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 July 31, 2010
Commission file number 0-11254
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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11-2622630
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(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer
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incorporation or organization)
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Identification no.)
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900 Walt Whitman Road
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|
|
Melville, NY
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|
11747
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(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 [ ]
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|
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 September 9, 2010, the registrant had outstanding 151,816,538 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, which is the registrant’s only class of common stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements.
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|
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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and October 31, 2009
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3
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009
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4
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009
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5
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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the nine months ended July 31, 2010
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6
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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009
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7
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
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8 - 24
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Item 2.
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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25 - 40 |
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Item 3.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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41
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Item 4.
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Controls and Procedures.
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41
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1.
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Legal Proceedings.
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42
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors.
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42
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Item 2.
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Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
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42
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Item 3.
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Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
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42
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Item 5.
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Other Information.
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42
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Item 6.
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Exhibits.
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42
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SIGNATURES
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43
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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|
(Unaudited)
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|
|
|
|
ASSETS
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July 31,
2010
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|
|
October 31,
2009
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|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
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|
$ |
1,408,958 |
|
|
$ |
1,451,241 |
|
Short-term investments in U.S. government securities
|
|
|
- |
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|
749,942 |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and $206,000, respectively
|
|
|
4,530 |
|
|
|
750 |
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Inventories
|
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|
59,224 |
|
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|
132,688 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
55,749 |
|
|
|
61,869 |
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Total current assets
|
|
|
1,528,461 |
|
|
|
2,396,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts,
|
|
|
|
|
|
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at market value
|
|
|
6,804,599 |
|
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|
7,105,264 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Investment in Volga-Svet, Ltd., at cost
|
|
|
127,500 |
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|
|
127,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Investment in Digital Info Security Co. Inc. common stock, at market value
|
|
|
149,251 |
|
|
|
198,030 |
|
|
|
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|
|
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Property and equipment, net
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|
14,859 |
|
|
|
21,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total assets
|
|
$ |
8,624,670 |
|
|
$ |
9,848,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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|
|
|
|
|
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Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Accounts payable
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|
$ |
389,662 |
|
|
$ |
326,243 |
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
102,815 |
|
|
|
69,931 |
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
492,477 |
|
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|
396,174 |
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|
|
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|
|
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Contingencies (Note 11)
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Loan payable to related party
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|
5,000,000 |
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|
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Shareholders’ equity:
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|
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Preferred stock, par value $100 per share; 500,000 shares authorized; no
|
|
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shares issued or outstanding
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|
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- |
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- |
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Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 240,000,000 shares authorized;
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|
|
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150,662,226 and 144,562,516 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
1,506,622 |
|
|
|
1,445,625 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
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|
119,259,255 |
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|
116,284,003 |
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Loan receivable from related party
|
|
|
(5,000,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,000,000 |
) |
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(112,325,557 |
) |
|
|
(108,277,356 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
(308,127 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
3,132,193 |
|
|
|
4,452,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
|
$ |
8,624,670 |
|
|
$ |
9,848,446 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
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For the Nine Months Ended
July 31,
|
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2010
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|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net revenue
|
|
|
|
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|
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Revenue from sales of encryption products, net
|
|
$ |
119,425 |
|
|
$ |
71,305 |
|
Revenue from display engineering services, net
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
52,000 |
|
Display technology license fee
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
813,332 |
|
Total net revenue
|
|
|
419,425 |
|
|
|
936,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue and operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of encryption products sold
|
|
|
75,055 |
|
|
|
40,384 |
|
Cost of display engineering services
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
18,200 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
2,219,532 |
|
|
|
2,532,922 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
2,246,082 |
|
|
|
2,295,653 |
|
Total cost of revenue and operating expenses
|
|
|
4,540,669 |
|
|
|
4,887,159 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Loss from operations
|
|
|
(4,121,244 |
) |
|
|
(3,950,522 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Dividend income
|
|
|
68,211 |
|
|
|
29,468 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Interest income
|
|
|
4,832 |
|
|
|
16,429 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Loss before income taxes
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|
|
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
|
(3,904,625 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,904,625 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
147,214,256 |
|
|
|
137,191,065 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
July 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from sales of encryption products, net
|
|
$ |
58,030 |
|
|
$ |
49,765 |
|
Display technology license fee
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Total net revenue
|
|
|
58,030 |
|
|
|
299,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue and operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of encryption products sold
|
|
|
34,004 |
|
|
|
34,866 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
673,320 |
|
|
|
649,092 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
620,967 |
|
|
|
806,108 |
|
Total cost of revenue and operating expenses
|
|
|
1,328,291 |
|
|
|
1,490,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(1,270,261 |
) |
|
|
(1,190,301 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend income
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
4,537 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(1,270,133 |
) |
|
|
(1,185,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(1,270,133 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,185,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
149,219,952 |
|
|
|
140,425,848 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
Receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
From
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Shareholders’
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, October 31, 2009
|
|
|
144,562,516 |
|
|
$ |
1,445,625 |
|
|
$ |
116,284,003 |
|
|
$ |
(5,000,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(108,277,356 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
4,452,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock option compensation to employees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
535,196 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
535,196 |
|
Stock option compensation to consultant
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,392 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,392 |
|
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options under stock option plans
|
|
|
2,515,000 |
|
|
|
25,150 |
|
|
|
1,024,350 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,049,500 |
|
Common stock issued to employees pursuant to stock incentive plans
|
|
|
3,467,425 |
|
|
|
34,674 |
|
|
|
1,357,791 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,392,465 |
|
Common stock issued to consultants pursuant to stock incentive plans
|
|
|
117,285 |
|
|
|
1,173 |
|
|
|
51,523 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
52,696 |
|
Unrealized (loss) on investment in Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(300,665 |
) |
|
|
(300,665 |
) |
Unrealized (loss) on investment in Digital Info Security Co., Inc. common stock
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(7,462 |
) |
|
|
(7,462 |
) |
Net loss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, July 31, 2010
|
|
|
150,662,226 |
|
|
$ |
1,506,622 |
|
|
$ |
119,259,255 |
|
|
$ |
(5,000,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(112,325,557 |
) |
|
$ |
(308,127 |
) |
|
$ |
3,132,193 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
COPYTELE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
July 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Cash flow from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments to suppliers, employees and consultants
|
|
$ |
(2,381,408 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,387,870 |
) |
Cash received from sales of products and services
|
|
|
115,645 |
|
|
|
111,835 |
|
Cash received for display technology license fee
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Dividend received
|
|
|
68,211 |
|
|
|
29,468 |
|
Interest received
|
|
|
8,878 |
|
|
|
17,663 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(1,888,674 |
) |
|
|
(1,978,904 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disbursements to acquire short-term investments (U.S. government securities)
|
|
|
(749,870 |
) |
|
|
(899,866 |
) |
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments (U.S. government securities)
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
1,443,000 |
|
Proceeds from sale of Digital Info Security Co., Inc. common stock
|
|
|
46,761 |
|
|
|
31,838 |
|
Payments for purchases of property and equipment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,935 |
) |
Net cash provided by investing activities
|
|
|
796,891 |
|
|
|
573,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
1,049,500 |
|
|
|
1,248,100 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
1,049,500 |
|
|
|
1,248,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(42,283 |
) |
|
|
(157,767 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
1,451,241 |
|
|
|
478,599 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$ |
1,408,958 |
|
|
$ |
320,832 |
|
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,904,625 |
) |
Stock option compensation to employees
|
|
|
535,196 |
|
|
|
660,152 |
|
Stock option compensation to consultants
|
|
|
6,392 |
|
|
|
9,918 |
|
Stock awards granted to employees pursuant to stock incentive plans
|
|
|
1,392,465 |
|
|
|
1,620,923 |
|
Stock awards granted to consultants pursuant to stock incentive plans
|
|
|
52,696 |
|
|
|
46,973 |
|
Provision for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
103,000 |
|
Provision for slow moving inventory reserve
|
|
|
39,761 |
|
|
|
14,482 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
6,303 |
|
|
|
8,094 |
|
Amortized discount on investments (U.S. government securities)
|
|
|
(188 |
) |
|
|
(690 |
) |
(Gain) loss on sale of Digital Info Security Co., Inc. common stock
|
|
|
(5,444 |
) |
|
|
9,202 |
|
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
(3,780 |
) |
|
|
(12,090 |
) |
Inventories
|
|
|
33,703 |
|
|
|
25,185 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
6,120 |
|
|
|
(3,848 |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
96,303 |
|
|
|
(242,248 |
) |
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(313,332 |
) |
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
$ |
(1,888,674 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,978,904 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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, low-voltage phosphor display technology, the development of thin, flat, low-power passive display technologies and the development, production and marketing of multi-functional encryption products that provide information security for domestic and international users over virtually every 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 (“US GAAP”) for interim financial reporting, and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. The information contained herein is as of July 31, 2010 and for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009. 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.
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 July 31, 2010, CopyTele Marketing was inactive. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements, we have evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.
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 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, for more extensive disclosures than contained in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Effective October 31, 2009, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105 “GAAP” (“ASC 105”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that establishes the ASC as the source of authoritative accounting principles to be applied in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. All accounting guidance that is not included in the Accounting Standards Codification is now considered to be non-authoritative. The adoption of ASC 105 had no impact on our financial position or operating results as it only amends the reference to existing accounting standards (other than the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance).
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, 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, commencing in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, we have generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products and in May 2008 began receiving license fees related to our display technology from Videocon pursuant to the License Agreement (as defined below).
During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, our cash used in operating activities was approximately $1,889,000. This resulted from payments to suppliers, employees and consultants of approximately $2,381,000, which was offset by cash of approximately $116,000 received from collections of accounts receivable related to sales of encryption products, $300,000 received from display technology licensing fee, approximately $68,000 of dividend income received and approximately $9,000 of interest income received. Our cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was approximately $797,000, which resulted from purchases of short-term investments consisting of U.S. government securities of approximately $750,000, offset by $1,500,000 received upon maturities of short-term investments consisting of U.S. government securities and approximately $47,000 received upon the sale of Digital Info Security Co. Inc. common stock. Our cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was approximately $1,049,000, which resulted from cash received upon the exercise of stock options. As a result, our cash, cash equivalents, and investments in U.S. government securities at July 31, 2010 decreased to approximately $1,409,000 from approximately $2,201,000 at October 31, 2009.
Total employee compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $2,597,000 and $2,811,000, respectively. For the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 total employee compensation was approximately $720,000 and $889,000, respectively. During the nine-month ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, a significant portion of employee compensation consisted of the issuance of stock and stock options to employees in lieu of cash compensation. Stock-based compensation expense, related to stock awards granted to employees, for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 amounted to approximately $1,392,000 and $1,621,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 amounted to approximately $398,000 and $449,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees and directors, for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 amounted to approximately $535,000 and $660,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 amounted to approximately $96,000 and $259,000, respectively.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with cash flows from expected sales of our encryption products and revenue relating to our thin, flat, low-voltage phosphor display technology, and other potential sources of cash flows, but without regard to the timing or amount of license fees and royalties from Videocon, will be sufficient to enable us to continue our marketing, production, and research and development activities for at least 12 months. We have not currently identified any specific use for the license fee or royalty payments, if any, that we may receive from Videocon and any such payments will be available for general corporate purposes or such other uses as our management may determine. Pending their use, any payments received from Videocon will be invested in short-term, interest-bearing securities. However, our projections of future cash needs and cash flows may differ from actual results. If current cash and cash that may be generated from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell debt or equity securities or to obtain a line of credit. The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our stockholders. It is also management’s intention to 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, 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, we would need to curtail or cease some or all of our operations.
Related Party Transactions with Videocon Industries Limited
In November 2007, we entered into a Technology License Agreement (as amended in May 2008, the “License Agreement”) with Videocon Industries Limited, an Indian company (“Videocon”). Under the License Agreement, we provide Videocon with a non-transferable, worldwide license of our technology for thin, flat, low voltage phosphor displays (the “Licensed Technology”), for Videocon (or a Videocon Group company) to produce and market products, including TVs, incorporating displays utilizing the Licensed Technology. Under the terms of the 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 continued until August 2010, and an agreed upon royalty from Videocon based on display sales by Videocon, which royalty will decrease after a specified sales level and time period are reached and may increase under other certain circumstances as a result of significant improvements in the Licensed Technology, as defined in the License Agreement. In April 2008, the Indian Government approved the License Agreement.
In May 2008, we received the first installment of the license fee of $2,000,000. In March 2009, we agreed to defer license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 and we separately agreed to reimburse Videocon $250,000 for engineering services related to improved versions of our display technology, which amount was offset against amounts due from Videocon in lieu of a cash payment. In June 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $250,000, which was due during the quarter ended April 30, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In August 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $100,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In January 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. In March 2010, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended January 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In June 2010, we agreed to continue the deferral of the license fee payments from Videocon on the condition that in July 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in August 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. As of July, 2010, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $2.9 million. In August 2010, we received an additional license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In September 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 on the condition that in November 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in December 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. While not contemplated or required by the terms of the License Agreement, after discussions with Videocon, we agreed to the payment deferrals in light of our joint decision to jointly develop improved versions of our 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 total amount of the payments did not change and Videocon’s obligation to make such payments continues to be subject only to CopyTele’s limited performance requirements described below 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. Videocon’s obligations with respect to the pre-production phase, and CopyTele’s assistance, under the License Agreement remain unaffected. We presently anticipate that ongoing improvements to our display technology will likely result in future modifications of the timing of payments from Videocon, which payments were originally payable in installments over a 27 month period ending in August 2010, that would materially affect in which future periods revenues from Videocon are recognized. While Videocon’s obligation with respect to the balance of the license fee remains in effect, we cannot presently estimate specific future payments dates for the remaining $7.8 million of license fee payments.
We are working with Videocon to implement our technology into production display modules. Under the License Agreement, Videocon, with our assistance, is to provide the design and process engineering required to produce such display modules and also provide all tooling and fixtures required for the production process. The display modules consist of our low voltage phosphor displays, the attached associated driver circuits, and controller circuits. Under the terms of the License Agreement, we are disclosing to Videocon the Licensed Technology, including any improvements, providing documentation and training of Videocon personnel, and cooperating with Videocon to jointly implement our technology prior to production to produce prototypes of such modules. In connection with our performance requirements under the License Agreement, we are providing technical information to Videocon, so they can understand the design and fabrication processes involved in our display technology. This includes providing the design and fabrication processes of the display components, such as the matrix which contains the structure to accommodate our electron emission technology and the color phosphors that are used to illuminate our displays. Other components and fabrication processes include the design details of the electron emission system materials and specifications, the methods, materials and processes required to obtain a vacuum for our display operation and the methods and electronics involved to operate, test, and evaluate the performance of the display. The display technology improvements are aimed at reducing the power, increasing the reliability, lowering fabrication cost and to also accommodate higher resolution (higher pixel density) and higher contrast. We are using the assistance of Volga Svet Ltd., a Russian corporation (“Volga”) and an Asian company to implement these improvements. Improvements to the technology are to be jointly owned by CopyTele and Videocon. We and Videocon are jointly cooperating to seek additional business opportunities for our display technology, including additional licensees to incorporate and produce our display technology.
The arrangement with Videocon also provides for each of the parties to designate an advisor to the other party’s Board of Directors. The purpose of the advisor to the Board of Directors is to provide knowledge to the Board of the display market and to apprise the Board of developments in this market. CopyTele believes this designation to be inconsequential to the operation of the License Agreement.
Under the License Agreement we continue to have the right to produce and market products utilizing the Licensed Technology. We also continue to have the right to utilize Volga, with whom we have been working with for more than thirteen years, and the Asian company, with whom we have been working with for more than seven years, to produce and market, products utilizing the Licensed Technology. Additional licenses of the Licensed Technology to third parties require the joint agreement of CopyTele and Videocon.
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, which was valued based on the actively traded market price of our common stock. The purchase of the CopyTele Shares pursuant to the Share Subscription Agreement closed in November 2007.
Also in November 2007, our wholly-owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary, CopyTele International, entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement, as amended (the “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”), acquired by Global on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000. The price of the Videocon global depository receipts on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange is based on the underlying price of Videocon’s equity shares which are traded on stock exchanges in India with prices quoted in rupees. The purchase of the Videocon GDRs pursuant to the Purchase Agreement closed in December 2007. See Note 4 “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information.
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 term of seven years and do not bear interest. Prepayment of each loan requires payment of a premium by the borrower and, in any event, the lien on the Securities securing the prepaid loan will not be released until the seventh anniversary of the closing of the loans and the prepaid amount would be held in escrow until such date. The loan agreements required the parties to enter into an escrow agreement under which the parties deposited the Securities with an escrow agent for the term of the loans. The loan agreements also provide for customary events of default which may result in forfeiture of the Securities by the defaulting party. The loan and escrow agreements 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 received by the escrow agent in respect of the Securities. The closing of the loans took place in December 2007. 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.
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 “Multiple-Element Arrangements” to determine whether multiple deliverables in our arrangement with Videocon represent separate units of accounting. Under the License Agreement, CopyTele is required to: (a) disclose to Videocon the Licensed Technology and provide reasonable training of Videocon personnel; (b) jointly cooperate with Videocon to produce prototypes prior to production; and (c) assist Videocon in preparing for production. CopyTele has determined that these performance obligations do not have value to Videocon on a standalone basis, as defined in such accounting guidance, and accordingly they do not represent separate units of accounting.
We have established objective and reasonable evidence of fair value for the royalty to be earned during the production period based on analysis of the pricing for similar agreements. Accordingly, we have determined that the license fee of $11 million to be paid during the pre-production period and royalties on product sales reflects the established fair value for these deliverables. We will recognize the $11 million license fee over the estimated period that we expect to provide cooperation and assistance, limiting the revenue recognized on a cumulative basis to the aggregate license fee payments received from Videocon. We will assess at each reporting period the progress and assistance provided and will continue to evaluate the period during which this fee will be recognized. On this basis, we have recognized license fee revenue for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of $300,000 and approximately $813,000, respectively, and for the three-months period ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of $-0- and $250,000, respectively.
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, non-employee directors and consultants.
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 non-employee directors, of approximately $535,000 and $660,000, during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and approximately $96,000 and $259,000, during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Compensation expense related to stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors 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 the stock-based compensation cost related to stock options granted to employees and directors, recorded during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $18,000 and $32,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $6,000 and $7,000, respectively, of expense related to the amortization of compensation cost for stock options granted in prior periods but not yet vested. As of July 31, 2010, there was approximately $6,000 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 also account for stock options granted to consultants using the accounting guidance under ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees”. 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 nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $6,000 and $10,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of $-0- approximately and $3,000, 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 July 31, 2010, there was no such 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, we take a weighted average of the assumptions used for each of these groups. Stock options we granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 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 nine and three months ended July 31, 2010 and 2009.
|
|
For the Nine Months
Ended July 31,
|
|
|
For the Three Months
Ended July 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value at grant date
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
Valuation assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected term ( years)
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
106 |
% |
|
|
103 |
% |
|
|
96 |
% |
|
|
110 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
.70 |
% |
|
|
.87 |
% |
|
|
.58 |
% |
|
|
.94 |
% |
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 exercise data is used for awards already 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 in future periods, the compensation expense that we record under ASC 718 may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period.
Stock Option Activity
During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we granted options to purchase 2,460,000 shares and 4,160,000 shares, respectively, to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of common stock at weighted average exercise prices of $0.41 and $0.30 per share, respectively, pursuant to the CopyTele, Inc. 2003 Share Incentive Plan (the "2003 Share Plan") and the CopyTele, Inc. 2010 Share Incentive Plan (the "2010 Share Plan. During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, stock options to purchase 2,515,000 shares and 4,150,000 shares, respectively, of common stock were exercised with aggregate proceeds of approximately $1,050,000 and $1,248,000, respectively.
Stock Option Plans
As of July 31, 2010, we have three stock option plans: the CopyTele, Inc. 2000 Share Incentive Plan ("2000 Share Plan "), the 2003 Share Plan, and the 2010 Share Plan, which were adopted by our Board of Directors on May 8, 2000, April 21, 2003 and July 14, 2010, respectively.
During the quarter ended July 31, 2010, the remaining outstanding stock options granted under the CopyTele, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan (the “1993 Plan”) expired. Upon approval of the 2000 Share Plan by our shareholders in July 2000, the 1993 Plan was terminated with respect to the grant of future options. The exercise price with respect to all of the stock options granted under the plan, since its inception, was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. Information regarding the 1993 Plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding at October 31, 2009
|
|
|
686,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
(686,000 |
) |
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at
July 31, 2010
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
In accordance with the provisions of the 2000 Plan, the plan terminated with respect to the grant of future options on May 8, 2010. The exercise price with respect to all of the stock options granted under the plan, since its inception, was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. Information regarding the 2000 Share Plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding at October 31, 2009
|
|
|
1,572,466 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(30,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at
July 31, 2010
|
|
|
1,542,466 |
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding under the 2000 Share Plan as of July 31, 2010:
Options Outstanding and Exercisable
|
Range of
Exercise Prices
|
Number
Outstanding
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
|
$0.40
|
215,000
|
1.14
|
$0.40
|
$0.69
|
505,466
|
0.42
|
$0.69
|
$0.94 - $1.09
|
822,000
|
0.17
|
$1.06
|
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 plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines the option price, term and provisions of each option. The exercise price with respect to all of the options granted under the plan since its inception was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. As of July 31, 2010, the 2003 Share Plan had 343,376 shares available for future grants. Information regarding the 2003 Share Plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding at October 31, 2009
|
|
|
18,252,045 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,610,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.51 |
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(1,635,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
(55,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding at July 31, 2010
|
|
|
18,172,045 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
Options Exercisable at July 31, 2010
|
|
|
18,112,045 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding under the 2003 Share Plan as of July 31, 2010:
|
Options Outstanding |
|
Stock Options Exercisable
|
|
Range of
Exercise
Prices
|
Number
Outstanding
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
Number
Exercisable
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.25 - $0.65
|
5,220,970
|
4.54
|
$0.54
|
|
5,160,970
|
4.54
|
$0.54
|
|
$0.68 - $0.84
|
5,156,075
|
6.07
|
$0.79
|
|
5,156,075
|
6.07
|
$0.79
|
|
$0.86 - $1.46
|
7,795,000
|
6.42
|
$0.97
|
|
7,795,000
|
6.42
|
$0.97
|
|
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 is 15,000,000 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 plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines the option price, term and provisions of each option. The exercise price with respect to the options granted under the plan was equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the grant date. As of July 31, 2010, the 2010 Share Plan had 14,150,000 shares available for future grants. Information regarding the 2010 Share Plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding at October 31, 2009
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
850,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(850,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at
July 31, 2010
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
$ |
-0-
|
|
Stock Grants
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. During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we issued 3,467,425 shares and 5,017,790 shares, respectively, of common stock to certain employees for services rendered, principally in lieu of cash compensation, pursuant to the 2003 Share Plan. We recorded compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $1,392,000 and $1,621,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $398,000 and $449,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to employees. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we issued 117,285 shares and 152,325 shares, respectively, of common stock to consultants for services rendered pursuant to the 2003 Share Plan. We recorded consulting expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $53,000 and $47,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $11,000 and $12,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to 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. During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, one customer in the Display Technology Segment represented 72% of total net revenue and one customer in the Encryption Products and Services Segment represented 14% of total net revenue. During the nine months ended July 31, 2009, one customer in the Display Technology Segment represented 87% of total net revenue. At July 31, 2010, two customers in the Encryption Products and Services Segment represented 38% and 62% of account receivable. At October 31, 2009, one customer in the Encryption Products and Services Segment represented 100% of net accounts receivable.
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, 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 (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities and most U.S. Government and agency securities).
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. We do not currently have any Level 2 financial assets.
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 carrying value of our financial assets approximates their individual fair value. As of July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009 our financial assets (all level 1 measurements) consist of the following:
|
|
Fair Value as of
|
|
|
|
July 31,
2010
|
|
|
October 31,
2009
|
|
Money market funds – Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
14,025 |
|
|
$ |
698,834 |
|
U.S. government securities – Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,049,970 |
|
|
|
699,909 |
|
U.S. government securities – Short-term investments
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
749,942 |
|
Videocon Industries Limited global depository receipts
|
|
|
6,804,599 |
|
|
|
7,105,264 |
|
Digital Info Security Co. Inc. common stock
|
|
|
149,251 |
|
|
|
198,030 |
|
Total financial assets
|
|
$ |
8,017,845 |
|
|
$ |
9,451,979 |
|
Our non financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a non-recurring basis include our investment in Volga, and Property and Equipment. These assets are measured using fair value techniques whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a condition of impairment exists. The estimated fair value of receivables (other than the loan receivable), 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.
5. INVESTMENTS
Short-term Investments
At July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, we had marketable securities consisting of U.S. government securities in the amount of $-0- and approximately $750,000, respectively, that were classified as “held–to-maturity securities” and were carried at amortized costs. The length of time until maturity of held-to-maturity securities at October 31, 2009, was less than twelve months and the estimated fair value approximated amortized cost; therefore, there were no significant unrecognized holding gains or losses.
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 was determined using the specific identification method. The fair value of the Videocon GDRs is based on the price 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 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 cost basis of the investment, a write-down accounted for as a realized loss should be recorded. We assess at each reporting period 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, 2009, although we noted that the fair value had increased to approximately $7,105,000 as of that date, we determined that based on both the duration and the continuing magnitude of the market price decline compared to the original cost basis of $16,200,000 and the uncertainty of its recovery, a write-down of the investment should be recorded as of October 31, 2009 and a new cost basis of $7,105,264 should be established.
The fair value of our investment in Videocon as of July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, and unrealized loss during the nine month period ended July 31, 2010, are as follows:
|
|
Investment in Videocon
|
|
Fair Value as of October 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
7,105,264 |
|
Unrealized loss
|
|
|
(300,665 |
) |
Fair Value as of July 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
6,804,599 |
|
Investment in Digital Info Security Co. Inc.
Our investment in Digital Info Security Co. Inc. (“DISC”) 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 was determined using the specific identification method. We assess at each reporting period our investment in DISC to determine if a decline that is other than temporary has occurred. In evaluating our investment in DISC at October 31, 2009 we determined that, due to the decline in market value and the uncertainty of its recoverability, an other than temporary impairment of the investment of approximately $124,000 should be recorded as of October 31, 2009 and a new cost basis of $198,030 should be established.
The fair value of our investment in DISC as of July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, and the cost basis of common stock sold and unrealized loss, during the nine month period ended July 31, 2010, are as follows:
|
|
Investment in
DISC
|
|
Fair Value as of October 31, 2009
|
|
$ |
198,030 |
|
DISC common stock sold
|
|
|
(41,316 |
) |
Unrealized loss
|
|
|
( 7,463 |
) |
Fair Value as of July 31, 2010
|
|
$ |
149,251 |
|
During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, we received proceeds of approximately $47,000 on the sale of 1,967,430 shares of the 9,430,000 shares of DISC common stock we held at October 31, 2009, and recorded a net gain on such sales of approximately $5,000. During the three months ended July 31, 2010, we received proceeds of approximately $18,000 on the sale of 930,630 shares of DISC common stock and recorded a loss on such sale of approximately $2,000.
Investment in Volga-Svet, Ltd
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 July 31, 2010, we have not identified any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.
6. INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following as of:
|
|
July 31,
2010
|
|
|
October 31,
2009
|
|
Component parts
|
|
$ |
17,751 |
|
|
$ |
45,969 |
|
Finished products
|
|
|
41,473 |
|
|
|
86,719 |
|
|
|
$ |
59,224 |
|
|
$ |
132,688 |
|
7. 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 nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, were stock options to purchase 19,714,511 shares and 18,485,511 shares, respectively, and for the nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2010, warrants to purchase 500,000 shares.
8. EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, which requires additional fair value disclosures. This guidance requires reporting entities to disclose transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and requires gross presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation of the three-tier fair value hierarchy. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements related to Level 3 activity. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the provisions on the guidance on transfers between Levels 1 and 2 effective with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended April 30, 2010. The guidance on Level 3 activity is effective for our fiscal year beginning November 1, 2011. As this guidance is only disclosure related, it will not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09 regarding subsequent events disclosure. This guidance clarifies that an entity that is a SEC filer is not required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This guidance was effective upon issuance, and we adopted the provisions effective with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended January 31, 2010.
In February 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that permitted the delayed application of fair value measurement guidance for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis. This new guidance was effective beginning with our first quarter of fiscal year 2010. Refer to footnote number 4, “Fair Value Measurements” for the additional disclosures required under this guidance. The adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have any impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
9. 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, 1995. We account for interest and penalties related to income tax matters in selling, general and administrative expenses. There are no unrecognized benefits as of July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009.
10. 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 nine-month and three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009:
Segment Data
|
|
Display
Technology
|
|
|
Encryption Products and
Services
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended July 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
119,425 |
|
|
$ |
419,425 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(2,057,001 |
) |
|
|
(1,991,200 |
) |
|
|
(4,048,201 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended July 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue
|
|
$ |
865,332 |
|
|
|
71,305 |
|
|
$ |
936,637 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(1,476,301 |
) |
|
|
(2,428,324 |
) |
|
|
(3,904,625 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Data
|
|
Display
Technology
|
|
|
Encryption Products and
Services
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended July 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
58,030 |
|
|
$ |
58,030 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(821,323 |
) |
|
|
(448,810 |
) |
|
|
(1,270,133 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended July 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
|
49,765 |
|
|
$ |
299,765 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(472,659 |
) |
|
|
(713,105 |
) |
|
|
(1,185,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11. 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.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
GENERAL
Our principal operations include the development, production and marketing of thin, flat, low-voltage phosphor display technology, the development of thin, flat, low-power passive display technologies and the development, production and marketing of multi-functional encryption products that provide information security for domestic and international users over virtually every communications media.
We have developed an innovative new type of flat panel low-voltage phosphor display technology, which is brighter, has higher contrast and consumes less power than our prior display technology. This new proprietary display is a color phosphor based display having a unique lower voltage electron emission system to excite the color phosphors. As with our prior display technology, the new technology emits light to display color images, such as movies from DVD players. In addition, we are also developing another version of our new type low voltage and low power display having a different matrix configuration and phosphor excitation system. These new type of displays are expected to be lower in cost than our prior displays.
In November 2007, we entered into a Technology License Agreement (as amended in May 2008, the “License Agreement”) with Videocon Industries Limited, an Indian company (“Videocon”). Under the License Agreement, we provide Videocon with a non-transferable, worldwide license of our technology for thin, flat, low voltage phosphor displays (the “Licensed Technology”), for Videocon (or a Videocon Group company) to produce and market products, including TVs, incorporating displays utilizing the Licensed Technology. Under the terms of the 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 continued until August 2010, and an agreed upon royalty from Videocon based on display sales by Videocon, which royalty will decrease after a specified sales level and time period are reached and may increase under other certain circumstances as a result of significant improvements in the Licensed Technology, as defined in the License Agreement. In April 2008, the Indian Government approved the License Agreement.
Videocon is the flagship company of the Videocon Group, one of India’s leading business houses. Videocon Group is a fully integrated consumer electronics and home appliances enterprise with backward integration in plasma panel, CRT glass, color picture tubes and other key components for the consumer electronics, home appliances and components industries. Videocon Group also operates in the oil & gas sector. The Videocon Group has sales and service networks throughout India and operates facilities in Europe and elsewhere in the world
In May 2008, we received the first installment of the license fee of $2,000,000. In March 2009, we agreed to defer license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 and we separately agreed to reimburse Videocon $250,000 for engineering services related to improved versions of our display technology, which amount was offset against amounts due from Videocon in lieu of a cash payment. In June 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $250,000, which was due during the quarter ended April 30, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In August 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $100,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In January 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. In March 2010, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended January 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In June 2010, we agreed to continue the deferral of the license fee payments from Videocon on the condition that in July 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in August 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. As of July, 2010, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $2.9 million. In August 2010, we received an additional license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In September 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 on the condition that in November 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in December 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. While not contemplated or required by the terms of the License Agreement, after discussions with Videocon, we agreed to the payment deferrals in light of our joint decision to jointly develop improved versions of our 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 total amount of the payments did not change and Videocon’s obligation to make such payments continues to be subject only to CopyTele’s limited performance requirements described below 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. Videocon’s obligations with respect to the pre-production phase, and CopyTele’s assistance, under the License Agreement remain unaffected. We presently anticipate that ongoing improvements to our display technology will likely result in future modifications of the timing of payments from Videocon, which payments were originally payable in installments over a 27 month period ending in August 2010, that would materially affect in which future periods revenues from Videocon are recognized. While Videocon’s obligation with respect to the balance of the license fee remains in effect, we cannot presently estimate specific future payments dates for the remaining $7.8 million of license fee payments.
We are working with Videocon to implement our technology into production display modules. Under the License Agreement, Videocon, with our assistance, is to provide the design and process engineering required to produce such display modules and also provide all tooling and fixtures required for the production process. The display modules consist of our low voltage phosphor displays, the attached associated driver circuits, and controller circuits. Under the terms of the License Agreement, we are disclosing to Videocon the Licensed Technology, including any improvements, providing documentation and training of Videocon personnel, and cooperating with Videocon to jointly implement our technology prior to production to produce prototypes of such modules. In connection with our performance requirements under the License Agreement, we are providing technical information to Videocon, so they can understand the design and fabrication processes involved in our display technology. This includes providing the design and fabrication processes of the display components, such as the matrix which contains the structure to accommodate our electron emission technology and the color phosphors that are used to illuminate our displays. Other components and fabrication processes include the design details of the electron emission system materials and specifications, the methods, materials and processes required to obtain a vacuum for our display operation and the methods and electronics involved to operate, test, and evaluate the performance of the display. The display technology improvements are aimed at reducing the power, increasing the reliability, lowering fabrication cost and to also accommodate higher resolution (higher pixel density) and higher contrast. We are using the assistance of Volga Svet Ltd., a Russian corporation (“Volga”) and an Asian company to implement these improvements. Improvements to the technology are to be jointly owned by CopyTele and Videocon. We and Videocon are jointly cooperating to seek additional business opportunities for our display technology, including additional licensees to incorporate and produce our display technology.
Under the License Agreement we continue to have the right to produce and market products utilizing the Licensed Technology. We also continue to have the right to utilize Volga, with whom we have been working with for more than thirteen years, and the Asian company, with whom we have been working with for more than seven years, to produce and market, products utilizing the Licensed Technology. Additional licenses of the Licensed Technology to third parties require the joint agreement of CopyTele and Videocon.
In connection with the License Agreement, Videocon and CopyTele each have the right to appoint one senior advisor to the other’s board of directors for the term of the license granted under the License Agreement. Such appointments are limited to advise with respect to strategic planning and technology in the display field and do not grant either such senior advisor any rights with respect to involvement in the overall management or operations of the Company. While Videocon and CopyTele have made such appointments and the senior advisors from each of the companies are in communications with each other with respect to strategic planning and technology in the display field, the senior advisors have not had any interactions with the other’s board of directors and do not and have not attended any board of director meetings. Such senior advisors do not presently intend to have any interactions with the other’s board of directors in the future.
At the same time as we entered into the original License Agreement with Videocon, 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, which was valued based on the actively traded market price of our common stock. The purchase of the CopyTele Shares pursuant to the Share Subscription Agreement closed in November 2007. Also in November 2007, our wholly-owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary, CopyTele International Ltd. (“CopyTele International”), entered into a GDR Purchase Agreement, as amended (the “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”), acquired by Global on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $16,200,000. The price of the Videocon global depository receipts on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange is based on the underlying price of Videocon’s equity shares which are traded on stock exchanges in India with prices quoted in rupees. The purchase of the Videocon GDRs pursuant to the Purchase Agreement closed in December 2007. 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 term of seven years and do not bear interest. See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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. See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our sale of the CopyTele Shares to Mars Overseas and our purchase of the Videocon GDRs had the combined effect, as of the date of closing, of increasing (a) our net assets by $11 million, as our $16 million investment in Videocon GDRs (at market value at the time of the investment was made) was offset by our $5 million loan payable to related party (Mars Overseas) and (b) our shareholders’ equity by approximately $11 million, as the $16 million of proceeds received from the sale of our common stock to Mars Oversea was offset by the $5 million receivable from a related party (Mars Overseas). We carry our investment in the Videocon GDRs, at fair value, based on the price 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. Based upon the duration and the continuing magnitude of the market price decline in Videocon’s equity shares, we recorded a write-down of this investment of approximately $9,095,000 which reduced the carrying value of the Videocon GDRs to approximately $7,105,000 as of October 31, 2009. As of July 31, 2010, the fair value of the Videocon GDRs was approximately $6,805,000. We can give no assurance that we will not record an additional impairment charge or what value, if any that we will realize from the sale of the Videocon GDRs should we choose to sell the Videocon GDR when the seven year lock-up expires. However, as we used the proceeds received from the sale of our shares to Mars Overseas to acquire the Videocon GDRs, such transaction did not have an effect on our liquidity or cash resources. In addition, the primary purpose of the transaction was to establish cross-equity ownership with the entities with whom we do business, which our management believes is an effective tool to foster collaboration and to allow our Company to benefit economically should the entities with whom we do business be successful in commercializing our products.
Our 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 10,000 times thinner than the width of a human hair. Our display technology and 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 from 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 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.
The display development improvements are aimed at reducing the display power, increasing the reliability and lowering fabrication cost, and also achieving higher pixel density and higher contrast. These improvements still emit electrons from a propriety mixture of specially coated carbon nanotubes and nano materials but the color pixels have a higher field factor which reduces the power requirement, increases contrast, increases pixel density and potentially increases yield. Furthermore, the display still utilizes voltages of less than 40 volts.
We believe our displays could potentially have a cost similar to a CRT (cathode rat tube) and thus cost less than current LCD (liquid crystal display) or PDP (plasma) displays, partly because our display does not contain a backlight, or color filter or polarizer, which represent a substantial portion of the cost of an LCD.
In August 2009, we entered into a 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. This company has experience in the field involving portions of our display technology. Our proprietary extremely low power display that we are developing, in conjunction with this U.S. company, incorporates a new micro-matrix substrate. Our display is designed to have bi-stability capability, and uses low power when an image is being created. Once an image is created, power consumption is negligible. Our display is expected to have both monochrome and or color capability, and operate over wide temperature and environmental conditions. We have jointly updated our display designs to improve its speed of response and contrast. We have performed design simulations to verify its performance. We are jointly seeking business opportunities, with the assistance of Videocon, for this technology including licensees to produce our display technology
With the arrival of the rapidly expanding digital book and news media applications, 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 (E-Paper®). ZQX has an experienced business and legal team to assist us in this area. Concurrently with entering into the Engagement Agreement, we acquired a 19.5% ownership interest in ZQX in exchange for 800,000 unregistered shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 500,000 unregistered shares of our common stock, of which warrants to purchase 250,000 shares are exercisable at $0.37 per share and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares are exercisable at $0.555 per share. The warrants expire in August 2019. We are continuing to work with ZQX and are jointly evaluating our E-Paper® patent position and are seeking value for our E-Paper® technologies, including licensing.
In September 2009, we entered into a Technology License Agreement with Volga to produce and market our thin, flat, low voltage phosphor displays in Russia. We have been working with Volga for the past 13 years to assist us with our low voltage phosphor displays. As part of our Technology License Agreement with Volga, Volga is required to purchase from us the matrix substrate, carbon nanotubes, and associated display electronics from us, for any production of the licensed displays. In addition, in September 2009, we entered into a separate agreement with Volga whereby we have obtained a 19.9% ownership interest in Volga in exchange for 150,000 unregistered shares of our common stock.
We continue to pursue opportunities to market our voice, fax and data encryption solutions in commercial and government markets. We have designed and developed a line of products that provide flexible security performance, whether using many of the satellite phones or docking units on the market, while having the ability of using the same or compatible device on cellular and landline telephones.
We are marketing our new DCS-1400i voice encryption product for use on the new Iridium satellite phone as well as compliant USB cellular devices, offering greater compatibility with phones that are currently in the marketplace.
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 stock options. Since 1999 we have also generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products and services. We are continuing to direct our encryption marketing efforts to opportunities in both the commercial and government security markets and have recently uncovered new opportunities to market products to Middle Eastern and Far Eastern governments to secure voice and fax communications. In addition, in fiscal year 2008, we entered into the License Agreement with Videocon and in May 2008, we began receiving from Videocon license fees related to our display technology.
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 polices, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues 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 “Multiple-Element Arrangements” to determine whether multiple deliverables in our arrangement with Videocon represent separate units of accounting. Under the License Agreement, CopyTele is required to: (a) disclose to Videocon the Licensed Technology and provide reasonable training of Videocon personnel; (b) jointly cooperate with Videocon to produce prototypes prior to production; and (c) assist Videocon in preparing for production. CopyTele has determined that these performance obligations do not have value to Videocon on a standalone basis, as defined in such accounting guidance, and accordingly they do not represent separate units of accounting.
We have established objective and reasonable evidence of fair value for the royalty to be earned during the production period based on analysis of the pricing for similar agreements. Accordingly, we have determined that the license fee of $11 million to be paid during the pre-production period and royalties on product sales reflects the established fair value for these deliverables. We will recognize the $11 million license fee over the estimated period that we expect to provide cooperation and assistance, limiting the revenue recognized on a cumulative basis to the aggregate license fee payments received from Videocon. We will assess at each reporting period the progress and assistance provided and will continue to evaluate the period during which this fee will be recognized. On this basis, we have recognized license fee revenue during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of $300,000 and approximately $813,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of $-0- and $250,000, respectively.
Investment Securities
We classify our investment securities in one of two categories: available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are recorded 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. Held-to-maturity securities, which are investment securities that the company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity, are carried at amortized cost. The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded on the level yield (interest) method, over the period from the date of purchase to maturity. When sales do occur, gains and losses are recognized at the time of sale and the determination of cost of securities sold is based upon the specific identification method. 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 2009, we determined that there was an other than temporary impairment in both our Videocon and DISC investments. See Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion, 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.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, including material, labor and overhead, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or market, which represents our best estimate of market value. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand, particularly finished goods, and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on forecasts of future product demand. To date, sales of our products have been limited. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that we will not be required to reduce the selling price of our inventory below our current carrying value in the future.
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 non-employee directors, of approximately $535,000 and $660,000 during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and approximately $96,000 and $259,000 during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, 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 nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $6,000 and $10,000, respectively, and during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of $-0- and approximately $3,000, respectively.
We account for stock grants to employees and consultants based on their grant date fair value, in accordance with ASC 718. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, of approximately $1,392,000 and $1,621,000, respectively, and for three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, approximately $398,000 and $449,000, respectively, for the shares of common stock issued to employees, principally in lieu of cash compensation. In addition, we recorded consulting expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $53,000 and $47,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $11,000 and $12,000, 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 515-50 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
Nine months ended July 31, 2010 compared with nine months ended July 31, 2009
Net Revenue
Net revenue decreased by approximately $518,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $419,000, as compared to approximately $937,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Revenue during the current period from display technology license fees related to the License Agreement with Videocon decreased by approximately $513,000 to $300,000, as compared to approximately $813,000 in the comparable prior-year period. See “- General” above in this Item 2. Revenue from display technology engineering services decreased from $52,000 in the comparable prior-year period to none in the current year period. The revenue from display technology engineering services resulted from engineering services billed to Volga for a specific engineering effort. No such engineering services were performed in the current period. Revenue from sales of encryption products increased by approximately $48,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $119,000, as compared to approximately $71,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Our encryption revenue has been limited and is sensitive to individual large transactions.
Cost of Encryption Products Sold
The cost of encryption products sold increased by approximately $35,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $75,000, as compared to approximately $40,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The cost of encryption products sold in the nine months ended July 31, 2010 includes a provision for excess inventory of approximately $40,000, as compared to approximately $20,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The cost of encryption products shipped in the current period increased to approximately $34,000, as compared to approximately $20,000 in the comparable prior-year period, due to an increase in unit shipments of encryption products and shipments in the prior period including units which had been reserved for as excess inventory and therefore had a cost basis of zero.
Cost of Display Engineering Services
The cost of display engineering services decreased to none in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, as compared to approximately $18,000 in the comparable prior year period, as there was no revenue from display engineering services in the current year period.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased by approximately $313,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $2,220,000, from approximately $2,533,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in research and development expenses was principally due to a decrease in outside research and development costs of approximately $260,000, which primarily resulted from engineering services performed by Videocon in the prior period related to improved versions of our display, a decrease in employee stock option compensation expense of approximately $63,000, a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $46,000, a decrease in travel expense of approximately $46,000 and a decrease in engineering supplies of approximately $34,000, offset by an increase in patent-related expenses of approximately $71,000 and an increase in outside engineering services of approximately $39,000.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $50,000 to approximately $2,246,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, from approximately $2,296,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was principally due to a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $103,000, a decrease in employee stock option compensation expense of approximately $62,000 and a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $43,000, offset by an increase in legal and auditing fees of approximately $93,000 and an increase in travel expense of approximately $38,000.
Dividend Income
Dividend income, which we received in connection with the Videocon GDRs we acquired in December 2007, increased by approximately $39,000 to approximately $68,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, compared to approximately $29,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The increase in dividend income was due to an increase in the dividend rate paid by Videocon.
Interest Income
Interest income was approximately $5,000 in the nine months ended July 31, 2010, compared to approximately $16,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in interest income was primarily the result of a reduction in short term interest rates.
Three months ended July 31, 2010 compared with three months ended July 31, 2009
Net Revenue
Net revenue decreased by approximately $242,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $58,000, as compared to approximately $300,000 in the comparable prior-year period. We had no net revenues during the current period from display technology license fees related to the License Agreement with Videocon, as compared to $250,000 in the comparable prior-year period. See “- General” above in this Item 2. Revenue from sales of encryption products increased by approximately $8,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $58,000, as compared to approximately $50,000 in the comparable prior-year period. Our encryption revenue has been limited and is sensitive to individual large transactions.
Cost of Encryption Products Sold
The cost of encryption products sold decreased by approximately $1,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $34,000, as compared to approximately $35,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The cost of encryption products sold in the three months ended July 31, 2010 includes a provision for excess inventory of approximately $16,000, as compared to approximately $20,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The cost of encryption products shipped in the current period increased to approximately $18,000, as compared to approximately $15,000 in the comparable prior-year period, due to an increase in unit shipments of encryption products.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased by approximately $24,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, to approximately $673,000 from approximately $649,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The increase in research and development expenses was principally due to an increase in patent-related expenses of approximately $68,000 and an increase in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $25,000, offset by a decrease in employee stock option compensation expense of approximately $62,000 and a decrease in engineering supplies of approximately $26,000.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $185,000 to approximately $621,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, from approximately $806,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was principally due to a decrease in employee stock option compensation expense of approximately $101,000, a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $103,000 and a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option expense, of approximately $31,000, offset by an increase in legal and auditing fees of approximately $63,000.
Interest Income
Interest income was less than $1,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2010, compared to approximately $5,000 in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease is due to a reduction in prevailing interest rates.
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, in private placements, upon exercise of warrants issued in connection with the private placements and initial public offering, and upon the exercise of stock options. In addition, commencing in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, we have generated limited cash flows from sales of our encryption products and in May 2008, we began receiving license fees related to our display technology from Videocon pursuant to the License Agreement.
During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, our cash used in operating activities was approximately $1,889,000. This resulted from payments to suppliers, employees and consultants of approximately $2,381,000, which was offset by cash of approximately $116,000 received from collections of accounts receivable related to sales of encryption products, $300,000 received from display technology licensing fee, approximately $68,000 of dividend income received and approximately $9,000 of interest income received. Our cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was approximately $797,000, which resulted from purchases of short-term investments consisting of U.S. government securities of approximately $750,000, offset by $1,500,000 received upon maturities of short-term investments consisting of U.S. government securities and approximately $47,000 received upon the sale of Digital Info Security Co. Inc. common stock. Our cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2010 was approximately $1,049,000, which resulted from cash received upon the exercise of stock options. As a result, our cash, cash equivalents, and investments in U.S. government securities at July 31, 2010 decreased to approximately $1,409,000 from approximately $2,201,000 at October 31, 2009.
Net accounts receivable increased by approximately $4,000 from approximately $1,000 at October 31, 2009, to approximately $5,000 at July 31, 2010, as a result of the timing of receipts. Inventories decreased by approximately $74,000 from approximately $133,000 at October 31, 2009 to approximately $59,000 at July 31, 2010, as a result of the timing of shipments and production schedules and a provision for excess inventory of approximately $40,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 2010. Investment in Videocon is recorded at fair value and decreased to approximately $6,805,000 at July 31, 2010 from approximately $7,105,000 at October 31, 2009, as a result of a decrease in the price of Videocon’s GDRs which are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Investment in DISC is recorded at fair value and decreased to approximately $149,000 at July 31, 2010 from approximately $198,000 at October 31, 2009, as a result of a reduction in the price of DISC common shares, which are traded on the over the counter market (and quoted on the Pink Sheets), and our sale of 1,967,430 shares of the 9,430,000 shares of DISC common stock we held at October 31, 2009. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by approximately $96,000 from approximately $396,000 at October 31, 2009 to approximately $492,000 at July 31, 2010, as a result the timing of payments. Loan payable, which is due in December 2014, remained at $5,000,000 at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009. 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 July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009. The loan payable and loan receivable related to the transactions with Mars Overseas and Global are more fully discussed in “- General” above in this Item 2. As a result of these changes, working capital at July 31, 2010 decreased to approximately $1,036,000 from approximately $2,000,000 at the end of fiscal year 2009.
Our working capital includes inventory of approximately $59,000 at July 31, 2010. Management has recorded our inventory at the lower of cost or our current best estimate of net realizable value. To date, sales of our products have been limited. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that we will not be required to reduce the selling price of our inventory below our current carrying value.
In May 2008, we received the first installment of the license fee of $2,000,000. In March 2009, we agreed to defer license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 and we separately agreed to reimburse Videocon $250,000 for engineering services related to improved versions of our display technology, which amount was offset against amounts due from Videocon in lieu of a cash payment. In June 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $250,000, which was due during the quarter ended April 30, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In August 2009, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $100,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2009 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In January 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. In March 2010, we received a license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended January 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In June 2010, we agreed to continue the deferral of the license fee payments from Videocon on the condition that in July 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in August 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. As of July, 2010, we have received aggregate license fee payments from Videocon of $2.9 million. In August 2010, we received an additional license fee payment from Videocon of $300,000, which was due during the quarter ended July 31, 2010 pursuant to the modified payment terms. In September 2010, we agreed to defer the license fee payments due from Videocon that had been scheduled to be paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 on the condition that in November 2010, Videocon make an additional payment of $300,000, and that in December 2010, Videocon and CopyTele agree upon a mutually acceptable payment schedule for the balance of the license fee payments. While not contemplated or required by the terms of the License Agreement, after discussions with Videocon, we agreed to the payment deferrals in light of our joint decision to jointly develop improved versions of our 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 total amount of the payments did not change and Videocon’s obligation to make such payments continues to be subject only to CopyTele’s limited performance requirements described below 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. Videocon’s obligations with respect to the pre-production phase, and CopyTele’s assistance, under the License Agreement remain unaffected. We presently anticipate that ongoing improvements to our display technology will likely result in future modifications of the timing of payments from Videocon, which payments were originally payable in installments over a 27 month period ending in August 2010, that would materially affect in which future periods revenues from Videocon are recognized. While Videocon’s obligation with respect to the balance of the license fee remains in effect, we cannot presently estimate specific future payments dates for the remaining $7.8 million of license fee payments.
We are working with Videocon to implement our technology into production display modules. Under the License Agreement, Videocon, with our assistance, is to provide the design and process engineering required to produce such display modules and also provide all tooling and fixtures required for the production process. The display modules consist of our low voltage phosphor displays, the attached associated driver circuits, and controller circuits. Under the terms of the License Agreement, we are disclosing to Videocon the Licensed Technology, including any improvements, providing documentation and training of Videocon personnel, and cooperating with Videocon to jointly implement our technology prior to production to produce prototypes of such modules. In connection with our performance requirements under the License Agreement, we are providing technical information to Videocon, so they can understand the design and fabrication processes involved in our display technology. This includes providing the design and fabrication processes of the display components, such as the matrix which contains the structure to accommodate our electron emission technology and the color phosphors that are used to illuminate our displays. Other components and fabrication processes include the design details of the electron emission system materials and specifications, the methods, materials and processes required to obtain a vacuum for our display operation and the methods and electronics involved to operate, test, and evaluate the performance of the display. The display technology improvements are aimed at reducing the power, increasing the reliability, lowering fabrication cost and to also accommodate higher resolution (higher pixel density) and higher contrast. We are using the assistance of Volga Svet Ltd., a Russian corporation (“Volga”) and an Asian company to implement these improvements. Improvements to the technology are to be jointly owned by CopyTele and Videocon. We and Videocon are jointly cooperating to seek additional business opportunities for our display technology, including additional licensees to incorporate and produce our display technology.
Total employee compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $2,597,000 and $2,811,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $720,000 and $889,000, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, a significant portion of employee compensation consisted of the issuance of stock and stock options to employees in lieu of cash compensation. During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we issued 3,467,425 shares and 5,017,790 shares, respectively, of common stock to certain employees for services rendered. We recorded stock-based compensation expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $1,392,000 and $1,621,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $398,000 and $449,000, respectively, for shares of common stock issued to employees. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we granted to employees and directors stock options to purchase 2,450,000 shares and 4,160,000 shares, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, related to stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors, of approximately $535,000 and $660,000, during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and of approximately $96,000 and $259,000, during the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. It is management’s intention to continue to compensate employees and directors by issuing stock or stock options.
During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we issued 117,285 shares and 152,325 shares, respectively, of common stock to non-employee consultants for services rendered. We recorded consulting expense for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $53,000 and $47,000, respectively, and for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $11,000 and $12,000, respectively, for shares of common stock issued to consultants. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, we granted to consultants options to purchase 10,000 shares and -0- shares, respectively. We recorded consulting expense related to the stock options granted to the consultant of approximately $6,000 and $10,000 for the nine-month periods ended July 31 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $-0- and $3,000 for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively. Consulting expense related to stock options in 2009 represented the amortization of compensation cost for stock options granted in prior periods but not yet vested. It is also management’s intention to continue to compensate consultants, when possible, by issuing stock or stock options.
During the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2010 and 2009, stock options to purchase 2,515,000 shares and 4,150,000 shares, respectively, of common stock were exercised with aggregate proceeds of approximately $1,050,000 and $1,248,000, respectively.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with cash flows from expected sales of our encryption products and revenue relating to our thin, flat, low-voltage phosphor display technology, and other potential sources of cash flows, but without regard to the timing or amount of license fees and royalties from Videocon, will be sufficient to enable us to continue our marketing, production, and research and development activities for at least 12 months. We have not currently identified any specific use for the license fee or royalty payments, if any, that we may receive from Videocon and any such payments will be available for general corporate purposes or such other uses as our management may determine. Pending their use, any payments received from Videocon will be invested in short-term, interest-bearing securities. However, our projections of future cash needs and cash flows may differ from actual results. If current cash and cash that may be generated from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell debt or equity securities or to obtain a line of credit. The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our stockholders. It is also management’s intention to 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, 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, we would need to curtail or cease some or all of our operations.
We are seeking to improve our liquidity through increased sales or license of products and technology. In an effort to generate sales, we have marketed our encryption products directly to U.S. and international distributors, dealers and original equipment manufacturers that market our encryption products and to end-users. In fiscal 2008, we entered into the License Agreement with Videocon. As of July 31, 2010, we received aggregate license fee payments of $2,900,000. During the nine months ended July 31, 2010, we have recognized revenue from sales of encryption products of approximately $119,000 and revenue from display technology license fee of $300,000.
The following table presents our expected cash requirements for contractual obligations outstanding as of July 31, 2010:
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
Contractual Obligations
|
|
Less
than
1 year
|
|
|
1-3
years
|
|
|
4-5
years
|
|
|
After
5 years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting Agreement
|
|
$ |
128,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
128,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncancelable Operating Leases
|
|
$ |
303,000 |
|
|
$ |
102,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
405,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured Loan Obligation to Mars Overseas
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
|
|
$ |
431,000 |
|
|
$ |
102,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
5,533,000 |
|
EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer to Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – “Effect of Recent Pronouncements” for discussion regarding the impact of recently adopted accounting standards as well as the impact of accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet effective, on our consolidated financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 Part II, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” below and Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. You should read this discussion and analysis along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009, as amended 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.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
As of July 31, 2010, 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, our rate of return on these securities could be affected at the time of reinvestment, if any.
At July 31, 2010, our investment in Videocon GDRs is recorded at fair value of approximately $6,805,000, including a write-down of approximately $9,095,000 during fiscal year 2009 as a result of an other than temporary impairment and an unrealized loss of approximately $301,000 as of July 31, 2010, and has exposure to price risk. The fair value of the Videocon GDRs is based on the price 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. 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 July 31, 2010 amounts to approximately $680,000.
Our investment in DISC common stock at July 31, 2010 is recorded at fair value of approximately $149,000 including a write-down of approximately $124,000 during fiscal year 2009 as a result of an other than temporary impairment and an unrealized loss of approximately $7,000 as of July 31, 2010, and has exposure to price risk. DISC’s common stock is not registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but is quoted on the Pink Sheets. Accordingly, the fair value of DISC’s common stock is subject to price risk. The potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in price of this investment, as of July 31, 2010 amounts to approximately $15,000.
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 quarter ended July 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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 year ended October 31, 2009, as amended.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. None
Item 5. Other Information. None
Item 6. Exhibits.
10.21 Modification Letter, dated June 7, 2010, from CopyTele, Inc. to Videocon Industries Limited with respect to the Amended and Restated Technology License Agreement, dated May 16, 2008 (filed herewith).
10.21 Modification Letter, dated September 9, 2010, from CopyTele, Inc. to Videocon Industries Limited with respect to the Amended and Restated Technology License Agreement, dated May 16, 2008 (filed herewith).
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated September 14, 2010.
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated September 14, 2010.
32.1 Statement of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated September 14, 2010.
32.2 Statement of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated September 14, 2010.
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.
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COPYTELE, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Denis A. Krusos
|
|
|
Denis A. Krusos |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
September 14, 2010
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
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By: |
/s/ Henry P. Herms
|
|
|
Henry P. Herms |
|
|
Vice President - Finance and |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
September 14, 2010
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
43