Item 1. Business
Overview
Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. (“Company” or “we”) is a leading developer, licensor and marketer of next generation technologies for the consumer electronics, personal computing, enterprise computing and entertainment industries. Our position as a leading developer of next generation technologies is based on our business relationships with brand leaders, such as Apple, Toshiba and Matsushita. We conduct our audio business through our parent company and our wholly owned subsidiary, Desper Products, Inc. (“DPI”). DPI has developed a full complement of patented and proprietary 3-D or virtual audio signal processing technologies directed to the consumer electronics and multimedia PC markets. We continue to expand our product offerings to take advantage of the emerging digital audio marketplace specifically for consumer products like Digital Versatile Disc (“DVD”) players, portable mp3 players, digital televisions and digital home, portable and auto entertainment devices. As of December 31, 2001, more than 35 million licensed units had been shipped covering all of these applications. DPI’s virtual audio signal processing technologies are currently incorporated in products offered by global brand leaders including in consumer electronics, Toshiba, Panasonic, JVC, Hitachi, Samsung, Sanyo, LG Electronics, Zenith and Sharp, in the PC multimedia marketplace by Apple Computer, among others, and on the Internet through our VSP-11 universal sound processor and in software plug-ins for the WinAmp and Linux-based XMMS MP3 players. We are focused on broadening recognition of the Spatializer brand name through association with these and other globally recognized consumer electronics and multimedia computer brand leaders, and on broadening our audio technology and software base to position ourselves for continued growth. We believe that with the accelerating growth in the digital audio/video marketplace, the market for virtual audio technologies, and therefore for our products, is entering a new phase of opportunity.
Our other wholly owned subsidiary, MultiDisc Technologies, Inc., (“MDT”) formed in June 1996 when we acquired development stage optical disc storage and robotics assets and technologies from Home Theater Products International, Inc., a debtor in possession, is now inactive. In September 1998, we announced our plan to refocus our business on the exploitation of our core audio technologies, suspend research and development at MDT and to properly position the MDT assets for sale. Therefore, MDT has been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Since 1998, we have been unsuccessful in identifying a purchaser for the MDT assets or technology. Our repositioning in 1998 recognized that the capital investment required to properly commercialize the MDT technology was beyond our capacity. We believe this strategy provides a better opportunity to further solidify our position as a leading provider of virtual audio solutions, based on our available capital resources.
In December 1999, we completed the placement of $1 million of Common Stock, at no discount from market, the conversion of $1 million of short-term debt to new Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and the restatement of $225,000 of existing secured debt to secured long-term debt (the “December Transactions”). The December Transactions significantly strengthened our balance sheet and restored our working capital and shareholder’s equity. The resulting liquidity allowed us to emerge from a turnaround mode and to pursue growth and operating stability in 2000.
Our executive offices are located at 920 Hampshire Road, Suite A-34, Westlake Village, California 91361. Our corporate office and research center is located at 900 Lafayette Street, Suite 710, Santa Clara, California 95050, Telephone (408) 296-0600. We maintain a Website at www.spatializer.com. We were incorporated in the State of Delaware in February, 1994.
Desper Products, Inc. - Virtual Audio Signal Processing Technologies
DPI has developed a suite of proprietary advanced audio signal processing technologies for the entire spectrum of applications falling under the general category of virtual audio. The objective in each product category is to create or simulate the effect of a multi-speaker sonic environment using two ordinary speakers (or headphones) for playback. The market for virtual audio is segmented into six broad categories of technology as identified in the listing below. Each of these technologies utilizes different underlying scientific principles in accomplishing its design objectives and is targeted to a specific class of consumer electronics or multimedia computer depending on the intended product use and functional capability of the product. DPI currently has other audio signal processing technologies under development which will serve to expand its market scope and partner product capabilities.
Category of Technology
Product Categories
Virtual Audio Enhancement
3-D Stereo
(Spatializer® 3-D
Stereo)
Spatializer VirtualSurround VBX™
Consumer electronics products providing stereo playback - DVD Players, Stereo TV’s, VCR’s, Stereo Components and Systems, Car Audio, Laptop and Desktop Multimedia Computers, Set-top Boxes
Surround Sound enhancement from an ordinary stereo (two-channel) signal
Two-Speaker Virtualization
(Spatializer N-2-2™,
Spatializer N-2-2 Ultra™)
Products incorporating multi-channel audio sources like Dolby Digital® (AC-3), Dolby ProLogic® or MPEG-2. Home Theater, DVD-Video, Multimedia
Creation of spatially accurate multi- speaker cinematic audio experience from two speakers, and headphones utilizing discrete multi-channel audio information.
Digital Virtual Surround Sound
Computers utilizing DVD/MPEG and decoding.
Bass Enhancement (Vi.B.E.™)
Consumer electronics products providing stereo playback - DVD Players, Stereo TV’s, VCR’s, Stereo Components and Systems, Car Audio, Laptop and Desktop Multimedia Computers and Speakers
Simulation of lower frequency response from speakers with relatively high low frequency capability
Internet Audio Enhancement
(Spatializer®VSP-11,
StreamFX™)
Laptop and Desktop Multimedia Computers and portable music devices running digital media player Software
Surround Sound and bass enhancement to playback of ordinary internet audio files
Headphone Virtualization
(Spatializer Natural Headphone™)
Digital Virtual Surround
Products incorporating multi-channel audio sources like Dolby Digital® (AC-3), Dolby ProLogic®, MPEG-2 or stereo. Home Theater, DVD-Video, Multimedia Computers utilizing DVD/MPEG Decoding or stereo.
Creation of spatially accurate multi- speaker cinematic audio experience from headphones utilizing discrete multi-channel audio information.
Phase Corrected Equalization
(Spatializer PCE™)
All audio products with one or more
speakers
Creation of more recognizable and “cleaner” music or dialog from broadcast or media sources
Licensed Products
Our current technology product applications are directed to (1) two-speaker and headphone virtualization of multi-channel audio for DVD players and home theater applications, (2) stereo and bass enhancement in consumer electronics products and multimedia PCs, and (3) downloadable software, purchased directly by consumers, delivering audio enhancement applications for PCs.
1.
Spatializer® 3D Stereo. Based upon proprietary and patented methods of stereo signal processing, the Company’s Spatializer® 3-D Stereo technology is designed to create a vivid and expansive three- dimensional surround sound listening experience from any stereo source input using only two ordinary speakers. Along with professional audio quality and coherent stable sonic imaging, the technology includes the Company’s unique DDP™ (Double Detect and Protect™) algorithm. DDP™ continuously monitors the underlying stereo signal and dynamically optimizes spatial processing, avoiding deleterious sonic artifacts common in other systems and provides “set and forget” ease of use for consumers. First introduced in July 1994 by DPI, in the form of a 20 pin analog integrated circuit (IC) from Matsushita Electronics Corporation (“MEC”), the technology is now incorporated into low-cost, standard process ICs by four chip foundries (Matsushita, ESS Technologies, Inc., OnChip Systems and Luxsonor) for easy and inexpensive implementation in any consumer electronics or computer products utilizing stereo audio. The technology is currently available in both analog and digital formats. Matsushita introduced a new Spatializer IC design in 1999, offering the Spatializer 3-D Stereo effect in a simplified, lower cost package. In early 2002, we introduced a new algorithm-based technology which provides a virtual surround sound effect from a two channel input for DSP-based environments.
2.
Spatializer® N-2-2™Digital Virtual Surround. In September 1996, DPI introduced Spatializer N-2-2, which the Company considers a “core”, and “enabling” technology for DVD based home theater products and personal computers. In mid-2001, DPI introduced Spatializer N-2-2 Ultra as the latest generation of this core audio technology. Through outstanding performance and continuous enhancement, Spatializer N-2-2 has emerged as the “de facto standard” for branded virtual surround sound as measured by most brand adoptions, cumulative shipments and market share of such brands in the DVD player market. DVD is considered by many to be the single most important and fastest adopted consumer audio/computer technology ever introduced. The audio standards for DVD (based upon geographic region) are multi-channel audio formats (Dolby Digital® (AC-3) and MPEG-2) which carry six (or more) discrete (independent) channels of audio - the front left and right channels, a center channel (for vocal tracks), two rear surround channels and a Low Frequency Effects (LFE or “sub-woofer”) channel for sound effects. The Spatializer N-2-2 software- based algorithms permit spatially accurate reproduction of this multi-channel audio over any ordinary stereo system using two rather than the five or six speakers normally required in traditional home theater setups. Spatializer N-2-2 runs in real-time on general purpose Digital Signal Processing (“DSP”) hardware platforms like those offered by LSI, Acer Labs, Inc., Motorola, VM Labs and Zoran; may be integrated with host based software-only MPEG-2 or DVD decoders (like WinDVD and PowerDVD, offered by InterVideo and Cyberlink, respectively, for the Intel® Pentium® series of microprocessors); and can be ported to any of the principal audio codecs or media processor/accelerator platforms performing Dolby Digital (AC-3) or MPEG-2 audio decoding. Spatializer N-2-2 has been approved by Dolby Laboratories and qualifies Spatializer licensees to use the newly created Dolby Digital VIRTUAL™ trademark on products incorporating the technology. We believe our Spatializer N-2-2 process has helped to widen and accelerate the market for DVD acceptance, because it delivers the full cinematic audio experience to ordinary consumers without the additional expense and complication of multi-speaker home theater playback systems.
3.
Spatializer® Vi.B.E™. In early 1999, DPI introduced Spatializer Vi.B.E., a virtual bass enhancement technology. Spatializer Vi.B.E. produces a dynamic bass response from even the lowest-end speakers or headphones. This is particularly important in enhancing the audio of all forms of portable digital audio devices. Spatializer Vi.B.E. uses proprietary technology to generate the perception of realistic bass frequencies that are unaffected by actual speaker system frequency response capability.
4.
Spatializer® VSP-11™. First introduced by DPI in early 2002, Spatializer® VSP-11 (Virtual Sound Processor 11) is a stand-alone application program for Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 and XP platforms that utilizes Spatializer’s proprietary psychoacoustic techniques to allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of the renowned Spatializer audio enhancement technologies on all leading media players, soft DVD players and file sharing programs. This means that Spatializer VSP-11 is truly a universal audio enhancement software package that will enhance output from the Microsoft® Media Player, Real Player®, Real Jukebox®, WinAmp®, WinDVD®, PowerDVD®, among others, without any special modification. It will run in conjunction with any sound card, as well as with USB audio.
5.
Spatializer® Natural Headphone™ Spatializer Natural Headphone, introduced by DPI in March 2001, renders spatially accurate multiple speaker positions simulating the typical home theater or stereo arrangement through a headphone. The headphone algorithm delivers a high performance simulated surround sound experience, using a reasonable amount of processing power at a reasonable cost. Thus, this solution is equally practical and effective for both low-power portable devices and home theater applications. Unlike typical virtual surround sound headphone solutions, which rely heavily on reverberation which can sound unnatural, Spatializer Natural Headphone utilizes a combination of techniques to provide an expanded, yet natural sound field.
6.
Spatializer® PCE™ Spatializer PCE, introduced in October 2001, makes high frequencies clearer, crisper and more brilliant while low frequencies are more dramatic, tighter and have more impact. Spatializer® PCE gives the manufacturer an inexpensive way to dramatically improve the sound of low-end loudspeakers, such as the kind found in televisions, boom boxes and computers. Spatializer PCE is also ideal for improving the quality of Internet audio, which can sound rather lackluster and dull due to compression or low bit rates. It can be applied prior to encoding audio streams, and can just as easily enhance the playback of the decompressed audio. It can improve the clarity, intelligibility and impact of both dialog and music. Spatializer PCE works by both modifying and smoothing non-linear phase response and by creating psycho-acoustic cues. Typical equalization techniques cause phase distortion (non-zero group delay) due to non-linear phase response. Spatializer PCE has a nearly-linear phase response, which results in a near-zero group delay. This improves the “naturalness”, or transparency of the dialog or music by not adding to phase distortion already present in many playback systems.. Spatializer PCE can be custom tailored for two or an array of speaker configurations. Indeed, the technology, without a surround sound effect, can enhance single speaker applications as well.
In addition to these technologies, we offer a series of products introduced by DPI under the Spatializer DigitalFX™ brand, first introduced in early 2000. The Spatializer DigitalFX series is a comprehensive audio enhancement software solution based on the Company’s Spatializer N-2-2 virtual surround sound technology, Spatializer Vi.B.E and Spatializer PCE, combined with additional audio effects tailored and optimized for specific product applications. This powerful combination of technologies in a single product targeted for specific product applications provides a highly efficient and cost effective solution for the television, portable digital music, PDA, AV Receiver, PC and car audio markets.
Spatializer Digital TVFX™ is a customized application of Spatializer technology optimized for digital and analog televisions with an on board digital signal processor. Spatializer integrates its original, patented 3D Stereo and N-2-2 technologies with speaker-compensation and Vi.B.E. bass enhancement algorithms. The digital processing of the stereo signal provides a striking and immersive audio experience while the virtual bass enhancement creates apparently deeper bass response from the small speakers utilized by most televisions. Optional reverb and equalizer features further enhance the audio experience. The result is a dramatic improvement to the overall audio sound field provided by the television. Spatializer Digital TVFX is 100% digital, and applicable to any TV system with an embedded DSP.
Spatializer Digital OntheGoFX™ is targeted specifically for portable digital music players and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs). According to industry analysts, the portable digital player market is expected to grow significantly once the music industry establishes economically feasible, secure and convenient modes of electronic music distribution. Spatializer Digital OntheGoFX shares the same core 3D stereo technology as other members of the Spatializer DigitalFX series, but includes a highly effective headphone algorithm which produces an expanded headphone audio experience. In addition, the included Vi.B.E technology is particularly effective in improving the limited bass response of inexpensive lightweight stereo headphones often incorporated into these devices. The algorithms are highly efficient, utilizing a minimal amount of MIPS any standard embedded DSP.
Spatializer Digital PCFX™ combines the entire suite of respected Spatializer audio technologies into a single, comprehensive and cost effective software audio solution for the Wintel platform. Since the product runs on the host CPU, with minimal CPU utilization, no discrete chip is required. Spatializer Digital PCFX provides Spatializer 3-D stereo, Spatializer N-2-2 virtual surround sound for DVD playback, Vi.B.E virtual bass enhancement and enCompass™ , Spatializer’s positional audio technology for computer games utilizing the Microsoft DirectX™ API. Apple Computer began utilizing Spatializer technology across their product platforms in October 1999.
Spatializer Digital AVFX™ is tailored for AV Receivers equipped with a Dolby Digital decoder.. Spatializer Digital AVFX provides Spatializer 3-D stereo, Spatializer N-2-2 virtual surround sound for DVD audio or video playback, Vi.B.E virtual bass enhancement and in the future, extensive room modeling and customized effects.
Spatializer Digital AutoFX™ enhances the audio performance of DSP-based car stereo systems by delivering Spatializer’s acclaimed 3-D stereo, bass enhancement, equalizer and reverb technology in a single solution. Optional positional audio voice cues for on board GPS and navigation systems, virtual surround sound for on board DVD player systems and space modeling will be offered on an optional and customized basis based on specific customer need.
Licensing Activities
Until 2000, we licensed our technologies primarily through semiconductor manufacturing and distribution licenses (“Foundry Licenses”) with semiconductor foundries (“Foundries”). In turn, these Foundries manufacture and distribute integrated circuits (“ICs”) or digital signal processors (“DSPs”) incorporating Spatializer technology to manufacturers of consumer electronics and multimedia computer products (“OEMs”).
In 2000, we began offering Foundries the option of entering into a non-royalty bearing distribution agreement with us. Under this business model, the foundry offers Spatializer technology as an optional feature, promotes our technology in their sales materials and cooperates with the Spatializer sales force in closing license agreements for Spatializer technology with the OEM customer. This business model provides the foundry with an additional selling feature at no additional cost to the foundry. The OEM can obtain use of the technology directly from Spatializer without any additional mark-up from the foundry.
The terms of all of our licenses are negotiated on an individual basis requiring the payment of a per unit running royalty according to sliding scales based upon cumulative volume. Some of our licenses call for the payment of an up-front license issuance fee either in lieu of, or in addition to the running royalty. Other agreements require the OEM customer, rather than the foundry, to pay the royalty. Per unit royalties are generally reportable and payable 45 days after the end of the quarter following shipment from the Foundry to the OEM or, in the case of a distribution agreement, by the OEM to its accounts.
OEMs who desire to incorporate these DSPs or ICs into their products are required to enter into a license (“OEM Licenses”) with us before they may purchase the ICs in quantity. Foundry Licenses generally have limited the sale of DSPs or ICs with Spatializer technology to OEMs who have entered into an OEM License with us. OEM licenses generally provide for the payment of a further per unit royalty by the OEM for OEM products incorporating a Spatializer IC (“Licensed Products”) payable in the quarter following shipment by the OEM of its Licensed Products.
In early 2001, we reached an agreement with C-Cube Semiconductor II (now LSI Logic Corporation) to unbundle the royalty on their DSPs in order to facilitate the licensing of multiple technologies to OEM manufacturers and to help ensure that their products remained highly competitive in the market. As such, effective April 1, 2001, C-Cube’s customers using Spatializer technology have entered into direct licenses with us.
We are currently negotiating new IC/DSP Foundry and OEM licenses with potential customers for Spatializer N-2-2, Spatializer Vi.B.E., Spatializer 3-D stereo , Spatializer VSP-11, Spatializer PCE and combinations and optimizations of these technologies under the Spatializer DigitalFX series.
IC/DSP Foundry Licenses
In 2000 and early 2001, VM Labs, Inc., MIPS Technologies, New Japan Radio Corporation (“NJRC”), Tvia, Inc. and Link Up Systems entered into Foundry License or Distibution Agreements for Spatializer N-2-2 and or DigitalFX. All but the NJRC agreements were non-royalty bearing distribution agreements, with per unit royalties to be paid by the OEM customer.
In 2001, we entered into license or distribution agreements with Texas Instruments, Cirrus Logic, Sanyo, Sharp and Kenwood, among others.
As of December 31, 2001, we have entered into thirteen non-exclusive Foundry Licenses for our Virtual Audio Signal Processing technologies with Matsushita Electronics Corporation (“MEC”), ESS Technology, Inc. (“ESS”), OnChip Systems, Inc. (“OnChip”), C-Cube Technologies, Inc. (“C-Cube”), Acer Labs, Inc. (“Ali”), Luxsonor, VM Labs, Inc., MIPS Technologies, NJRC, Tvia, Inc., Texas Instruments, Cirrus Logic and Link Up Systems. Foundry Licenses generally require the payment of per unit running royalties based upon a sliding scale computed on the number of Spatializer ICs or DSPs sold.
As of December 31, 2001, more than 35 million ICs and DSPs incorporating Spatializer 3-D audio signal processing and N-2-2 digital virtual surround sound technology had been manufactured and sold.
OEM Licensees and Customers
As of December 31, 2001, our technology has been incorporated in products offered by more than 95 separate OEM Licensees and customers on various economic and business terms. Some of these OEM Licenses required a license issuance fee and/or a separate per unit royalty, while others were licensed under the LUA or were authorized customers under bundled royalty licenses with the IC foundries. The OEM licensees and customers offer a wide range of products, which include DVDs, car stereo systems, direct view TVs, wide screen and projection TVs, VCRs, powered speakers, portable audio systems (“Boomboxes”), HiFi stereo systems and components, computer sound cards and graphics accelerator cards, multimedia desktop personal computers, notebook computers, LCD projectors, multimedia computer monitors, and arcade pinball and video games.
The following table is a partial list of the OEM Licensees and authorized customers as of December 31, 2001:
Partial List of OEM Licensees or Customers
Apple, Computer Inc.
NEC
Cirrus Logic
Panasonic TV & VCR (Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd.)
Dell Computer Corp.
Panasonic Car Audio (Matsushita Communications Industrial Co., Ltd.)
Digital Technology Systems Of California, Inc.
Proton Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.
Emerson
Samsung
Fujitsu Computer Corp.
Seiko Epson Corp.
Hewlett Packard
Sanyo Corp.
Hitachi, Ltd.
Sharp Corp.
Iiyama Electric Co., Ltd.
Toshiba DVD
Gateway Computer Corp.
Toshiba TV
Golden Regent
Taisei Electric, Inc.
LG Electronics
Taiyo Electric Company, Ltd.
JVC
Texas Instruments
Labtec Enterprises, Inc.
Theta Digital
Mag Monitors
VM Labs, Inc.
Marantz
Zenith
Micron Computer Corp
Mitsubishi Image and Information Works
Hardware Products
MultiDisc Technologies, Inc. - Network Based Modular, Scaleable Compact Disc/DVD Servers
As its first effort to broaden our technology portfolio and capitalize on our strong relationships with manufacturers of consumer electronics and personal computer peripheral products, we acquired certain developmental stage technologies and assets from Home Theatre Products (“HTP”), for approximately $1,062,000 in June 1996 and formed a subsidiary, MDT. The MDT transaction, which was implemented through a court-approved sale in the HTP bankruptcy proceeding, included an array of compact disc server robotics and software technologies in various stages of completion. The MDT transaction was intended to position us for long term growth in a significant new market. Our intention was to license this technology or enter into third party manufacturing arrangements for sale of MDT CD/DVD changer products to OEMs.
The MDT transaction brought a combination of proprietary electromechanical designs, robotics, operating software, firmware, intellectual property, and engineering know-how and five patent applications acquired in the asset acquisition. MDT added an additional forty-seven patent applications filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (“USPTO”) to bring the total to fifty-two patent applications filed.
On September 25, 1998, we announced our plan to refocus our business on the exploitation of our core audio technologies and to properly position the MDT assets for sale. The repositioning strategy recognized that the capital investment required to properly commercialize the MDT technology was beyond the Company’s capacity. As a result, all operations, including research and development activities, were suspended and the Company has accounted for MDT as a discontinued operation. The Company has explored the sale of the business or the patent portfolio with interested parties, but to date, no transaction has been consummated.
Revenues and Expenses
We generate revenues in our audio business from royalties pursuant to our Foundry, OEM, and other licenses, and from non-recurring engineering fees to port our technologies to specific licensees’ applications. The Company’s revenues, which totaled $1,604,000 in 2001, were derived almost entirely from Foundry and OEM license fees and royalties.
We seek to maximize return on our intellectual property base by concentrating our efforts in higher margin licensing and software products and have eliminated our hardware product operations. Licensing operations have been managed internally by our personnel and through use of an international sales rep force.
In 2001, four major customers, not presented in order of importance, each accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues: Apple Computer, Inc., LSI, Samsung and Toshiba Corporation in 2001, each of whom accounted for greater than 10% of our total 2001 revenues. One OEM accounted for 40%, another accounted for 23%, another accounted for 15% and one accounted for 14% of our royalty revenues during 2001. One other account comprised 7% of total 2001 revenues. All other OEM’s accounted for less than 1% of royalty revenues individually.
The Company achieved profitable operating results in 1999 and 2000 as a result of overhead reductions combined with the strong growth of DVD-related revenues. In 2001, we began expanding our headcount, primarily in the engineering area in anticipation of
continued growth. At midyear, in light of a weakening in market conditions and lower than anticipated royalties from a key Asian account, expenditures were once again curtailed in order to bring overhead levels more in line with current revenues. Declining revenues were experienced from three major customers resulting from sluggish sales of their products and the cessation of use of our products by the smaller of these customers. In addition, while overhead reductions were implemented at mid-year, profitability was further impacted by either the delay or cancellation of anticipated products using our technology in light of weak market conditions. As a result, we were not profitable in 2001.
Competition
Virtual Audio Signal Processing Marketplace
We compete with a number of entities that produce various audio enhancement processes, technologies and products, some utilizing traditional two-speaker playback, others utilizing multiple speakers, and others restricted to headphone listening. These include the consumer versions of multiple speakers, matrix and discrete digital technologies developed for theatrical motion picture exhibition (like Dolby Digital®, Dolby ProLogic®, and DTS®), as well as other technologies designed to create an enhanced stereo image from two or more speakers.
Our principal competitors in the field of virtual audio are SRS Labs, Inc. and Qsound Labs, Inc. In addition, some DSP foundries and OEMs have proprietary virtual audio technologies that they regularly offer to OEMs at no cost. Pressure on OEMs to reduce their costs, particularly in the DVD market is intense. The marketplace is also susceptible to undisciplined competitors who, from time to time, may offer below market prices in a desperate attempt to generate short term revenue. In the future, our products and technologies also may compete with audio technologies and product applications developed by other companies including entities that have business relationships with the Company.
We believe that we will favorably compete in this market because we offer a single source, complete suite of patented and proprietary 3D Stereo, interactive positional, virtual surround sound, headphone and speaker virtualization technologies. By virtue of our specialized engineering and OEM support, we can offer a “turn-key” audio solution to OEMs who do not possess this expertise internally. We also have developed new products that address our customer’s need for a low cost solution. In addition, the strength of our IC Foundry and OEM relationships and the Spatializer brand name recognition in the industry are other key differentiators between both our branded and unbranded competition. Lastly, we continue to explore new and alternative business models that we believe serve the interests of both our customers and our shareholders.
Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
Our core signal processing technology is covered by U.S. patents 5,412,731, 5,896,456 and 6,307,941. On March 20, 1998, we filed a patent on our enCompass V 2.0 technology with the USPTO covering the Company’s enCompass 2.0 positional audio gaming technology. In June 2000, we filed an additional patent application for our reduced cost/higher performance 3-D Stereo circuit design. Much of our intellectual property consists of trade secrets. We possess copyright protection for its principal software applications and has U.S. and foreign trademark protection for its key product names and logo marks.
The MDT transaction brought a combination of proprietary electromechanical designs, robotics, operating software, firmware, intellectual property, and engineering know-how and five patent applications acquired in the asset acquisition. MDT added an additional forty-seven patent applications filed with the USPTO to bring the total to fifty-two patent applications filed. However, due to the absence of working capital and suspension of all operating activities of MDT, MDT cannot pursue these applications and some applications have lapsed. The core MDT data storage technology is covered by U.S. patents 5,774,431, 5,822,283, 5,886,960 and 5,886,974. MDT has either obtained or applied for U.S. trademark protection for its principal product names and logo marks.
On September 25, 1998, we announced our plan to refocus our business on the exploitation of our core audio technologies and to properly position the MultiDisc assets for sale. The repositioning strategy recognized that the capital investment required to properly commercialize the MDT technology was beyond our capacity. As a result, operations, including all research and development activities were suspended and we have accounted for MDT as a discontinued operation.
Employees
We began 2001 with six full-time and twelve part-time employees and sales representatives and decreased our staff to five full time and nine part-time employees, consultants and sales representatives by December 31, 2001. At year-end, there were three full-time employees and three consultants engaged in research and development. We employ the services of outside professional consultants, particularly in the engineering area, due to the tight labor market for such professionals in Silicon Valley as well as the need for specialized expertise in the course of our business. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees and consultants to be satisfactory.
PART II
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
Our executive office is located in Westlake Village, California where we occupy approximately 300 square feet with an annual rent of approximately $9,600. The lease term on this space expires in April 2002 and is month to month thereafter. This space in the Los Angeles area is used to facilitate business and contacts with the entertainment community as well as with our accountants, lawyers and directors.
Our corporate office in Santa Clara, CA, is the primary location for our audio technology division, (“DPI”). We occupy approximately 2,700 square feet with an annual rent on a full service basis of approximately $79,000. The lease expires on November 30, 2002.
We lease an apartment in Santa Clara, CA for use by the chief executive officer when away from the executive office. The annual rent on this apartment is approximately $18,000. The lease expires on July 31, 2002.
We lease our space at rental rates and on terms which management believes are consistent with those available for similar space in the applicable local area. Our properties are well maintained, considered adequate and are being utilized for their intended purposes.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In February 1999, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Northwest District, by I.N. Associates, Inc., against the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, MDT, alleging breach of contract and fraud, and claiming $499,954 in damages, attorneys fees, interest and the costs of suit. MDT has answered and denied the claims. The matter was subject to a mediation preceding in March 2000, and has been settled. The settlement specifies that I.N. will be entitled to a cashless exercise of warrants for the 125,000 shares originally issued to them in 1997 and 1998, or a cash payment of $50,000 if the warrants remained unexercised. In January 2001, the cash payment was made and no further liabilities or contingencies exist.
In connection with the downsizing of the Company, a number of employees were terminated and have filed, on various dates since the downsizing in 1998, various employment and compensation related claims with the various California State labor authorities, all but two of which claims have either been settled or have been paid as of the date of this report. Two former officers and employees of MDT initiated proceedings before the Labor Commissioner in 2000 seeking amounts allegedly due under their employment agreements, which claims, if resolved in favor of the claimants, could be material to the financial statements of the Company. The Labor Commissioner has postponed those proceedings. In that action, the claimants filed a motion to strike the MDT complaint under the California “anti-Slapp” legislation. The Court rejected that motion and the litigation is in the discovery stages. Separately, MDT has initiated litigation in the Superior Court, Orange County seeking declaratory relief to bar the labor claims, as well as return of intellectual property and unspecified damages for breaches of the former officers’ and employees’ employment agreements. Both employees have filed for personal bankruptcy and as a result, the claims are inactive. At year end, bankruptcy for one such employee had been dismissed. That proceeding could be reactivated.
We also anticipate that, from time to time, we may be named as a party to other legal proceedings that may arise in the ordinary course of our business.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no matters submitted to a vote of the security holders of the Company either through solicitation of proxies or otherwise in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Our Common Stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “SPAZ”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales price of our Common Stock on its principal market for fiscal years 2001 and 2000:
On March 20, 2002, the closing price reported by the OTC Bulletin Board was U.S. $0.20. Stockholders are urged to obtain current market prices for our Common Stock. Since April 1, 1997, Computershare Investor Services, successor to Harris Trust Company of California, has been our transfer agent.
Record Holders
To our knowledge there were approximately 200 holders of record of the stock of the Company as of March 20, 2002. However, our transfer agent has indicated that beneficial ownership is in excess of 6,000 shareholders.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock and have no present intention of paying any dividends. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, for use in operations and in the development of its business. Our future dividend policy will be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, included in Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis relates to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and our subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to the year ended December 31, 2000, and the year ended December 31, 2000 compared with the year ended December 31, 1999.
Results of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2001, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2000
Revenues
Revenues decreased to $1,604,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $2,202,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, a decrease of 27%. Revenues include license issuance fees and royalties pertaining to the licensing of Spatializer® audio signal processing designs and non-recurring engineering fees.
The decrease in revenues is attributed primarily to (i) decreased royalties from one account resulting from lower unit sales compared to the prior year, (ii) lower royalties from another account due to a timing difference between 2000 and 2001 created when royalty reporting shifted from the DSP foundry (on shipment of DSP) to OEM customer (shipment of DVD player), (iii) loss of an account in mid 2001 which had comprised less than 10% of sales in the prior year and (iv) decreases in per unit Spatializer N-2-2 royalties due to a volume-based sliding scale pricing structure with DSP foundries which did not stabilize until the beginning of the third quarter of 2000.
Gross profit decreased to $1,507,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $1,954,000 in the comparable period last year. Gross margin increased to 95% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with 89% of revenue for the comparable period last year. The decrease in gross profit results from lower revenues in the current year, partially offset by higher gross margin. This increase in the gross margin percentage reflects the realignment of our Asian sales rep network which included the implementation of lower commission rates. The Company maintains a high margin since revenues are from licensing and royalty activities, which have little or no associated direct manufacturing or selling costs.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2001 increased to $1,823,000 (114% of sales) from $1,595,000 (72% of sales) for the year ended December 31, 2000, a increase of 11%. The increase in operating expenses results from expansion of the Company’s research and development efforts and higher general and administrative expenses relating to legal and public company expenses. The Company undertook an expansion of headcount in early 2001. When it became clear in mid 2001 that anticipated revenue growth was not occurring, the Company began to curtail the scope of its initiatives in order to bring spending levels back in line with reported revenue streams.
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs increased to $707,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $599,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, an increase of 18%. The increase is primarily due to increased legal expenses related to public filings and increased travel by the CEO. General operating costs include rent, telephone, legal, public filing, office supplies and stationery, postage, depreciation and similar costs.
Research and Development
Research and Development costs increased to $640,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001, compared to $540,000 for the year ended December 31,2000, an increase of 19%. The increase in research and development expense was due to the additions to headcount early in the year, search fees paid for certain engineers hired by the Company and expanded use of engineering consultants for specialized projects.
In addition, the Company continued efforts to identify, validate, and develop new product ideas at DPI. Specific engineering efforts were directed toward the launch of Spatializer N-2-2 Ultra™ , development of Spatializer PCE™, refinement of Spatializer Natural Headphone™ and applications engineering to port the Company’s technology to leading processor platforms.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and Marketing costs increased to $476,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001, compared to $456,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, an increase of less than one percent. Spending was maintained at the prior year’s level in order to continue the development of markets for existing products.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss was $240,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001, compared to net income of $382,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000. The net loss for the current period is primarily the result of lower revenues and higher overhead, partially offset by improved gross margin.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2000, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1999
Revenues
Revenues increased to $2,202,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to $1,660,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of 33%. Revenues include license issuance fees and royalties pertaining to the licensing of Spatializer® audio signal processing designs and non-recurring engineering fees.
The increase in revenues is attributed primarily to the inclusion of four quarters of royalties from a major account for which there was only one quarter of royalty and a non-recurring engineering fee in the prior year and increases in Spatializer N-2-2 running royalties from OEM DVD player sales. This increase in revenues was partially offset by decreases in per unit Spatializer N-2-2 royalties due to a volume-based sliding scale pricing structure with DSP foundries agreed to in prior years when the original agreements were made. By the beginning of the third quarter of 2000, pricing levels at the maximum volume levels were substantially achieved, resulting in a stabilization of the per unit royalty rate.
Gross profit increased to $1,954,000 for the year ended December 3, 2000 compared to $1,612,000 in the comparable period last year. Gross margin decreased to 89% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2000 compared with 97% of revenue for the comparable period last year. The increase in gross profit results from higher revenues in the current year, partially offset by lower gross margin. This decrease in the gross margin percentage reflects the restoration of Japan sales support which were reduced significantly in 1999 during the period of constrained liquidity. The Company maintains a high margin as the majority of revenues are from licensing and royalty activities, which have little or no associated direct costs.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2000 increased to $1,595,000 (72% of sales) from $1,156,000 (70% of sales) for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of 38%. The increase in operating expenses result from expansion of the Company’s research and development and sales and marketing efforts, which were curtailed in most of 1999 to minimal levels as a result of the period of constrained liquidity. With liquidity restored as a result of the December 1999 financing, the Company expanded its staff to more normalized levels and the increase was limited to 200 basis points of sales.
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs increased to $599,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000 from $516,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of 16%. The increase is primarily due to the retention of an investor relations firm and a local business tax settlement. General operating costs include rent, telephone, office supplies and stationery, postage, depreciation and similar costs.
Research and Development
Research and Development costs increased to $540,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, compared to $383,000 for the year ended December 31,1999, an increase of 41%. The increase in research and development expense was due additions to headcount throughout the year, search fees paid for certain engineers hired and expanded use of engineering consultants for specialized projects. In addition, the Company continued efforts to identify, validate, and develop new product ideas at DPI. Specific engineering efforts were directed toward a new version of Spatializer N-2-2™ , optimization of technologies for the DigitalFX™ series and development of a new series of headphone algorithms.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing costs increased to $456,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, compared to $257,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of 77%. The increase results from the appointment of a public relations firm, formal trade show participation, increased customer visits and prospecting, support staff expansion and revision of marketing collateral materials.
Net Income
Net Income increased to $382,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000, compared to net income of $355,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999, an increase of 8%. The improvement for the period is primarily the result of higher interest income and lower interest expense, partially offset by lower operating profit driven by lower gross margin and slightly higher overhead expenses as a percentage of sales.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2001, we had $869,000 in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $1,468,000 at December 31, 2000. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is attributed to elimination of all non-Desper Trust related party notes payable, reduction in liabilities and cash components of the net loss. We had working capital of $1,124,000 at December 31, 2001 as compared with working capital of $1,195,000 at December 31, 2000. Our future cash flow will come primarily from the audio signal processing licensing, Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (“OEM”) royalties and from possible common stock issuances including warrants and options. We are actively engaged in negotiations for additional audio signal processing licensing arrangements which should generate additional cash flow without imposing any substantial costs on the Company.
Like other operating enterprises, the events of September 11, 2001 in the United States brought a degree of uncertainty to our operations and hindered our ability to plan and meet with our contractual partners outside the United States in this dynamic environment. The operations of our business, and those of our competitors, may also be impacted by the continued trend in the semiconductor industry to offer free, but minimal audio solutions to certain product classes to maintain and attract market share. This challenges our ability to convert business opportunities to licensing agreements in those segments that allow us to maintain or rapidly increase revenue. As a result, the Company must develop and license its products and software solutions in a market that treats some audio products, including those of our competitors, on a commodity basis in those cases where the OEM product is considered a commodity product. While our software applications deliver what we and most manufacturers who listen to it believe is a significantly superior audio experience, the competitive market forces that pressure manufacturers to reduce their costs may create some resistance to new technology adoption or use. In addition, certain of our competitors appear to be pursuing a business plan that disregards commercially reasonable pricing to achieve a larger market penetration even if the penetration will not provide for viable margins or returns. The Company has responded by offering additional products targeted to each price/quality segment of the market and continues to aggressively pursue new opportunities in emerging product categories and complements to our existing core business. In addition, our products have been positioned as a means for manufacturers to save money while delivering an enhanced audio experience. Nevertheless, these market conditions and competitive forces make it more challenging for the Company, and its rational commercial competitors, to enhance their operating results.
We have a related party obligation of $112,500, which is due upon demand. We repaid related party obligations of $225,000 plus accrued interest of approximately $30,000, which were convertible into Common Stock at our or the Lender’s option in June 2001. The Company owed a total of $337,500 to related parties on December 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999.
In December 1999, we completed a set of financial transactions (the “December Transactions”) with certain existing holders of our equity and debt and with new institutional investors. The December Transactions included the private placement of 1,884,254 additional shares of our Common Stock ($1.05 million in new capital or $0.56 per share), the issuance of warrants to acquire 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable for three years at an exercise price of $.67 per share), the cancellation of 500,000 warrants to acquire Common Stock issued in that earlier financing, the conversion of $1 million of short term debt into a new Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and the conversion of $225,000 of secured debt into secured convertible debt.
In the December Transactions, $895,000 in short term loan advances from officers, directors and their affiliates and certain other securities holders, and accrued interest of $134,647, were restructured into the $1,000,000 in new Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock, and any dividends there from not converted into cash, are convertible commencing in 2001 into restricted Common Stock at a 10% discount, based on the 10 day average closing bid price prior to the conversion, but subject to a minimum conversion of $.56 per share and a maximum of $1.12 per share. We have a three year option to redeem any Series B Preferred Stock, not sooner converted, in whole or in part, in cash.
In the December Transactions, $225,000 of secured debt, including accrued interest, was converted into secured long term convertible debt. The long term debt is held by existing institutional investors and is secured by essentially all of our assets. The debt, and accrued interest, is convertible at our or the holder’s options into registered Common Stock at a conversion price equal to the average 10 day closing bid price prior to conversion but subject to the same minimum and maximum conversion prices set for the Series B Preferred Stock.
Funds generated by these financing activities as well as cash generated from our existing operations and customer base is expected to be sufficient for us to meet our operating obligations and the anticipated additional research and development for our audio technology business.
Net Operating Loss Carry forwards
At December 31, 2001, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards for Federal income tax purposes of approximately $26,000,000 which are available to offset future Federal taxable income, if any, through 2013. Approximately $21,700,000 of these net operating loss carry forwards are subject to an annual limitation of approximately $1,000,000.
Inflation
We believe that the moderate inflation rate of the last several years has not impacted our operations.
The Asian Economic Crisis
Approximately 59% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2001 were derived from foundries or OEM’s based in Japan and other Asian countries. While the level of the Company’s Asian business is material, the concentration of this Asian business with large, well-capitalized entities such as Matsushita Electronics Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Samsung may tend to minimize any real or potential risk of concentration in this market.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Board of Directors
Of Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries (The “Company”) as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ FARBER & HASS LLP
Oxnard, California
March 15, 2002
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Nature of Business
Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is in the business of developing and licensing technology. The Company sales, research and subsidiary administration are conducted out of facilities in Santa Clara, California.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Desper Products, Inc. (“DPI”), is in the business of developing proprietary advanced audio signal processing technologies and products for consumer electronics, entertainment, and multimedia computing. All Company revenues are generated from this subsidiary.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MultiDisc Technologies, Inc. (“MDT”), was in the business of developing scaleable, modular compact disc and digital versatile disc (“DVD”) server technologies associated with a network based compact disc/DVD server for internet and intranet applications. Operations of MDT were discontinued in the fourth quarter of 1998 and the assets have been marketed for sale (see Note 11).
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Desper Products, Inc. MultiDisc Technologies, Inc. has been presented as a discontinued operation (see Note 11). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Corporate administration is not allocated to subsidiaries.
Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue from product sales upon shipment to the customer. License revenues are recognized when earned, in accordance with the contractual provisions. Royalty revenues are recognized upon shipment of products incorporating the related technology by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and foundries.
Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments, which potentially subject the company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary cash investments in certificates of deposit in excess of FDIC insurance limits, principally at CitiBank FSB. At December 31, 2001 substantially all cash and cash equivalents were on deposit at two financial institutions.
At December 31, 2001, three customers accounted for 34%, 27% and 27%, respectively, of the Company’s trade receivables. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and normally does not require collateral to support accounts receivable. Due to the contractual nature of sales agreements and historical trends, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Customers Outside of the U.S.- Sales to foreign customers were 59% and 60% of total sales in the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Major Customers - During the year ended December 31, 2001, four customers accounted for 40%, 23%, 15% and 14%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales.
Research and Development Costs - The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred.
Advertising Costs - Costs incurred for producing and communicating advertising are expensed when incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Consolidated advertising expense amounted to $20,568, $2,968 and $7,304 in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment are depreciated over the useful lives of the asset under the straight line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or lease term.
Intangible Assets - Intangible assets consist of patent costs and trademarks which are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the patents which range from five to twenty years.
Earnings Per Share - On December 31, 1997, the Company retroactively adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share (“SFAS 128”) which replaces the presentation of primary and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share with a presentation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed similarly to fully diluted earnings (loss) per share pursuant to the Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 15.
Since the Company generated a net loss in 2001, outstanding stock options and warrants would have been anti-dilutive and are not applicable to this calculation.
The impact of Statement 128 on the calculation of earnings per share is as follows:
The following table presents contingently issuable shares, options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock at 2000 and 1999 and those that were outstanding during 2001 which were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the impact would have been anti-dilutive:
Stock Option Plan - Prior to January 1, 1996 the Company accounted for its stock option plan in accordance with the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which permits entities to recognize as expense using the fair-value-based method over the vesting period the fair value of all employee stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma
net income (loss) and pro forma earnings (loss) per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and future years as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 has been applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 (Note 8).
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Assets to be Disposed of - The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of, on January 1, 1996. This Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets (see Notes 4). Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Segment Reporting - The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“SFAS No. 131”), in June 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way public business enterprises are to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires enterprises to report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. It replaces the “industry segment” concept of SFAS No. 14, Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise, with a “management approach” concept as to basis for identifying reportable segments. SFAS 131 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company adopted SFAS 131 in December 1997. MDT is considered a discontinued operation as of September 1998. As of December 31, 2001, the Company has only one operating segment, DPI, the Company’s 3-D Audio Signal Processing business.
Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Use of Estimates - Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The fair and carrying values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term debt to a related party and accrued liabilities and those potentially subject to valuation risk at December 31, 2001 and 2000 approximated fair value due to their short maturity or nature.
The fair values of notes payable to a related party at December 31, 2001 and 2000 are materially consistent with the related carrying values based on current rates offered to the Company for instruments with similar maturities.
Discontinued Operation - In September 1998, the Board of Directors approved a plan to refocus corporate activities on the Company’s core audio business, Desper Products, Inc. In conjunction to this strategic refocusing, the Company permanently suspended operations of MDT and placed the business and its related patent portfolio up for sale. The Company is accounting for the on-going operating and termination expenses of MDT as a discontinued operation (see Note 11).
(3) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, consists of the following, net of a reserve for impairment loss in 1998 in accordance with application of SFAS 121:
(4) Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 consist of the following:
(5) Notes Payable to Related Parties
The Company was indebted to the Desper Family Trust, a related party, in the amount of $112,500 at December 31, 2001. This amount bears interest at a fixed rate of 10% annually and is due on demand.
(6) Shareholders’ Equity
During the year ended December 31, 2001, shares were issued or converted as follows:
In 2001, the Company converted 15,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Shares into 313,968 shares of common stock as per the terms of the December Transactions. In addition, warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock were exercised in 2001, increasing shareholders’ equity by $1,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2000, shares were issued or converted as follows:
In the third quarter of 2000, the Company issued 55,000 shares of common stock to its law firm for services rendered. No other issuances or conversions occurred during the year ended December 31, 2000.
(7) Escrowed Performance Shares
In December 1996, the Company accepted the terms outlined by the British Columbia Securities Commissions (“BCSC”) for the release of the Company’s 5,776,700 escrowed “Performance Shares” from Canadian Escrow into a new escrow arrangement with the Company. The overall modification was approved by the Company’s shareholders in August 1996. Under the revised arrangement, the performance shares will be released automatically as follows: 20% on June 22, 2000; 30% on June 22, 2001; and 30% on June 22, 2002. In addition to the automatic releases, performance shares can be released based on the cash flow release criteria contained in the original June 22, 1992 escrow agreement although, to maintain a stable market in the Company’s stock, in any year not more than 30% of the shares will be released, based on the cash flow criteria.
Under the revised escrow arrangement, the performance shares will vest, provided the individual has not voluntarily terminated his/her relationship with the Company prior to applicable vesting dates.
Based on the revised escrow arrangement, which primarily converts the escrow shares release from performance criteria to a time-based criteria, the Company recorded as compensation expense the excess of the fair market value of the 5,776,700 performance shares on the date the Company accepted the terms of the new escrow arrangement over the purchase price of such escrow shares.
All of the performance shares are included in the issued and outstanding shares for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999. However, the shares were not reflected in the calculation of loss per common share until earned by and released to the holders on December 30, 1996, the date on which the Company and the BCSC accepted and entered into the terms of the current escrowed agreement as discussed above.
(8) Stock Options
In 1995, the Company adopted a stock option plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company’s Board of Directors may grant stock options to directors, officers and employees. The Plan authorizes grants of options to purchase authorized but unissued common stock up to 10% of total common shares outstanding at each calendar quarter, 4,740,694 as of December 31, 2001. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the stock’s fair market value at the date of grant. Stock options have five-year terms and vest and become fully exercisable up to three years from the date of grant.
At December 31, 2001, there were 2,868,395 additional shares available for grant under the Plan. The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during 2001, 2000 and 1999 was $0.29, $0.19, and $0.32, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: 2001- expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of 9.0%, expected volatility of 332% and an expected life of 5 years; 2000- expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of 9.0%, expected volatility of 654% and an expected life of 5 years; 1999- expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of 9.0%, expected volatility of 95% and an expected life of 3 years.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plan and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the fair value of its stock options in the consolidated financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income (loss) would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
Pro forma net income (loss) reflects only options granted since December 31, 1994. Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock options under SFAS No. 123 is not reflected in the pro forma net loss amounts presented above because compensation cost is reflected over the options’ vesting period and compensation cost for options granted prior to January 1, 1995 is not considered.
Stock option activity during the periods indicated is as follows:
At December 31, 2001, the number of options exercisable was 1,529,132 and the weighted-average exercise price of those options was $0.51.
(9) Warrants
Warrant activity for the periods indicated below is as follows:
All of the warrants granted in 1999 were issued in connection with private placements. At December 31, 2001, the number of warrants exercisable was 2,100,000 and were effective through 2003.
(10) Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated return for U.S. income tax purposes. Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 consisted of the following:
Certain revenues received from customers in foreign countries are subject to withholding taxes that are deducted from outgoing funds at the time of payment. These taxes range from approximately 10% to 16.5% and are recorded as net foreign revenue.
Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34 percent to loss before income taxes primarily due to the generation of additional net operating loss carryforwards for which no tax benefit has been provided.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2001 is composed primarily of the net loss carryforwards. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2001 was insignificant. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable losses, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will not realize the benefits of these deductible differences and has established a valuation allowance to fully reserve the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2001. Additionally, the ultimate realizability of net operating losses may be limited by change of control provisions under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
At December 31, 2001, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes of approximately $26,000,000 which are available to offset future Federal taxable income, if any, through 2013. Approximately $21,700,000 of these net operating loss carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation of approximately $1,000,000. .
(11) Discontinued Operation
On September 25, 1998, the Board of Directors determined that it would be unable to raise the necessary capital required to properly commercialize the MDT technology. Therefore, the Company ceased funding the operations of MDT and is actively seeking to sell the assets and technology. All employees of MDT have been terminated and the Company has vacated the MDT facilities.
Based on this action, the Company is treating MDT as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the balance sheet and statement of operations of MDT are not consolidated in the continuing operations of the Company, but rather are disclosed as Net Liabilities of Discontinued Operation and Loss From Discontinued Operation, respectively.
The Net Liabilities of Discontinued Operation at December 31, 2001 are comprised of the following:
(12) Commitments and Contingencies
In February 1999, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Northwest District, by I.N. Associates, Inc., against the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, MultiDisc Technologies, Inc. (“MDT”), alleging breach of contract and fraud, and claiming $499,954 in damages, attorneys fees, interest and the costs of suit. MDT has answered and denied the claims. The matter was subject to a mediation preceding in March 2000, and has been settled. The settlement specifies that I.N. will be entitled to a cashless exercise of warrants for the 125,000 shares originally issued to them in 1997 and 1998, or a cash payment of $50,000 if the warrants remained unexercised. In January 2001, the cash payment was made and no further liabilities or contingencies exist.
In connection with the downsizing of the Company, a number of employees were terminated and have filed, on various dates since the downsizing in 1998, various employment and compensation related claims with the various State labor authorities, all but two of which claims have either been settled or have been paid as of the date of this report. In February, 2000, an appeal was heard in the Superior Court of Orange County, California, relating to a claim filed by a former employee of MDT for back vacation pay and penalties. In March 2000, both parties agreed to dismiss the action as part of a settlement, which was not material to the financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2000. In July 2000, the Labor Commission of the State of California awarded $122,000 to a claimant arising from a claim for commissions over a three-year period. We appealed the order to the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County, since, under California law, the Labor Commission order will have no effect on the court’s consideration of the matter. On October 27, 2000, the matter was settled by mutual release and payment in an amount which was not material to the financial statements of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2000. Two former officers and employees of MDT initiated proceedings before the Labor Commissioner in 2000 seeking amounts allegedly due under their employment agreements, which claims, if resolved in favor of the claimants, could be material to the financial statements of the Company. The Labor Commissioner has postponed those proceedings. In that action, the claimants filed a motion to strike the MDT complaint under the California “anti-Slapp” legislation. The Court rejected that motion and the litigation is in the discovery stages. Separately, MDT has initiated litigation in the Superior Court, Orange County seeking declaratory relief to bar the labor claims, as well as return of intellectual property and unspecified damages for breaches of the former officers’ and employees’ employment agreements. The two employees have filed for personal bankruptcy and as a result, the claims are inactive.
Operating Lease Commitments
The Company is obligated under several non-cancelable operating leases. Future minimum rental payments for all operating leases of approximately $77,000 through November 2002. Rent expense amounted to approximately $ 78,000, $115,000 and $140,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Item 9.
Item 9. Change in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Information required for this item incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy to be filed on or before April 30,2002.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information required for this item incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy to be filed on or before April 30,2002.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Information required for this item incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy to be filed on or before April 30,2002.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Information required for this item incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy to be filed on or before April 30,2002.
PART IV
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits
*
Previously filed.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Dated: March 28, 2002
SPATIALIZER AUDIO LABORATORIES, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ Henry R. Mandell
Henry R. Mandell
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.