UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 18, 2017 (May 17, 2017)

 

MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

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

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Copies to:

Harvey J. Kesner, Esq.

61 Broadway, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10006

Telephone: (212) 930-9700

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                          Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                          Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                          Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                          Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

 

 

ITEM 3.01                                  Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

On May 17, 2017, Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (“Marathon” or the “Company”) received a written notification (the “Notice”) from the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company was not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Based on the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the 30 consecutive business days from April 3, 2017 to May 16, 2017, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement.

 

The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been granted a 180 calendar day compliance period, or until November 13, 2017, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. During the compliance period, the Company’s shares of common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. To regain compliance, the closing bid of the Company’s shares of common stock must meet or exceed $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days during the 180 calendar day grace period.

 

In the event the Company is not in compliance by November 13, 2017, the Company may be afforded a second 180 calendar day grace period. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement. In addition, the Company would be required to provide written notice of its intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during this second 180 day compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.

 

If the Company does not regain compliance within the allotted compliance period(s), including any extensions that may be granted by Nasdaq, Nasdaq will provide notice that the Company’s shares of common stock will be subject to delisting. Under such circumstances, the Company would have the right to appeal a determination to delist its common stock, and the common stock would remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market until the completion of the appeal process.

 

The Company intends to monitor its closing bid price for its common stock between now and November 13, 2017 and will consider any such available options to resolve the Company’s noncompliance with the minimum bid price requirement as may be necessary. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement or will otherwise be in compliance with other Nasdaq listing criteria.

 

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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 18, 2017

 

 

		MARATHON PATENT GROUP, INC.
	By:	/s/ Francis Knuettel II
		Name: Francis Knuettel II
		Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

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