UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from [                     ] to [                     ]

 

Commission File Number: 001-38640 

 

AudioEye, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-2939845
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
5210 East Williams Circle, Suite 750,
Tucson, Arizona
  85711
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  866-331-5324

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share AEYE The NASDAQ Capital Market  

 

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 last 90 days. Yes x   No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x   Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company ¨      

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨   No x

 

As of August 11, 2020, 9,150,816 shares of the registrant’s common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Page
     
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
     
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (unaudited) 2
     
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 3
     
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 4
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited) 5
     
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 6
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 26
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 26
     
PART II OTHER INFORMATION 27
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 27
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 27
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 28
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 28
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 28
     
Item 5. Other Information 28
     
Item 6. Exhibits 28
     
SIGNATURES 29

 

 

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

The financial information set forth below with respect to the financial statements as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is unaudited. This financial information, in the opinion of our management, includes all adjustments consisting of normal recurring entries necessary for the fair presentation of such data. The results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any subsequent period. Our fiscal year end is December 31. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. The Company presents its unaudited financial statements, footnotes, and other financial information rounded to the nearest thousand United States Dollars (“U.S. Dollar”), except for per share data.

 

1

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
ASSETS            
Current assets:                
Cash   $ 2,130     $ 1,972  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $63, respectively     4,024       2,958  
Unbilled receivables     -       160  
Deferred costs, short term     184       183  
Debt issuance costs, net     27       137  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     200       198  
Total current assets     6,565       5,608  
                 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $159 and $124, respectively     141       156  
Right of use assets     724       827  
Deferred costs, long term     123       145  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,086 and $3,710, respectively     1,709       1,715  
Goodwill     701       701  
Total assets   $ 9,963     $ 9,152  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 2,509     $ 973  
Finance lease liabilities     60       52  
Operating lease liabilities     218       209  
Warrant liability     593       120  
Deferred revenue     5,078       5,372  
Total current liabilities     8,458       6,726  
                 
Long term liabilities:                
Finance lease liabilities     37       52  
Operating lease liabilities     544       655  
Deferred revenue     168       153  
Term loan     1,302       -  
Total liabilities     10,509       7,586  
                 
Stockholders' equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized                
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.00001 par value, 200 shares designated, 100 and 105 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively     1       1  
Common stock, $0.00001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 9,113 and 8,877 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively     1       1  
Additional paid-in capital     52,449       51,490  
Accumulated deficit     (52,997 )     (49,926 )
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity     (546 )     1,566  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity   $ 9,963     $ 9,152  

  

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

    Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
Revenue   $ 5,283     $ 2,436     $ 9,544     $ 4,421  
                                 
Cost of revenue     1,607       1,124       2,927       2,046  
                                 
Gross profit     3,676       1,312       6,617       2,375  
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Selling and marketing     1,705       1,345       3,523       2,658  
Research and development     265       152       598       293  
General and administrative     2,556       1,834       4,988       3,583  
Total operating expenses     4,526       3,331       9,109       6,534  
                                 
Operating loss     (850 )     (2,019 )     (2,492 )     (4,159 )
                                 
Other expenses:                                
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (501 )     -       (473 )     -  
Interest expense     (56 )     (1 )     (106 )     (2 )
Total other expenses     (557 )     (1 )     (579 )     (2 )
                                 
Net loss     (1,407 )     (2,020 )     (3,071 )     (4,161 )
                                 
Dividends on Series A Convertible Preferred Stock     (12 )     (13 )     (26 )     (26 )
                                 
Net loss available to common stockholders   $ (1,419 )   $ (2,033 )   $ (3,097 )   $ (4,187 )
                                 
Net loss per common share-basic and diluted   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.35 )   $ (0.55 )
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted     8,937       7,646       8,907       7,629  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020 AND 2019

(unaudited) 

 

                Additional              
    Common stock     Preferred stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
    (in thousands)  
Balance, December 31, 2019     8,877     $ 1       105     $ 1     $ 51,490     $ (49,926 )   $ 1,566  
Share-based compensation     -                   -       -       -       256          -       256  
Net loss          -       -             -       -              -       (1,664 )     (1,664 )
Balance, March 31, 2020     8,877     $ 1       105     $ 1     $ 51,746     $ (51,590 )   $ 158  
Common stock issued upon conversion of preferred stock     14       -       (5 )     -       -       -       -  
Common stock issued in exchange for exercise of warrants and options on a cashless basis     177       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Common stock issued in exchange for options exercised on a cash basis     45       -       -       -       44       -       44  
Share-based compensation     -       -       -       -       659       -       659  
Net loss     -       -       -               -             -       (1,407 )     (1,407 )
Balance, June 30, 2020     9,113     $ 1       100     $ 1     $ 52,449     $ (52,997 )   $ (546 )

 

                            Additional              
    Common stock     Preferred stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
    (in thousands)  
Balance, December 31, 2018     7,580     $ 1       105     $ 1     $ 48,017     $ (42,144 )   $ 5,875  
Common stock issued in exchange for exercise of options and warrants     43       -       -       -       42       -       42  
Share-based compensation     -       -       -       -       449       -       449  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (2,141 )     (2,141 )
Balance, March 31, 2019     7,623     $ 1       105     $ 1     $ 48,508     $ (44,285 )   $ 4,225  
Common stock issued in exchange for exercise of options and warrants     33       -       -       -       99       -       99  
Share-based compensation     -       -       -       -       275       -       275  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (2,020 )     (2,020 )
Balance, June 30, 2019     7,656     $ 1       105     $ 1     $ 48,882     $ (46,305 )   $ 2,579  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

    Six months ended June 30,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net loss   $ (3,071 )   $ (4,161 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     411       349  
Share-based compensation expense     915       724  
Amortization of deferred commissions     111       108  
Amortization of debt issuance costs     110       -  
Noncash operating lease expense     103       117  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     473       -  
Provision for accounts receivable     30       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (1,096 )     (460 )
Unbilled receivables     160       -  
Deferred costs     (90 )     (137 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (2 )     (103 )
Accounts payable and accruals     1,536       605  
Operating lease liabilities     (102 )     (117 )
Related party payables     -       10  
Deferred revenue     (279 )     148  
Net cash used in operating activities     (791 )     (2,917 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Purchase of equipment     -       (46 )
Software development costs     (370 )     (97 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (370 )     (143 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from term loan     1,302       -  
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants     44       141  
Repayments of finance leases     (27 )     (19 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     1,319       122  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash     158       (2,938 )
Cash-beginning of period     1,972       5,742  
Cash-end of period   $ 2,130     $ 2,804  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of AudioEye, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain information and disclosures normally contained in the audited financial statements as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the SEC's rules and regulations for interim reporting. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. Reclassifications had no material effect on prior year net loss, earnings per share, or shareholders’ equity.

 

Corporate Information and Background

 

AudioEye, Inc. (“we”, “our” or the “Company”) was incorporated on May 20, 2005 in the state of Delaware. The Company has developed patented, Internet content publication and distribution software that enables conversion of media into accessible formats and allows for real time distribution to end users on any Internet connected device. The Company’s focus is to create more comprehensive access to Internet and other media to all people regardless of their network connection, device, location, or disabilities.

 

The Company is focused on developing innovations in the field of networked and device embedded technology. Our intellectual property is primarily comprised of trade secrets, trademarks, issued, published and pending patent applications, copyrights and technological innovations. We have a patent portfolio comprised of eight issued patents in the United States. We also have two pending patent applications and two international patent applications filed via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) and the European Patent Office. The patents have been extended and cover a period from 2002 through 2026. We have a trademark portfolio comprised of eight United States trademark registrations.

 

Our common stock has been listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “AEYE” since September 4, 2018. Prior to September 4, 2018, our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB and the OTC Bulletin Board beginning on April 15, 2013 under the same symbol.

 

In April 2020, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register the sale, in future offerings, of up to $7,000,000 in the aggregate of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or units consisting of any two or more of such securities. We intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold by us under the registration statement for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, repayment of debt, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

 

6

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our significant accounting policies are presented in “Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies” in the fiscal year 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Users of financial information for interim periods are encouraged to refer to the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K when reviewing interim financial results.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to share-based compensation, capitalization of software development costs, and income taxes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

 

We determine revenue recognition through the following five steps:

 

  · Identify the contract with the customer;

 

  · Identify the performance obligations in the contract;

 

  · Determine the transaction price;

 

  · Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

 

  · Recognize revenue when, or as, the performance obligations are satisfied.

 

We generate substantially all our revenue from Software as a Service (“SaaS”), which are comprised of subscription fees from customer accounts on the Managed Platform. SaaS (also referred to as “subscription”) revenue is recognized on a ratable basis over the contractual subscription term of the arrangement beginning on the date that our service is made available to the customer. Certain SaaS fees are invoiced in advanced on an annual, semi-annual, or quarterly basis. Any funds received for services not provided yet are held in deferred revenue and are recorded as revenue when the related performance obligations have been satisfied.  

 

Non-subscription revenue consists of PDF remediation services and is recognized upon delivery. Consideration payable under these arrangements is based on usage.

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by sales channel:

 

    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Direct (Enterprise)   $ 5,312     $ 3,287  
Indirect (Vertical partners)     4,200       1,134  
Other     32       -  
Total revenues   $ 9,544     $ 4,421  

 

7

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

The Company records accounts receivable for amounts invoiced to customers for which the Company has an unconditional right to consideration as provided under the contractual arrangement. Unbilled receivables include amounts related to the Company’s contractual right to consideration for completed performance obligations not yet invoiced. Deferred revenues include payments received in advance of performance under the contract. Our unbilled receivables and deferred revenue are reported on an individual contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Unbilled receivables are classified as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to bill the customer. Deferred revenue is classified as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue.

 

The table below compares the deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2020 versus December 31, 2019:

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Deferred revenue   $ 5,246     $ 5,525  

  

As of June 30, 2020, $5,078,000 was classified as short-term deferred revenue and is expected to be recognized over the next twelve months following June 30, 2020. The remaining $168,000 is long-term deferred revenue to be recognized thereafter. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 we recognized $3,762,000, or 68%, in revenue from deferred revenues outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

 

The Company had one customer (including affiliates of such customer) which generated 16% and 17% of the Company’s revenue in each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and 10% and 11% of the Company’s revenue in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had one customer representing 13% and 40%, respectively, of the outstanding accounts receivable.

 

Deferred Costs (Contract acquisition costs)

 

The Company capitalizes initial and renewal sales commission payments in the period a customer contract is obtained and customer payment is received, and amortizes deferred commission costs on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, which we have deemed to be the contract term.

 

The table below summarizes the activity within the deferred commission costs account for the six months ended June 30, 2020:

 

   

December 31,

2019

    Commission
Costs Deferred
   

Commission

Amortized

   

June 30,

2020

 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred costs, short term   $ 183     $ 112     $ (111 )   $ 184  
Deferred costs, long term     145       (22 )     -       123  
Deferred commission costs   $ 328     $ 90     $ (111 )   $ 307  

 

Amortization expense associated with sales commissions was included in selling and marketing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and totaled $55,000 and $111,000, respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, and $57,000 and $108,000, respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019. There were no impairment losses for these capitalized costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

8

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Share-Based Compensation 

 

The Company periodically issues options, warrants and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) as compensation for services received. The fair value of the award is measured on the grant date. The fair value amount is then recognized as expense over the requisite vesting period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award.

 

The fair value of options and warrants awards is measured on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions that are subjective and are generally derived from external (such as risk-free rate of interest) and historical (such as volatility factor, expected term, and forfeiture rates) data. Future grants of equity awards accounted for as share-based compensation could have a material impact on reported expenses depending upon the number, value, and vesting period of future awards.

 

The fair value of RSUs is based on the market closing price per share on the date of grant. We expense the compensation cost of these awards as the restriction period lapses, which is typically a one- to three-year service period to the Company.

 

In the three- and six-month periods ending June 30, 2020, we awarded 76,192 options, and 339,667 and 354,667 RSUs, respectively, to employees, officers, and consultants of the of the Company.

 

In the three- and six-month periods ending June 30, 2020, no warrants were issued and no stock compensation expense was incurred. As of June 30, 2020, there was no remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense related to warrants.

 

The following table summarizes the stock compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

    Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
  (in thousands)  
Stock Options   $ 36     $ 94     $ 121     $ 167  
RSUs     623       181       794       557  
Total   $ 659     $ 275     $ 915     $ 724  

 

As of June 30, 2020, the outstanding unamortized stock compensation expense related to options and RSUs was $921,000 and $2,684,000, respectively, which will be recognized through June 2023.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period. “Diluted earnings per share” reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our share-based awards and convertible securities were exercised or converted into common stock. The dilutive effect of our share-based awards is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all share-based awards are exercised and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The incremental shares (i.e., the difference between shares assumed to be issued versus purchased), to the extent they would have been dilutive, are included in the denominator of the diluted EPS calculation. The dilutive effect of our convertible preferred stock is computed using the if-converted method, which assumes conversion at the beginning of the year. However, when a net loss exists, no potential common stock equivalents are included in the computation of the diluted per-share amount because the computation would result in an anti-dilutive per-share amount.

 

Potentially dilutive securities excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Preferred stock     287       289  
Options to purchase common stock     749       955  
Warrants to purchase common stock     283       1,648  
Restricted stock units     752       223  
Total     2,071       3,115  

 

The following table summarizes the stock options activity for the six months ended June 30, 2020:

 

                Weighted           Intrinsic  
          Weighted     Average           Value  
    Number of     Average     Remaining           of  
    Options     Exercise Price     Term     Exercisable     Options  
Outstanding at December 31, 2019     965,043     $ 3.70       3.01       759,631     $ 1,666,266  
Granted     76,192       7.98       5.00       -       -  
Exercised     (212,428 )     1.72                          
Forfeited/Expired     (79,316 )     9.35                          
Outstanding at June 30, 2020     749,491     $ 4.10       2.69       548,980     $ 4,429,076  

 

The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit activity for the six months ended June 30, 2020:

 

Restricted stock units issued as of December 31, 2019     428,919  
Granted     354,667  
Forfeited/Canceled     (31,214 )
Total Restricted stock units issued at June 30, 2020     752,372  
Vested at June 30, 2020     303,321  
Unvested restricted stock units as of June 30, 2020     449,051  

 

The following table summarizes the warrants activity for the six months ended June 30, 2020:

 

                Weighted     Intrinsic  
          Weighted     Average     Value  
    Number of     Average     Remaining     of  
    Warrants     Exercise Price     Term     Warrants  
Outstanding at December 31, 2019     424,708     $ 5.31       0.82     $ 189,450  
Granted     -       -       -       -  
Exercised     (120,000 )     4.00                  
Forfeited/Expired     (22,188 )     9.59                  
Outstanding at June 30, 2020     282,520     $ 5.53       0.54     $ 1,263,867  

 

9

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is an estimate of the exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (i.e., the exit price at the measurement date). Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction cost. Fair value measurement under U.S. GAAP provides for use of a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels:

 

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, and reasonably available. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflect the assumptions that the Company develops based on available information about what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability.

 

An asset or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a variety of factors. The Company uses judgment in determining fair value of assets and liabilities and Level 3 assets and liabilities involve greater judgment than Level 1 and Level 2 assets or liabilities.

 

The Company has no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

The table below provides information on our liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis :

 

          Fair Value  
    Fair Value     Hierarchy  
    (in thousands)  
Liabilities                
Warrant liability (1), June 30, 2020   $ 593       Level 3  
Warrant liability (1), December 31, 2019   $ 120       Level 3  

 

 

 

(1) The fair value of the warrant liability was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model (refer to Note 5 – Debt for additional information on our warrant liability). Fair value adjustments are included within change in fair value of warrant liability in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements (hosting arrangements) that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact our financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU adds, modifies, and removes several disclosure requirements relative to the three levels of inputs used to measure fair value in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

 

10

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

  

NOTE 3 — GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENT’S LIQUIDITY PLANS

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,130,000 and a working capital deficit of $1,893,000. In addition, the Company used actual net cash in operations of $791,000 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020. The Company has incurred net losses since inception. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

On August 14, 2019, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Sero Capital LLC, a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The beneficial owner of Sero Capital LLC is David Moradi, who became a director of the Company on November 8, 2019. The Loan Agreement provides the Company with an unsecured credit facility under which the Company may borrow up to the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000. Any advances under the Loan Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate of 10.0% (subject to increase in the event of a default), which is payable monthly and may, at the Company’s option, be paid either in cash or by the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock. The term of the Loan Agreement extends through August 14, 2020, subject to earlier termination as provided in the Loan Agreement. No amounts have been drawn under the Loan Agreement as of June 30, 2020. In consideration of the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to Sero Capital LLC a common stock warrant to acquire up to a total of 146,667 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share, which exercise price may be paid in cash or, at the election of the holder, in a cashless, or “net,” exercise transaction. The warrant expires on August 14, 2020.

 

On April 15, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement in the amount of $1,302,000 with Liberty Capital Bank (“Term Loan”) pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) of the CARES Act, which is administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The Loan has been funded. Loan interest payments are deferred for six months. The loan has a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1.0% per annum. The loan is not collateralized and is not personally guaranteed. No fees were charged in connection with the loan. The Company intends to use all proceeds from the Loan to fund payroll and pay for occupancy costs. All or a portion of the Loan may be forgiven upon application by the Company in accordance with the SBA requirements.

 

In April 2020, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with SEC to register the sale, in future offerings, of up to $7,000,000 in the aggregate of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights or units consisting of any two or more of such securities. We intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold under the registration statement or otherwise for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, repayment of debt, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

 

The Company expects that cash flows from operations will continue to be negative in the near future. The company expects to become cash flow positive, under normal economic circumstances, in 2021. The Company may need to raise additional funds through debt or equity financing if its operating plan doesn’t come to fruition. If the Company is unsuccessful in raising additional financing, it will need to reduce operating costs in the future.

 

Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

11

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 — LEASE LIABILITIES AND RIGHT OF USE ASSETS

 

We determine whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. 

 

Finance Leases

 

The Company has finance leases to purchase computer equipment. The amortization expense of the leased equipment is included in depreciation expense. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s outstanding finance lease obligations totaled $97,000 and $104,000, respectively. The effective interest rate of the finance leases is estimated at 6.0% based on the implicit rate in the lease agreements.

 

The following summarizes the right of use assets under finance leases included in property and equipment: 

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Computer equipment   $ 177     $ 157  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (86 )     (60 )
    $ 91     $ 97  

 

Operating Leases

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. Since our lease arrangements do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate for the expected remaining lease term at commencement date for new leases, or as of January 1, 2019 for existing leases, in determining the present value of future lease payments. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company has operating leases for office space in Tucson, Arizona and Marietta, Georgia. The company also leases office in Scottsdale, Arizona from a company controlled by our Executive Chairman, which continues on a month-to-month basis, therefore was not measured under Topic 842.

 

In addition, the Company entered into membership agreements to occupy shared office space in New York and Portland, Oregon. The membership agreements do not qualify as a lease under ASC 842 as the owner has substantive substitution rights, therefore the Company recognizes expenses membership fees as incurred. In addition, the membership agreement for the New York office continues on a month-to-month basis. See Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies for further details on our shared office arrangements.

 

12

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 — LEASE LIABILITIES AND RIGHT OF USE ASSETS (continued)

 

The Company has made operating lease payments in the amount of $127,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2020.  

  

The following summarizes the total lease liabilities and remaining future minimum lease payments at June 30, 2020 (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31,   Finance Leases     Operating Leases     Total  
2020   $ 33     $ 128     $ 161  
2021     52       262       314  
2022     17       257       274  
2023     1       118       119  
2024     -       81       81  
Total minimum lease payments     103       846       949  
Less: present value discount     (6 )     (84 )     (90 )
Total lease liabilities     97       762       859  
Current portion of lease liabilities     60       218       278  
Long term portion of lease liabilities   $ 37     $ 544     $ 581  

 

The following summarizes lease expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands):

 

Finance lease expenses:        
Depreciation expense   $ 26  
Interest on lease liabilities     3  
Total Finance lease expense     29  
Operating lease expense     128  
Short-term lease and related expenses     64  
Total lease expenses   $ 221  

 

The following table provides information about the remaining lease terms and discount rates applied as of June 30, 2020:

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)        
Operating Leases     3.41  
Finance Leases     1.82  
Weighted average discount rate (%)        
Operating Leases     6.00  
Finance Leases     6.00  

 

13

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 — DEBT

 

Related party credit facility

 

On August 14, 2019, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Sero Capital LLC, a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The beneficial owner of Sero Capital LLC is David Moradi, who became a director of the Company on November 8, 2019. The Loan Agreement provides the Company with an unsecured credit facility under which the Company may borrow up to the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000. Any advances under the Loan Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate of 10% (subject to increase in the event of a default), which is payable monthly and may, at the Company’s option, be paid either in cash or by the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock. The term of the Loan Agreement extends through August 14, 2020, subject to earlier termination as provided in the Loan Agreement. The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The Company may prepay its obligations under the Loan Agreement without penalty, but subject to certain limitations regarding the number, timing and dollar amounts of prepayments. The Loan Agreement provides for certain customary covenants, representations and events of default. No amounts have been drawn under the Loan Agreement as of June 30, 2020.

 

In consideration of the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to Sero Capital LLC a common stock warrants to acquire up to a total of 146,667 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share, which exercise price may be paid in cash or, at the election of the holder, in a cashless, or “net,” exercise transaction. The warrants expire on August 14, 2020 and are classified as a liability instrument since the holder has the option to require the Company to repurchase the warrants when certain events occur that are considered outside of the control of the Company. The estimated fair value of the Sero Capital LLC warrant was $219,000 at date of issuance and included as debt issuance costs in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs was $27,000 on June 30, 2020.

 

Term loan

 

On April 15, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement in the amount of $1,302,000 with Liberty Capital Bank pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP Loan”) of the CARES Act, which is administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Loan interest payments are deferred for six months. The loan has a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1.0% per annum. The PPP Loan is not collateralized and is not personally guaranteed. No fees were charged in connection with the loan. All or a portion of the PPP Loan may be forgiven upon application by the Company in accordance with the SBA requirements. As of June 30, 2020, outstanding principal balance totaled $1,302,000 and was classified as long term liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

14

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 — SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had 100,000 and 105,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) outstanding, respectively, which was issued at $10 per share, paying a 5% cumulative annual dividend, and convertible into the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.385 per share. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, preferred stockholders collectively earned, but were not paid, approximately $26,000 in quarterly dividends, which is equivalent to 5,835 shares of common stock based on a conversion price of $4.385 per share. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, cumulative and unpaid dividends were approximately $258,000 and approximately $245,000, respectively, which is equivalent to 58,949 and 55,927 shares of common stock, respectively, based on a conversion price of $4.385 per share.

 

On any matter presented to the stockholders of the Company, holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which their shares of Preferred Stock are convertible as of the record date to vote on such matter. As long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company has certain restrictions on share repurchases or amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation in a manner that adversely affects any rights of the Preferred Stockholders.

 

In addition, the preferred stockholders have a liquidation preference for purposes of which the Preferred Stock would be valued at $10 per share plus accrued cumulative annual dividends. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the liquidation preference was valued at $1,258,000 and $1,295,000, respectively. In the event of any liquidity event, holders of each share of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company legally available before any sums shall be paid to holders of common stock.

 

15

 

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

As discussed in Note 5 – Debt, we entered into a Loan Agreement with Sero Capital LLC, a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The beneficial owner of Sero Capital LLC is David Moradi, who became a director of the Company on November 8, 2019. The Loan Agreement extends through August 14, 2020 and provides the Company with an unsecured credit facility under which we may borrow up to the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000. No amounts have been drawn under the Loan Agreement as of June 30, 2020.

 

In consideration of the Loan Agreement, we issued to Sero Capital LLC common stock warrants to acquire up to a total of 146,667 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The warrants expire on August 14, 2020 and are included on the consolidated balance sheets at a fair value of $593,000 as of June 30, 2020. See Note- 5 – Debt for additional detail on our outstanding warrant liability.

 

As discussed in Note 4 – Lease Liabilities and Right of Use Assets, we lease office space from a company controlled by our Executive Chairman. For the three- and six- month periods ended June 30, 2020, rent payments for this office space totaled $17,000 and $35,000, respectively.

 

NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Membership agreement to occupy shared office space

 

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company entered into a membership agreement to occupy shared office space in Portland, Oregon. Our new shared office arrangement commenced upon taking possession of the space and ends in August 2021. Fees due under the membership agreement are based on the number of contracted seats and the use of optional office services. As of June 30, 2020, minimum fees due under the shared office arrangement totaled $49,000.

 

Litigation

 

We may become involved in various routine disputes and allegations incidental to our business operations. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters, management believes that the resolution of any such matters, should they arise, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

NOTE 9 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

We have evaluated subsequent events occurring after June 30, 2020 and based on our evaluation we did not identify any events that would have required recognition or disclosure in these consolidated financial statements, except for the following.  

 

In third quarter of 2020, the Company amended its membership agreement to occupy shared office space in New York, New York. The amendment provides for additional space and establishes a new commitment term ending on July 2021. Fees due under the membership agreement are based on the number of contracted seats and the use of optional office services. Total minimum fees due under this shared office arrangement totals $94,000.

 

On August 11, 2020, warrants to acquire 146,667 shares of the of the Company’s common stock were exercised at $6.00 per share by Sero Capital LLC, a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, and which is beneficially owned by David Moradi, a director of the Company, as discussed in Note 5 - Debt. As consideration for the warrants exercise, the company will receive $880,000 in cash.

 

As part of the Company’s strategic shift to build a more modern, scalable technology stack, we are building our technology center in Portland, Oregon. As a result, along with executive changes, there will be an impact on our current employees as well, mostly in the technology function. We have already started hiring personnel in Portland, and will continue to do so in the near future. The Company  expects to pay approximately $400,000 in separation costs, including severance and accrued vacation, of which approximately $70,000 has been accrued as of June 30, 2020.

 

16

 

 

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

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

 

As used in this quarterly report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar references refer to AudioEye, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, unless otherwise indicated.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Any statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “should”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “expects”, “estimates”, “projects”, “positioned”, “strategy”, “outlook” and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and elsewhere in this Report, especially under the headings "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that our expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee or offer any assurance of future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements or other future events. We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend, and we do not undertake any obligation, to revise or update any of the forward-looking statements to match actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report, which aim to inform interested parties of the risks factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Background

 

AudioEye, Inc. (“AudioEye” or the “Company”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on May 20, 2005. On August 1, 2018, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to implement a reverse stock split in the ratio of 1 share for every 25 shares of common stock and to reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock from 250,000,000 to 50,000,000. As a result, 186,994,384 shares of the Company’s common stock were exchanged for 7,479,775 shares of the Company's common stock. The financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the reverse stock split.

 

In August 2018, the Company completed a private placement of $6,250,000 million (before expenses) growth equity financing with institutional investors to accelerate expansion efforts for the company's indirect partnership business. Further, we listed the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market in September 2018.

 

Overview

 

AudioEye is an industry-leading software solution provider delivering website accessibility compliance at all price points to businesses of all sizes. Our solutions advance accessibility with patented technology that reduces barriers, expands access for individuals with disabilities, and enhances the user experience for a broader audience. We believe that, when implemented, our solution offers businesses and organizations the opportunity to reach more customers, improve brand image, build additional brand loyalty, and, most importantly, provide an accessible and usable web experience to the expansive and ever-growing global population of individuals with disabilities. AudioEye provides an always-on testing, remediation, and monitoring solution that continually improves conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), helping businesses and organizations comply with WCAG standards as well as applicable U.S., Canadian, Australian, and United Kingdom accessibility laws.

 

17

 

 

AudioEye stands out among its competitors because it delivers machine-learning/artificial intelligence (“AI”)-driven accessibility without fundamental changes to the website architecture. Our technology publishes more than one billion remediations daily, and our solution is trusted by some of the largest and most influential companies in the world, including ADP, Tommy Hilfiger, AMI, Ferrari and more. Government agencies, both at the federal level and state and local levels, have also integrated our software in their digital platforms.

  

AudioEye primarily generates revenue through the sale of subscriptions for our software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) accessibility solution plans. Plans range in scale from “do-it-yourself” to “do-it-for-me.” All are backed by the power of AudioEye’s machine-learning/AI-driven technology that finds and fixes the most common accessibility errors. Do-it-yourself plans, AudioEye Starter and Pro, also equip site owners with the remediation tools needed to fix remaining issues, ensuring accessibility standards are met. Do-it-for-me, AudioEye Managed/Enterprise, is for those who want AudioEye to continuously ensure legal compliance and accessibility for users of all abilities. Managed and Enterprise also come with the AudioEye Trusted Certification, our attestation of a site owner’s commitment to digital inclusion as defined by WCAG success criteria, which mitigates a customer’s risk of a costly digital accessibility-related legal action. AudioEye also provides Mobile App and PDF remediation services.

 

AudioEye customers may purchase tiered plans directly through the AudioEye marketplace, in a platform partner marketplace, through a vertical Content Management System (“CMS”) authorized reseller, or by working directly with the AudioEye sales team:

 

  · The AudioEye marketplace offers Starter, Pro and Managed plans ideal for customers in any industry and is most effective for sites built on supported CMS platforms;
     
  · Certain platforms, such as Duda, natively integrate AudioEye Pro and Managed plans into their marketplace, enabling web creators to immediately build legally compliant, fully accessible websites;
     
  · Vertical CMS authorized resellers provide a website-hosting platform for their end-user customers, selling either AudioEye Pro or Managed accessibility solutions; and
     
  · Organizations with non-platform custom websites seeking a fully managed solution, engage directly with AudioEye sales personnel for custom pricing and solutions.

 

Recent Developments – Impact of COVID 19 to our Business

 

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our teammates, we took proactive action to adopt social distancing policies at all our locations, including working from home, and suspending teammate travel. Governments around the world have also enacted various measures, including orders to close all businesses not deemed “essential,” isolate residents to their homes or places of residence, and practice social distancing when engaging in essential activities.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global and local economies and workforce participation. While we observed some impact of COVID-19 on our first half of 2020 financial results, we are uncertain of the significance of its impact on our future results as clients evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, their profitability and liquidity. We continue to evaluate ways to shore up our liquidity for uncertain economic conditions ahead.

 

We are not immune to the effects of a global pandemic or a related macroeconomic slowdown. The same goes for our customers, many of whom are small businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the current economic environment. In response, we have been proactive in providing options for pricing terms and other concessions on a temporary basis to help our customers withstand the financial impacts they may be experiencing. As a result of the pandemic, some of our customers have requested shorter term contracts, asked us to accept delayed payments or to forgive payments, and have sought price reductions. These factors have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect our revenue and collections and may become more material in the future if economic conditions worsen.

 

Nobody knows how long the current business environment will persist. However, it is our expectation that some of our COVID-19 related programs will need to continue for some time. In that case, it would be reasonable to expect more meaningful negative impacts to our financial and operating performance. More generally, based on what we know right now, we anticipate at least a near-term impact on our revenue, and collections as we expect our Account Receivables aging will continue to worsen. This in-turn may put further pressure on our liquidity in the short- to medium- term. We will continue to monitor the impact on our business and evaluate the value of our assets and assess them for any impairment resulting from the effects of the pandemic driven uncertainty in accordance with our policy.

 

18

 

 

The ultimate extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business operations, financial performance and results of operation, including our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, is currently unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, continuously evolving and cannot be predicted. This includes, but is not limited to, the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, such as related restrictions on travel and transportation, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

 

We will continue to actively monitor the situation and anticipate further actions altering our business operations that we determine will be in the best interests of our teammates, clients, partners, suppliers, and shareholders, or as required by federal, state, or local authorities. It is not clear what the potential effects of any such alterations or modifications may have on our business, including the effects on our clients, teammates, and prospects, or on our financial results for the remainder of 2020.

 

Accordingly, our current results and financial condition discussed herein may not be indicative of future operating results and trends. See “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this report for additional risks we face due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The AudioEye Solution

 

AudioEye uses proprietary technology and development tools to offer web accessibility solutions that offer significant savings in time and money relative to traditional solutions. Our compliance solutions focus on rapid remediation of the most important accessibility issues, followed by in-depth analysis identifying and addressing a more comprehensive compliance program. Our technology was built to not only provide users with a cloud-based assistive toolset that gets embedded in and is made freely available to users within our customers’ websites, but to also improve the code in a way that optimizes the user experience for users of existing third-party assistive technologies, such as screen readers.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Our intellectual property is primarily comprised of trade secrets, trademarks, issued, published and pending patent applications, copyrights and technological innovation. We have a patent portfolio comprised of eight issued patents in the United States. We also have two pending patent applications and two international patent applications filed via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) and the European Patent Office. The patents have been extended and cover a period from 2002 through 2026.

 

We have a trademark portfolio comprised of eight United States trademark registrations.

 

Our current patented inventions relate to:

 

  ·

A server-side method and apparatus that enables users to audibly navigate websites and hear high-quality streaming audio narration and descriptions of websites. This patented invention involves creating an audio-enabled web experience by utilizing voice talent and automated text-to-speech conversion methods to read and describe web content.

 

  ·

Systems for automatic remediation of non-compliant webpages and user interfaces using pre-stored remediation scripts as well as form-based quickfix remediation codes. More specifically, this patent covers various features related to crawling webpages and user interfaces to perform compliance assessments using pre-stored remediation scripts corresponding to different compliance issues and manipulating the document object model (DOM). This patent also covers various features related to using pre-stored accelerated remediation code blocks, including those derived from machine learning, corresponding to different compliance issues to modify the DOM.

 

  · Methods for providing alternative descriptions to elements on a webpage that were previously untagged and without the appropriate tags. More specifically, this patent covers various features related to detecting an untagged element having an associated hyperlink and using pre-existing remediation scripts to assign an alt text description to the untagged element. In addition, this patent also covers various features related to detecting an untagged image and assigning an alt text description based on image recognition analysis.

 

Our current portfolio has established a foundation for building unique technology solutions that contribute to the way in which we differentiate ourselves from other competitors in the B2B Web Accessibility marketplace. We plan to continue to invest in research and development and expand our portfolio of proprietary intellectual property.

 

Our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020 provides additional information about our business and operations.

 

19

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements are stated in United States Dollars and are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The discussion of the results of our operations compares the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 with the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. Our results of operations in these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for any subsequent period. Our prospects should be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties encountered by companies in similar positions.  We may not be successful in addressing these risks and difficulties.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and workforce participation. While we observed some impact on our first half of 2020 financial results, the ultimate extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future business operations, financial performance and results of operation, including our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, is currently unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, continuously evolving and cannot be predicted.

 

Comparative for the Three Months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

Results of Operations

 

    Three Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
Revenue   $ 5,283     $ 2,436  
Cost of sales     1,607       1,124  
Gross profit     3,676       1,312  
Operating expenses:                
Selling & marketing     1,705       1,345  
Research & development     265       152  
General and administrative expenses     2,556       1,834  
Total operating expenses     4,526       3,331  
Operating loss     (850 )     (2,019 )
                 
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (501 )     -  
Interest income (expense)     (56 )     (1 )
Net loss     (1,407 )     (2,020 )
Deemed dividend on Series A Convertible Preferred Stock     (12 )     (13 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (1,419 )   $ (2,033 )
Net income per common share – basic and diluted   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.27 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted     8,937       7,646  

 

Revenue

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, revenue was approximately $5,283,000 and $2,436,000, respectively, consisting primarily of revenues from core product sales. Revenues increased due to the execution of the Company’s business plan which includes the hiring of additional sales team members, increased penetration within its channel partnerships thus increasing the volume of reselling of the AudioEye products and services, and a continued focus on highly transactional industry verticals.   

 

20

 

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by sales channel:

 

    Three months ended
June 30,
 
    2020     2019  
             
    (in thousands)  
Direct (Enterprise)   $ 2,925     $ 1,827  
Indirect (Vertical partners)     2,338       609  
Other     20       -  
Total revenues   $ 5,283     $ 2,436  

 

Cost of Revenue

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, cost of revenue was approximately $1,607,000 and $1,124,000, respectively, and consisted primarily of employee-related costs, including payroll, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for our technology operations and customer experience teams, fees paid to our managed hosting providers and other third-party service providers, amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired technology, and allocated overhead costs. The increase in cost of revenue was due to significant increase in direct labor headcount and related payroll and use of sub-contracting to support the increase in revenues.

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations, including internal department structure changes, employee movements, intellectual property and technology related expenses, and facility expenses. For the purposes of comparability, the company reclassified prior period results to conform with our current period presentation. The reclassification resulted in a net decrease of approximately $23,000 to previously reported cost of revenue for the three months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Gross Profit

 

An increase in our revenues and increase in cost of revenue resulted in a gross profit of approximately $3,676,000 for the current period, as compared to a gross profit of approximately $1,312,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019. Gross profit increased as a result of increased revenue and continued improvement in efficiencies as we scale, offset in part by an increase in costs for investments and support.

  

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses were approximately $1,705,000 and $1,345,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The increase resulted primarily from staff additions and related compensation costs, including increases in salary and commission expenses, as we continue expand our business.

 

As discussed above, in 2020 the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted in a net increase of approximately $251,000 to previously reported selling and marketing expenses for the three months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses were approximately $265,000 and $152,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily as a result of an increase in our efforts on new product development and outsourced hosting and cloud computing related costs for the research and development of new technologies.

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted in a net increase of approximately $5,000 to previously reported research and development expenses for the three months ending June 30, 2019.

 

21

 

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were approximately $2,556,000 and $1,834,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $722,000 due primarily to higher salaries and service provider costs in the 2020 period as compared to the 2019 period. Salaries, wages, benefits and other related expenses increased to approximately $1,517,000 in the current year period compared to approximately $659,000 to the same period in 2019. Legal, consulting and other professional fees decreased from the prior year period and were approximately $599,000 in the second quarter of 2020 compared to approximately $648,000 in the prior year comparable period. Much of the overall increase in general and administrative expenses over the prior year comparable period was primarily due to increased headcount.

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted a net decrease of approximately $233,000 to general and administrative expenses for the three months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $56,000 and $1,000, respectively. Interest expense consists primarily of amortization of debt issuance costs from our line of credit and interest on our finance lease liabilities, and is partially offset by interest income earned on our cash balances.

 

Comparative for the Six Months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

Results of Operations

 

    Six Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
Revenue   $ 9,544     $ 4,421  
Cost of sales     2,927       2,046  
Gross profit     6,617       2,375  
Operating expenses:                
Selling & marketing     3,523       2,658  
Research & development     598       293  
General and administrative expenses     4,988       3,583  
Total operating expenses     9,109       6,534  
Operating loss     (2,492 )     (4,159 )
                 
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (473 )     -  
Interest expense     (106 )     (2 )
Net loss     (3,071 )     (4,161 )
Deemed dividend on Series A Convertible Preferred Stock     (26 )     (26 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (3,097 )   $ (4,187 )
Net income per common share – basic and diluted   $ (0.35 )   $ (0.55 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted     8,907       7,629  

   

Revenue

 

Revenues for the first half of 2020 were a record of approximately $9,544,000, representing an increase of 116% from approximately $4,421,000 in the prior year comparable period. Revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was approximately $5,283,000, an increase of 24% from approximately $4,261,000 in revenue recognized in the first quarter of 2020. The revenues for the second quarter of 2020 represent the 18th consecutive quarter of topline growth for the Company. Revenues increased due to the execution of the Company’s business plan which includes the hiring of additional sales team members, increased penetration within its channel partnerships thus increasing the volume of reselling of the AudioEye products and services, and a continued focus on highly transactional industry verticals.   

 

22

 

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by sales channel:

 

    Six months ended
June 30,
 
    2020     2019  
             
    (in thousands)  
Direct (Enterprise)   $ 5,312     $ 3,287  
Indirect (Vertical partners)     4,200       1,134  
Other     32       -  
Total revenues   $ 9,544     $ 4,421  

 

Cost of Revenue

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, cost of revenue was approximately $2,927,000 and $2,046,000, respectively, and consisted primarily of employee-related costs, including payroll, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for our technology operations and customer experience teams, fees paid to our managed hosting providers and other third-party service providers, amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired technology, and allocated overhead costs. The increase in cost of revenue was due to significant increase in direct labor headcount and related payroll and use of sub-contracting to support the increase in revenues.

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations, including internal department structure changes, employee movements, intellectual property and technology related expenses, and facility expenses. For the purposes of comparability, the company reclassified prior period results to conform with our current period presentation. The reclassification resulted in a net decrease of approximately $4,000 to previously reported cost of revenue for the six months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Gross Profit

 

An increase in our revenues and related cost of revenue resulted in a gross profit of approximately $6,617,000 for the current period, as compared to a gross profit of approximately $2,375,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Gross profit increased as a result of increased revenue and continued improvement in efficiencies as we scale, offset in part by an increase in costs for investments and support.

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses were approximately $3,523,000 and $2,658,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The increase resulted primarily from staff additions and related compensation costs, including increases in salary and commission expenses, as we continue expand our business.

 

As discussed above, in 2020 the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted a net increase of approximately $692,000 to previously reported selling and marketing expenses for the six months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses were approximately $598,000 and $293,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily as a result of an increase in outsourced hosting and cloud computing related costs for the research and development of new technologies.

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted in a net decrease of approximately $69,000 to previously reported research and development expenses for the six months ending June 30, 2019.

 

23

 

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were approximately $4,998,000 and $3,583,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $1,405,000 due primarily to higher salaries and service provider costs in the 2020 period as compared to the 2019 period. Salaries, wages, benefits and other related expenses increased to approximately $2,618,000 in the current year period compared to approximately $1,523,000 to the same period in 2019. Legal, consulting and other professional fees increased from the prior year period and were approximately $1,459,000 in the first six-month period 2020 compared to approximately $1,189,000 in the prior year comparable period. Much of the overall increase in general and administrative expenses over the prior year comparable period was primarily due to increased headcount with some of the increase due to increased legal fees related to the shelf registration statement and other matters during the first quarter of 2020. 

 

In 2020, the Company amended the categorization of certain expenses to conform with changes incurred in its operations. For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. This reclassification resulted a net decrease of approximately $620,000 to general and administrative expenses for the six months ending June 30, 2019.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $106,000 and $2,000, respectively. Interest expense consists primarily of amortization of debt issuance costs from our line of credit and interest on our finance lease liabilities, and is partially offset by interest income earned on our cash balances. We reclassified approximately $55,000 of deferred issuance costs from the three months ended March 31, 2020 to interest expense in order to conform to current presentation of interest expense for the six months ending June 30, 2020.

 

About Key Operating Metrics

 

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we consider certain operating measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S GAAP, including monthly recurring revenue, contract bookings and contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue. AudioEye has historically reviewed a number of operating metrics such as these to evaluate its business, measure performance, identify trends, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions.

 

AudioEye's monthly recurring revenue (“MRR”) for a paid customer account is a determination made by assessing the terms of each paid customer account, as of the date of determination, as to the revenue we expect to generate on an average monthly basis for that paid customer account, assuming no changes to the subscription and without taking into account any usage above the subscription or recurring revenue base, if any, that may be applicable to such subscription. This includes both annual and monthly contracts. Audioeye’s MRR was about $1.6 million at the end of the second quarter, which represents an increase of 105% year-over-year.

 

Contract bookings for the second quarter of 2020 were approximately $4,290,000. This represents a decrease of approximately 41% from approximately $7,281,000 in the prior year comparable period, and an increase of 9% sequentially from approximately $3,928,000 in the first quarter of 2020. This year over year decrease was largely driven by a non-recurring extraordinarily large multi-year contract in the prior year comparable period. This dynamic was expected.

 

AudioEye’s contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue is the remaining bookings that have not yet been recognized as revenue or deferred revenue. This measure represents the contractually agreed amount of consideration that we expect to recognize as revenue in subsequent periods, as company fulfills its service obligations.

 

A summary of our contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue is as follows (in thousands):  

 

    Contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue  
    June 30, 2020  
                            Contract Amount  
          Revenue     Revenue
Recognized
    Deferred      in Excess of
Deferred Revenue
 
    Contract     Recognized     Six Months Ended     Revenue     and  
    Amount     prior to 2020     June 30, 2020     June 30, 2020     Recognized Revenue  
                               
Fixed Contracts   $ 46,778     $ 15,708     $ 9,544     $ 5,246     $ 16,280  

 

24

 

 

As a result of the ongoing expansion of its Indirect sales channel (both Vertical partners and new channels), MRR has become the key operating metric of focus for the Company, and both the bookings and contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue metrics have become less useful as leading indicators of AudioEye’s business. The mix shift towards Vertical Partners and other new channels results in the creation of future revenue opportunities that are not reflected in bookings or contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue. This quarter illustrates the dynamic. MRR grew 105% despite contracts in excess of revenue increasing 18% and bookings falling 41%, primarily as a result of an extraordinarily large multi-year contract in the previous year.

 

As a result of bookings and contracts in excess of revenue and deferred revenue becoming less meaningful due to our shift towards a multiple sales channels model, the Company is going to discontinue presenting these two metrics starting in the third quarter of 2020.

 

Vertical Partner is a CMS provider or a company which provides a web-hosting platform for private and public entities and resells the AudioEye Managed service as an accessibility service offering to its customers. CMS providers who are focused on a specific industry vertical are referred to as Vertical Partners by AudioEye. CMS providers who are not focused on a specific vertical are referred to as Platform partners by AudioEye.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Working Capital

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had cash of approximately $2,130,000 and working capital deficit of approximately $1,893,000. While the Company has been successful in raising capital in the past, there is no assurance that it will be successful at raising additional capital in the future. Extreme volatility of the capital markets during the COVID-19 pandemic could have an adverse impact on the Company’s ability to access the capital markets. Additionally, if the Company’s plans are not achieved and/or if significant unanticipated events occur, the Company may have to further modify its business plan, which may require us to raise additional capital.

  

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Current assets   $ 6,565     $ 5,608  
Current liabilities     8,458       6,726  
Working capital (deficit)   $ (1,893 )   $ (1,118 )

 

Cash Flows

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
 
    June 30,  
    2020     2019  
    (in thousands)  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (791 )   $ (2,917 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (370 )     (143 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     1,319       122  
Net (decrease) increase in cash   $ 158     $ (2,938 )

  

We had cash in the amount of approximately $2,130,000 and approximately $1,972,000 as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Cash used in operating activities resulted from increased headcount, personnel, sales and marketing costs, an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $1,066,000, an increase in deferred costs of approximately $90,000, a decrease in operating lease liabilities of approximately $102,000, and a decrease in deferred revenue of approximately $279,000, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of approximately $2,000, which was partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of approximately $1,536,000, and a decrease in unbilled receivables of approximately $160,000. The Company used actual net cash in operations of approximately $791,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to approximately $2,917,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

25

 

 

We may raise additional capital through the sale of equity or debt securities or borrowings from financial institutions or third parties or a combination of the foregoing. Capital raised will be used to implement our business plan, grow current operations, make acquisitions and/or start new vertical businesses among some of the anticipated uses of such capital.

 

The Company is currently considering the potential reallocation of resources and costs to build scalable technology and increased efficiency in the future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by our management’s application of accounting policies. We believe that understanding the basis and nature of the estimates and assumptions involved with the following aspects of our financial statements is critical to an understanding of our financial statements.

 

Our critical accounting policies, as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, relate to revenue recognition, cost of revenue, capitalized software development costs, allowance for doubtful accounts, property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, impairment of long-lived assets, income taxes, cash and cash equivalents, investments in equity securities, earnings per share, derivative instrument liability, financial instruments, fair value measurements, stock based compensation, and research and development. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As required under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2020. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2020 were not effective, for the same reasons as previously disclosed under Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. 

 

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

26

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Currently, there are no pending material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party to or to which any of its property is subject.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those set forth in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and measures put in place in response to the pandemic will further impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

 

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the measures put in place to address it have materially and negatively impacted the global economy and have significantly increased worldwide economic uncertainty.

 

The outbreak has resulted in the implementation by authorities of numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. These measures have negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, business spending by our customers, and they have also adversely impacted and may further adversely impact our workforce and operations and the operations of our customers and business partners. These measures may remain in place for a significant but unpredictable period of time, and they are likely to continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

As a result of the pandemic, some of our customers have requested shorter term contracts, asked us to accept delayed payments or to forgive payments, and have sought price reductions. These factors have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect our revenue and collections and may become more material in the future if economic conditions worsen. The spread of COVID-19 has caused us to modify our business practices (including with respect to employee travel, employee work locations and physical participation in meetings with customers and prospective customers. We may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners. These changes in business practices may negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the pandemic, its severity, the measures put in place to contain the virus or treat its impact, and when, how quickly and to what extent the global economy will improve and more normal economic and business conditions can resume. In the event, even after the COVID-19 outbreak subsides, we may experience materially adverse effects to our business as a result of its global economic impact, including any economic recession or depression that has occurred or may occur in the future.

 

We may not receive forgiveness of all or a portion of our recently received PPP Loan.

 

As discussed in this report, including in Notes 3 and 5 in the footnotes to the unaudited financial statements included herein, on April 15, 2020, we entered into a note agreement in the amount of approximately $1,302,000 with Liberty Capital Bank (the “PPP Loan”) pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act, which is being administered by the Small Business Administration. The Loan has been funded. All or a portion of the Loan may be forgiven upon application by the Company in accordance with the Small Business Administration Requirements. No assurance can be provided, however, that we will elect to pursue forgiveness of all or a portion of the PPP Loan or that we will be eligible for and obtain forgiveness of all or a portion of the PPP Loan. If we elect not to pursue or are unable to qualify for or obtain forgiveness of all or a portion of the PPP Loan, our liquidity could be reduced, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

27

 

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None. 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
10.1*   AudioEye, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on May 18, 2020
     
31.1*   Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1*   Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith.

 

28

 

 

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.

 

  AUDIOEYE, INC.

 

Date: August 13, 2020    By:   /s/ Dr. Carr Bettis
        Dr. Carr Bettis
        Principal Executive Officer
         
Date: August 13, 2020    By: /s/ Sachin Barot
        Sachin Barot
        Principal Financial Officer

 

29

 

Exhibit 10.1

  

 

AudioEye, Inc.

2019 Equity Incentive Plan

(as amended and restated on May 18, 2020)

 

1.       Purpose; Eligibility.

 

1.1    General Purpose. The name of this plan is the AudioEye, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable AudioEye, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Directors with those of the stockholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

1.2    Eligible Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.

 

1.3    Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-Qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based Awards.

 

2.       Definitions.

 

Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.

 

Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

Award” means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-Qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Award, a Performance Share Award, a Cash Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.

 

Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.

 

“Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 7.4 of the Plan.

 

  1  

 

 

Cause” with respect to any Participant shall have the meaning specified in the Participant’s Award Agreement. In the absence of any definition in the Award Agreement, “Cause” shall have the equivalent meaning or the same meaning as “cause” or “for cause” set forth in any employment, consulting, or other agreement for the performance of services between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of any such agreement or any such definition in such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the failure by the Participant to perform, in a reasonable manner, his or her duties as assigned by the Company or an Affiliate, (ii) any violation or breach by the Participant of his or her employment, consulting or other similar agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, if any, (iii) any violation or breach by the Participant of any non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and/or other similar agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, (iv) any act by the Participant of dishonesty or bad faith with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, (v) use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances in a manner that adversely affects the Participant’s work performance, or (vi) the commission by the Participant of any act, misdemeanor, or crime reflecting unfavorably upon the Participant or the Company or any Affiliate. The good faith determination by the Committee of whether the Participant’s Continuous Service was terminated by the Company for “Cause” shall be final and binding for all purposes hereunder.

  

Change in Control” with respect to any Participant shall have the meaning specified in the Participant’s Award Agreement or any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company or its Affiliates. In the absence of any such definition, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i)       The acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than eighty percent (80%) of either (A) the value of then outstanding equity securities of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) (the foregoing Beneficial Ownership hereinafter being referred to as a “Controlling Interest”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute or result in a Change in Control: (v) any acquisition directly from the Company; (w) any acquisition by the Company; (x) any acquisition by any Person that as of the Effective Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling Interest; (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate; or (z) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) below; or

 

(ii)      During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the Effective Date) individuals who constitute the Board on the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

 

(iii)     Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or equity of another entity by the Company or any of its Affiliates (each a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than eighty percent (80%) of the value of the then outstanding equity securities and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of members of the board of directors (or comparable governing body of an entity that does not have such a board), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination or any Person that as of the Effective Date owns Beneficial Ownership of a Controlling Interest) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, eighty percent (80%) or more of the value of the then outstanding equity securities of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such entity except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or other governing body of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

  2  

 

 

(iv)     A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred if such transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). The Board may, in its sole discretion and without a Participant’s consent, amend the definition of “Change in Control” to conform to the definition of “Change in Control” under Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations thereunder.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 3.3 and Section 3.4.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.

 

Company” means AudioEye, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

Consultant” means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

 

Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.

 

Deferred Stock Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.

 

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement says otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, for purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 6.10 hereof, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 6.10 hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

 

  3  

 

 

Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.12.

 

Effective Date” shall mean the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as determined below. If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock (or if no sales were reported the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may also determine the Fair Market Value upon the average selling price of the Stock during a specified period that is within thirty (30) days before or thirty (30) days after such date, provided that, with respect to the grant of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the commitment to grant such Award based on such valuation method must be irrevocable before the beginning of the specified period and otherwise compliant with Section 409A of the Code.

 

“Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

  

Free Standing Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).

 

Good Reason” shall, with respect to any Participant, have the meaning specified in the Award Agreement. In the absence of any definition in the Award Agreement, “Good Reason” shall have the equivalent meaning or the same meaning as “good reason” or “for good reason” set forth in any employment, consulting or other agreement for the performance of services between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or, in the absence of any such agreement or any such definition in such agreement, such term shall mean (i) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Participant’s duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Company or an Affiliate, or any other action by the Company or an Affiliate which results in a material diminution in such duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or an Affiliate promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; or (ii) any material failure by the Company or an Affiliate to comply with its obligations to the Participant as agreed upon, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company or an Affiliate promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant. An event or action will not give the Participant grounds for Good Reason unless (A) the Participant gives the Company written notice within 60 days after the initial existence of the event or action that the Participant intends to resign for Good Reason due to such event or action; (B) the event or action is not reasonably cured by the Company within 30 days after the Company receives written notice from the Participant; and (C) the Participant terminates service within 30 days after the end of the cure period.

 

Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

 

  4  

 

 

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.

 

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an “independent director” as defined in the Marketplace Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

Option Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.

 

“Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Share Award that is granted under Section 7.4 and is payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.

 

Participant” means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon business criteria or other performance measures determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Share Award or a Cash Award.

 

Performance Share Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof.

 

Performance Share” means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Common Stock or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

Permitted Transferee” means a member of the Optionholder’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any person sharing the Optionholder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

 

“Person” means a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

Plan” means this AudioEye, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).

 

  5  

 

 

Restricted Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.2(a).

 

Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

 

Restricted Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

 

Restricted Stock Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

 

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 7.1 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

 

Stock for Stock Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

 

“Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.

 

Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

 

“Total Share Reserve” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

3.       Administration.

 

3.1    Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a)       to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

 

(b)       to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

 

(c)       to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

(d)       to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;

 

(e)       from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;

 

(f)        to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

 

(g)       to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option;

 

  6  

 

 

(h)       to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;

 

(i)        to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the Performance Goals, the Performance Period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant;

 

(j)        to amend any outstanding Awards; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

 

(k)                to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;

 

(l)                  to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;

 

(m)               to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; and

 

(n)                to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award, provided that if the modification effects a repricing, stockholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective.

 

3.2      Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

3.3      Delegation. The Committee or, if no Committee has been appointed, the Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. The Committee shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board or the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable.

 

3.4      Committee Composition. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.

 

  7  

 

 

3.5      Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

  

4.       Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

4.1      Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11, no more than 1,900,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (the “Total Share Reserve”). Any shares of Common Stock granted in connection with Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one share for every one Option or Stock Appreciation Right awarded. Any shares of Common Stock granted in connection with Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as two shares of Common Stock for every one share of Common Stock granted in connection with such Award. During the terms of the Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Awards.

 

4.2      Shares of Common Stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.

 

4.3      Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11, no more than 1,900,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the “ISO Limit”).

 

4.4      The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single Fiscal Year to any Director who is not an Employee or Consultant during the Fiscal Year, together with any cash fees paid to such Director during the Fiscal Year, shall not exceed a total value of $400,000 (calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes).

 

4.5      The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single Fiscal Year to any Employee or Consultant who is not a Director during the Fiscal Year shall not exceed a total value of $5,000,000 (calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes).

 

4.6      Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related will again be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares of Common Stock that again become available for future grants pursuant to this Section 4.6 shall be added back as one (1) share if such shares were subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and as two (2) shares if such shares were subject to other Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein: shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall not again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such shares are (a) shares tendered in payment of an Option, (b) shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award.

 

  8  

 

 

4.7      Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Total Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the ISO Limit. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such acquisition or transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not count toward the Total Share Limit.

 

4.8    No dividends will be paid to a Participant with respect to any shares subject to an Award prior to the vesting of such Award. For the avoidance of doubt, as described in Section 7.2(b), any dividends that may be attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock or any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit shall only be distributed to a Participant upon the release of restrictions on such share of Restricted Stock or the settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit, as applicable, and a Participant shall have no right to such dividends if such Award is forfeited.

 

5.       Eligibility.

 

5.1      Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors following the Grant Date.

 

5.2      Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

 

6.       Option Provisions. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 6, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

6.1      Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date. The term of a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.

 

6.2      Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

  9  

 

 

6.3      Exercise Price of a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Option Exercise Price of each Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.4      Consideration. The Option Exercise Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve, the Option Exercise Price may be paid: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Common Stock (a “Stock for Stock Exchange”); (ii) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the exercise price (i.e., by means of a “cashless” exercise procedure); (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise (i.e., by means of a “net exercise”); (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Common Stock is publicly traded (i.e., the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under this Plan.

 

6.5      Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

 

6.6      Transferability of a Non-Qualified Stock Option. A Non-Qualified Stock Option may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee, upon written approval by the Committee to the extent provided in the Award Agreement. If the Non-Qualified Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

 

6.7      Vesting of Options. Each Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

 

  10  

 

 

6.8      Termination of Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.9      Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance with Section 6.1 or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.

 

6.10   Disability of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date that is 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.11   Death of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.12   Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

6.13 Reload Options. No Option may include provisions that "reload" the Option upon exercise.

 

7.       Provisions of Awards Other Than Options.

 

7.1      Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)       General. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.1, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).

 

  11  

 

 

(b)      Grant Requirements. Any Related Right that relates to a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

(c)       Term of Stock Appreciation Rights. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

 

(d)      Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Stock Appreciation Right may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary. No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

 

(e)       Exercise and Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

 

(f)        Exercise Price. The exercise price of a Free Standing Right shall be determined by the Committee. A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Section 7.1(b) are satisfied.

 

(g)      Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares. Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised.

 

7.2      Restricted Awards.

 

(a)       General. A Restricted Award is an Award of actual shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”) or hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.2 and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(b)      Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

 

(i)   Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

 

  12  

 

 

(ii) The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside funds for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock Units with a deferral feature, whereby settlement is deferred beyond the vesting date until the occurrence of a future payment date or event set forth in an Award Agreement (“Deferred Stock Units”). At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (representing one share of Common Stock) may be credited with an amount equal to the cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company and credited to the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents credited to the Participant’s account at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.

  

(c)       Restrictions.

 

(i)   Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect to such shares shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

 

(ii) Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

  13  

 

 

(d)      Restricted Period. With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement. No Restricted Award may be granted or settled for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

 

(e)       Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2(c) and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, or at the expiration of the deferral period with respect to any outstanding Deferred Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance with Section 7.2(b)(ii) hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed in the case of Restricted Stock Units, or the delivery date in the case of Deferred Stock Units, with respect to each Vested Unit.

 

(f)        Stock Restrictions. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.

 

7.3      Performance Share Awards.

 

(a)       Grant of Performance Share Awards. Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7.3, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the Performance Period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

 

(b)      Earning Performance Share Awards. The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

7.4      Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Each Equity-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash Awards in such amounts and subject to such Performance Goals, other vesting conditions, and such other terms as the Committee determines in its discretion. Cash Awards shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine.

 

  14  

 

 

8.       Securities Law Compliance. Each Award Agreement shall provide that no shares of Common Stock shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

 

9.       Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

10.    Miscellaneous.

 

10.1   Exercisability and Vesting10.2. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

10.3   Stockholder Rights. Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 11 hereof.

 

10.4   No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

10.5   Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

 

10.6   Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld for such purpose with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company; or (d) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the tax required to be withheld by law (i.e., by means of a “cashless” exercise procedure).

 

  15  

 

 

11.    Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under the Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the Performance Goals to which Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards are subject, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to all Awards stated in Section 4 will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 11, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 11 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 11 will not constitute a modification of such Non-Qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 11 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

12.    Effect of Change in Control.

 

12.1   Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:

 

(a)     In the event of a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service without Cause or for Good Reason during the 12-month period following a Change in Control, all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or the Restricted Period shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the outstanding shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

(b)    With respect to Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, all incomplete Performance Periods in respect of such Awards in effect on the date the Change in Control occurs shall end on the date of such change and the Committee shall (i) determine the extent to which Performance Goals with respect to each such Performance Period have been met based upon such audited or unaudited financial information then available as it deems relevant and (ii) cause to be paid to the applicable Participant partial or full Awards with respect to Performance Goals for each such Performance Period based upon the Committee’s determination of the degree of attainment of Performance Goals or, if not determinable, assuming that the applicable “target” levels of performance have been attained, or on such other basis determined by the Committee.

  

To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding clauses (a) and (b) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to their Awards.

 

12.2   In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may cancel any outstanding Awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in the event. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

12.3   The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole.

 

  16  

 

 

13.    Amendment of the Plan and Awards.

 

13.1   Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock and Section 13.3, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on stockholder approval.

 

13.2   Stockholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

 

13.3   Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

 

13.4   No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

13.5   Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

14.    General Provisions.

 

14.1   Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.

 

14.2   Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in accordance with any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time (“Clawback Policy”). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by the Clawback Policy, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements).

 

 

14.3   Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

  17  

 

 

14.4   Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

  

14.5   Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

 

14.6   Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.

 

14.7   Recapitalizations. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions of Section 11.

 

14.8   Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Common Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

14.9   No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

14.10   Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

 

14.11   Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

 

14.12   Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock.

 

  18  

 

 

14.13   Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 14.13, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

 

14.14   Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

14.15   Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

14.16   Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

14.17   Plan Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

14.18   Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

 

15.    Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted) unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

16.    Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

17.    Choice of Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.

  

  19  

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Dr. Carr Bettis, Principal Executive Officer of AudioEye, Inc. (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1.            I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 of AudioEye, Inc. (the “Quarterly Report”);

 

2.            Based on my knowledge, this Quarterly Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Quarterly Report;

 

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Quarterly Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Quarterly Report;

 

4.            The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

(a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report is being prepared;

 

(b)            Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Quarterly Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.            The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)            Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 13, 2020 By:   /s/ Dr. Carr Bettis
    Name: Dr. Carr Bettis
    Title: Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Sachin Barot, Principal Financial Officer of AudioEye, Inc. (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1.            I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 of AudioEye, Inc. (the “Quarterly Report”);

 

2.            Based on my knowledge, this Quarterly Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Quarterly Report;

 

3.            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Quarterly Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Quarterly Report;

 

4.            The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

(a)            Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report is being prepared;

 

(b)            Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)            Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Quarterly Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)           Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.            The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)            All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)            Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 13, 2020 By:   /s/ Sachin Barot
    Name: Sachin Barot
    Title: Principal Financial Officer

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the filing by AudioEye, Inc. (the “Registrant”) of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020 (the “Quarterly Report”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we, Dr. Carr Bettis and Sachin Barot, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(i)         The Quarterly Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(ii)         The information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

Date: August 13, 2020 By:   /s/ Dr. Carr Bettis
    Name: Dr. Carr Bettis
    Title: Principal Executive Officer

 

  By: /s/ Sachin Barot
    Name: Sachin Barot
    Title: Principal Financial Officer