See the accompanying notes to the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
See the accompanying notes to the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 1. | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
The Company is a Delaware corporation, incorporated
on July 17, 1987 and has been engaged in the intellectual property monetization business since 2008.
As used herein, “we”, “us”,
“our”, the “Company” refer to Quest Patent Research Corporation and its wholly and majority-owned and controlled
operating subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise. All intellectual property acquisition, development, licensing and enforcement
activities are conducted by the Company’s wholly and majority-owned and controlled operating subsidiaries.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do
not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. All adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring items) necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position have been included. These interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Operating results for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Principles of Consolidation and Financial Statement
Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared
in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and present the consolidated financial statements
of the Company and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries as of March 31, 2023.
The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts and operations of:
Quest Patent Research Corporation
(“The Company”)
Digital IP Advisors Inc. (“DIPA”)
(wholly owned) (formerly Quest Licensing Corporation (NY))
Quest Licensing Corporation
(DE) (“QLC”) (wholly owned)
Quest Packaging Solutions
Corporation (90% owned)
Quest Nettech Corporation
(“NetTech”) (65% owned)
Semcon IP, Inc. (“Semcon”)
(wholly owned)
Mariner IC, Inc. (“Mariner”)
(wholly owned)
IC Kinetics, Inc. (“IC”)
(wholly owned)
CXT Systems, Inc. (“CXT”)
(wholly owned)
Photonic Imaging Solutions
Inc. (“PIS”) (wholly owned)
M-Red Inc. (“M-Red”)
(wholly owned)
Audio Messaging Inc. (“AMI”)
(wholly owned)
Peregrin Licensing LLC (“PLL”)
(wholly owned)
Taasera Licensing LLC (“TLL”)
(wholly owned)
Soundstreak Texas LLC (“STX”)
(wholly owned)
Multimodal Media LLC (“MML”)
(wholly owned)
LS Cloud Storage Technologies,
LLC (“LSC”) (wholly owned)
Tyche Licensing LLC (“Tyche”)
(wholly owned)
Deepwell IP LLC (“DIP”)
(wholly owned)
EDI Licensing LLC (“EDI”)
(wholly owned)
Koyo Licensing LLC (“Koyo”)
(wholly owned)
Harbor Island Dynamic LLC (“HID”)
(wholly owned)
In February 2022, the Company changed the name
of Quest Licensing Corporation to Digital IP Advisors Incorporated.
Significant intercompany transactions and balances
have been eliminated in consolidation.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reverse Split, Change in Authorized Common
Stock
On July 27, 2022, the Company amended its amended
and restated certificate of incorporation. The amendment (i) decreased the number of authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000,000
shares to 30,000,000 shares and (ii) effected a one-for-100 reverse split whereby each share of common stock, par value $0.00003 per share,
became and was converted into 0.01 share of such common stock, with fractional shares being rounded up to the next higher whole number
of shares. All authorized share and share information in these financial statements retroactively reflect the reverse split and change
in authorized common stock.
Use of Estimates
In preparing financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturity
dates of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalents as of March 31, 2023 and December
31, 2022.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, which generally relate to
licensed sales, are presented on the balance sheet net of estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company records an allowance for estimated
uncollectible accounts in an amount approximating anticipated losses. Individual uncollectible accounts are written off against the allowance
when collection of the individual accounts appears doubtful. The Company did not record an allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31,
2023 and December 31, 2022.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of patents which are
amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or statutory lives whichever is shorter and are reviewed for
impairment upon any triggering event that may give rise to the asset’s ultimate recoverability as prescribed under the guidance related
to impairment of long-lived assets. Costs incurred to acquire patents, including legal costs, are also capitalized as long-lived assets
and amortized on a straight-line basis with the associated patent.
Patents include the cost of patents or patent
rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) acquired from third-parties or acquired in connection with business combinations.
Patent acquisition costs are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their remaining economic useful lives, ranging from one
to ten years. Certain patent application and prosecution costs incurred to secure additional patent claims that, based on management’s
estimates are deemed to be recoverable, are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated economic useful life of the related
patent portfolio.
Warrant Liability
The Company reflects a warrant liability with
respect to warrants for which the number of shares underlying the warrants is not fixed until the date of the initial exercise. The amount
of the liability is determined at the end of each fiscal period and the period-to-period change in the amount of warrant liability is
reflected as a gain or loss in warrant liability and is included under other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements
of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that
would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset
or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used which requires
an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. See Note 4 for
information about our warrant liability.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fair value hierarchy based on the three levels
of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted
prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Observable inputs
other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated
by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs
that are supported by little or no market activity and that are financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models,
discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant
judgment or estimation.
The carrying value reflected in the consolidated
balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and short-term borrowings approximate
fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value since the related
rates of interest approximate current market rates.
Commitments and Contingencies
In connection with the investment in certain
patents and patent rights, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries may execute related agreements which grant to the
inventors and/or former owners of the respective patents or patent rights, the right to receive a percentage of future net revenues
(as defined in the respective agreements) generated as a result of licensing and otherwise enforcing the respective patents or
patent portfolios.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
retain the services of law firms that specialize in patent licensing and enforcement and patent law in connection with their licensing
and enforcement activities. These law firms may be retained on a contingent fee basis whereby such law firms are paid a percentage of
any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
engage with funding sources that provide financing for patent licensing and enforcement. These litigation finance firms may be engaged
on a non-recourse basis whereby such litigation finance firms are paid a percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded
in exchange for providing funding for legal fees and out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the licensing and enforcement activities.
The economic terms of the inventor agreements,
operating agreements, contingent legal fee arrangements and litigation financing agreements associated with the patent portfolios owned
or controlled by the Company’s operating subsidiaries, if any, including royalty rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary
across the patent portfolios owned or controlled by such operating subsidiaries and are included in cost of revenues as litigation and
licensing expenses. Inventor/former owner royalties, payments to non-controlling interests, contingent legal fees expenses and litigation
finance expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized each period, the terms and conditions of revenue
agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying economic terms and obligations generating revenues
each period. Inventor/former owner royalties, contingent legal fees expenses and litigation finance expenses will continue to fluctuate
and may continue to vary significantly period to period, based primarily on these factors.
Revenue Recognition
Patent Licensing Fees
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with
ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services
is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for
those goods or services. Under Topic 606, revenue is recognized when there is a contract which has commercial substance which is approved
by both parties and identifies the rights of the parties and the payment terms.
For the periods presented, revenue contracts executed
by the Company primarily provided for the payment of contractually determined, one-time, paid-up license fees in consideration for the
grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by the Company’s operating subsidiaries
as part of the settlement of litigation commenced by the Company’s subsidiaries. Intellectual property rights granted included the
following, as applicable: (i) the grant of a non-exclusive, retroactive and future license to manufacture and/or sell products covered
by patented technologies, (ii) a covenant-not-to-sue, (iii) the release of the licensee from certain claims, and (iv) the dismissal of
any pending litigation. The intellectual property rights granted were perpetual in nature, extending until the legal expiration date of
the related patents. The individual intellectual property rights are not accounted for as separate performance obligations, as (a) the
nature of the promise, within the context of the contract, is to transfer combined items to which the promised intellectual property rights
are inputs and (b) the Company’s promise to transfer each individual intellectual property right described above to the customer
is not separately identifiable from other promises to transfer intellectual property rights in the contract.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Since the promised intellectual property rights
are not individually distinct, the Company combined each individual IP right in the contract into a bundle of IP rights that is distinct,
and accounted for all of the intellectual property rights promised in the contract as a single performance obligation. The intellectual
property rights granted were “functional IP rights” that have significant standalone functionality. The Company’s subsequent
activities do not substantively change that functionality and do not significantly affect the utility of the IP to which the licensee
has rights. The Company’s subsidiaries have no further obligation with respect to the grant of intellectual property rights, including
no express or implied obligation to maintain or upgrade the technology, or provide future support or services. The contracts provide for
the grant (i.e., transfer of control) of the licenses, covenants-not-to-sue, releases, and other significant deliverables upon execution
of the contract. Licensees legally obtain control of the intellectual property rights upon execution of the contract. As such, the earnings
process is complete and revenue is recognized upon the execution of the contract, when collectability is probable and all other revenue
recognition criteria have been met. Revenue contracts generally provide for payment of contractual amounts within 30 to 90 days of execution
of the contract. Contractual payments made by licensees are generally non-refundable. The Company does not have any significant payment
terms, as payment is received shortly after goods are delivered or services are provided, therefore there is no significant financing
component or consideration payable to the customer in these transactions.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues mainly includes expenses incurred
in connection with our patent enforcement activities, such as legal fees, consulting costs, patent maintenance, royalty fees for acquired
patents and other related expenses. Cost of revenue does not include expenses related to product development, patent amortization, integration
or support, as these are included in general and administrative expenses.
Inventor Royalties, Litigation Funding Fees and Contingent Legal
Expenses
In connection with the investment in certain patents
and patent rights, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries may execute agreements which grant to the inventors and/or
former owners of the respective patents or patent rights, the right to receive a percentage of future net revenues (as defined in the
respective agreements) generated as a result of licensing and otherwise enforcing the respective patents or patent portfolios.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
retain the services of law firms that specialize in patent licensing and enforcement and patent law in connection with their licensing
and enforcement activities. These law firms may be retained on a contingent fee basis whereby such law firms are paid a percentage of
any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
engage with funding sources that specialize in providing financing for patent licensing and enforcement. These litigation finance firms
may be engaged on a non-recourse basis whereby such litigation finance firms are paid a percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements
or judgments awarded in exchange for providing funding for legal fees and out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the licensing
and enforcement activities.
The economic terms of the inventor agreements,
operating agreements, contingent legal fee arrangements and litigation financing agreements associated with the patent portfolios owned
or controlled by the Company’s operating subsidiaries, if any, including royalty rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary
across the patent portfolios owned or controlled by such operating subsidiaries. Inventor/former owner royalties, payments to non-controlling
interests, contingent legal fees expenses and litigation finance expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues
recognized each period, the terms and conditions of revenue agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios
with varying economic terms and obligations generating revenues each period. Inventor/former owner royalties, contingent legal fees expenses
and litigation finance expenses will continue to fluctuate and may continue to vary significantly period to period, based primarily on
these factors.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Income Taxes
The Company did not incur any foreign income tax
expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023, but incurred foreign income tax expense of approximately $13,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2022.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation
pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which prescribes accounting and reporting standards for all
stock-based payment transactions in which employee and non-employee services, are acquired. Transactions include incurring liabilities,
or issuing or offering to issue shares, options and other equity instruments such as employee stock ownership plans and stock appreciation
rights. Stock-based payments to employees and non-employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized as compensation
expense in the financial statements based on their fair values. That expense is recognized over the period during which an employee or
non-employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit
accounts, which at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any such losses in these accounts.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company calculates net losses per share by
dividing losses allocated to the Company’s stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for
the period. Diluted weighted average shares is computed using basic weighted average shares plus any potentially dilutive securities outstanding
during the period using the treasury-stock-type method and the if-converted method, except when their effect is anti-dilutive. Because
the Company incurred losses in all periods covered by the financial statements the inclusion of diluted weighted average shares would
be anti-dilutive, and therefore, the diluted net loss per share is the same as the basic net loss per share. The Company’s potentially
dilutive securities include 962,463 potential shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants granted to QFL in connection with
the Purchase Agreement, 500,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted to Intelligent Partners in connection
with the Restructure Agreement and 600,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted to officers and consultants.
See Notes 3, 4 and 5.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that there are any
recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards which, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s
financial statements.
Going Concern
The Company has an accumulated deficit of approximately $27,129,000
and negative working capital of approximately $13,552,000 as of March 31, 2023. Because of the Company’s continuing losses,
its working capital deficiency, the uncertainty of future revenue, the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners, and QPRC Finance
LLC (“QFL”), the Company’s low stock price and the absence of an active trading market in its common stock, the ability
of the Company to raise funds in the equity market or from lenders is severely impaired. These conditions, together with the effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps taken by the states to slow the spread of the virus and its continuing effect on its business as well
as any adverse consequences which would result from our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of the OTCQB (see Note 9),
raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s revenue is generated exclusively
from license fees generated from litigation seeking damages for infringement of the Company’s intellectual property rights. Although
the Company may seek to raise funds and to obtain third-party funding for litigation to enforce its intellectual property rights, the
availability of such funds is uncertain. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of
this uncertainty.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 3. | SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES |
Short-Term Debt
Loans Payable
The loans payable represents demand loans made by former officers and
directors, who are third parties and stockholders, whose holdings were insignificant at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, in the amount
of $138,000. The loans are payable on demand plus accrued interest at 10% per annum. Accrued interest at March 31, 2023 and December 31,
2022 was approximately $299,000 and $296,000, respectively.
Funding Liabilities - QFL
The funding liabilities at March 31, 2023 and
December 31, 2022 of $5,597,344 and $5,453,204, respectively, represents the principal amount of the Company’s obligations to QFL
pursuant to a purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) dated February 22, 2021 between the Company and QFL, as described
below. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had made total repayments in the amount of approximately $806,000 since February 22, 2021.
Approximately $56,000 was repaid during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The obligation to QFL has no repayment term since payment
is due from a portion of net proceeds generated from the monetization of the Company’s intellectual property and has been classified
as a current liability as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Accrued interest related to this funding liability as of March
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was approximately $713,000 and $600,000, respectively.
On February 22, 2021, the Company entered into
a series of agreements, all dated February 19, 2021, with QFL, a non-affiliated party, including the Purchase Agreement, a security agreement
(the “Security Agreement”), a subsidiary security agreement (the “Subsidiary Security Agreement”), a subsidiary
guaranty (the “Subsidiary Guaranty”), a warrant issue agreement (the “Warrant Issue Agreement”), a registration
rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) and a board observation rights agreement (the “Board Observation
Rights Agreement” together with the Security Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Subsidiary Security Agreement, Warrant Issuance
Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, the “QFL Investment Documents”) pursuant to which, at
the closing on February 22, 2021 held contemporaneously with the execution of the agreements:
(i) Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
QFL agreed to make available to the Company a financing facility of: (a) up to $25,000,000 for the acquisition of mutually agreed patent
rights that the Company intends to monetize, of which $2,653,000 has been advanced as of March 31, 2023; (b) up to $2,000,000 for
operating expenses, of which the Company has requested and received $2,000,000 as of March 31, 2023; and (iii) $1,750,000 to fund
the cash payment portion of the restructure of the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners. In return the Company transferred
to QFL a right to receive a portion of net proceeds generated from the monetization of those patents.
(ii) The Company used $1,750,000 of proceeds
from the QFL financing as the cash payment portion of the restructure of the Company’s obligations to Intelligent Partners pursuant
to the Restructure Agreement executed contemporaneously with the closing of the Investment Documents. The payment was made directly from
QFL to Intelligent Partners.
(iii) Pursuant to the Security Agreement,
the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement with QFL are secured by: (a) the proceeds (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);
(b) the patents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement; (c) all general intangibles now or hereafter arising from or related to the foregoing
(a) and (b); and (d) proceeds (including, without limitation, cash proceeds and insurance proceeds) and products of the foregoing (a)-(c).
(iv) Pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty,
eight of the Company’s subsidiaries – QLC, NetTech, Mariner, Semcon, IC, CXT, M-Red, and AMI, collectively, the “Subsidiary
Guarantors”) guaranteed the Company’s obligations to QFL under the Purchase Agreement.
(v) Pursuant to the Subsidiary Security
Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantors granted QFL a security interest in the proceeds from the future monetization of their respective
patent portfolios.
(vi) Pursuant to the Warrant Issue Agreement,
the Company granted QFL ten-year warrants to purchase a total of up to 962,463 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise
price of $0.54 per share which may be exercised from the grant date through February 18, 2031 on a cash or cashless basis. Exercisability
of the warrant is limited if, upon exercise, the holder or any of holder’s affiliates would beneficially own more than 4.99% (the
“Maximum Percentage”) of the Company’s common stock, except that by written notice to the Company, the holder may change
the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% provided any such change will not be effective until the 61st day
following notice to the Company. The warrant also contains certain minimum ownership percentage antidilution rights pursuant to which
the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the initial exercise of the warrant shall not be less than 10% of the
aggregate number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis). Because the facility with
QFL has no term the fair value of the warrants was expensed at the grant date. A portion of any gain from sale of the shares, net of taxes
and costs of exercise, realized prior to the completion of all monetization activities shall be credited against the total return due
to QFL pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. See Notes 4 and 5 for information on the warrant issue and associated liability.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(vii) The Company regained compliance
with the OTCQB Eligibility Requirements on May 7, 2021, at which time the common stock recommenced trading on the OTCQB.
(viii) The Company granted QFL certain
registration rights with respect to the 962,463 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant. See Note 5 for information
on the warrant issue.
(ix) Pursuant to the Board Observation
Rights Agreement, until the later of the date on which QFL or its affiliates (i) have received the entirety of their Investment Return
(as defined in Purchase Agreement), and (ii) no longer hold any Securities (the “Observation Period”), the Company granted
QFL the right, exercisable at any time during the Observation Period, to appoint a representative to attend meetings (including, without
limitation, telephonic or other electronic meetings) of the Board or any committee thereof, including executive sessions, in an observer
capacity.
On January 27, 2022, the Company acquired, via
assignment from Intellectual Ventures Assets 181 LLC and Intellectual Ventures Assets 174 LLC, all right title and interest to fifteen
United States patents and three foreign patents for a purchase price of $1,060,000. The Company requested and received a capital advance
in the amount of the $1,060,000 purchase price from QFL. Two of the patents were assigned to Tyche and the balance of
the patents were assigned to DIP.
In June 2022, MML and AI agreed to amend the Purchase
Agreement to add two additional patent families for $92,000. The Company requested and received a capital advance from QFL in the
amount of $92,000, which was used to make payment to AI in August 2022 pursuant to the amendment to the Purchase Agreement.
In July 2022, EDI acquired, via assignment from
Edward D. Ioli Trust, all right title and interest to a portfolio of five United States patents relating to a system and method for controlling
vehicles and for providing assistance to operated vehicles (“EDI Portfolio”) for a purchase price consisting of 50% of the
net proceeds resulting from monetization of the EDI Portfolio.
In July 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Hewlett
Packard Enterprise Development LP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company for the purchase of eight United States Patents for a purchase
price of $350,000. The Company paid $35,000 upon execution of the agreement with the balance payable within 30 days. We requested and
received a capital advance from QFL in the amount of $350,000, which was used to make payment of the balance in August 2022 pursuant to
the terms of the purchase agreement.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company requested and received an operating capital advance in
the amount of $200,000 from QFL pursuant to the Purchase Agreement during each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2023 and
2022.
Funding Liabilities - QF3
Included in the funding liabilities at March 31,
2023 is the principal amount of $3,800,000 for the Company’s obligations to QF3 pursuant to a purchase agreement (“QF3 Purchase
Agreement”) dated March 12, 2023 between the Company and QF3, as described below. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has made
no repayments. The obligation to QF3 has no repayment term since payment is due from a portion of net proceeds generated from the monetization
of the Company’s intellectual property and has been classified as a current liability as of March 31, 2023. Accrued interest
related to this funding liability as of March 31, 2023, was approximately $14,000.
On March 12, 2023, the Company and HID, entered into a series of agreements,
all dated March 12, 2023, with QF3, a non-affiliated party, including a prepaid forward purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement
QF3”), a security agreement (the “QF3 Security Agreement”), a patent security agreement (the “QF3Patent Security
Agreement” together with the QF3 Security Agreement, the QF3 Patent Security Agreement, and the QF3 Purchase Agreement, the “QF3
Investment Documents”) pursuant to which, at the closing held contemporaneously with the execution of the agreements on March 12,
2023:
(i) Pursuant to the QF3 Purchase Agreement,
QF3 agreed to make available to the Company a financing facility of: (a) up to $4,000,000 for operating expenses, of which the Company
has requested and received $500,000 as of March 31, 2023; (b) $3,300,000 to fund the cash payment portion of the purchase of a patent
portfolio from Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (“Tower”); and (c) up to an additional $25,000,000 for the acquisition of mutually agreed
patent rights that the Company intends to monetize. In return the Company transferred to QF3 a right to receive a portion of net proceeds
generated from the monetization of those patents.
(ii) On March 17, 2023, the Company used
$3,300,000 of proceeds from the QF3 financing as the cash payment portion of the purchase of a ten-patent portfolio from Tower (the “HID
Portfolio”).
(iii) Pursuant to the QF3 Security Agreement and QF3 Patent Security
Agreement, payment of our obligations under the QF3 Purchase Agreement with QF3 are secured by (a) the value of anything received from
the monetization of the intellectual property rights covered by the Security Agreement; (b) the patents (as defined in the Security Agreement);
(c) all general intangibles now or hereafter arising from or related to the foregoing (a) and (b); and (d) proceeds (including, without
limitation, cash proceeds and insurance proceeds) and products of the foregoing (a)-(c).
In connection with the agreements with QF3, the
Company, HID and the Subsidiary Guarantors entered into an intercreditor agreement with QF3 and Intelligent Partners which sets forth
the priority of QF3 in the collateral under the Investment Documents.
Loan Payable Related Party
The loan payable – related party at
March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 represents the current amount of a non-interest bearing total monetization proceeds obligation
(the “TMPO”) due to Intelligent Partners, LLC (“Intelligent Partners”) of $2,796,500 and $2,796,500,
respectively, pursuant to a restructure agreement (“Restructure Agreement”) dated February 22, 2021 whereby the Company
and Intelligent Partners, extinguished the Company’s 10% Note to Intelligent Partners as transferee of the notes issued to
United Wireless Holdings, Inc. (“United Wireless”), in the amount of $4,672,810 pursuant to securities purchase
agreement dated October 22, 2015 between the Company and United Wireless. The notes became due by their terms on September 30, 2020,
and the Company did not make any payment on account of principal of and interest on the notes. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the
Company engaged in negotiations with Intelligent Partners in parallel with the Company’s negotiations with QFL, with a view to
restructuring the Company’s obligations under the United Wireless agreements, including the notes, so that the Company no
longer had any obligations under the notes or the SPA. These negotiations resulted in the Restructure Agreement, described below,
which provided for the payment to Intelligent Partners of $1,750,000 from the proceeds from the Company’s agreements with QFL.
As part of the restructure of the Company’s agreements with Intelligent Partners, the Company amended the existing MPAs and
granted Intelligent Partners certain rights in the monetization proceeds from any new intellectual property the Company acquires, as
described below. Under these MPAs, Intelligent Partners participates in the monetization proceeds the Company receives with respect
to new patents after QFL has received its negotiated rate of return.
On or prior to the date of the Restructure Agreement,
Intelligent Partners transferred to Andrew Fitton (“Fitton”) and Michael Carper (“Carper”) $250,000 of the notes
(the “Transferred Note”), thereby reducing the principal amount of the notes held by Intelligent Partners to $4,422,810.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On February 22, 2021, the Company and Intelligent
Partners agreed to extinguish the notes and Transferred Note, and terminate or amend and restate the SPA and Transaction Documents, pursuant
to a series of agreements including: the Restructure Agreement, a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”),
an Option Grant (the “Option Grant”), an Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”), an Amended
and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), a Board Observation Agreement (the “Board
Observation Agreement”), a MPA-NA Security Interest Agreement (the “MPA-NA Security Interest Agreement”), an Amended
and Restated Patent Proceeds Security Agreement (the “Patent Proceeds Security Agreement”, an Amended and Restated MPA-CP
(the “MPA-CP”), an Amended and Restated MPA-CXT (the “MPA-CXT”), a MPA-MR (the “MPA-MR”), a MPA-AMI
(the “MPA-AMI,” and together with the MPA-CP, MPA-CXT and MPA-MR, each a Restructure MPA and together the Restructure MPAs)
and a MPA-NA (the “MPA-NA”).
(i) Pursuant to the Restructure Agreement,
the Company paid Intelligent Partners $1,750,000 at closing, which the Company received from QFL and which QFL paid directly to Intelligent
Partners, and recognized the TMPO, which shall, from and after the Restructure Date, be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by (a) payments
to Intelligent Partners pursuant to the Restructure Agreement, the Restructure MPAs and the MPA-NA and (b) any election by the Intelligent
Partners to pay the Exercise Price of the Restructure Option, in whole or part, by means of a reduction in the then outstanding TMPO.
The TMPO has been classified as a current liability as of March 31, 2023.
(ii) Pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Company issued to Fitton and Carper, as holders of the Transferred Note, a total of 462,963 shares of common stock at a
purchase price of $0.54 per share, which purchase price was paid by the conversion and in full satisfaction of the Transferred Note (the
“Conversion Shares”). For purposes of extinguishment, the issuance of the Conversion Shares in full satisfaction of the Transferred
Note balance of $250,000 is included in the reacquisition price of the debt. The Company recognized a loss on debt conversion of $305,556
which is the difference between the agreed conversion price and the fair value of the Conversion Shares at the date of conversion. See
Note 5 for information on the share issue.
(iii) Pursuant to the Option Grant,
the Company granted Intelligent Partners an option to purchase a total of 500,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.54
per share which vests immediately and may be exercised through September 30, 2025. The Company valued the option at approximately $598,000
using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The proceeds were allocated to the repurchase price of the debt extinguishment based on its fair
value. See Note 5 for information on the option grant.
(iv) Pursuant to the restructured monetization
proceeds agreement, Intelligent Partners has a right to receive 60% of the net monetization proceeds from the patents currently owned
by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The agreement has no termination provisions, so Intelligent Partners will be entitled to its percentage
interest as long as revenue is generated from the intellectual property covered by the agreement.
(v) Pursuant to the MPA-NA, until the
TMPO has been paid in full, Intelligent Partners is entitled to receive 10% of the net proceeds realized from new assets acquired by the
Company. If, in any calendar quarter, net proceeds realized exceed $1,000,000, Intelligent Partners’ entitlement for that quarter
only shall increase to 30% on the portion of net proceeds in excess of $1,000,000 but less than $3,000,000. If in the same calendar quarter,
net proceeds exceed $3,000,000, Intelligent Partners’ entitlement for that quarter only shall increase to 50% on the portion of
net proceeds in excess of $3,000,000. After satisfaction of the TMPO, the MPA-NA and Intelligent Partners’ interest in new asset
proceeds shall terminate.
(vi) The Company granted Intelligent
Partners, Fitton and Carper certain registration rights with respect to (i) the 500,000 shares currently owned by Fitton and Carper; (ii)
the 462,963 Conversion Shares issued to Fitton and Carper, and (iii) the 500,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the
option. See Note 5.
(vii) Pursuant to the Subsidiary Security
Agreement, the Company’s obligations under its agreements with Intelligent Partners, including its obligations under the Restructure
Agreement and the Restructure MPAs are secured by a security interest in the net proceeds realized from the future monetization of the
patents currently owned by the eight subsidiaries named above.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(viii) Pursuant to the MPA-NA-Security
Interest Agreement, our obligations under the MPA-NA are secured by a security interest in net proceeds realized from the future monetization
of new patents acquired until the TMPO is satisfied, provided Intelligent Partners’ secured interest shall be limited to its entitlement
in Net Proceeds under the MPA-NA. After satisfaction of the TMPO the security interest in proceeds from new assets shall terminate.
(ix) Pursuant to the Board Observation
Rights Agreement, until the Total Monetization Proceeds Obligation has been satisfied (the “Observation Period”), the Company
granted Intelligent Partners the option and right, exercisable at any time during the Observation Period, to appoint a representative
to attend meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, including executive sessions, in an observer capacity. Intelligent Partners
has no right to appoint a director to the board.
Events of Default include (i) a Change of Control
of the Company (ii) any uncured default on payment due to Intelligent Partners in an amount totaling in excess of $275,000, which is not
the subject of a Dispute or other formal dispute resolution proceeding initiated in good faith pursuant to this Agreement or other Restructure
Documents (iii) the filing of a voluntary petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code by Company or any of its material
subsidiaries, (iv) the filing of an involuntary petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code against the Company, which
is not stayed or dismissed within sixty (60) days of such filing, except for an involuntary petition for relief filed solely by Intelligent
Partners, or any Affiliate or member of Intelligent Partners, or (v) acceleration of an obligation in excess of $1,000,000 to another
provider of financing following a final determination by arbitration or other judicial proceeding that such obligation is due and owing.
Because of the beneficial ownership percentage
of its principals, Intelligent Partners is treated as a related party.
Long-Term Liabilities
Loan Payable – SBA
The loans payable – SBA balance at March
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $150,000 represents the total amount due under a secured Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S.
Small Business Association (“SBA”) in the aggregate amount of $150,000, pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act
as part of the COVID-19 relief effort. The Company’s obligations on the loan are set forth in the Company’s note dated May
14, 2020 which matures on May 14, 2050 and bears interest at a rate of 3.75% per annum, payable monthly commencing on November 14, 2022.
The Note may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. Funds from the Loan may be used solely
as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter
and to pay Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing fees and a third-party UCC handling charge of $100 which were deducted from the loan
amount stated above. In addition to the loan, as part of the COVID-19 relief effort, the Company obtained an Emergency EIDL Grant from
the SBA in the amount of $1,000. The Company is not required to repay the grant.
Purchase Price of Patents
The purchase price of patents balance at March
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $53,665 and $53,665, respectively represents:
The non-current portion of our obligations under
the unsecured non-recourse funding agreement with a third-party funder entered into in May 2020 whereby the third-party agreed to provide
acquisition funding in the amount of $95,000 for the Company’s acquisition of the audio messaging portfolio. Under the funding agreement,
the third-party funder is entitled to a priority return of funds advanced from net proceeds, as defined, recovered until the funder has
received $53,665. The Company has not paid anything against the obligation in 2023. The Company has no other obligation to the third-party
and has no liability to the funder in the event that the Company does not generate net proceeds. Pursuant to ASC 470, the Company recorded
this monetization obligation as debt and the difference between the purchase price and total obligation as a discount to the debt and
fully expensed to interest during the period.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On February 22, 2021 the Company issued warrants
to purchase 962,463 shares of common stock to QFL (see Note 3) in connection with its funding agreement. If on the date of initial exercise
the aggregate number of warrant shares purchasable upon exercise of the warrant would yield less than an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate
number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined on a fully diluted basis), then the number of warrant shares
shall be increased to an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined
on a fully diluted basis), and therefore the number of shares underlying the warrants is not fixed until the date of the initial exercise.
As such, the warrant issued to QFL requires classification as a liability pursuant to ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
and is valued at its fair value as of the grant date and re-measured at each balance sheet date with the period-to-period change in the
fair market value of the warrant liability reflected as a gain or loss in warrant liability and included under other income (expense).
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the
aggregate fair value of the outstanding warrant liability was approximately $154,000 and $145,000, respectively.
The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant
liability using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following key assumptions as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| |
As of | |
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Volatility | |
| 387 | % | |
| 374 | % |
Exercise price | |
$ | 0.54 | | |
$ | 0.54 | |
Risk-free interest rate | |
| 1.37 | % | |
| 1.37 | % |
Expected dividends | |
| — | % | |
| — | % |
Expected term | |
| 7.9 | | |
| 8.1 | |
The following schedule summarizes the valuation
of financial instruments at fair value in the balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| |
Fair Value Measurements as of | |
| |
March 31, 2023 | | |
December 31, 2022 | |
| |
Level 1 | | |
Level 2 | | |
Level 3 | | |
Level 1 | | |
Level 2 | | |
Level 3 | |
Liabilities | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Warrant liability | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 153,994 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 145,428 | |
Total liabilities | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 153,994 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 145,428 | |
The following table sets forth a reconciliation
of changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
| |
Fair Value | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | |
| 145,428 | |
Loss on subsequent measurement | |
| 8,566 | |
Balance at March 31, 2023 | |
$ | 153,994 | |
See Notes 3 and 5 for information on the warrant
issuance.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation
On July 27, 2022, the Company amended its amended
and restated certificate of incorporation following approval of the amendment by the stockholders at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders.
The amendment (i) decreased the number of authorized
shares of common stock from 10,000,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares and (ii) effected a one-for-100 reverse split whereby each share
of common stock became and was converted into 0.01 share of common stock, with fractional shares being rounded up to the next higher
whole number of shares. There was no change in the par value of the common stock.
All historical share and per share amounts in
these financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split and change in authorized common stock.
Issuance of Options
A summary of the status of the Company’s
stock options and changes is set forth below:
| |
Number of
Options
(#) | | |
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
($) | | |
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair
Value
($) | | |
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years) | |
Balance - December 31, 2022 | |
| 2,000,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 1.20 | | |
| 6.80 | |
Granted | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Exercised | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Expired | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Cancelled | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Balance - March 31, 2023 | |
| 2,000,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 1.20 | | |
| 6.55 | |
Options exercisable at end of period | |
| 1,000,000 | | |
| 0.77 | | |
| 1.20 | | |
| 5.20 | |
The outstanding options do not have an intrinsic
value as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
As of March 31, 2023, there was approximately
$996,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted
average expected term of approximately 8 years.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Issuance of Warrants
A summary of the status of the Company’s
warrants and changes is set forth below:
| |
Number of
Warrants
(#) | | |
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
($) | | |
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years) | |
Balance - December 31, 2022 | |
| 962,463 | | |
| 0.54 | | |
| 8.15 | |
Granted | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Exercised | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Expired | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Cancelled | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Balance - March 31, 2023 | |
| 962,463 | | |
| 0.54 | | |
| 7.90 | |
The outstanding warrants do not have an intrinsic
value as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
6. INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
Intangible assets include patents purchased and
are recorded based at their acquisition cost. Intangible assets consisted of the following:
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Patents | |
$ | 6,057,000 | | |
$ | 2,757,000 | |
Disposal | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Subtotal | |
| 6,057,000 | | |
| 2,757,000 | |
Less: accumulated amortization | |
| (1,784,718 | ) | |
| (1,625,846 | ) |
Net value of intangible assets | |
$ | 4,272,282 | | |
$ | 1,131,154 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years) | |
| 6.16 | | |
| 2.48 | |
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Intangible assets are comprised of patents with
estimated useful lives. The intangible assets at March 31, 2023 represent:
| ● | patents (which were fully amortized at the date of acquisition) acquired in January 2018 pursuant to an
agreement with to Intellectual Ventures Assets 62 LLC and Intellectual Ventures Assets 71 LLC “(IV 62/71”), pursuant to which
CXT has an obligation to distribute 50% of net revenues to IV 62/71; |
| ● | patents (which were fully amortized at the date of acquisition) acquired in January 2018 by Photonic Imaging
Solutions Inc. (“PIS”) from Intellectual Ventures Assets 64 LLC (“IV 64”) pursuant to which PIS is to pay IV 64
(a) 70% of the first $1,500,000 of net revenue, (b) 30% of the next $1,500,000 of net revenue and (c) 50% of net revenue in excess of
$3,000,000; |
| ● | patents (which were fully amortized at the date of acquisition) acquired in May 2020 for a purchase price
of $95,000 pursuant to an agreement with Texas Technology Ventures 2, LLP (“TTV”), pursuant to which of the Company retains
the first $230,000 of net proceeds, as defined in the agreement, after which the company has an obligation to distribute 50% of net proceeds
to TTV. |
| ● | patents (which were fully amortized at the date of acquisition) acquired in February 2021 pursuant to
an agreement with PKT for a purchase price of $350,000, pursuant to which $350,000 was paid at closing, and upon the realization of gross
proceeds, as defined in the agreement, the Company shall make a subsequent or payments in the aggregate amount of $93,900, representing
reimbursement to PKT, as the prosecuting attorney, for legal fees associated with prosecution of the portfolio, such reimbursement shall
be due and payable to PKT from time to time as gross proceeds are realized, if any, and paid to PKT along with and in proportion to reimbursement
to other third parties of costs incurred in realizing gross proceeds. Thereafter, PKT is entitled to a percentage of gross proceeds realized,
if any. |
| ● | patents (which were fully depreciated at the date of acquisition) acquired in May 2021 for a purchase
price of $250,000. |
| ● | patents acquired in October 2021 from AI for a purchase price of $550,000 pursuant to which the Company
retains an amount equal to the purchase price plus any fees incurred out of net proceeds, as defined in the agreement, after which AI
is entitled to a percentage of further net proceeds realized, if any; the useful lives of the patents, at the date of acquisition, was
approximately 11 years. |
| ● | patents acquired in January 2022 for a purchase price of $1,060,000, the useful lives of the patents,
at the date of purchase, was approximately 1-2 years. |
| ● | patents acquired in July 2022 via assignment from AI for a purchase price of $92,000, the useful lives
of the patents, at the date of purchase, was approximately 2-4 years. |
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| ● | patents acquired July 2022 pursuant to an agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP and
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company for a purchase price of $350,000. The useful lives of the patents, at the date of purchase, was approximately
2-9 years. |
| ● | patents acquired March 2023 from Tower for a purchase price of $3,300,000
pursuant to which the Company retains an amount equal to the purchase price plus a negotiated return and any fees out of net proceeds,
as defined in the agreement, after which Tower in entitled to a percentage of further net proceeds realized, if any. The useful lives
of the patents, at the date of purchase, was approximately 5-15 years. |
The Company amortizes the costs of intangible
assets over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Costs incurred to acquire patents, including legal costs, are also
capitalized as long-lived assets and amortized on a straight-line basis with the associated patent.
The Company assesses intangible assets for any
impairment to the carrying values. As of March 31, 2023, management concluded that there was no impairment to the intangible assets.
Amortization expense for patents was approximately
$159,000 and $308,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization expense is included in selling, general,
and administration expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Future amortization of intangible assets is as follows:
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
Remainder of 2023 | |
$ | 626,610 | |
2024 | |
| 633,222 | |
2025 | |
| 537,466 | |
2026 | |
| 496,942 | |
2027 | |
| 461,663 | |
Thereafter | |
| 1,516,380 | |
Total | |
$ | 4,272,282 | |
7. | NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST |
The following table reconciles equity attributable
to the non-controlling interest related to Quest Packaging Solutions Corporation.
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Balance, beginning of year | |
$ | 228 | | |
$ | 228 | |
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Balance, end of year | |
$ | 228 | | |
$ | 228 | |
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The Company has at various times entered into
transactions with related parties, including officers, directors and major stockholders, wherein these parties have provided services,
advanced or loaned money, or both, to the Company which was needed to support its daily operations. The Company discloses all related
party transactions.
See Notes 3 and 5 in connection with the Restructure
Agreement dated February 22, 2021 with Intelligent Partners. Because of its ownership percentage, Intelligent Partners is treated as a
related party.
See Note 5 with respect to share-based compensation
to officers and directors.
See Note 9 with respect to the employment agreement
with the Company’s president and chief executive officer.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022,
the Company contracted with an entity owned by the chief technology officer for the provision of information technology services to the
Company. In June 2022 the chief technology officer sold his interest in the entity. The cost of such services was approximately $115 for
the three months ended March 31, 2022.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and
2022, the Company contracted with a law firm more than 10 percent owned, but not controlled, by the father-in-law of the chief executive
officer. The firm is engaged on a contingent fee basis and serves as escrow agent in connection with monetization of the Company’s
patents in matters where the firm is serving as counsel to the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the cost of
these services was approximately $62,000 and $28,000, respectively.
9. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Employment Agreements
Pursuant to a restated employment agreement, dated
November 30, 2014, with the Company’s president and chief executive officer, the Company agreed to employ him as president and chief
executive officer for a term of three years, commencing January 1, 2014, and continuing on a year-to-year basis unless terminated by either
party on not less than 90 days’ notice prior to the expiration of the initial term or any one-year extension. The agreement provides
for an initial annual salary of $252,000, which may be increased, but not decreased, by the board or the compensation committee. In March
2023, the Company’s board of directors increased the chief executive officer’s annual salary to $600,000, effective January
1, 2023. The chief executive officer is entitled to a bonus if the Company meets or exceeds performance criteria established by the compensation
committee. In August 2016, the Company’s board of directors approved annual bonus compensation equal to 30% of the amount by which
the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes exceeds $500,000, but, if the Company is subject to the limitation on deductibility
of executive compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the bonus cannot exceed the amount which would be deductible
pursuant to Section 162(m). The chief executive officer is also eligible to participate in any executive incentive plans which the Company
may adopt.
SEP IRA Plan
Pursuant to the SEP IRA plan adopted by the Company
in March 2020, the Company deposited into a SEP IRA account of each of its participating employees a percentage of the employee’s
compensation, subject to statutory limitations on the amount of the contribution all as set forth in the IRS Form 5305-SEP. For the year
ending December 31, 2023, the percentage was set at 20%. The Company’s president and chief executive officer is the only participant
and during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, $16,500 and $14,500 was deposited into his SEP IRA account, respectively.
Inventor Royalties, Contingent Litigation Funding
Fees and Contingent Legal Expenses
In connection with the investment in certain patents
and patent rights, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries executed agreements which grant to the former owners of the respective
patents or patent rights, the right to receive inventor royalties based on future net revenues (as defined in the respective agreements)
generated as a result of licensing and otherwise enforcing the respective patents or patent portfolios.
QUEST PATENT RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
engage third-party funding sources to provide funding for patent licensing and enforcement. The agreements with the third-party funding
sources may provide that the funding source receive a portion of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments. In certain instances,
these third-party funding sources are entitled to receive a significant percentage of any proceeds realized until the third-party funder
has recouped agreed upon amounts based on formulas set forth in the underlying funding agreement, which may reduce or delay and proceeds
due to the Company.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries may
retain the services of law firms in connection with their licensing and enforcement activities. These law firms may be retained on a contingent
fee basis whereby the law firms are paid on a scaled percentage of any negotiated fees, settlements or judgments awarded based on how
and when the fees, settlements or judgments are obtained.
Depending on the amount of any recovery, it is
possible that all the proceeds from a specific settlement may be paid to the funding source and legal counsel.
The economic terms of the inventor agreements,
funding agreements and contingent legal fee arrangements associated with the patent portfolios owned or controlled by the Company’s
operating subsidiaries, if any, including royalty rates, proceeds sharing rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary across the
patent portfolios owned or controlled by the operating subsidiaries. Inventor royalties, payments to noncontrolling interests, payments
to third-party funding providers and contingent legal fees expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized
each period, the terms and conditions of revenue agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying
economic terms and obligations generating revenues each period. Inventor royalties, payments to third-party funding sources and contingent
legal fees expenses will continue to fluctuate and may continue to vary significantly period to period, based primarily on these factors.
Patent Enforcement and Other Litigation
Certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries
are engaged in litigation to enforce their patents and patent rights. In connection with these patent enforcement actions, it is possible
that a defendant may request and/or a court may rule that an operating subsidiary has violated statutory authority, regulatory authority,
federal rules, local court rules, or governing standards relating to the substantive or procedural aspects of such enforcement actions.
In such event, a court may issue monetary sanctions against the Company or its operating subsidiaries or award attorney’s fees and/or
expenses to a defendant(s), which could be material, and if required to be paid by the Company or its operating subsidiaries, could materially
impair the Company’s operating results and financial position and could result in a default under the Company’s obligations
to QFL and QF3. Since the operating subsidiaries do not have any assets other than the patents, and the Company does not have any available
financial resources to pay any judgment which a defendant may obtain against a subsidiary, such a judgment may result in the bankruptcy
of the subsidiary and/or the loss of the patents, which are the subsidiaries’ only assets.
Effects of possible delisting of common stock
on OTCQB
On May 23, 2022, the Company received notice from
OTC Markets Group, that, because the bid price for its common stock had closed below $0.01 per share for more than 30 consecutive days,
the Company no longer meets the Standards for Continued Eligibility under the OTC listing standards and, if this deficiency is not met
by August 21, 2022, the Company’s common stock will be removed from the OTCQB marketplace, in which event the common stock will be traded
on the OTC Pink market. Our registration rights agreement with QFL provides that, in the event of a failure to comply with certain covenants,
which includes the failure of our common stock to be traded on the OTCQB, in addition to any other remedies available to QFL, we are to
pay to QFL an amount in cash equal to 2.0% of the aggregate value of QFL’s Registrable Securities, as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement, whether or not included in such registration statement, on each of the following dates: (i) the initial day of a maintenance
failure; (ii) on the 30th day after the date of such a failure and (iii) every 30th day thereafter (prorated for periods totaling less
than thirty (30) days) until such failure is cured. In July 2022 the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to effect a one-for-100
reverse split of its common stock (see Note 5). The OTC Markets Group confirmed to the Company that the deficiency has been cured.
The Company
evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the date for which the condensed consolidated financial statements
are issued. Based upon the evaluation, except as set forth herein, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent
events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In April 2023, pursuant to the QF3 Purchase Agreement,
the Company received $500,000 in operating capital from QF3.