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UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d)
Of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
June
7, 2022
Date
of report (date of earliest event reported)
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| Nevada |
|
Commission
File No. 033-17773-NY |
|
90-1188745 |
(State
or Other Jurisdiction
of
Incorporation) |
|
(Commission
File
Number) |
|
(IRS
Employer
Identification
No.) |
3651
Lindell Road, Suite D565, Las Vegas, NV, 89103
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
(424)
256-8560
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number)
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under
any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
| |
☐ |
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| |
|
|
| |
☐ |
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| |
|
|
| |
☐ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| |
|
|
| |
☐ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title
of Each Class |
|
Trading
Symbol(s) |
|
Name
of each exchange on which registered |
| None |
|
None |
|
None |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405
of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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.
Item
1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On
October 8, 2020, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Joseph Page, our former
director and chief technology officer. On January 13, 2021, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada,
Las Vegas Division. The causes of action included securities fraud under Federal and California law; fraud, breach of fiduciary duty,
negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment under California law; and violation of California Business and Professions Code §17200
et seq.
We
sought injunctive and declaratory relief as well as damages of at least $5.1 million. On May 29, 2019, Mr. Page resigned from our board.
After his resignation, we retained independent patent counsel to review our patent applications. In connection with this review, we discovered
certain deficiencies in some of the applications and in their assignments to us. We determined that all of the applications had been
abandoned. Based on this review, we decided to refile three of our applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which we did
in May 2020. It is our belief that the three newly filed patent applications cover and/or disclose the same subject matter as we disclosed
in the five original patent applications. In this case, our rights may be subject to any intervening patent applications made after the
dates of the original applications. In the lawsuit, we are alleging that Mr. Page was aware of the abandonments when he assigned the
patents to RocketFuel Blockchain Company (“RBC”), a private corporation that he controlled, and that he failed to disclose
to us the abandonments when we acquired RBC in exchange for shares of our Common Stock. Mr. Page has filed an answer denying our clams
and has asserted cross- and counterclaims against us and several of our shareholders alleging breach of contract and fraud. In September
2021, Mr. Page voluntarily dismissed without prejudice all of the counterclaims against the shareholders.
On
June 7, 2022 we entered into a definitive settlement agreement with Mr. Page, pursuant to which the parties to the lawsuit and a related
suit brought by Mr. Page against our counsel agreed to dismiss the lawsuits with prejudice and to provide each other with a general release
and covenant not to sue.
Pursuant
to the settlement agreement, Mr. Page agreed to return to us 3,600,394 shares of our common stock, which will be cancelled and returned
to our treasury. As a result, our outstanding shares of common stock will be reduced by approximately 11.3 percent.
Item
9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Dated:
June 13, 2022 |
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc. |
| |
|
| |
By: |
/s/
Bennett J. Yankowitz |
| |
|
Bennett
J. Yankowitz |
| |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
Exhibit
10.1
SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
This
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release (“Agreement”) is entered into as of June 7, 2022 (“Effective Date”) by
and between Plaintiffs RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc. (“RBI”) and RocketFuel Blockchain Company (“RBC”) (collectively
“Plaintiffs”) and Defendant Joseph Page hereby (together, with the Plaintiffs, the “Parties”).
Recitals
| |
A. |
WHEREAS,
Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit titled RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc., et al. v. Joseph Page, Case No. 2:21-cv-00103-KJD-EJY (U.S.
Dist Ct., NV) (the “Action”) that is now in the United States District Court, the District of Nevada, in which Plaintiffs
allege various claims against Defendant. |
| |
|
|
| |
B. |
WHEREAS,
Defendant alleged various counterclaims against the Plaintiffs in the Action and filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit, which has
been dismissed. |
| |
|
|
| |
C.
|
WHEREAS,
Defendant has filed an action titled Joseph Page v. Shumaker Mallory LLP, et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-02002-KJD-BNW (the “SM
Action”)that is now pending in the United States District Court, the District of Nevada, in which Defendant asserts various
claims against Plaintiff’s legal counsel. Shumaker Mallory has filed several responsive pleadings in the matter which are pending
and scheduled for hearing on June 14, 2022. |
| |
|
|
| |
C. |
WHEREAS,
the Parties deny all material allegations made by the other Party in the Action. |
| |
|
|
| |
D. |
WHEREAS,
on June 7, 2022, the Parties reached an agreement to settle the claims related to the Action, which agreement was put on the record
in the Action. |
| |
|
|
| |
E. |
WHEREAS,
the Parties desire to avoid the risk and expense relating to the Action and desire to settle, without admitting any liability, the
claims, controversies, or disputes between them. |
Agreement
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
| 1. |
Recitals;
Acknowledgements. |
The
Recitals set forth above are material terms of this Settlement Agreement and are incorporated herein by reference.
This
Settlement Agreement is made pursuant to the agreement reached by the parties on or around June 7, 2022, and placed on the record in
the Action and constitutes the “Settlement Agreement.”
| 2. |
No
Admission of Liability. |
The
Parties agree that this settlement is a product of compromise. This Settlement Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission
that any Party is liable to any other Party in any way, or that any Party has any rights or claims whatsoever against any other Party.
Each Party specifically disclaims liability to the other Party.
| 3. |
Return
of Shares to RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc. |
Defendant
agrees to transfer and shall transfer to Plaintiff RBI the total of 3,600,394 shares of RBI’s common stock. Defendant shall keep
1,500,000 shares of RBI’s common stock in accord with the terms set forth herein:
| |
a. |
RBI
will release any restrictions it controls over Defendant’s 1,500,000 shares of RBI subject to applicable laws and regulations;
and |
| |
|
|
| |
b. |
Within
two business days of the Effective Date, Defendant shall instruct RBI’s transfer agent, Action Stock Transfer, Inc., to transfer
to RBI 3,600,394 shares of RBI’s common stock and to issue and deliver to RBI a physical certificate therefor. |
The
Parties agree to the following Mutual Releases effective upon the receipt of the First Settlement Payment.
| |
a. |
Plaintiffs
Release and Covenant Not to Sue. Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and any and all of their related companies, parent companies,
affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, members, owners, employees, agents, attorneys, insurers, corporate representatives,
shareholders, predecessors, successors, and assigns, do hereby RELEASE, REMISE, FOREVER DISCHARGE FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT
NOT TO SUE Defendant and his related companies, parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, members,
owners, employees, agents, attorneys (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LAW FIRM OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN & SCHOLE, LLP OR ANY ATTORNEYS
EMPLOYED BY OR PART OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN, & SCHOLE, LLP), insurers, corporate representatives, shareholders, predecessors, successors,
and assigns hereto from any and all liabilities, obligations, actions, claims, causes of action, suits, proceedings, demands, damages,
costs, and expenses of every kind whatsoever, arising from or relating to any alleged act, occurrence, omission, or transaction occurring
or happening prior to the Effective Date of this Settlement Agreement. |
| |
b. |
Defendant
Releases and Covenants Not to Sue. Defendant, on behalf of himself, Blockchain Inc. and any and all of its related companies,
parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, members, owners, employees, agents, attorneys, insurers,
corporate representatives, shareholders, predecessors, successors, and assigns, does hereby RELEASE, REMISE, FOREVER DISCHARGE,
AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ related companies, parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers,
directors, partners, members, owners, employees, agents, attorneys (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LAW FIRM OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN &
SCHOLE, LLP OR ANY ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED BY OR PART OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN, & SCHOLE, LLP), insurers, corporate representatives,
shareholders, predecessors, successors, and assigns from any and all liabilities, obligations, actions, claims, causes of action,
suits, proceedings, demands, damages, costs, and expenses of every kind whatsoever, known or unknown, arising from or relating to
any alleged act, occurrence, omission, or transaction occurring or happening prior to the Effective Date of this Settlement Agreement. |
| |
|
|
| |
c. |
Defendant
Releases Cross Defendants and Covenants Not to Sue. Defendant, on behalf of himself and any and all of its related companies,
parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, members, owners, employees, agents, attorneys, insurers,
corporate representatives, shareholders, predecessors, successors, and assigns, does hereby RELEASE, REMISE, FOREVER DISCHARGE,
AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Gert Funk; Bennett J. Yankowitz; Henrik Oerbekker; Henrik Rouf; Carsten Jensen; Pacificwave Partners,
Limited; Pacificwave Partners UK Ltd.; Pacificwave Partners Europe Sarl; and Saxton Capital, Ltd. and their related companies, parent
companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, members, owners, employees, agents, attorneys (THIS DOES NOT
INCLUDE THE LAW FIRM OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN & SCHOLE, LLP OR ANY ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED BY OR PART OF ELLENOFF, GROSSMAN, & SCHOLE,
LLP), insurers, corporate representatives, shareholders, predecessors, successors, and assigns from any and all liabilities, obligations,
actions, claims, causes of action, suits, proceedings, demands, damages, costs, and expenses of every kind whatsoever, known or unknown,
arising from or relating to any alleged act, occurrence, omission, or transaction occurring or happening prior to the Effective Date
of this Settlement Agreement. |
| |
|
|
| |
d. |
All
of Plaintiffs’ and Defendant’s releases expressly exclude (1) claims which have been, could have been, or may be asserted
by the Parties directly against Ellenoff, Grossman, Schole, LLP or any attorneys employed by or part of Ellenoff, Grossman, &
Schole, LLP. |
| 6. |
Patent
Application Representations & Cooperation |
| |
a. |
Defendant
hereby warrants, covenants and represents that, as of the date hereof, he has not filed or assisted anyone else in filing any patent
applications that would preempt or infringe upon Plaintiffs’ patent applications, including: (i) patent application numbers
14/078,202, 14/244,058, 14/324,134, 14/616,683, and 14/970,404; and (ii) patent application numbers 16/870,834, 16/877,251, and 16/877,347. |
| |
b. |
If
requested by Plaintiffs, Defendant shall reasonably cooperate in executing any documents or providing information needed by Plaintiffs
in connection with Plaintiffs’ patent applications numbers 14/078,202, 14/244,058, 14/324,134, 14/616,683, and 14/970,404. |
| |
|
|
| |
c. |
If
requested by Plaintiffs, Defendant shall complete and execute a Declaration (37 Cfr 1.63) for Utility or Design Application Using
an Application Data Sheet (37 CFR 1.76) on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s current form therefor, with respect to patent
application numbers 16/870,834, 16/877,251, and 16/877,347. |
| |
|
|
| |
d. |
Plaintiffs
hereby warrant, covenant and represent that they will not seek any restriction on Defendant’s ability to make new inventions
or to seek new patents. |
| 7. |
U.S.
District Court Retention of Jurisdiction |
The
Parties hereby agree that the United States District Court, the District of Nevada in Las Vegas will retain jurisdiction to enforce any
provisions of this Settlement Agreement.
| 8. |
Dismissal
with Prejudice. |
Following
the mutual execution of this Settlement Agreement, the Parties shall within three (3) business days file a Stipulation for Dismissal
of the Action with Prejudice. The Stipulation will include a dismissal of all parties, including parties previously dismissed without
prejudice, as to all claims for relief in the Complaint and the Cross-Complaint/Counterclaim. The Parties also hereby agree that any
Stipulation for Dismissal of the Action with Prejudice filed with the Court shall have an order for the Court to sign that the dismissal
with prejudice is subject to a specific retention of jurisdiction by the Court to enforce this Settlement Agreement.
| 9. |
Dismissal
with Prejudice of SM Action. |
Following
the mutual execution of this Settlement Agreement, Defendant shall within three (3) business days file a Request for Dismissal of the
SM Action with Prejudice. The Request for Dismissal will include a dismissal of all parties and all claims with prejudice.
| 10. |
Attorneys’
Fees and Costs. |
The
Parties each agree to bear their own fees and expenses relating to the Action and this Settlement Agreement. If any action is filed to
enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to its attorney fees and costs.
| 11. |
Entire
Agreement; Written Modifications Only. |
This
Settlement Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there
are no other covenants, promises, agreements, or understandings regarding same. This Settlement Agreement, including the provisions of
this Paragraph, may not be modified except by written amendment to this Settlement Agreement signed by the Parties affected by the same,
and the Parties hereby:
| |
a. |
expressly
agree that it shall not be reasonable for any of them to rely on any alleged, non-written amendment to this Settlement Agreement; |
| |
|
|
| |
b. |
irrevocably
waive any and all right to enforce any alleged, non-written amendment to this Settlement Agreement; and |
| |
|
|
| |
c. |
expressly
agree that it shall be beyond the scope of authority (apparent or otherwise) for any of their respective agents to agree to any non-written
modification of this Settlement Agreement. |
Each
Party warrants, covenants and represents that, as of the date hereof, it or they have not assigned, transferred or conveyed or purported
to have assigned, transferred or conveyed, to any person or entity, any of the claims it/he/she is releasing. Each Party further warrants,
covenants, and represents that it/he/she has the sole and complete right and full authority to pursue the claims it/he/she is releasing
and to enter into and execute this Settlement Agreement resolving the claims it/he/she is releasing as the legal, valid, and binding
act and deed of such party.
The
Parties represent that they have carefully read this Settlement Agreement, understand its contents, have had the opportunity to ask any
questions of that Party’s own counsel, and have signed this Settlement Agreement knowingly and voluntarily.
If
any provision, section, subsection or other portion of this Settlement Agreement shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, when such determination shall become final, such provisions or portions
shall be deemed to be severed or limited, but only to the extent required to render the remaining provisions and portions of this Settlement
Agreement enforceable. The validity or enforceability of the remainder of the Settlement Agreement shall not be affected by the invalidity
or unenforceability of any provision. This Settlement Agreement as thus amended shall be enforced to give effect to the intention of
the Parties in so far as that is possible.
This
Settlement Agreement has been jointly drafted by the Parties and shall be interpreted in accordance with the plain meaning of its terms
and not strictly for or against any of the Parties.
The
headings on paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Settlement Agreement are for convenience only, and shall have no effect other than for
convenience of reference.
No
waiver of any of the provisions or conditions of this Settlement Agreement or any of the rights of a Party shall be effective or binding
unless such waiver shall be in writing and signed by the Party claimed to have given such waiver.
| 18. |
Binding
on Successors and Assigns. |
This
Settlement Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties, their assigns, legal representatives, attorneys,
and successors in interest.
The
Parties agree that the following shall constitute sufficient notice for all purposes under this Settlement Agreement (“Written
Notice”):
| |
a. |
If
to Plaintiffs, via Federal Express and email to: |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc. |
| |
|
|
201
Spear Street, Suite 1100 |
| |
|
|
San
Francisco, CA 94105 |
| |
|
|
Email:
b.yankowitz@rocketfuelblockchain.com |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
with
a copy to: |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Bennett
J. Yankowitz, Esq. |
| |
|
|
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc. |
| |
|
|
280
S. Beverly Dr., Suite 505 |
| |
|
|
Beverly
Hills, CA 90212 |
| |
|
|
Email:
b.yankowitz@rocketfuelblockchain.com |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
and |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Nathanael
Rulis, Esq. |
| |
|
|
Kemp
Jones |
| |
|
|
3800
Howard Hughes Pkwy., 17th Floor |
| |
|
|
Las
Vegas, NV 89169 |
| |
|
|
Email:
n.rulis@kempjones.com |
| |
b. |
If
to Defendant, via Federal Express and email to: |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Joseph
Page |
| |
|
|
PO
Box 94332 |
| |
|
|
Las
Vegas, NV 89193 |
| |
|
|
Email:
jpage@josephpage.com |
| |
c. |
To
the extent the Parties wish to alter the instructions for their receipt of Written Notice, they shall provide Written Notice of any
changes in accord with this paragraph. |
| 20. |
Governing
Law and Forum |
The
laws of the State of Nevada applicable to contracts made or to be wholly performed there (without giving effect to choice of law or conflict
of law principles) shall govern the validity, construction, performance and effect of this Settlement Agreement. Any lawsuit to interpret
or enforce the terms of this Settlement Agreement shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States District
Court, District of Nevada.
This
Settlement Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed an original and shall be binding upon
any Party executing the same and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. This Settlement Agreement shall become
effective when all Parties hereto have executed a counterpart hereof.
[Signatures
on following page]
On
Behalf of Plaintiff RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc.:
| Dated:
June 7, 2022 |
By:
/s/ Peter M. Jensen |
| |
|
Its:
CEO |
On
Behalf of Plaintiff RocketFuel Blockchain Company:
| Dated:
June 7, 2022 |
By:
/s/ Peter M. Jensen |
| |
|
Its:
CEO |
Defendant
Joseph Page
| Dated:
June 7, 2022 |
/s/
Joseph Page |
Exhibit
99.1
RocketFuel
Receives 3.6 Million of its Shares Back in Settlement of Lawsuit
San
Francisco, California, June 13, 2022 — RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc. (OTC QB: RKFL), a global provider of payment solutions via
bank transfers and cryptocurrencies, announced that it settled its lawsuit against former director Joseph Page, who returned to RocketFuel
3,600,394 shares of its common stock. The shares have been returned to treasury and cancelled, resulting in a reduction in outstanding
shares of over 11%. RocketFuel did not pay for the return of the shares. Mr. Page also agreed to dismiss with prejudice all of his
counterclaims against RocketFuel, certain officers and directors and RocketFuel’s counsel. With the dismissal, RocketFuel no longer
has any lawsuits pending against it.
“We
are pleased to have settled this litigation, with the very favorable result that we have received back over 3.6 million of our shares,
representing a significant percentage of our equity,” said Peter Jensen, CEO of RocketFuel. “By reducing our outstanding
shares by over 11%, we believe that our shareholders are receiving an immediate increase in the equity value of the shares.”
About
RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc.
RocketFuel
is a global payments solution company that provides online shoppers with a simple, easy-to-use, one-click checkout process that accepts
payments with bank transfers, Bitcoin, and 120+ cryptocurrencies. RocketFuel delivers a highly secure and efficient shopping cart experience
with significantly low fees for merchants, along with the benefits of no chargebacks and daily settlements in USD. RocketFuel’s
solution focuses on enhanced customer privacy protection eliminating the risk of a data breach while improving speed, security, and ease
of use. More information about RocketFuel is available at: www.RocketFuelBlockchain.com.
Forward-Looking
Statements
RocketFuel
believes that this press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Terms such as “may,” “might,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “project,”
“estimate,” “pro-forma,” “predict,” “potential,” “strategy,” “anticipate,”
“attempt,” “develop,” “plan,” “help,” “believe,” “continue,”
“intend,” “expect,” “future,” and terms of similar import (including the negative of any of these
terms) may identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the
plans and objectives of management for future operations, are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of
certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks
and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the accuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results
to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, market acceptance of the company’s products
and services; competition from existing products or new products that may emerge; the implementation of the company’s business
model and strategic plans for its business and our products; estimates of the company’s future revenue, expenses, capital requirements
and need for financing; current and future government regulations; and developments relating to the company’s competitors. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because of the risks and uncertainties related to them. For further
information on such risks and uncertainties, you are encouraged to review the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 and its Quarterly Report for the fiscal
quarter ended December 31, 2021. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information
or future events or developments, except as required by law.
ROCKETFUEL
MEDIA CONTACT
Contact@RocketFuelBlockchain.com
INVESTOR
CONTACT
Ben
Yankowitz, CFO
B.Yankowitz@RocketFuelBlockchain.com