Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]  
Transactions Affecting Stock Holders Equity [Text Block]
NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION
 
Stockholder Rights Plan
On September 8, 1998, our Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of Common Stock Purchase Rights (each individually, a “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) payable to the stockholders of record on September 25, 1998, thereby creating a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Agreement”).  The Plan was amended effective May 23, 2008 and further amended effective August 18, 2009.  The Rights Agreement, as amended, provides that each Right entitles the stockholder of record to purchase from the Company that number of common shares having a combined market value equal to two times the Rights exercise price of $45.  The Rights are not exercisable until the distribution date, which will be the earlier of a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding common shares, or the announcement of an intention by a similarly constituted party to make a tender or exchange offer resulting in the ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common shares.  The dividend has the effect of giving the stockholder a 50% discount on the share’s current market value for exercising such right.  In the event of a cashless exercise of the Right, and the acquirer has acquired less than 50% beneficial ownership of the Company, a stockholder may exchange one Right for one common share of the Company.  The Rights Agreement, as amended, includes a provision pursuant to which our Board of Directors may exempt from the provisions of the Rights Agreement an offer for all outstanding shares of our Common Stock that the directors determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms. The expiration date of the Rights Agreement, as amended, is September 25, 2018.
 
Equity Line of Credit
On November 21, 2012, we entered into the equity line of credit agreement (such arrangement, the “Equity Line”) with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP (“Dutchess”) whereby Dutchess committed to purchase, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, up to 2,500,000 shares of our Common Stock, over a period of 36 months from the first trading day following the effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of shares purchased by Dutchess pursuant to the Equity Line.  On November 26, 2012, we filed a registration statement with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register for sale for up to 2,500,000 shares of our Common Stock and the registration statement was deemed effective by the SEC on December 12, 2012.
 
We may draw on the facility from time to time, as and when we determine appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Equity Line.  The maximum amount that we are entitled to put to Dutchess in any one draw down notice is the greater of (i) 500% of the average daily volume of our Common Stock traded on the NASDAQ Global Market for the one (1) trading day prior to the date of delivery of the applicable draw down notice, multiplied by the closing price for such trading day, or (ii) $250,000.    
 
The purchase price under the Equity Line is set at ninety-five percent (95%) of the lowest daily volume weighted average price (VWAP) of our Common Stock during the five (5) consecutive trading day period beginning on the date of delivery of the applicable draw down notice.  We have the right to withdraw all or any portion of any put, except that portion of the put that has already been sold to a third party, including any portion of a put that is below the minimum acceptable price set forth on the put notice, before the closing.   In the event Dutchess receives more than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess must remit such excess proceeds to us; however, in the event Dutchess receives less than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put Dutchess has the right to use any such excess proceeds to off-set against the aggregated deficit proceeds.
 
There are put restrictions applied on days between the draw down notice date and the closing date with respect to that particular put.  During such time, we are not allowed to deliver another draw down notice.  In addition, Dutchess is not obligated to purchase shares if its total number of shares beneficially held at that time would exceed 9.99% of the number of shares of our Common Stock as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  In addition, we are not permitted to draw on the facility unless there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the shares.
 
In December 2012, we sold an aggregate of 883,722 shares of Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the Equity Line.  We derived approximately $1.1 million in net proceeds through the usage of the Equity Line of which we received $839,000 of such proceeds prior to December 31, 2012 and we have included in receivables the balance of $230,000 which we received on January 4, 2013. In March 2013 and December 2013, we sold an aggregate of 125,000 and 164,474 shares of our Common Stock, respectively, under and pursuant to the Equity Line and derived net proceeds of $195,000 and $250,000, respectively.  We have included in receivables $250,000 derived from the December 2013 sale of shares; we received the proceeds on January 8, 2014.  The sales of the shares under the Equity Line were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended in reliance upon Section 4(2) (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder). 
 
During the period January 1, 2014 through to February 25, 2014, we sold an aggregate of 559,318 shares of Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the Equity Line and derived net proceeds of approximately $947,000. 
 
At March 25, 2014, we have 767,486 shares of our Common Stock available for sale, at our discretion, under the terms of the Equity Line and covered pursuant to a registration statement.
 
The 1997 Option Plan
On December 2, 1997, our Board of Directors approved a Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”), which was amended in 2005, and provided for the granting of up to 4.5 million shares of Common Stock.  Under the 1997 Plan, we were permitted to grant options to employees, officers or directors of the Company at variable percentages of the market value of stock at the date of grant.  No incentive stock option could be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant or five years after the date of grant where the individual owns more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock.  Stockholders approved the 1997 Plan in Fiscal 1998.  No options were granted under this Plan during Fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011. 
 
At December 31, 2013, we are precluded from issuing any additional options or grants in the future under the 1997 Plan pursuant to the terms of the plan document.  Options previously granted continue to be available for exercise at any time prior to such options’ respective expiration dates, but in no event later than ten years from the date granted.  At December 31, 2013, there are 67,000 options outstanding with various expiration dates ranging from October 2014 through December 2015, depending upon the date of grant. 
 
The 2010 Equity Compensation Plan
On May 5, 2010, our shareholders approved the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan which was subsequently amended, restated and approved by our shareholders on April 24, 2011 and further amended and approved by shareholders on May 6, 2013 (the “2010 Plan”).  The 2010 Plan provides that the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2010 Plan is equal to 1.6 million shares plus up to 900,000 shares that are authorized for issuance but unissued under the 1997 Plan for an aggregate of 2.5 million shares.  The 1997 Plan expired on December 2, 2007 and no additional awards may be made.  As of December 31, 2013, 1,481,750 of the options issued under the 1997 Plan prior to December 2007 expired unexercised or were terminated.  As a consequence, these shares are deemed and remain unissued which up to a maximum of 900,000 shares became available for issuance under the 2010 Plan and the remaining 581,750 options are deemed cancelled.
 
Stock Options
All of the Company’s employees, including employees who are officers or members of the Board are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan.  Consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company are also eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan.  For Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we granted, 420,500, 15,000 and 220,000 options, respectively, to employees to acquire our Common Stock pursuant to the terms of 2010 Plan.  Presented below is a summary of the terms of the grant of options:
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Number of options granted
 
 
420,500
 
 
15,000
 
 
220,000
 
Vesting period
 
 
2 - 3 years
 
 
3 years
 
 
4 years
 
Maximum term of option from date of grant
 
 
6 - 7 years
 
 
7 years
 
 
7 years
 
Exercise price per share
 
 
$1.48 - $1.65
 
 
$1.36
 
 
$0.87-$1.17
 
Weighted average fair value per share of
   options granted during the year
 
 
$0.56
 
 
$0.85
 
 
$0.58
 
 
We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model during Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 to determine the fair value of the stock options at the date of grant.   Based upon our limited historical experience, we estimated approximately, 33,000 of the options granted in Fiscal 2011 may ultimately be forfeited and no options granted in Fiscal 2013 and 2012 are estimated to be forfeited. Additionally, we determined the expected term of the stock option grants to be a range between 3.75 to 6.5 years, calculated using the “simplified” method in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 110.  We use the “simplified” method since we changed the vesting terms, tax treatment and the recipients of our stock options beginning in Fiscal 2010 such that we believe our historical data does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.   
 
Presented below is a summary of assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options at the date of grant:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
 
2011
 
Expected option life
 
3.75 - 4.5 years
 
 
4.5 years
 
 
4.75 years
 
Weighted average risk free rate
 
0.36
%
 
0.75
%
 
1.28
%
Dividend yield
 
0
%
 
0
%
 
0
%
Expected volatility
 
47.33% - 82.09
%
 
83.06
%
 
75.84% - 78.62
%
 
The fair value of the stock options at the time of the grant in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $237,000, $13,000 and $127,000, respectively.  Each of the stock options granted were subject to vesting such that the fair value of the stock options granted is charged to operations over the vesting period.  For Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we charged to operations $160,000, $153,000 and $131,000, respectively, for share-based compensation expense for the aggregate fair value of the vested stock options earned. 
 
At December 31, 2013, of the options granted in Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011  686,250 were vested and 884,250 are subject to vesting.  At December 31, 2013, there are 262,159 options available for grant to purchase shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan.
 
A summary of the status of our stock options granted to both employees and non-employees as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and changes during the years then ended is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding - beginning of year
 
1,307
 
 
$
1.72
 
1,333
 
 
$
1.88
 
1,300
 
 
$
2.99
 
Granted
 
420
 
 
 
1.64
 
15
 
 
 
1.36
 
220
 
 
 
1.10
 
Exercised
 
(25)
 
 
 
1.08
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Cancelled
 
(64)
 
 
 
4.53
 
(41)
 
 
 
8.11
 
(187)
 
 
 
8.67
 
Options outstanding - end of year
 
1,638
 
 
$
1.60
 
1,307
 
 
$
1.72
 
1,333
 
 
$
1.88
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Options granted and subject to future vesting
 
884
 
 
$
1.32
 
719
 
 
$
1.01
 
957
 
 
$
1.02
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable, at end of year
 
754
 
 
 
 
 
588
 
 
 
 
 
376
 
 
 
 
 
Available for grant
 
262
 
 
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
14
 
 
 
 
 
 
The unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to the options granted but not vested, (options to acquire 884,250 shares) was approximately $522,000 at December 31, 2013. These options subject to vesting (i) vest over the next 1 to 3 years, (ii) have a 6 to 7 year term from the date of grant, (iii) are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.31 and (iv) the unrecognized share-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except remaining life and per share data):
 
 
 
Options Outstanding and Exercisable
 
Range of
Exercise Prices
 
Number
Outstanding
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price Per
Share
 
$0.87 - $1.17
 
675
 
4.6
 
$
1.01
 
$1.18 - $1.65
 
11
 
6.1
 
$
1.40
 
$1.66 - $9.50
 
40
 
0.8
 
$
9.50
 
$9.51 - $13.80
 
27
 
2.0
 
$
13.80
 
Total
 
753
 
 
 
$
1.93
 
 
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during Fiscal 2013 was $12,000.  There were no options exercised during Fiscal 2012 or 2011.  The aggregate intrinsic value of (i) options outstanding, (ii) options outstanding and expected to vest in the future and (iii) options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2013 was $678,000, $465,000 and $273,000, respectively.
 
Stock Grants
In April 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an amendment to Mr. Karkus’ then employment agreement, dated August 19, 2009 (the “Amendment”) to lower his annual salary by $150,000 (or $12,500 per month) in exchange for a grant of restricted stock equal in value to the salary reduction.  Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Karkus’ annual base salary was decreased from $750,000 per year to $600,000 per year, effective May 1, 2011 thru July 15, 2012, which was the end of the term of his then employment agreement, as amended.  As a consequence of the Amendment, a restricted stock grant under the 2010 Plan equal to $12,500 of shares per month thru the end of the term (14.5 months).  The restricted stock grant was made in an upfront grant of 161,830 shares, subject to certain future vesting conditions, at a value of $181,000 as of the grant date.  The grant was made in April 2011 and the amount of the shares issued was calculated based on the average closing price of our Common Stock for the last five (5) trading days prior to and including the issuance date of April 21, 2011. For Fiscal 2012 and 2011, we charged to operations $81,000 and $100,000, respectively, as share-based compensation expense for the restricted stock grant.
 
In addition, in April 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr. Karkus 133,928 shares of Common Stock under the 2010 Plan as payment for his Fiscal 2010 bonus.  Furthermore, in December 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr. Karkus 134,409 shares of Common Stock under the 2010 Plan valued at $150,000 as payment for his Fiscal 2011 bonus.    
 
In April 2011, Mr. Karkus also agreed to convert into shares of our Common Stock $144,000 of deferred and unpaid cash compensation owed to him thru April 2011, resulting in an issuance of 128,571 shares under the 2010 Plan. The amount of these shares issued to Mr. Karkus was calculated based on the average closing price of the Company’s shares for the last five (5) trading days prior to and including the issuance dates of April 21, 2011. 
 
In December 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr. Cuddihy 33,603 shares of Common Stock, under the 2010 Plan valued at $37,500 as payment for 50% of his Fiscal 2011 bonus.
 
In December 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr. Karkus 50,000 shares of Common Stock, under the 2010 Plan valued at $82,000 as payment for a portion of his Fiscal 2013 bonus.
 
The 2010 Directors Equity Compensation Plan
On May 5, 2010, our shareholders approved the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan which was subsequently amended and approved by shareholders on May 6, 2013.  A primary purpose of the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan is to provide us with the ability to pay all or a portion of the fees of Directors in restricted stock instead of cash.   The 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan provides that the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan is equal to 425,000 shares.  In Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we granted 16,470, zero and 164,770 shares, respectively, of our Common Stock valued at $27,000, zero and $162,000, respectively, for director compensation.  At December 31, 2013, there are 176,135 shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan.
 
Stock Option Exercises and Other Grants
For Fiscal 2013, we derived net proceeds of $27,000, as a consequence of the exercise of options to acquire 25,000 of our Common Stock pursuant to the terms of our 2010 Option Plan. There were no stock options exercised in Fiscal 2012 or 2011.
 
In Fiscal 2011, pursuant to the terms of Mr. Cuddihy’s prior employment agreement dated August 19, 2009, Mr. Cuddihy received an annual grant of shares of Common Stock that is equal to $50,000, payable quarterly, promptly following the close of each quarter calculated based on the average closing price of our Common Stock for the last five (5) trading days of the quarter.   For Fiscal, 2011, Mr. Cuddihy earned, 51,642 shares, valued at $50,000, as share-based compensation. 
 
Purchase of Treasury Stock
In September 2011, we entered into a redemption agreement with PSI Parent. Under the terms of the redemption agreement, we redeemed 690,000 shares of our Common Stock held by PSI Parent for the aggregate redemption price of $448,500 in cash (see Note 8). The redemption price was equal to $0.65 per share.