Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

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EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements  
NOTE I - EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

[1]. On July 14, 2016, the Company entered into a new employment agreement ("Agreement") with its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which he continues to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for a five year term, at an annual base salary of $475,000 which shall be increased by 3% per annum during the term of the Agreement.  The Agreement established an annual target bonus of $175,000 for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer based upon performance.  During the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received an annual discretionary bonus of $650,000 and $200,000, respectively.  In addition, the Company granted to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, under its 2013 Plan, 750,000 restricted stock units (the "RSUs", each RSU awarded by the Company represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company's common stock) which vest in three tranches, as follows: (i) 250,000 RSUs shall vest on July 14, 2018, subject to the Chairman and Chief Executive's continued employment by the Company through the vesting date (the "Employment Condition"); (ii) 250,000 RSUs shall vest at any time beginning July 14, 2018 through July 14, 2021 in equal annual installments for the remaining term of employment, subject to (1) the Employment Condition being satisfied through each such annual vesting date and (2) the Company's common stock achieving a closing price (for 20 consecutive trading days) of a minimum of $3.25 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) at any time during the term of employment; and (iii) 250,000 RSUs vest at any time beginning July 14, 2018 through July 14, 2021 in equal annual installments for the remaining term of employment subject to (1) the Employment Condition being satisfied through each such annual vesting date and (2) the Company's common stock achieving a closing price (for 20 consecutive trading days) of a minimum of $4.25 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) at any time during the term of employment. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, in the event of a Change of Control (as defined), a Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined), or a termination of employment for Good Reason (as defined), all of the 750,000 RSUs shall accelerate and become immediately fully vested.  All RSUs granted by the Company to its officers, directors or consultants have dividend equivalent rights.

Under the terms of the Agreement, so long as the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer continues to serve as an executive officer of the Company, whether pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise, he shall also receive incentive compensation in an amount equal to 5% of the Company's gross royalties or other payments from Licensing Activities (as defined) (without deduction of legal fees or any other expenses) with respect to its Remote Power Patent and a 10% net interest (gross royalties and other payments after deduction of all legal fees and litigation expenses related to licensing, enforcement and sale activities, but in no event shall he receive less than 6.25% of the gross recovery) of the Company's royalties and other payments relating to Licensing Activities with respect to patents other than the Remote Power Patent (including the Company's Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio and Cox Patent Portfolio) (collectively, the "Incentive Compensation").  During the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer earned Incentive Compensation of $4,252,000 and $886,000, respectively.  The Incentive Compensation shall continue to be paid to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the life of each of the Company's patents with respect to licenses entered into with third parties during the term of his employment or at anytime thereafter, whether he is employed by the Company or not; provided, that, the employment of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has not been terminated by us "For Cause" (as defined) or terminated by him without "Good Reason" (as defined).  In the event of a merger or sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, the Company has the option to extinguish the right of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to receive future Incentive Compensation by payment to him of a lump sum payment, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such future interest as determined by an independent third party expert if the parties do not reach agreement as to such value.  In the event that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer employment is terminated by the Company "Other Than For Cause" (as defined) or by him for "Good Reason" (as defined), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer shall also be entitled to (i) a lump sum severance payment of 12 months base salary, (ii) a pro-rated portion of the $175,000 target bonus provided bonus criteria have been satisfied on a pro-rated basis through the calendar quarter in which the termination occurs and (iii) accelerated vesting of all unvested options, RSUs or other awards.

In connection with the Agreement, the Company's the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has also agreed not to compete with the Company as follows: (i) during the term of the Agreement and for a period of 12 months thereafter if his employment is terminated "Other Than For Cause" (as defined) provided he is paid his 12 month base salary severance amount and (ii) for a period of two years from the termination date, if terminated "For Cause" by the Company or "Without Good Reason" by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to entering into the new employment agreement in July 2016 as referenced above, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received a base salary of $415,000, an annual discretionary target bonus of $150,000, the same Incentive Compensation, non-compete and other similar provisions as set forth in his new employment agreement.

[2]. The Company's Chief Financial Officer serves on an at-will basis pursuant to an offer letter, dated April 9, 2014, at an annual base salary of $175,000 (increased in June 2016 from $157,000).  The Company's Chief Financial Officer received an annual bonus of $75,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $30,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  In connection with the offer letter, the Chief Financial Officer was issued, under the 2013 Plan, a 5-year stock option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's common stock, at an exercise price of $1.65 per share, which option vested in two equal amounts (25,000 shares each) on each of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015.  On June 9, 2016, the Company's Chief Financial Officer was granted 50,000 restricted stock units.  Each restricted stock unit vests 50% on the one year anniversary of the grant (June of 2017) and 50% on the two year anniversary of grant (June 9, 2018).  In addition, in the event the Chief Financial Officer's employment is terminated without "Good Cause" (as defined), he shall receive (i) (a) 6months base salary or (b) 12 months base salary in the event of a termination without "Good Cause" within 6 months following a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined) and (ii) accelerated vesting of all remaining unvested shares underlying his options, restricted stock units or any other awards he may receive in the future.

 

[3]. The Company's Executive Vice President serves on an at-will basis at an annual base salary of $200,000.  The Executive Vice President received an annual bonus of $125,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $40,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  On June 9, 2016, the Executive Vice President was granted 50,000 restricted stock units.  The restricted stock units vest 50% on the one year anniversary of grant (June 9, 2017) and 50% of the two year anniversary of grant (June 9, 2018).