists. These assets were not presented in the preceding table.

It is impractical to determine the fair value of the investment in Volga given that Volga is a Russian company, operates under Russian corporate law, and Volga does not use GAAP. This investment was not presented in the preceding table.

The estimated fair value of accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their individual carrying amounts due to the short term nature of these measurements. It is impractical to determine the fair value of the loan receivable and loan payable to the related party given the nature of these loans. These assets and liabilities were not presented in the preceding table. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value which equals fair value.

 

5.

INVESTMENTS

Short-term Investments

At April 30, 2012, and October 31, 2011, we had marketable securities consisting of U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit of approximately $1,550,000 and $2,249,000, respectively, which were classified as “available-for-sale securities” and reported at fair value, which approximates cost. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific identification basis.

Investment in Videocon

Our investment in Videocon is classified as an “available-for-sale security” and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from operations and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. The original cost basis of $16,200,000 was determined using the specific identification method. The fair value of the Videocon GDRs is based on the price

 

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on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, which price is based on the underlying price of Videocon’s equity shares which are traded on stock exchanges in India with prices quoted in rupees.

ASC 320 “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”) and SEC guidance on other than temporary impairments of certain investments in equity securities requires an evaluation to determine if the decline in fair value of an investment is either temporary or other than temporary. Unless evidence exists to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying cost of the investment, an other than temporary impairment should be recorded. At each reporting period we assess our investment in Videocon to determine if a decline that is other than temporary has occurred. In evaluating our investment in Videocon at October 31, 2011, we determined that based on both the duration and the continuing magnitude of the market price decline compared to the carrying cost basis of approximately $7,105,000, and the uncertainty of its recovery, a write-down of the investment of approximately $1,723,000 should be recorded as of October 31, 2011, and a new cost basis of approximately $5,382,000 should be established.

The fair value of investment in Videocon as of April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011, and the unrealized loss for the six-month period ended April 30, 2012, are as follows:

 

     Investment in
Videocon
 

Fair Value as of October 31, 2011

   $ 5,382,051   

Unrealized loss

     (517,562
  

 

 

 

Fair Value as of April 30, 2012

   $ 4,864,489   
  

 

 

 

Investment in and Related Party Transactions with Volga-Svet, Ltd

In September 2009, we entered into the Volga License Agreement (as defined below) to produce and market our thin, flat, low voltage phosphor displays in Russia. We have been working with Volga for the past fourteen years to assist us with our low voltage phosphor displays. As part of the Volga License Agreement, Volga is required to purchase from us the matrix substrate, carbon nanotubes, and associated display electronics, however, no purchases have been made to date. In addition, in September 2009, we acquired a 19.9% ownership interest in Volga in exchange for 150,000 unregistered shares of our common stock. As we do not believe that we can exercise significant influence over Volga, our investment in Volga is recorded at cost of $127,500 based on the closing price of our common stock at the time of the acquisition. As of April 30, 2012, we have not identified any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. Research and development expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations include payments to Volga for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $306,000 and $255,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $156,000 and $128,000, respectively.

 

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Investment in ZQX Advisors, LLC

In August 2009, we entered into an Engagement Agreement with ZQX Advisors, LLC (“ZQX”) to assist us in seeking business opportunities and licenses for our electrophoretic display technology. Concurrently with entering into the Engagement Agreement, we acquired a 19.5% ownership interest in ZQX and they agreed to attempt to locate business opportunities and licenses for our technology. In exchange for the 19.5% ownership interest and related services, we issued 800,000 unregistered shares of common stock as well as warrants to purchase an additional 500,000 unregistered shares of common stock, half of which are exercisable at $0.37 per share and the other half at $0.555 per share to ZQX. The warrants are exercisable at any time after August 19, 2010 and expire on August 19, 2019. The total fair value of the common stock and warrants was approximately $468,000. We recognized approximately $377,000 of this amount as consulting expense in fiscal year 2009 since the two other owners of ZQX did not contribute any assets to ZQX but instead have agreed to seek business opportunities and licenses for our electrophoretic display technology. In addition, we have classified our remaining ownership interest of $91,000 in ZQX as a reduction of additional paid-in capital within shareholders’ equity since this investment in ZQX consists entirely of our equity securities.

 

6.

NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

In accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”, basic net loss per common share (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share (“Diluted EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents and convertible securities then outstanding. Diluted EPS for all periods presented is the same as Basic EPS, as the inclusion of the effect of common share equivalents then outstanding would be anti-dilutive. For this reason, excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS for the six and three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, were stock options to purchase 18,567,045 and 19,622,045 shares respectively, and warrants to purchase 7,500,000 and 7,500,000 shares, respectively.

 

7.

EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This amendment was issued to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The new guidance does not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under U.S. GAAP or IFRS. ASU 2011-04 expands the disclosures about fair value measurements to include increased transparency around valuation inputs and investment categorization. ASU 2011-04 is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-12 (“ASU 2011-12”), Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. This amendment defers the effective date of the requirement to present separate line items on the income statement for reclassification adjustments of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income. ASU 2011-12 is effective at the same time as Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”), so that entities will not be required to comply with the presentation requirements in ASU 2011-05 that this ASU 2011-12 is deferring. ASUs 2011-12 and 2011-05 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company expects to adopt ASUs 2011-05 and 2011-12 on November 1, 2012. We do not expect the adoption of these new disclosure requirements to have a material impact on our disclosures or consolidated financial statements.

 

8.

INCOME TAXES

We file Federal and New York State income tax returns. Due to net operating losses, the statute of limitations remains open since the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996. We account for interest and penalties related to income tax matters in selling, general and administrative expenses. There are no unrecognized benefits as of April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011.

 

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9.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

We follow the accounting guidance of ASC 280 “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”). Reportable operating segments are determined based on management’s approach. The management approach, as defined by ASC 280, is based on the way that the chief operating decision-maker organizes the segments within an enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. While our results of operations are primarily reviewed on a consolidated basis, the chief operating decision-maker also manages the enterprise in two segments: (i) Display Technology and (ii) Encryption Products and Services. The following represents selected financial information for our segments for the six-month and three- month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

Segment Data    Display
Technology
    Encryption
Products and
Services
    Total  

Six Months Ended April 30, 2012:

      

Net revenue

   $ 693,340      $ 3,925      $ 697,265   

Net loss

     (1,568,372     (194,822     (1,763,194

Six Months Ended April 30, 2011:

      

Net revenue

   $ -          $ 103,873      $ 103,873   

Net loss

     (2,301,863     (511,286     (2,813,149
Segment Data    Display
Technology
    Encryption
Products and
Services
    Total  

Three Months Ended April 30, 2012:

      

Net revenue

   $ 246,670      $ 1,400      $ 248,070   

Net loss

     (878,012     903        (877,109

Three Months Ended April 30, 2011:

      

Net revenue

   $ -          $ 86,915      $ 86,915   

Net loss

     (1,159,693     (127,347     (1,287,040

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 we devoted all our efforts to the display technology segment. Accordingly, the only expense allocated to the encryption segment was the cost of encryption products sold.

 

10.

CONTINGENCES

We are not involved in any litigation or other legal proceedings and management is not aware of any pending litigation or legal proceeding against us that would have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

GENERAL

As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “CopyTele” means CopyTele, Inc. unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Form 10-Q to “dollars” or “$” refer to US dollars.

Our principal operations include the development, production and marketing of thin flat display technologies, including low-voltage phosphor color displays and low-power passive E-Paper® displays, and the development, production and marketing of multi-functional encryption products that provide information security for domestic and international users over several communications media.

As part of our ongoing development activities, we continue to conduct improvement programs related to both our electrophoretic display (“EPD”) and flat panel, low voltage phosphor, nanotube display (“Nano Display”) technologies to meet anticipated future customer needs. Our advanced new EPD technology utilizes specially coated particles in combination with a unique type of pixel structure to create an image. This new technology is applicable to electronic books and other low power applications. We believe that our advanced EPD technology will have higher contrast, considerably faster operation, and be produced at a lower cost than current electrophoretic displays. Our Nano Display technology incorporates a new type of low voltage, efficient color phosphors in combination with nano materials and an electron emission system utilizing nano materials to produce color video information. Our Nano Display technology is applicable to small hand-held and larger size applications, including TVs. We believe our Nano Display could potentially have a cost similar to a CRT (cathode ray tube) and thus cost less than current LCDs (liquid crystal displays), partly because our Nano Display does not contain a backlight, color filter or polarizer which represent a substantial portion of the cost of an LCD.

In May 2011, we entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “EPD License Agreement”) with AU Optronics Corp., a Taiwanese company (“AUO”). Under the EPD License Agreement, we provided AUO with an exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license of our E-Paper® display patents and technology (the “EPD Licensed Technology”), for AUO (or an AUO subsidiary) to produce, market and sell products containing the EPD Licensed Technology, with the right to sublicense the technology to third parties. We retained the non-exclusive right to use the EPD Licensed Technology in a non-competitive manner.

In May 2011, we also entered into another license agreement (the “Nano Display License Agreement” and together with the EPD License Agreement, the “AUO License Agreements”) with AUO. Under the Nano Display License Agreement, we provided AUO with a non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license of our Nano Display patents and technology (the “Nano Display Licensed Technology”), for AUO (or an AUO subsidiary)

 

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to produce, market and sell products containing the Nano Display Licensed Technology, with the right to consent to the granting of licenses of the Nano Display Licensed Technology to third parties.

Under the AUO License Agreements, AUO has agreed to pay CopyTele an aggregate license fee of up to $10 million, of which $3 million was paid by AUO in June 2011 and the remaining $7 million is payable upon completion of certain conditions for the respective technologies, in each case subject to a 20% foreign withholding tax. Accordingly, in June 2011 we received a payment from AUO, net of the withholding tax, of $2.4 million. In addition, the AUO License Agreements also provide for the basis for royalty payments by AUO to CopyTele.

Under our EPD program, both AUO and CopyTele are cooperating to enhance the operation of AUO’s EPD (E-Paper® display). CopyTele has developed and incorporated into the AUO EPD new software and hardware which significantly improves the operating speed in displaying images while at the same time improving the contrast of each image. With this new technology, we believe that AUO’s EPD would have superior operation as compared to present commercially available EPD displays. CopyTele believes that the new technology can be incorporated into any EPD, including CopyTele’s own EPD display technology.

Under the Nano Display program, CopyTele has provided technical information to AUO for the thin film transistor (TFT) matrix and the process to produce our Nano Display. In addition, CopyTele has been developing, with the support of Volga, processes for the color phosphors to increase their efficiency. This would further lower the power consumption of our Nano Display. CopyTele is also in discussion with another large display company located in Asia to implement our new nano display configuration which conforms to this company’s technology, production and marketing capabilities. This display configuration is unrelated to the configuration that is licensed to AUO and Videocon.

In November 2007, we entered into a Technology License Agreement (as amended in May 2008, the “Videocon License Agreement”) with Videocon Industries Limited, an Indian company (“Videocon”). In April 2008, the Indian Government approved the Videocon License Agreement. Under the Videocon License Agreement, we provided Videocon with a non-transferable, worldwide license of our technology for thin, flat, low voltage phosphor Nano Display (the “Videocon Licensed Technology”), for Videocon (or a Videocon Group company) to produce and market products, including TVs, incorporating displays utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology. Under the terms of the Videocon License Agreement, we were scheduled to receive a license fee of $11 million from Videocon, payable in installments over a 27 month period which commenced in May 2008, and an agreed upon royalty from Videocon based on display sales by Videocon. The license fee payments were subsequently deferred as described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. As of April 30, 2012, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $3.2 million. No such license fee payments were received from Videocon during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 and we cannot presently estimate future payment dates for license fee payments from Videocon. We are currently in discussion with Videocon, however, we cannot give any estimate as to the outcome of these discussions.

 

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With the approval and support of Videocon, we entered into the AUO License Agreements for AUO to utilize their production facilities to produce our display technologies, including the Videocon Licensed Technology, for their own products and potentially for Videocon products. Additional licenses of the Videocon Licensed Technology to third parties require the joint agreement of CopyTele, Videocon and AUO.

Under the Videocon License Agreement we continue to have the right to produce and market products utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology. We also continue to have the right to utilize Volga-Svet Ltd., a Russian corporation (“Volga”), with whom we have been working with for more than fourteen years, and an Asian company with whom we have been working with for more than eight years, to produce and market products utilizing the Videocon Licensed Technology.

At the same time we entered into the Videocon License Agreement in November 2007, we also entered into a Share Subscription Agreement (the “Share Subscription Agreement”) with Mars Overseas Limited, an affiliate of Videocon (“Mars Overseas”). Under the Share Subscription Agreement, Mars Overseas purchased 20,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock (the “CopyTele Shares”) from us for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000. Also in November 2007, our wholly-owned subsidiary, CopyTele International Ltd. (“CopyTele International”), entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement with Global EPC Ventures Limited (“Global”), for CopyTele International to purchase from Global 1,495,845 global depository receipts of Videocon (the “Videocon GDRs”) for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000. The fair value of our investment in the Videocon GDRs as of April 30, 2012 was approximately $4,864,000. For the purpose of effecting a lock up of the Videocon GDRs and CopyTele Shares (collectively, the “Securities”) for a period of seven years, and therefore restricting both parties from selling or transferring the Securities during such period, CopyTele International and Mars Overseas entered into two Loan and Pledge Agreements in November 2007. The Videocon GDRs are to be held as security for a loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000 from Mars Overseas to CopyTele International, and the CopyTele Shares are similarly held as security for a loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000 from CopyTele International to Mars Overseas. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Our Nano Display technology includes a proprietary mixture of specially coated carbon nanotubes and nano materials in combination with our proprietary low voltage color phosphors. The specially coated carbon nanotubes, which are supplied to us by a U.S. company, and nano materials, require a low voltage for electron emission and are extremely small – approximately 1 ten thousandth the width of a human hair. Our technology utilizes a new memory-based active matrix thin film technology with each pixel phosphor activated by electrons emitted by a proprietary carbon nanotube network located extremely close to the pixels. The matrix also has a high pixel field factor to obtain high contrast and low power consumption. As a result, each pixel phosphor brightness is

 

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controlled using less than 40 volts. The carbon nanotubes and proprietary color phosphors are precisely placed and separated utilizing our proprietary nanotube and phosphor deposition technology. We have developed a process of maintaining uniform carbon nanotube deposition independent of phosphor deposition. We have also developed a method of enhancing nanotube electron emission to increase the brightness of this type of display.

In September 2009, we entered into a Technology License Agreement (the “Volga License Agreement”) with Volga to produce and market our thin, flat, low voltage phosphor, Nano Displays in Russia. As part of the Volga License Agreement, Volga is required to purchase from us the matrix substrate, carbon nanotubes, and associated display electronics for any production of the licensed displays. However, no purchases have been made to date. In addition, in September 2009, we entered into a separate agreement with Volga whereby we obtained a 19.9% ownership interest in Volga in exchange for 150,000 unregistered shares of our common stock.

We have evaluated our E-Paper® electrophoretic intellectual property with ZQX Advisors, LLC (“ZQX”) under our August 2009 Engagement Agreement. This included a review of our patent claims in connection with patents relating to the current e-reader market. We continue to maintain a 19.5% interest in ZQX.

In August 2009, we entered into an initial development agreement with a U.S. company to provide engineering and implementation support for the development of our patented extremely low power passive monochrome or color display for use in portable devices including e-books. Our proprietary extremely low power display incorporates a new micro-matrix substrate. Our display is designed to have bi-stability capability, and to use low power when an image is created. We have jointly performed design simulations to verify its performance. Development of this program has been delayed as a result of the concentration of our efforts related to the AUO License Agreements.

We continue to pursue opportunities to market our voice, fax and data encryption solutions in commercial and government markets. We presently have limited revenue from our encryption products and services segment.

Our operations and the achievement of our objectives in marketing, production, and research and development are dependent upon an adequate cash flow. Accordingly, in monitoring our financial position and results of operations, particular attention is given to cash and accounts receivable balances and cash flows from operations. Since our initial public offering, our cash flows have been primarily generated through the sales of common stock in private placements and upon exercise of warrants and stock options. Since 1999, we have generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products, and in May 2008 we began receiving license fees from Videocon and in June 2011 we began receiving license fees from AUO, related to our display technology. No license fees were received during the six month period ended April 30, 2012. We are seeking to improve our liquidity through sales or licenses of products and technology.

 

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In reviewing Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, you should refer to our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICES

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that management believes are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.

We believe the following critical accounting polices affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. For additional discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from sales are recorded when all four of the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred and title has transferred or services have been rendered; (iii) our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.

We have assessed the revenue guidance of ASC 605-25 to determine whether multiple deliverables in our arrangements with AUO represent separate units of accounting. Under the AUO License Agreements, we received initial license fees of $3 million and could receive up to an additional $7 million in license fees upon completion of certain conditions for the respective technologies. We have determined that the transfer of the licensed patents and technology and the effort involved in completion of the conditions for the respective technologies represent a single unit of accounting for each technology. Accordingly, using a proportional performance method, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 we began recognizing the $3 million initial license fees over the estimated periods that we expect to complete the conditions for the respective technologies and not recognize the $7 million as it is considered contingent revenue. Upon completion of the various conditions for the respective technologies, the additional license fees of $7 million will be recognized over the respective performance periods, limiting the revenue recognized on a cumulative basis to the aggregate license fee payments received from AUO. At each reporting period we assess the progress in completing these efforts and recognize license fee revenue over the remaining estimated period that we expect to complete the conditions for the respective technologies. On this basis, we reassessed the performance period during the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and, accordingly, revenue for certain technology has been deferred. This technology represents approximately 30% of the non-refundable deferred revenue on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2012. Such revenue will be recognized upon our determination of the appropriate performance period. This is reflected in the recognized license fee revenue from AUO for the six-month and three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 of approximately $693,000 and $247,000, respectively. License fee payments received from AUO which are in excess of the amounts recognized as revenue (approximately $1,434,000 as of April 30, 2012) are recorded as non-refundable deferred revenue on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The AUO License Agreements also provide for the basis for royalty payments on future production, if any, by AUO to CopyTele, which we have determined represent separate units of accounting. We have not recognized any royalty income under the AUO License Agreements.

 

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Investment Securities

Our investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

We monitor the value of our investments for indicators of impairment, including changes in market conditions and the operating results of the underlying investment that may result in the inability to recover the carrying value of the investment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, we determined that based on both the duration and the continuing magnitude of the market price decline and the uncertainty of its recoverability, there was an other than temporary impairment in both our Videocon and Digital Info Security Co., Inc. (“DISC”) investments. We will record an additional impairment charge if and when we believe any such investment has experienced an additional decline that is other than temporary.

Stock Based Compensation

We account for stock options granted to employees and directors using the accounting guidance in ASC 718. We recognize compensation expense for stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the grant. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees and directors, of approximately $111,000 and $309,000 during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and of approximately $30,000 and $50,000 during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We account for stock options granted to consultants using the accounting guidance under ASC 505-50. We recognized consulting expense for stock options granted to non-employee consultants during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of $-0- and $44,000, respectively and during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $-0- and $42,000, respectively. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

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We account for stock awards granted to employees and consultants based on their grant date fair value, in accordance with ASC 718 and ASC 505-50, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of approximately $525,000 and $960,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of approximately $119,000 and $484,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to employees, principally in lieu of cash compensation. In addition, we recorded consulting expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $40,000 and $36,000, respectively, and for the three-months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of approximately $3,000 and $20,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to consultants.

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, forfeiture rates and expected term. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of ASC 718 and ASC 505-50 in future periods, the compensation expense that we record may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Six months ended April 30, 2012 compared with six months ended April 30, 2011

Net Revenue

Net revenue increased by approximately $593,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $697,000, as compared to approximately $104,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Revenue during the current period is principally from display technology license fees related to the AUO License Agreements of approximately $693,000. We had no revenue from display technology license fees during the comparable prior-year period. See “- General” above in this Item 2. Revenue from sales of encryption products decreased by approximately $100,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $4,000, as compared to approximately $104,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Our encryption revenue has been limited and is sensitive to individual transactions.

Cost of Encryption Products Sold

Due to the decrease in encryption product sales, the cost of encryption products sold decreased by approximately $29,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $1,000, as compared to approximately $30,000 in the comparable prior-year period.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by approximately $255,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $1,254,000, from approximately

 

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$1,509,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in research and development expenses was principally due to a decrease in employee stock option expense of approximately $122,000, a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $89,000, a reduction in engineering supplies and accessories of approximately $38,000 and a decrease in outside consultants’ expense of approximately $19,000, offset by an increase in outside research and development expense of approximately $27,000.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $171,000 to approximately $1,208,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2012, from approximately $1,379,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was principally due to a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $111,000 and a decrease in employee stock option expense of approximately $77,000, offset by a decrease in the gain on the sale of DISC common stock of approximately $29,000.

Three months ended April 30, 2012 compared with three months ended April 30, 2011

Net Revenue

Net revenue increased by approximately $161,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $248,000, as compared to approximately $87,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Revenue during the current period is principally from display technology license fees related to the AUO License Agreements of approximately $247,000. We had no revenue from display technology license fees during the comparable prior-year period. See “- General” above in this Item 2. Revenue from sales of encryption products decreased by approximately $86,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $1,000, as compared to approximately $87,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Our encryption revenue has been limited and is sensitive to individual transactions.

Cost of Encryption Products Sold

Due to the decrease in encryption product sales, the cost of encryption products sold decreased by approximately $24,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2012, to less than $1,000, as compared to approximately $25,000 in the comparable prior-year period.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by approximately $128,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2012, to approximately $604,000, from approximately $732,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in research and development expenses was principally due to a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $49,000, a reduction in engineering supplies and accessories of approximately $37,000, a decrease in outside consultants’ expense of approximately $18,000, a decrease in travel expense of approximately $14,000 and a decrease in employee stock option expense of approximately $11,000.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $96,000 to approximately $522,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2012, from approximately $618,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was principally due to a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $75,000 and a decrease in legal and accounting fees of approximately $36,000, offset by a decrease in the gain on the sale of DISC common stock of approximately $26,000.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Since our inception, we have met our liquidity and capital expenditure needs primarily through the proceeds from sales of common stock in our initial public offering and in private placements, upon exercise of warrants issued in connection with the private placements and our initial public offering, and upon the exercise of stock options. In addition, we have generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products and from license fees from Videocon related to our display technology pursuant to the Videocon License Agreement. In May 2011, we entered into the AUO License Agreements, and in June 2011 we received an initial license fee, net of foreign withholding tax, of $2,400,000 from AUO.

During the six months ended April 30, 2012, our cash used in operating activities was approximately $1,550,000. This resulted from payments to suppliers, employees and consultants of approximately $1,554,000, which was offset by cash of approximately $4,000 received from collections of accounts receivable related to sales of encryption products. Our cash provided by investing activities during the six months ended April 30, 2012 was approximately $698,000, which resulted from approximately $1,700,000 received upon the sale or maturities of short-term investments consisting of certificates of deposit and U.S. government securities, offset by purchases of short-term investments consisting of certificates of deposit of $1,000,000 and the purchase of equipment for approximately $2,000. Our cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended April 30, 2012 was approximately $208,000, which resulted from cash received upon the exercise of stock options. As a result, our cash, cash equivalents, and investments in certificates of deposit and U.S. government securities at April 30, 2012 decreased by approximately $1,342,000 to approximately $1,681,000 from approximately $3,023,000 at October 31, 2011.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased approximately $10,000 from $97,000 at October 31, 2011 to $107,000 at April 30, 2012. Investment in Videocon is recorded at fair value and decreased to approximately $4,864,000 at April 30, 2012 from approximately $5,382,000 at October 31, 2011, as a result of a decrease in the price of Videocon’s GDRs which are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. There was no change in the investment in Volga at April 30, 2012 from approximately $128,000 at

 

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October 31, 2011. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by approximately $239,000 from approximately $460,000 at October 31, 2011 to approximately $699,000 at April 30, 2012, as a result of the timing of payments and legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. Deferred revenue decreased by approximately $693,000 from approximately $2,127,000 at October 31, 2011 to approximately $1,434,000 at April 30, 2012, as a result of license fee revenue recognized during the six months ended April 30, 2012. Loan payable, which is due in December 2014, remained at $5,000,000 at April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011. Loan receivable, which is classified as a contra-equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet and is due in December 2014, remained at $5,000,000 at April 30, 2012 and October 31, 2011. As a result of these changes, working capital decreased approximately $1,360,000 from approximately $1,015,000 at October 31, 2011 to negative $345,000 at April 30, 2012. Working capital at April 30, 2012, excluding deferred revenue consisting of non-refundable license fees received from AUO, was approximately $1,089,000.

Under the AUO License Agreements, AUO has agreed to pay CopyTele an aggregate license fee of up to $10 million, of which $3 million was paid by AUO in June 2011 and the remaining $7 million is payable upon completion of certain conditions for the respective technologies, in each case subject to a 20% foreign withholding tax. Accordingly, in June 2011 we received a payment from AUO, net of the withholding tax, of $2.4 million. As of April 30, 2012, we are working with AUO and cannot presently estimate when or if we will receive the remaining $7 million in licensing fees. In addition, the AUO License Agreements also provide for the basis for royalty payments by AUO to CopyTele.

Under the terms of the Videocon License Agreement, we were scheduled to receive a license fee of $11 million from Videocon, payable in installments over a 27 month period and an agreed upon royalty from Videocon based on display sales by Videocon (which royalty will decrease when a specified sales level and time period are reached and may increase under other certain circumstances as a result of significant improvements in the Videocon Licensed Technology). As of April 30, 2012, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $3.2 million. The initial installment commenced in May 2008 however certain license fee payments have been subsequently deferred in light of our joint decision to jointly develop improved versions of our Nano Display technology and the additional time and effort required by Videocon and us to incorporate the developmental improvements related thereto which are aimed at reducing the power consumption, improving the reliability and lowering the fabrication cost. However, the aggregate amount of the payments did not change and Videocon’s obligation to make such payments continues to be subject to CopyTele’s limited performance requirements and is not dependent on any specific performance standards which must be met by completion or delivery of prototypes of CopyTele’s products in the development stage. No such license fee payments were received from Videocon during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 and we cannot presently estimate future payment dates for license fee payments from Videocon. We are not currently in substantive discussion with Videocon with respect to the payment of the remaining license fees and cannot currently estimate if and when such discussions may resume.

 

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Total employee compensation expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $1,344,000 and $1,742,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $630,000 and $774,000, respectively. During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, a significant portion of employee compensation consisted of the issuance of stock and stock options to employees in lieu of cash compensation. During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we issued 3,738,690 shares and 5,115,195 shares, respectively, of common stock to certain employees for services rendered. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, of approximately $525,000 and $960,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $119,000 and $484,000 respectively, for shares of common stock issued to employees. In addition, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we granted to employees stock options to purchase 1,290,000 shares and 2,545,000 shares, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees, of approximately $111,000 and $309,000, respectively, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 and $30,000 and $50,000, respectively, during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011. Subsequent to January 2012, certain employees formerly receiving compensation in stock were compensated in cash. Management will continue to evaluate its compensation polices and may, in future periods, continue to compensate employees by issuing stock or stock options.

In addition, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we issued 304,910 shares and 203,935 shares, respectively, of common stock to non-employee consultants for services rendered. We recorded consulting expense for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $40,000 and $36,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $3,000 and $20,000, respectively, for shares of common stock issued to non-employee consultants. In addition, during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, we granted to consultants options to purchase -0- shares and 260,000 shares, respectively. We recorded consulting expense related to the stock options granted to non-employee consultants of approximately $-0- and $44,000, respectively, for the six-months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 and $-0- and $42,000 for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011. Management will continue to evaluate its compensation polices and may, in future periods, continue to compensate consultants by issuing stock or stock options to the extent that our consultants do not require cash payments.

During the six-month periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, stock options to purchase 1,290,000 shares and 2,545,000 shares, respectively, of common stock were exercised with aggregate proceeds of approximately $208,000 and $577,000, respectively.

In February 2011, we received proceeds of $1,250,000 pursuant to the sale of 7,000,000 unregistered shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 7,000,000

 

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shares of our unregistered common stock in a private placement. Additionally, in February 2011, we sold an additional 3,300,000 shares of DISC common stock that were being held for investment for approximately $100,000.

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and investments in U.S. government securities and certificates of deposit, together with cash flows from expected sales of our encryption products and revenue relating to our display technologies, and other potential sources of cash flows or necessary expense reductions including employee compensation, will be sufficient to enable us to continue our marketing, production, and research and development activities for at least 12 months from the end of this reporting period. However, our projections of future cash needs and cash flows may differ from actual results. If current cash on hand and cash that may be generated from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell our investment securities or other financial assets or our debt or additional equity securities or obtain loans from various financial institutions where possible. The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our shareholders. Subsequent to January 2012, certain employees formerly receiving compensation in stock were compensated in cash. Management will continue to evaluate its compensation polices and may, in future periods, continue to compensate employees and consultants by issuing stock or stock options. We currently have no arrangements with respect to additional financing. We can give no assurance that we will generate sufficient revenues in the future (through sales, license fees and royalties, or otherwise) to satisfy our liquidity requirements or sustain future operations, that our production capabilities will be adequate, that other products will not be produced by other companies that will render our products obsolete, that employees and consultants will continue to accept stock as compensation, or that other sources of funding, such as sales of equity or debt, would be available, if needed, on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain such funding if needed or if we cannot sufficiently reduce operating expenses, we would need to curtail or cease some or all of our operations.

We are seeking to improve our liquidity through increased sales or licenses of products and technology. In an effort to generate sales, we have marketed our encryption products to U.S. and international distributors and directly to end-users. During the six months ended April 30, 2012, we have recognized revenue from sales of encryption products of approximately $4,000 and revenue from display technology license fees of approximately $693,000.

 

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The following table presents our expected cash requirements for contractual obligations outstanding as of April 30, 2012:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual

Obligations

   Less
than
1 year
     1-3
years
     3-5
years
     After
5 years
     Total  

Consulting Agreement

     $20,000         $        -             $        -             $    -             $20,000   

Noncancelable Operating Leases

     $313,000         $495,000         -             -             $808,000   

Secured Loan Obligation to Mars Overseas

     -             $5,000,000            -             $5,000,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

     $333,000         $5,495,000         $                   $    -             $5,828,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS

Refer to Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements – “Effect of Recent Pronouncements” for discussion regarding the impact of recently adopted accounting pronouncements on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We generally use the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “likely,” “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011 under “Item 1A – “Risk Factors.” You should read this discussion and analysis along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011 and the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this Report.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

As of April 30, 2012, we had invested a portion of our cash on hand in short-term, fixed rate and highly liquid instruments that have historically been reinvested when they mature throughout the year. Although our existing short-term instruments are not considered at risk with respect to changes in interest rates or markets for these instruments, which investments consist of US government securities and FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposit, our rate of return on these securities could be affected at the time of reinvestment, if any.

At April 30, 2012, our investment in Videocon GDRs is recorded at fair value of approximately $4,864,000 and has exposure to additional price risk. The fair value of the Videocon GDRs is based on the underlying price of Videocon’s equity shares which are traded on stock exchanges in India with prices quoted in rupees. Accordingly, the fair value of the Videocon GDRs is subject to price risk and foreign exchange risk. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices of Videocon equity shares quoted by Indian stock exchanges and in foreign currency exchange rates, as of April 30, 2012, amounts to approximately $486,000.

At October 31, 2011 we determined that, due to the continual decline in market value, the uncertainty of its recoverability and the decline in trading volume, our investment in DISC which had a carrying value of approximately $63,000, should be written down to $-0-. Accordingly, we have no further market risk related to our investment in DISC.

As a smaller reporting company, the Company is not required to provide the disclosures set forth in this Item.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings. None

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

(a) None

(b) There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s board of directors.

Item 6. Exhibits.

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated June 14, 2012.

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated June 14, 2012.

32.1 Statement of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated June 14, 2012.

32.2 Statement of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated June 14, 2012.

101.ins Instance Document*

101.def XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*

101.sch XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document *

101.cal XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document *

101.lab XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document *

101.pre XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document *

* Furnished, not filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

COPYTELE, INC.

 
   

By:

 

/s/ Denis A. Krusos

 
   

Denis A. Krusos

 
   

Chairman of the Board and

 
   

Chief Executive Officer

 

June 14, 2012

    

(Principal Executive Officer)

  
   

By:

 

/s/ Henry P. Herms

 
   

Henry P. Herms

 
   

Vice President - Finance and

 
   

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

June 14, 2012

    

Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

 

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