UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[x] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

or

[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Nevada
 
333-171214
 
01-0949984
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
         
2331 Mill Road, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA
     
22314
(Address of principal executive offices)
     
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 804-1690

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  [x]  No  [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  [x] No  [_]

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

Large accelerated filer
[_]
Accelerated filer
[_]
       
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
[_]
Smaller reporting company
[x]

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  5,489,593 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2014.
 



 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page No.
PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
F-3
 
F-4
 
F-5
 
F-6
1
8
9
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
9
9
10
10
10
10
11

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Unless specifically set forth to the contrary, “Marathon Patent Group, Inc.,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Marathon Patent Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and subsidiaries.
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
             
   
March 31, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
  Cash
  $ 5,410,629     $ 3,610,262  
  Accounts receivable - net
    280,000       270,000  
  Marketable securities - available for sale securities
    6,250       6,250  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    579,382       752,931  
     Total current assets
    6,276,261       4,639,443  
                 
Other assets:
               
  Property and equipment, net
    12,223       13,640  
  Intangible assets, net
    5,704,012       6,157,659  
  Goodwill
    2,144,488       2,144,488  
     Total other assets
    7,860,723       8,315,787  
                 
     Total Assets
  $ 14,136,984     $ 12,955,230  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,719,242     $ 754,945  
  Liabilities of discontinued operations
    30,664       30,664  
     Total liabilities
    1,749,906       785,609  
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized: none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, ($.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 5,489,593 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
    549       549  
Additional paid-in capital
    23,172,350       22,673,287  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - marketable securities available for sale
    (6,250 )     (6,250 )
Accumulated deficit
    (10,769,075 )     (10,487,469 )
                 
    Total Marathon Patent Group, Inc. equity
    12,397,574       12,180,117  
                 
    Non-controlling interest in subsidiary
    (10,496 )     (10,496 )
                 
     Total stockholders' equity
    12,387,078       12,169,621  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 14,136,984     $ 12,955,230  
                 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 

MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
             
   
For the
   
For the
 
   
three months ended
   
three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Revenue
  $ 2,780,000     $ -  
                 
Cost of revenues
    1,110,579       -  
                 
Gross profit
    1,669,421       -  
                 
Operating expenses
               
  Amortization of patents
    453,647       17,547  
  Compensation and related taxes
    729,987       426,675  
  Consulting fees
    428,107       45,224  
  Professional fees
    256,855       158,472  
  General and administrative
    82,658       66,459  
     Total operating expenses
    1,951,254       714,377  
                 
Operating loss from continuing operations
    (281,833 )     (714,377 )
                 
Other income (expenses)
               
  Interest income
    227       291  
  Interest expense
    -       (230 )
     Total other income (expenses)
    227       61  
                 
Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
    (281,606 )     (714,316 )
                 
Provision for income taxes
    -       -  
                 
Loss from continuing operations
    (281,606 )     (714,316 )
                 
Discontinued operations:
               
   Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       108,780  
                 
Net loss
    (281,606 )     (605,536 )
                 
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:
               
  Loss from continuing operations
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.20 )
  Loss from discontinued operations
    -       0.03  
    $ (0.05 )   $ (0.17 )
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
               
    OUTSTANDING - Basic and Diluted
    5,489,593       3,503,565  
                 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 

MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
             
   
For the
   
For the
 
   
three months ended
   
three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2013
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (281,606 )   $ (605,536 )
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
     Depreciation
    1,417       278  
     Amortization of patents
    453,647       17,547  
     Amortization of prepaid expense in connection with the issuance of common stock issued for prepaid services
    181,564       -  
     Stock based compensation on warrants
    10,394       49,197  
     Stock based compensation on options granted
    488,669       170,911  
                 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
  Accounts receivable
    (10,000 )     -  
  Assets of discontinued operations - current portion
    -       28,750  
  Prepaid expenses
    (8,015 )     9,667  
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    964,297       96,011  
                 
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    1,800,367       (233,175 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
  Purchase of property and equipment
    -       (10,000 )
  Proceeds received from sale of real estate property (discontinued operations)
    -       817,482  
  Capitalized cost related to improvements of real estate property (discontinued operations)
    -       (12,000 )
      Net cash provided by investing activities
    -       795,482  
                 
Net  increase in cash
    1,800,367       562,307  
                 
Cash at beginning of year
    3,610,262       2,354,169  
                 
Cash at end of period
  $ 5,410,629     $ 2,916,476  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
   Cash paid for:
               
      Interest
  $ -     $ 230  
      Income taxes
  $ -     $ -  
                 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 


NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Organization

Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly American Strategic Minerals Corporation, was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on February 23, 2010.

The Company’s business is to acquire patents and patent rights and to monetize the value of those assets to generate revenue and profit for the Company.  The Company acquires patents and patent rights from their owners, who range from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies.  Part of the Company’s acquisition strategy is to acquire patents and patent rights that cover a wide-range of subject matter, which allows the Company to achieve the benefits of a growing diversified portfolio of assets.  Generally, the assets the Company acquires are characterized by having large identifiable companies who are or have been using technology that infringes on the Company’s patent rights.  The Company generally monetizes its portfolio of assets by initiating enforcement activities against any infringing parties with the objective of entering into a standard form of comprehensive settlement and license agreement that may include the granting of non-exclusive retroactive and future rights to use the patented technology, a covenant not to sue, a release of the party from certain claims, the dismissal of any pending litigation and other terms that are appropriate in the circumstances.  The Company’s strategy has been developed with the expectation that it will result in a long-term, diversified revenue stream for the Company.

On December 7, 2011, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to change its name to “American Strategic Minerals Corporation” from “Verve Ventures, Inc.”, and increase the Company’s authorized capital to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. During June 2012, the Company decided to discontinue its exploration and potential development of uranium and vanadium minerals business. Additionally, in November 2012, the Company decided to discontinue its real estate business.

On August 1, 2012, the shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s voting capital voted in favor of (i) changing the name of the Company to “Fidelity Property Group, Inc.” and (ii) the adoption the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and reserving 10,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance thereunder (the “2012 Plan”).  The board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) approved the name change and the adoption of the 2012 Plan on August 1, 2012. The Company did not file an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada and subsequently abandoned the decision to adopt the “Fidelity Property Group, Inc.” name.

On October 1, 2012, the shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s voting capital had voted and authorized the Company to (i) change the name of the Company to Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (the “Name Change”) and (ii) effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock by a ratio of 3-for-2 (the “Reverse Split”) within one year from the date of approval of the stockholders of the Company.  The Board of Directors approved the Name Change and the Reverse Split on October 1, 2012. The Board of Directors determined the name “Marathon Patent Group, Inc.” better reflects the long-term strategy in exploring other opportunities and the identity of the Company going forward.  On February 15, 2013, the Company filed the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate the Name Change. On May 31, 2013, shareholders of record holding a majority of the outstanding voting capital of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-five and not more than one-for-fifteen at any time prior to April 30, 2014, with such ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, in its sole discretion. On June 24, 2013, the reverse stock split ratio of one (1) for thirteen (13) basis was approved by the Board of Directors. On July 18, 2013, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.0001 per share on a one (1) for thirteen (13) basis. All share and per share values for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the reverse stock split.


NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and present the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In the preparation of consolidated financial statements of the Company, all intercompany transactions and balances were eliminated. All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the Company's consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2014, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accounting policies and procedures employed in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements have been derived from the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are contained in Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2014. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from those financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments and other short-term investments with maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.  The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances at one financial institution that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company’s account at this institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") up to $250,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company has reached bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institution, the Company evaluates at least annually the rating of the financial institution in which it holds deposits.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of warrants and options granted, common stock issued for services, and common stock issued in connection with an option agreement.

Accounts Receivable

The Company has a policy of reserving for questionable accounts based on its best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable.  The Company periodically reviews its accounts receivable to determine whether an allowance is necessary based on an analysis of past due accounts and other factors that may indicate that the realization of an account may be in doubt.  Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged to the bad debt expense after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.  At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the allowance for bad debt was $57,050 for both periods. Accounts receivable-net at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, amounted to $280,000 and $270,000, respectively.

Concentration of Revenue and Geographic Area

Patent license revenue from enforcement activities is considered United States revenue as payments are for licenses for United States operations irrespective of the location of the licensee's or licensee's parent home domicile. As of March 31, 2014, one customer accounted for 100% of the Company’s total accounts receivable-net. Revenues from two customers accounted for approximately 100% of the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014.


Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”. Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) all obligations have been substantially performed, (iii) amounts are fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability of amounts is reasonably assured.

The Company considers its licensing and enforcement activities as one unit of accounting under ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements” as the delivered items do not have value to customers on a standalone basis, there are no undelivered elements and there is no general right of return relative to the license. Under ASC 605-25, the appropriate recognition of revenue is determined for the combined deliverables as a single unit of accounting and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the final elements, including the license for past and future use and the release.
 
Also due to the fact that the settlement element and license element for past and future use are the major central business, the Company does not present these two elements as different revenue streams in its statement of operations. The Company does not expect to provide licenses that do not provide some form of settlement or release. Revenues from patent enforcement activities accounted for 100% of the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenues mainly includes expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s patent enforcement activities, such as legal fees, consulting costs, patent maintenance, royalty fees for acquired patents and other related expenses. Cost of revenue does not include expenses related to product development, integration or support, as these are included in general and administrative expenses.
 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $579,382 and $752,931 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, consist primarily of costs paid for future services, which will occur within a year. Prepaid expenses include prepayments in cash and equity instruments for public relation services, business advisory, consulting and prepaid insurance, which are being amortized over the terms of their respective agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized stock based consulting expenses of $181,564 related to the amortization of prepaid expenses and other current assets in connection with common stock issued for prepaid services.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities that the Company invests in publicly traded equity securities and are generally restricted for sale under Federal securities laws. The Company’s policy is to liquidate securities received when market conditions are favorable for sale. Since these securities are often restricted, the Company is unable to liquidate them until the restriction is removed. Pursuant to ASC Topic 320, “Investments –Debt and Equity Securities” the Company’s marketable securities have a readily determinable and active quoted price, such as from NASDAQ, NYSE Euronext, the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, and the OTC Markets Group.

Available for sale securities are carried at fair value, with changes in unrealized gains or losses are recognized as an element of comprehensive income based on changes in the fair value of the security. Once liquidated, realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities available for sale are reflected in the net income (loss) for the period in which the security was liquidated.


Comprehensive Income

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05 amends Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification Topic 220 on comprehensive income (1) to eliminate the current option to present the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the statement of changes in equity, and (2) to require presentation of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) (and their respective components) either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. These amendments do not alter any current recognition or measurement requirements in respect of items of other comprehensive income. The amendments in this Update are to be applied prospectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing US GAAP that require the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. The adoption of ASC 820 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results, but did expand certain disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:

 
Level 1:
Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
 
Level 2:
Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
 
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
     
Investment measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014:

   
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
  
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
  
                 
Marketable securities – available for sale, net of discount for effect of restriction
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
6,250
 

The Company classifies the investments in marketable securities available for sale as Level 3, adjusted for the effect of restriction. The securities are restricted and cannot be readily resold by the Company absent a registration of those securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the availabilities of an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. As these securities are often restricted, the Company is unable to liquidate them until the restriction is removed. Unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities available for sale are recognized as an element of comprehensive income based on changes in the fair value of the security. Once liquidated, realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities available for sale are reflected in our net loss for the period in which the security was liquidated.

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximate their estimated fair market value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.
 

Accounting for Acquisitions

In the normal course of its business, the Company makes acquisitions of patent assets and may also make acquisitions of businesses.  With respect to each such transaction, the Company evaluates facts of the transaction and follows the guidelines prescribed in accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations to determine the proper accounting treatment for each such transaction and then records the transaction in accordance with the conclusions reached in such analysis.  The Company performs such analysis with respect to each material acquisition within the consolidated group of entities.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.

The Company follows the provision of the ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Position. When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be situated upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is most likely that not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions.

Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for uncertain tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company believes its tax positions are all highly certain of being upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax benefits.

The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-25 Definition of Settlement, which provides guidance on how an entity should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits and provides that a tax position can be effectively settled upon the completion and examination by a taxing authority without being legally extinguished. For tax position considered effectively settled, an entity would recognize the full amount of tax benefit, even if the tax position is not considered more likely that not to be sustained based solely on the basis of its technical merits and the statute of limitations remains open.  The federal and state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities, generally for three years after they were filed. The Company is in the process of filing the previous year’s tax returns.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share

Net loss per common share is calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260: Earnings Per Share (“ASC 260”). Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net loss per share does not include dilutive common stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding as they would be anti-dilutive. The Company has 1,147,692 stock options and 685,183 stock warrants outstanding at March 31, 2014 which were excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding as they would have had an anti-dilutive impact on the Company’s net loss.   In addition, as of March 31, 2014, the Company has  Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) outstanding for 100,000 shares of common stock, which RSU is also not included in the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share.


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:

   
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2014
   
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2013
 
             
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
(281,606
)  
$
(714,316
)
Income  from discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
108,780
 
                 
Denominator:
               
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share
               
(weighted-average shares)
   
5,489,593
     
3,503,565
 
                 
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:
               
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
(0.05
 
$
(0.20
)
Income from discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
0.03
 
 
Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include patents purchased and recorded based on the cost to acquire them. These assets are amortized over their remaining estimated useful lives. Useful lives of intangible assets are periodically evaluated for reasonableness and the assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may no longer be recoverable.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC 350-30-65, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Others”, the Company assesses the impairment of identifiable intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers to be important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:

 
1.
Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;
 
2.
Significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business; and
 
3.
Significant negative industry or economic trends.

When the Company determines that the carrying value of intangibles may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment and the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from projected undiscounted cash flows, the Company records an impairment charge. The Company measures any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the current business model. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether an indicator of impairment exists and in projecting cash flows.
 


Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets according to the ASC 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment”.  The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets 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 the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. When necessary, impaired assets are written down to estimated fair value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally based on either appraised value or measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment charges on its long-lived assets during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There were updates recently issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or application to specific industries and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION

On April 22, 2013, Acquisition Corp., a Texas corporation and newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a merger agreement with CyberFone Systems, TechDev and Spangenberg Foundation.  TechDev and Spangenberg Foundation owned 100% of the membership interests of CyberFone Systems.

CyberFone Systems owns a foundational patent portfolio that includes claims that provide specific transactional data processing, telecommunications, network and database inventions, including financial transactions. The portfolio, which has a large and established licensing base, consists of ten United States patents and 27 foreign patents and one patent pending. The patent rights that cover digital communications and data transaction processing are foundational to certain applications in the wireless, telecommunications, financial and other industries. IP Navigation Group LLC (“IP Nav”), a Company founded by Erich Spangenberg and associated with the CyberFone Sellers will continue to support and manage the portfolio of patents and retain a contingent participation interest in all recoveries.  IP Nav provides patent monetization and support services under an existing agreement with CyberFone Systems.


Pursuant to the terms of the CyberFone Merger Agreement, CyberFone Systems merged with and into Acquisition Corp with CyberFone Systems surviving the merger as the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”).  The Company (i) issued 461,538 post-split (6,000,000 pre-split) shares of common stock to the CyberFone Sellers (the “Merger Shares”), (ii) paid the CyberFone Sellers $500,000 cash and (iii) issued a $500,000 promissory note to TechDev (the “Note”).  The Company valued these common shares at the fair market value on the date of grant at $4.94 post-split ($0.38 pre-split) per share or $2,280,000. The Note was non-interest bearing and was due on June 22, 2013, subject to acceleration in the event of default.  The Company may prepay the Note at any time without premium or penalty. On June 21, 2013, the Company paid $500,000 to TechDev in satisfaction of the note. The transaction resulted in a business combination and caused CyberFone Systems to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

In addition to the payments described above, within 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter (commencing with the first full calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which CyberFone Systems recovers $4 million from licensing or enforcement activities related to the patents), CyberFone Systems will be required to pay out a certain percentage of such recoveries.

The Company accounted for the acquisition utilizing the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations”. The Company is the acquirer for accounting purposes and CyberFone Systems is the acquired company.  Accordingly, the Company applied push–down accounting and adjusted to fair value all of the assets and liabilities directly on the financial statements of the subsidiary. The net purchase price paid by the Company was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the records of the Company as follows:

Intangible assets
 
$
1,135,512
 
Goodwill
   
2,144,488
 
Net purchase price
 
$
3,280,000
 

NOTE 4 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During June 2012, the Company decided to discontinue its exploration and potential development of uranium and vanadium minerals business and prior periods have been restated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related footnotes to conform to this presentation. Additionally, in November 2012, the Company decided to discontinue its real estate business and intends to sell and dispose its remaining real estate holdings during fiscal 2013. The Company is now engaged in the acquisition, development and monetization of intellectual property through both the prosecution and licensing of its own patent portfolio, the acquisition of additional intellectual property or partnering with others to defend and enforce their patent rights.

The remaining liabilities of discontinued operations are presented in the balance sheet under the caption “Liabilities of discontinued operation" and relates to the discontinued operations of the uranium and vanadium minerals business and real estate business. The carrying amounts of the major classes of the assets and liabilities are summarized as follows:

   
March 31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
 
Assets:
           
Assets of discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
                 
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payables and accrued expenses
 
$
30,664
   
$
30,664
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
 
$
30,664
   
$
30,664
 
 

The following table indicates selected financial data of the Company’s discontinued operations of its uranium and vanadium minerals business and real estate business.

   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Revenues – real estate
 
$
-
   
$
986,951
 
Cost of sales- real estate
   
-
     
(817,483
)
Gross profit
   
-
     
169,468
 
Operating and other non-operating expenses
   
-
     
(60,688
)
                 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
$
-
   
$
108,780
 
 
NOTE 5 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets include patents purchased and are recorded based on their acquisition cost which consisted of the following:
 
   
March 31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
 
                 
Patent rights
 
$
7,204,937
   
$
7,204,937
 
Accumulated amortization
   
(1,500,925)
     
(1,047,278)
 
Intangible assets, net
 
$
5,704,012
   
$
6,157,659
 

Intangible assets are comprised of patents with estimated useful lives between approximately 1 to 11 years. Once placed in service, the Company will amortize the costs of intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis.  Costs incurred to acquire patents, including legal costs, are also capitalized as long-lived assets and amortized on a straight-line basis with the associated patent. Amortization of patents is included in operating expenses as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company assesses fair market value for any impairment to the carrying values.  As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 management concluded that there was no impairment to the acquired assets.

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $453,647 and $17,547, respectively. Future amortization of intangible assets, net is as follows:

2014
 
1,265,458
 
2015
   
1,484,209
 
2016
   
944,035
 
2017
   
639,626
 
2018
   
379,691
 
2019 and thereafter
   
990,993
 
Total
 
$
5,704,012
 

On April 16, 2013, the Company through its subsidiary, Relay IP, Inc. acquired a US patent for $350,000. On April 22, 2013, the Company acquired 10 US patents, 27 foreign patents and 1 patent pending from CyberFone Systems valued at $1,135,512 (see note 3). In September 2013, the Company acquired 14 US patents for a total purchase price of $1,100,000. On November 13, 2013, the Company acquired four patents for 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which the Company valued at $718,500 based on the fair market value of the stock issued. On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired certain patents from Delphi Technologies, Inc. for $1,700,000 pursuant to a Patent Purchase Agreement entered into on October 31, 2013 and Amended on December 16, 2013.


In connection with a settlement and license agreement dated June 4, 2013, the Company agreed to settle and release a certain defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents. The defendant agreed to assign and transfer 3 US patents and rights valued at $1,000,000.

In connection with a settlement and license agreement dated December 22, 2013, the Company agreed to settle and release another defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents, whereby the defendant agreed to assign and transfer 2 US patents and rights to the Company. The Company valued the two patents at an aggregate of $700,000.

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

On December 7, 2011, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to increase the Company’s authorized capital to 200,000,000 shares of common stock from 75,000,000 shares, change the par value to $0.0001 per share from $.001 per share, and authorized new 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
 
On June 24, 2013, the reverse stock split ratio of one (1) for thirteen (13) basis was approved by the Board of Directors. On July 18, 2013, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.0001 per share on a one (1) for thirteen (13) basis. All share and per share values for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the reverse stock split.

Common Stock Warrants

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded stock based compensation expense of $10,394 in connection with vested warrants. At March 31, 2014, there was a total of $34,646 of unrecognized compensation expense related to this non-vested warrant-based compensation arrangements.

A summary of the status of the Company's outstanding stock warrants and changes during the period then ended is as follows:
 
  
 
Number of Warrants
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
   
708,260
   
$
6.66
     
2.74
 
Granted
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Cancelled
   
(23,077)
     
-
     
-
 
Forfeited
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Exercised
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at March 31, 2014
   
685,183
   
$
6.66
     
2.31
 
                         
Warrants exercisable at March 31, 2014
   
678,773
   
$
6.67
         
Weighted average fair value of warrants granted during the period ended
         
$
-
         

Common Stock Options

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $354,132, stock based consulting expense of $128,787 and stock-based legal fees of $5,750 related to vested options. At March 31, 2014, there was a total of $3,071,551 of unrecognized compensation expense related to these non-vested option-based compensation arrangements discussed above.


A summary of the stock options as of March 31, 2014 and changes during the period are presented below:
 
  
 
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
   
1,338,076
     
5.83
     
5.21
 
Granted
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Exercised
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Forfeited
   
(190,384
   
5.90
     
-
 
Cancelled
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance outstanding at March 31, 2014
   
1,147,692
   
$
5.85
     
4.61
 
                         
Options exercisable at March 31, 2014
   
242,580
   
$
6.13
         
Options expected to vest
   
905,112
                 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period
         
$
-
         
 
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014 as disclosed in the above table have approximately $722,000 intrinsic value at the end of the period.

Restricted Stock Unit

On November 13, 2013, the Company entered into a two year consulting agreement with Jeff Feinberg (the “Feinberg Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to grant Mr. Feinberg a restricted stock unit (“RSU”) for 100,000 shares of our restricted common stock.  The RSU vests in two installments:  50% on the one-year anniversary of the Feinberg Agreement (the “First Vesting”) and the remaining 50% on the second year anniversary of the Feinberg Agreement (the “Second Vesting”).  The shares of common stock will be issued upon Mr. Feinberg’s meeting each of the two vesting requirements.  During the first six months, the Feinberg Agreement can be terminated without any vesting under certain circumstances described in the Feinberg Agreement.  If the Feinberg Agreement is terminated following the First Vesting but prior to the Second Vesting, the RSU is subject to acceleration of the Second Vesting under certain circumstances also described in the Feinberg Agreement.  Mr. Feinberg is the trustee of The Feinberg Family Trust and holds voting and dispositive power over the shares held by The Feinberg Family Trust, which is a 10% beneficial owner of our common stock.  The Company valued the RSU at $570,000 or $5.70 per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded stock based consulting of $71,250. The remaining balance which is included in prepaid expenses at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 amounted to $461,542 and $532,792, respectively, and will be amortized over the remaining term of the agreement.


NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Office Lease

In October 2013, the Company entered into a net-lease for its current office space in Los Angeles, California.  The lease will commence on May 1, 2014 and runs for seven years through April 30, 2021, with monthly lease payment escalating each year of the lease.  In addition, to paying a deposit of $7,564 and the monthly base lease cost, the Company is required to pay pro rata share of operating expenses and real estate taxes.  Under the terms of the lease, the Company will not be required to pay rent for the first five months but must remain in compliance with the terms of the lease to continue to maintain that benefit.  In addition, the Company has a one-time option to terminate the lease in the 42th month of the lease.  Minimum future lease payments under this lease at March 31, 2014, net of the rent abatement, for the next five years are as follows:
 
 
 2014   $ 36,981  
 2015     66,300  
 2016     69,216  
 2017     72,324  
 2018     75,648  
     Total   $ 320,469  
 
RPX Agreements

On March 13, 2014, the Company entered into a patent rights agreement (“RPX Agreement”) with RPX Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“RPX”).  In relation with the RPX Agreement, on March 13, 2014, Relay IP, Inc. (“Relay IP”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a patent license agreement (the “Relay IP Agreement”) with RPX. The Relay IP Agreement provides for the licensing of a certain patent to RPX at the closing of the transaction.
 
In relation with the RPX Agreement, on March 13, 2014, Sampo IP, LLC (“Sampo IP”), a Virginia corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a patent license agreement (the “Sampo IP Agreement”) with RPX. The Sampo IP Agreement provides for the licensing of certain patents to RPX at the closing of the transaction.
 
NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Resignation and Appointments

On April 14, 2014, Mr. Craig Nard tendered his resignation from his position as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
On April 15, 2014 the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Mr. Edward Kovalik to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Nard. Pursuant to the terms of the Independent Director Agreement between the Company and Mr. Kovalik dated April 14, 2014 (the “Kovalik Agreement”), the Board approved the issuance of options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on April 15, 2014, which was $6.59 per share. The options granted to Mr. Kovalik have an expiration date of April 15, 2019 and will vest pro rata on a monthly basis over a twelve month period commencing April 15, 2014 provided that Mr. Kovalik remains a member of the Board on a continuous basis through each vesting date.
 
On April 25, 2014, Mr. Richard Raisig resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The resignation is not in connection with any known disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.  The Company has commenced a search to find a permanent replacement for Mr. Raisig. The Company’s former Chief Financial Officer, John Stetson, will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until a permanent replacement is found.  


Warrant Amendment Letter

On April 20, 2014, the Company sent a letter (the “Warrant Amendment Letter”) to all the holders of the warrants which were granted in connection with the sale of units pursuant to a securities purchase agreements which occurred between May 2013 and August 2013. The Warrant Amendment Letter offers to reduce the exercise price of the warrants from $6.50 per share to $5.75 per share, if the holders of the warrants accepted the Company’s offer to exercise the warrants in full for cash by April 22, 2014 (the "Expiration Date").  The Company subsequently extended the Expiration Date to April 24, 2014. On April 24, 2014, one holder of warrants, whom is an accredited investor, accepted the Company’s offer and thereby exercised his warrants, for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $138,224. The Company expects to use such proceeds for general working capital and other purposes.

Private Placement

On May 1, 2014, the Company  sold an aggregate of 1,000,502 units (the “Units”) to certain accredited investors (the “Investors”) pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $6,503,264.
 
Each Unit was sold for a purchase price of $6.50 per Unit and consisted of: (i) one share of the Company’s 8% Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Shares”), and (ii) a two year warrant (the “PIPE Warrants”) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) in an amount equal to twenty five percent (25%) of the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. The PIPE Warrants have an exercise price of $7.50 per share, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events such as stock splits and dividends.
 
The PIPE Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis at any time that the registration statement to be filed pursuant to the PIPE Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) is not effective after the Effectiveness Date (as defined below). The PIPE Warrants contain limitations on the holder’s ability to exercise the PIPE Warrants in the event such exercise causes the holder to beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock.
 
Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors (the “PIPE Registration Rights Agreement”), the Company has agreed to file a “resale” registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) covering the Shares and the Common Stock underlying the conversion of the Shares and the exercise of the PIPE Warrants within 60 days of the final closing date of the sale of Units (the “Filing Date”). The Company has agreed to use its best efforts to have the initial registration statement declared effective within 120 days of the Filing Date (or within 135 days of the Filing Date in the event that the registration statement is subject to full review by the SEC) (the “Effectiveness Date”), subject to extension by consent of the Investors. Since there was only one closing of the private placement, the Final Closing Date was May 1, 2014.

The Company paid a placement fee to Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd., as placement agent, in the amount of $200,000 in connection with the sale of the Units, of which  $100,000 was paid in cash upon the closing of the private placement and $100,000 was payable in Units.   Accordingly, the Company will issue 15,385 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 3,846 warrants to the placement agent.  In addition, the Company paid the lead investors in the offering $50,000 for due diligence. It was originally contemplated that this fee would be fully paid in Units, however the Company ultimately paid $25,000 in cash to one lead investor and $25,000 was paid in Units to the other lead investor in the offering, such that the Company issued 7,692 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 1,923 warrants to such lead investor.

On May 1, 2014, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada a Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designations”), authorizing 1,500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and establishing the designations, preferences, and other rights of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing.


The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock are summarized below:

Rank.  The Series A Preferred Stock will rank senior to Common Stock and to all other classes and series of equity securities of the Company which by its terms do not rank on a parity with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividend.  The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividends at an annual rate equal to 8% based on a value of $6.50 per share.  The Company may pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock in shares of Common Stock, with each share of Common Stock being valued at the higher of $6.50 per share or the thirty day VWAP (as defined in the Series A Certificate of Designations) as of the trading day immediately prior to the date that the dividend is to be paid.  All accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, shall be mandatorily paid immediately prior to the earlier to occur of: (i) a liquidation, dissolution or winding up for the Company, (ii) a voluntary conversion by the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, or (iii) a mandatory conversion pursuant to the terms of the Series A Certificate of Designations, and as further described below.

Liquidation Preference.  In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $6.50 per share of the respective preferred stock held, before any payments are made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of the Company’s capital stock ranking junior as to liquidation rights to Series A Preferred Stock. After such payment to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation as such in any distribution of the assets of the Company.

Voting Rights.  As long as more than 25% of the Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary to, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the time: (i) incur Indebtedness or authorize, create, issue or increase the authorized or issued amount of any class or series of stock, including but not limited to the issuance of any more shares of previously authorized Preferred Stock, ranking prior to the Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up; (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock; (iii) repurchase, redeem or pay dividends on (whether in cash, in kind, or otherwise), shares of the Company's stock that are junior to the Series A Preferred; (iv) amend the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company so as to affect materially and adversely any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock; (v) effect any distribution with respect to stock junior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock; or (vi) reclassify the Company's outstanding securities.  “Indebtedness” means (a) all obligations for borrowed money, (b) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptance, current swap agreements, interest rate swaps, or other financial products, (c) all capital lease obligations (to the extent the same exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year), (d) all synthetic leases, and (e) any obligation guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted or sold with recourse) any of the foregoing obligations of any other person; provided, however, Indebtedness shall not include (a) a working capital line of credit, containing typical and customary terms and conditions, of up to $3,000,000 issued by a bank, credit union, governmental agency or similar unaffiliated corporate or institutional lender, (b) usual and customary trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business (c) indebtedness  incurred to fund all or a portion of  the purchase price in connection with the acquisition of  patent portfolios and/or other intellectual property by the Company and (d) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  Besides the foregoing voting rights, the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights and the Common Stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible shall, upon issuance, have all of the same voting rights as other issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company.


Conversion.  Each share of Series A Preferred Stock may be converted at the holder’s option at any time after issuance into one share of Common Stock, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion does not exceed, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock owned by such holder at such time, result in such holder beneficially owning (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder) in excess of 9.99% of all of the Common Stock outstanding at such time, unless otherwise waived  in writing by the Company with sixty-one (61) days’ notice.

Mandatory Conversion.  On a date which at least one day after the VWAP of the Company’s Common Stock has exceeded $9.25 per share for a period of four out of eight consecutive trading days, each share of the Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, as adjusted for stock splits, combinations, certain dividends and distributions.

On May 1, 2014, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada a Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designations”)  authorizing 500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and establishing the designations, preferences, and other rights of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing.

The terms of the Series B Preferred Stock are summarized below:

Rank.  The Series B Preferred Stock will rank junior to the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividend.  The holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive such dividends paid and distributions made to the holders of Common Stock, pro rata to the holders of Common Stock to the same extent as if such holders had converted the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion herein or elsewhere) and had held such shares of Common Stock on the record date for such dividends and distributions.

Liquidation Preference.  In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company and the payment of a liquidation preference to the holders of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, any remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of Common Stock and the holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as if the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into shares of Common Stock on the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

Voting Rights.  The Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights except with regard to certain customary protective provisions set forth in the  Series B Certificate of Designations and as otherwise provided by applicable law.

Conversion.  Each share of Series B Preferred Stock may be converted at the holder’s option at any time after issuance into  one share of Common Stock, provided that the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion does not exceed, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock owned by such holder at such time, result in such holder beneficially owning (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder) in excess of 9.99% of all of the Common Stock outstanding at such time, unless otherwise waived  in writing by the Company with sixty-one (61) days notice.

In connection with the sale of the Units, the Company issued 1,000,502 shares of Series A Preferred, 391,000 shares of Series B Preferred and PIPE Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 250,126 shares of Common Stock.  

The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to annual dividends at a rate of 8% based on a value of $6.50 per share, payable quarterly commencing on January 31, 2015.  


Completion of Acquisition

On May 2, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of certain ownership rights (the “Acquired Intellectual Property”) from TechDev Holdings, LLC (“TechDev”), Granicus IP, LLC (“Granicus”) and The Spangenberg Family Foundation for the Benefit of Children’s Healthcare and Education (“SFF”) pursuant to the terms of three purchase agreements between: (i) the Company, TechDev,  SFF and DA Acquisition LLC, a newly formed Texas limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; (ii) the Company, Granicus, SFF and IP Liquidity Ventures Acquisition LLC, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and (iii) the Company, TechDev,  SFF and Sarif Biomedical Acquisition LLC, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “DA Agreement,” the “IP Liquidity Agreement” and the “Sarif Agreement,” respectively and the collective transactions, the “Acquisitions”).

Pursuant to the DA Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the limited liability company membership interests of Dynamic Advances, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, in consideration for: (i) two cash payments of $2,375,000, one payment due at closing and the other payment due on or before June 30, 2014, with such second payment being subject to increase to $2,850,000 if not made on or before June 30, 2014; and (ii) 195,500 shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.  Under the terms of the DA Agreement, TechDev and SFF are entitled to possible future payments for a maximum consideration of $250,000,000 pursuant to the Pay Proceeds Agreement described below.

Pursuant to the IP Liquidity Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the limited liability company membership interests of IP Liquidity Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in consideration for: (i) two cash payments of $2,375,000, one payment due at closing and the other payment due on or before June 30, 2014, with such second payment being subject to increase to $2,850,000 if not made on or before June 30, 2014; and (ii) 195,500 shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.  Under the terms of the IP Liquidity Agreement, Granicus and SFF are entitled to possible future payments for a maximum consideration of $250,000,000 pursuant to the Pay Proceeds Agreement described below.

Pursuant to the Sarif Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the limited liability company membership interests of Sarif Biomedical, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in consideration for two cash payments of $250,000, one payment due at closing and the other payment due on or before June 30, 2014, with such second payment being subject to increase to $300,000 if not made on or before June 30, 2014.  Under the terms of the Sarif Agreement, TechDev and SFF are entitled to possible future payments for a maximum consideration of $250,000,000 pursuant to the Pay Proceeds Agreement described below.

Pursuant to the Pay Proceeds Agreement, the Company may pay the sellers a percentage of the net recoveries (gross revenues minus certain defined expenses) that the Company makes with respect to the assets held by the entities that the Company acquired pursuant to the DA Agreement, the IP Liquidity Agreement and the Sarif Agreement (the “IP Assets”).  Under the terms of the Pay Proceeds Agreement, if the Company recovers $10,000,000 or less with regard to the IP Assets, then nothing is due to the sellers; if the Company recovers between $10,000,000 and $40,000,000 with regard to the IP Assets, then the Company shall pay 40% of the cumulative gross proceeds of such recoveries to the sellers; and if the Company recovers over $40,000,000 with regard to the IP Assets, the Company shall pay 50% of the cumulative gross proceeds of such recoveries to the sellers.  In no event will the total payments made by the Company under the Pay Proceeds Agreement exceed $250,000,000.

Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement with the  sellers (the “Acquisition Registration Rights Agreement”), the Company has agreed to file a “resale” registration statement with the SEC covering at least 10% of the registrable shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued to the sellers under the terms of the DA Agreement and the IP Liquidity Agreement, at any time on or after November 2, 2014 upon receipt of a written demand from the sellers which describes the amount and type of securities to be included in the registration and the intended method of distribution thereof.  The Company shall not be required to file more than three such registration statements not more than 60 days after the receipt of each such written demand from the sellers.


On May 2, 2014, the Company issued TechDev and SFF a promissory note in order to evidence the second cash payment due under the terms of the DA Agreement in the amount of $2,375,000 due on or before June 30, 2014, with such amount due under the terms of the promissory note being subject to increase to $2,850,000 if the Company’s payment pursuant to the terms of the DA Agreement are not made on or before June 30, 2014. The promissory note matures on October 30, 2014.

On May 2, 2014, the Company issued Granicus and SFF a promissory note in order to evidence the second cash payment due under the terms of the IP Liquidity Agreement in the amount of $2,375,000 due on or before June 30, 2014, with such amount due under the terms of the promissory note being subject to increase to $2,850,000 if the Company’s payment pursuant to the terms of the IP Liquidity Agreement are not made on or before June 30, 2014. The promissory note matures on October 30, 2014.

On May 2, 2014, the Company issued TechDev and SFF a promissory note in order to evidence the second cash payment due under the terms of the Sarif Agreement in the amount of $250,000 due on or before June 30, 2014, with such amount due under the terms of the promissory note being subject to increase to $300,000 if the Company’s payment pursuant to the terms of the Sarif Agreement are not made on or before June 30, 2014. The promissory note matures on October 30, 2014.
 
TechDev and Mr. Erich Spangenberg (the founder of IP Nav) and his spouse Audrey Spangenberg have filed a Schedule 13G and are deemed to be affiliates of the Company.


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

This Report on Form 10-Q and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain so-called “forward-looking statements,” all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning.  One can identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs.  One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our forward looking statements.  These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not.  No forward looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially.

Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this Report is included based on information available to us that we believe is accurate.  It is generally based on industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis.  We have not reviewed or included data from all sources, and cannot assure investors of the accuracy or completeness of the data included in this Report.  Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services.  We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.  As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Overview

We were incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 23, 2010 under the name “Verve Ventures, Inc.” On December 7, 2011, we changed our name to “American Strategic Minerals Corporation” and was engaged in exploration and potential development of uranium and vanadium minerals business. During June 2012, we decided to discontinue our uranium and vanadium minerals business and was engaged in the business of acquiring, renovating, and selling real estate properties located within the areas of Southern California. On November 14, 2012, we decided to discontinue our real estate business.
 
Our current business is to acquire patents and patent rights and to monetize the value of those assets to generate revenue and profit for the Company.  We acquire patents and patent rights from their owners, who range from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies.  Part of our acquisition strategy is to acquire patents and patent rights that cover a wide-range of subject matter, which allows us to achieve the benefits of a growing diversified portfolio of assets.  Generally, the assets we acquire are characterized by having large identifiable companies who are or have been using technology that infringes our patent rights.  We generally monetize our portfolio of assets by initiating enforcement activities against any infringing parties with the objective of entering into a standard form of comprehensive settlement and license agreement that may include the granting of non-exclusive retroactive and future rights to use the patented technology, a covenant not to sue, a release of the party from certain claims, the dismissal of any pending litigation and other terms that are appropriate in the circumstances.  Our strategy has been developed with the expectation that it will result in a long-term, diversified revenue stream for the Company.

Our principal office is located at 2331 Mill Road, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314. Our telephone number is (703) 232-1701.

Recent Events

Reverse Split

On May 31, 2013, shareholders holding a majority of our outstanding voting capital approved a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-five and not more than one-for-fifteen at any time prior to April 30, 2014, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion.   Per share numbers contained in this Report do not reflect any reverse split ratio that may be adopted by our Board of Directors. 


On July 18, 2013, we filed a certificate of amendment to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.0001 per share on a one (1) for thirteen (13) basis (the “Reverse Split”). The Reverse Split became effective with the FINRA at the open of business on July 22, 2013. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every thirteen shares of our pre-reverse split common stock will be combined and reclassified into one share of our common stock. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued as a result of the Reverse Split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to a fractional share shall receive the next highest number of whole shares.

Throughout this Report, each instance which refers to a number of shares of our common stock, refers to the number of shares of common stock after giving effect to the Reverse Split, unless otherwise indicated.

CyberFone Acquisition

On April 22, 2013, CyberFone Acquisition Corp. (“CyberFone Acquisition Corp.”), a Texas corporation and our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary entered into a merger agreement (the “CyberFone Merger Agreement”) with CyberFone Systems LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“CyberFone Systems”), TechDev and SFF.  TechDev and SFF owned 100% of the membership interests of CyberFone Systems (collectively, the “CyberFone Sellers”).
 
CyberFone Systems owns a foundational patent portfolio that includes claims that provide specific transactional data processing, telecommunications, network and database inventions, including financial transactions. The portfolio, which has a large and established licensing base, consists of ten United States patents and 27 foreign patents and one patent application. The patent rights that cover digital communications and data transaction processing are foundational to certain applications in the wireless, telecommunications, financial and other industries. IP Nav, a company founded by Erich Spangenberg and associated with the CyberFone Sellers will continue to support and manage the portfolio of patents and retain a contingent participation interest in all recoveries.  IP Nav provides patent monetization and support services under an existing agreement with CyberFone Systems.

Pursuant to the terms of the CyberFone Merger Agreement, CyberFone Systems merged with and into CyberFone Acquisition Corp with CyberFone Systems surviving the merger as our wholly owned subsidiary.  We (i) issued 461,538 post-split (6,000,000 pre-split) shares of common stock to the CyberFone Sellers, (ii) paid the CyberFone Sellers $500,000 cash and (iii) issued a $500,000 promissory note to TechDev (the “Note”).  On June 21, 2013, we paid $500,000 to TechDev in satisfaction of the note.

Patent Acquisitions

On April 16, 2013, the Company through its subsidiary, Relay IP, Inc. acquired a US patent for $350,000.

On June 4, 2013, in connection with the closing of a settlement and license agreement, the Company agreed to settle and release a certain defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents. The defendant agreed to assign and transfer 3 US patents and rights valued at $1,000,000 in lieu of an additional cash payment.

In September 2013, the Company acquired 14 US patents for a total purchase price of $1,100,000.

On November 13, 2013, the Company acquired four patents for 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which the Company valued at $718,500 based on the fair market value of the stock issued.

On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired certain patents from Delphi Technologies, Inc. for $1,700,000 pursuant to a Patent Purchase Agreement entered into on October 31, 2013 and Amended on December 16, 2013.

On December 22, 2013, in connection with a settlement and license agreement, the Company agreed to settle and release another defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents, whereby the defendant agreed to assign and transfer 2 U.S. patents and rights to the Company. The Company valued the two patents at an aggregate of $700,000.


RPX Agreements

On March 13, 2014, the Company entered into a patent rights agreement (“RPX Agreement”) with RPX Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“RPX”).  In relation with the RPX Agreement, on March 13, 2014, Relay IP, Inc. (“Relay IP”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a patent license agreement (the “Relay IP Agreement”) with RPX. The Relay IP Agreement provides for the licensing of a certain patent to RPX at the closing of the transaction.
 
In relation with the RPX Agreement, on March 13, 2014, Sampo IP, LLC (“Sampo IP”), a Virginia corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a patent license agreement (the “Sampo IP Agreement”) with RPX. The Sampo IP Agreement provides for the licensing of certain patents to RPX at the closing of the transaction.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and present the financial statements of the Company and our wholly-owned and majority owned subsidiaries.  In the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the assumptions used to calculate fair value of warrants granted, common stock issued for services, common stock issued in connection with an option agreement, common stock issued for acquisition of patents.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is recognized when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) all obligations have been substantially performed, (iii) amounts are fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability of amounts is reasonably assured.

The Company considers the revenue generated from a settlement and licensing agreement as one unit of accounting under ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements” as the delivered items do not have value to customers on a standalone basis, there are no undelivered elements and there is no general right of return relative to the license. Under ASC 605-25, the appropriate recognition of revenue is determined for the combined deliverables as a single unit of accounting and revenue is recognized upon delivery of the final elements, including the license for past and future use and the release. 


Also, due to the fact that the settlement element and license element for past and future use are the Company’s major central business, the Company presents these two elements as one revenue category in its statement of operations. The Company does not expect to provide licenses that do not provide some form of settlement or release.

Accounting for Acquisitions

In the normal course of its business, the Company makes acquisitions of patent assets and may also make acquisitions of businesses.  With respect to each such transaction, the Company evaluates facts of the transaction and follows the guidelines prescribed in accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations to determine the proper accounting treatment for each such transaction and then records the transaction in accordance with the conclusions reached in such analysis.  The Company performs such analysis with respect to each material acquisition within the consolidated group of entities.
  
Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include patents purchased and patents acquired in lieu of cash in licensing transactions.  The patents purchased are recorded based on the cost to acquire them and patents acquired in lieu of cash are recorded at their fair market value.  The costs of these assets are amortized over their remaining useful lives. Useful lives of intangible assets are periodically evaluated for reasonableness and the assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may no longer be recoverable.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
In accordance with ASC 350-30-65, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Others”, the Company assesses the impairment of identifiable intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers to be important which could trigger an impairment review include the following: (1) significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (2) significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business; and (3) significant negative industry or economic trends.
 
When the Company determines that the carrying value of intangibles may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment and the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from projected undiscounted cash flows, the Company records an impairment charge.

The Company measures any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the current business model. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether an indicator of impairment exists and in projecting cash flows.
 
Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company accounts for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets according to the ASC 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment”.  The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, including mineral rights, 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 the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. When necessary, impaired assets are written down to their estimated fair value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally based on either appraised value or measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset.


Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption.
 
Results of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

We generated revenues of $2,780,000 and $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $2,780,000 or 100%. The increase resulted from the company generating revenue in the patent monetization business that was entered into in late 2012 and therefore did not generate revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Revenues from patent enforcement activities accounted for 100% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Revenues from two settlement and license agreement accounted for approximately 100% of the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Direct cost of revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $1,110,579 and $0, respectively. Direct costs of revenue include contingent payments to patent enforcement legal costs, patent enforcement advisors and inventors.  Direct costs of revenue also includes various non-contingent costs associated with enforcing the Company’s patent rights and otherwise in developing and entering into settlement and licensing agreements that generate the Company’s revenue.  Such costs include other legal fees and expenses, consulting fees, data management costs and other costs. Our gross profit margin during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was approximately 60%. We did not have a comparable revenue and cost of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2013 as we were in our early stages of our current business.

We incurred operating expenses of $1,951,254 and $714,377 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $1,236,877 or 173%. These expenses primarily consisted of amortization of patents, general expenses, compensation to our officers, directors and employees, professional fees and consulting incurred in connection with the day to day operation of our business. The operating expenses include non-cash expenses totaling $1,135,691, which are discussed below and in detail as seen under the Liquidity and Capital Resources – Operating Activities section. 


The operating expenses consisted of the following:
 
   
For the Three Months ended
March 31, 2014
   
For the Three Months ended
March 31, 2013
 
             
Amortization of patents (1)
 
$
453,647
   
$
17,547
 
Compensation and related taxes (2)
   
729,987
     
426,675
 
Consulting fees (3)
   
428,107
     
45,224
 
Professional fees (4)
   
256,855
     
158,472
 
Travel and related expenses (5)
   
32,808
     
28,317
 
Other general and administrative (6)
   
49,850
     
38,142
 
Total
 
$
1,951,254
   
$
714,377
 
 
 
(1)
Amortization of patents: Amortization expenses were $453,647 and $17,547 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $436,100 or 2,485%. The amortization of patents during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was minimal as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014 as we were in our early stages of our current business. When the Company acquires patents and patent rights, the Company capitalizes those assets and amortizes the costs over the remaining useful lives of the assets. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2014, over 2013 period primarily reflects the amortization of patent assets acquired by the Company during year 2013.
 
 
(2)
Compensation expense and related taxes: Compensation expense includes cash compensation and related payroll taxes and benefits, and also non-cash compensation. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, compensation expense and related payroll taxes were $729,987 and $426,675, respectively, an increase of $303,312 or 71%. The increase in cash compensation primarily reflects an increase in headcount to six in the three months ended March 31, 2014 from two during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The balance of the increase is primarily attributable to an increase in stock based compensation related to vested options to our employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized stock based compensation of $364,526 and $207,635, respectively.
 
    
(3)
Consulting fees: For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we incurred consulting fees of $428,107 and $45,224, respectively, an increase of $382,883 or 847%. Consulting fees include both cash and non-cash related consulting fees primarily for investor relations and public relations services but also for other consulting services.  During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized stock based consulting of $310,351 and $12,472, respectively.
 
   
(4)
Professional fees:  For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, professional fees were $256,855 and $158,472, respectively, an increase of $98,383 or 62%.  Professional fees primarily reflect the costs of professional outside accounting fees, legal fees and audit fees.  The increase in professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2014 over that of the prior period are predominately related to professional outside accounting fees and audit fees resulting from a substantially higher level of activity in the Company’s continuing patent acquisition and monetization operations and also a higher level of activity as a public company. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, professional fees included stock based legal fees of $5,750 and $0, respectively.

 
 
(5)
Travel and related expenses: Travel expenses were $32,808 and $28,317 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $4,491 or 16%. This increase during the three months ended March 31, 2014 is due to an increase in business development related travel.
 
 
(6)
Other general and administrative expenses: For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, other general and administrative expenses were $49,850 and $38,142, respectively, an increase of $11,708 or 31%. General and administrative expenses reflect the other operating costs of the Company and include certain public relations costs and other expenses related to being a public company, rent and other expenses incurred to support the operations of the Company.  The increase in general and administrative costs in the three months ended March 31, 2014  resulted from increased rent, internet access, telephone and other operating expenses over the three months ended March 31, 2013. This increase during the three month period 2014 is due to the continued development of our operations.

Operating Loss from Continuing Operations

We reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $281,833 and $714,377 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of $432,544 or 61%.  The decrease in operating loss was primarily attributable due to the increase in gross profit as a result of increased revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Other Income

Total other income (expense) was $227 and $61 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $166 or 272%.

Discontinued Operations

During June 2012, we decided to discontinue our exploration and potential development of uranium and vanadium minerals business and prior periods have been retroactively restated in our consolidated financial statements and related footnotes to conform to this presentation. Subsequently, in November 2012, we decided to discontinue our real estate business and we intend to sell and dispose our remaining real estate holdings during fiscal 2013. We are now engage in the acquisition, development and monetization of intellectual property through both the prosecution and licensing of our own patent portfolio, the acquisition of additional intellectual property or partnering with others to defend and enforce their patent rights.

The following table indicates selected financial data of our discontinued operations of our uranium and vanadium minerals business and real estate business.
 
   
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2014
   
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2013
 
Revenues – real estate
 
$
-
   
$
986,951
 
Cost of sales – real estate
   
-
     
(817,483
Gross profit
   
-
     
169,468
 
Operating and other non-operating expenses
   
-
     
(60,688
Gain on sale of assets of discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
 
                 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
108,780
 
 

Net Loss

We reported a net loss of $281,606 or $(0.05) per common shares - basic and diluted and $605,536 or $(0.17) per common share - basic and diluted, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a decrease of 323,930 or 53%. The net loss includes non-cash items of $1,135,691 which are discussed in detail as seen under the Liquidity and Capital Resources – Operating Activities section.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. At March 31, 2014, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balances totaled $5,410,629 compared to $3,610,262 at December 31, 2013.  The increase in the cash balances of $1,800,367 resulted primarily from cash received during the three months period from revenues generated from patent enforcement activities.  Other balance sheet changes also contributed to the change in cash. We collected revenues of $2,500,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and recorded an accounts receivable of $280,000 at March 31, 2014. We collected such accounts receivable in April 2014.

Net working capital increased by $672,521 to $4,526,355 at March 31, 2014 from $3,853,834 at December 31, 2013.  The increase in net working capital resulted primarily from the aggregate increase in cash receipts from revenues with an off-set in an increase in accounts payable and accruals of $964,297.

Cash provided by operating activities increased by $2,033,542 to $1,800,367 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 from cash used in operating activities $233,175 during the three months ended March 31, 2013.  The full benefit of a reduction in net loss of $323,930 from the three months ended March 31, 2013 to the comparable three months ended March 31, 2014, which included an increase in amortization expense of $436,100 and an increased in non-cash stock based compensation and consulting fees of $460,519, and increased other operating items for a net increase in cash used of $811,854. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, non-cash expenses consist of depreciation of $1,417, amortization of $453,647, and stock based compensation and consulting of $680,627. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, non-cash expenses consist of depreciation of $278, amortization of $17,547, and stock based compensation and consulting of $220,108.     
 
Cash provided by investing activities decreased by $795,482 to $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2014.  During the three months ended March 31, 2013 we used cash for purchase of property and equipment and we received proceeds from the sale of real estate properties which is included in our discontinued operations. We do not have a comparable transaction for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Management believes that the balance of cash and cash equivalents of $5,410,629 at March 31, 2014 is sufficient to continue to fund the Company’s current operations at least through October 2015.  However, the Company’s operations are subject to various risks and there is no assurance that changes in the operations of the Company will not require the Company to raise additional cash sooner than planned in order to continue uninterrupted operations.  In that event, the Company would seek to raise additional capital from the sale of the Company’s securities, from borrowing or from other sources.  Should the Company seek to raise capital from the issuances of its securities, such transactions would be subject to the risks of the market for the Company’s securities at the time.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as stockholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not required for smaller reporting companies.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

With respect to the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s management has concluded that certain disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2014 due to the Company’s limited internal resources and lack of ability to have multiple levels of transaction review. However, to the extent possible, we will implement procedures to assure that the initiation of transactions, the custody of assets and the recording of transactions will be performed by separate individuals. We believe that the foregoing steps will remediate the significant deficiency identified above, and we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these steps and make any changes that our management deems appropriate.

Management is in the process of determining how best to change our current system and implement a more effective system to insure that information required to be disclosed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately. Our management acknowledges the existence of this problem, and intends to develop procedures to address them to the extent possible given limitations in financial and manpower resources. While management is working on a plan, no assurance can be made at this point that the implementation of such controls and procedures will be completed in a timely manner or that they will be adequate once implemented.

Changes in Internal Controls.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

In the ordinary course of business, we actively pursue legal remedies to enforce our intellectual property rights and to stop unauthorized use of our technology. Other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, we know of no material, active or pending legal proceedings against us, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceedings or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered beneficial shareholder are an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to us.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
We have recently consummated the acquisition of certain assets, and in connection therewith, we issued three promissory notes and filed two certificates of designation with the Secretary of State of Nevada.


In connection with the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and the PIPE Warrants, holders of the Company’s Common Stock will experience immediate and substantial dilution upon the conversion of such preferred stock and the exercise of such warrants.

In connection with the transaction contemplated in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the Company issued 1,000,502 shares of Series A Preferred, 391,000 shares of Series B Preferred and PIPE Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 250,126 shares of Common Stock.  Upon conversion of the preferred Stock and the warrants, you will experience dilution.  We currently have 5,489,593 shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Assuming full conversion of the preferred stock and the exercise of the PIPE Warrants, the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding will increase 1,641,628 shares from 5,489,593 shares of Common Stock outstanding to 7,131,221 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

The rights of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock will be subordinate to our creditors and to the holders of our preferred stock in a liquidation and the Series A Certificate of Designation contains certain covenants against the incurrence of indebtedness which could affect our business.

In connection with the transaction contemplated in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the Company issued two promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 (which may increase to $6,000,000 in the event that such promissory notes are not paid in full on or prior to June 30, 2014) and preferred stock and warrants.  The promissory notes each mature on October 30, 2014.

Accordingly, the holders of Common Stock will rank junior to such indebtedness and to the liquidation rights of the holders of our Series A Preferred stockholders as well as to other non-equity claims on us and our assets, including claims in our liquidation.

Additionally, the Series A Preferred Stock places restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness or engage in any transactions, subject to the voting right referred to above in the description of the Series A Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock.

The Company is required to pay dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock; if we fail to pay such dividends in cash and pay such dividends in shares of our Common Stock then the holders of our Common Stock will be further diluted.

The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to annual dividends at a rate of 8% based on a value of $6.50 per share, payable quarterly commencing on January 31, 2015.  If the Company fails to pay such dividends in cash and pays the holders of Series A Preferred Stock their annual dividends in stock, you will experience further dilution.

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

None.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.
 

Item 6. Exhibits.

10.1
Patent rights agreement between the Company and RPX Corporation.*+
10.2
Patent license agreement between Relay IP, Inc. and RPX Corporation.*+
10.3
Patent license agreement between Sampo IP, LLC and RPX Corporation.*+
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.2
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
101.ins
XBRL Instance Document
101.sch
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.cal
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Document
101.def
XBRL Taxonomy Linkbase Document
101.lab
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.pre
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
 
* Filed herein
+ Portions of these exhibits have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  This exhibit omits the information subject to this confidentiality request.  Omitted portions have been filed separately with the SEC.

 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 15, 2014

 
MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC.
   
By: 
/s/ Doug Croxall
 
Name: Doug Croxall
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
   
By: 
/s/ John Stetson
 
Name: John Stetson
 
Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)