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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 2
FORM 10-K/A
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
[_] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission File Number: 0-21225
U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada 52-2124492
(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 961-1540
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
$0.01 par value
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
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 No X
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_]
As of December 28, 1998, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-
voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately
$64,762,862 based on the average of the bid and asked prices. As of December 28,
1998, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's class of common stock
was 16,449,800.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company"
herein refer to U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. ("U.S. Digital") and its
wholly-owned subsidiary U.S. Digital Satellite, Inc. ("Insat") and Insat's two
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Skysite Communications Corp. ("Skysite") and Project
77 Corp. ("Project 77"). On October 24, 1997, U.S. Digital changed its name
from Viscorp.
BACKGROUND
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. is a telecommunications industry company
based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Company is primarily a global satellite
communications firm that specializes in corporate applications. Specifically,
the Company is a provider of satellite telephone subscriber equipment and
services.
Visual Information Services Corp. was originally incorporated in Illinois
in May 1990, and was founded to develop an electronic device capable of adding
modem, video data and telephone features to an ordinary television receiver over
a telephone line. On November 28, 1995, shareholders of Visual Information
Services Corp. acquired outstanding shares of Global Telephone and
Communications, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("GTCI"), in exchange for their
shares of Visual Information Services Corp. (the "Transaction"). GTCI was
incorporated in May 1984 to provide consulting services for the public and
private sectors. To the Company's knowledge, GTCI never operated as a consultant
nor carried on any type of business at any time prior to the Transaction. The
Transaction was consummated because the common stock of GTCI traded on the
Nasdaq Bulletin Board, and thus, the Transaction provided the Company an entity
with an existing public presence. Pursuant to the Transaction, each share of
Common Stock of Visual Information Services Corp. was exchanged for four shares
of common stock of GTCI. Following the Transaction, GTCI changed its name to
Viscorp.
Between November 1995 and August 1997, the Company developed two products:
the Universal Internet Television Interface Device ("UITI") and the Electronic
Device ("ED"). UITI is a technology designed to give the home television viewer
access to the Internet, World Wide Web and other on-line services. ED is a
device which, in addition to on-line services, was designed to feature such
capabilities as telephone reception and dial-up, facsimile, pay-per-view options
and electronic mail. The Company has decided not to take any further steps to
develop this technology or to market these products. For the year ended December
31, 1997, there was no revenue from the sale of these products. The Company is
not aware of any market for this technology, and does not expect to realize any
revenue therefrom. On September 1, 1998, pursuant to a settlement agreement with
Raquel Velasco, the Company granted Ms. Velasco an option to purchase the ED and
UITI technologies, in addition to certain other property, for a total
consideration of $50,000. This option was exercised on November 1, 1998. See "--
Legal Proceedings."
In May 1997, U.S. Digital became involved in operating Skysite
Communications Corporation. Skysite was initially created to market a new
satellite-based telecommunications system called Mobilesat, or MSAT (MSAT is a
trademark term used as an abbreviation by the American Mobile Satellite
Corporation in the United States).
On June 20, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization with Intercontinental Technologies Group, Tom D. Soumas, Jr.,
Cochran Ranch Golf and Tennis Resort, Sinai Administrative Trust, Carol
Anderson, Howard Garber, George Straayer (the "Selling Shareholders") and
Skysite. Under the Agreement, the Company was to issue 750,000 shares of its
common stock to the shareholders of Skysite, as well as options to purchase an
additional 500,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $.40 per
share, in exchange for 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of
Skysite.
The stock of Skysite was transferred to the Company on August 26, 1997.
Subsequent to the acquisition, disputes arose between the Company and the former
President of Skysite, Tom D. Soumas, related to the value of Skysite at the time
of the acquisition. As a result of the dispute, the Company withheld its shares.
On May 28, 1998, the Company entered into an amended agreement with the Selling
Shareholders, except for Tom D. Soumas. Under the terms of the amended
agreement, the other shareholders' shares and options were placed in an escrow
account in October 1998. The shareholders will have all rights attributable to
these escrowed shares, however, they have agreed that at such time when they
elect to sell these shares, the first $200,000 of related proceeds will be paid
to the Company, and the remaining shares and options will be released to the
other Shareholders. The 240,000 shares due to Mr. Soumas under the original
agreement remain unissued, and the Company does not intend to issue such shares.
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On October 24, 1997, Viscorp changed its name to U.S. Digital
Communications, Inc. In connection with the acquisition of Skysite, the sellers
of Skysite incurred an obligation to pay a broker's commission of options to
purchase 200,000 shares of U.S. Digital at $0.40 per share to be paid from
the 500,000 options issued to them by the Company. In July 1998, the Company
created Insat to oversee its satellite communications operations and transferred
the common stock of Skysite to Insat and incorporated Project 77 as Insat's
other wholly-owned subsidiary.
GENERAL
In addition to its corporate offices in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the Company
has operations in Burbank, California, and Washington, D.C. The Company,
through Insat, markets satellite and wireless digital communications equipment
and services. Skysite operates as a marketer of satellite telephone products
and services and Project 77 specializes in Iridium satellite personal
communications technology. The Company, through its subsidiaries, works closely
with satellite telephone manufacturers and systems operators to provide
solutions to communications needs of international business travelers and
companies with global, emergency and/or remote operations.
While the Company has developed a revenue stream from satellite telephone
customers over the past two years, it is still in the early stages of
development and has not been profitable. The satellite telephony industry is
still in its infancy and the eventual profitability of the Company will be
dependent on the acceptance of the new communications technologies it will
provide. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Certain Suppliers."
Domestically, the Company is exploring opportunities to acquire companies
with existing corporate and customer bases within its niche markets, which
include the media, government, oil exploration, transportation and disaster
recovery. The Company also seeks to increase its global presence through the
acquisition of suitable companies located in other major markets outside of the
United States. On April 8, 1998, the Company entered into a non-binding
memorandum of understanding with Eurotelecom Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Eurotelecom
("Eurotelecom") in exchange for approximately 1.7 million shares of the
Company's common stock. As a part thereof, the Company agreed to provide up to
$1.0 million to Eurotelecom for operating expenditures. Eurotelecom owns 100%
of Eurotelecom Corporation Limited, incorporated in England and Wales, which, in
turn, owns 100% of the stock of Eurotelecom Secure Networks Limited, also
incorporated in England and Wales. The memorandum of understanding also
provided for employment agreements with key employees which were to include
shares of the Company's common stock as part of the compensation terms. A
condition to the closing was the acquisition by Eurotelecom of Optilan (UK)
Limited, Easy-IP Limited and Intelligent Networks, Limited, all incorporated in
England and Wales. It was also the parties' intention that Eurotelecom be
represented on the Company's Board of Directors. In May 1998 and in August
1998, the Company loaned $260,000 and $250,000, respectively, for a total of
$510,000, to Eurotelecom for operating expenses.
On August 4, 1998, the Company terminated the memorandum of understanding
with Eurotelecom due to a change in the proposed structure of the acquisitions.
The Company continued negotiating with EuroTelecom Corporation Limited, the
wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurotelecom, to purchase all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Eurotelecom Secure Networks Limited, Optilan Limited, Easy
IP Limited and Intelligent Networks Limited. However, such negotiations stalled.
In December 1998, the Company resumed discussions regarding an acquisition
transaction with Eurotelecom. The Company agreed to extend the term of its
outstanding loans to Eurotelecom during the current negotiations. The Company
and Eurotelecom or Eurotelecom Corporation Limited have not entered into an
agreement and there can be no assurance that such acquisition will take place.
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RISK FACTORS
The Company may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking
statements. Written forward-looking statements may appear in documents filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in press
releases, and in reports to shareholders. The Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 contains a safe harbor for forward-looking statements on
which the Company relies in making such disclosures. Forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates,"
"plans," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "estimates" and the negatives
thereof and similar expressions. In connection with this "safe harbor," the
Company is hereby identifying important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made
by or on behalf of the Company. Any such statement is qualified by reference to
the following cautionary statements.
HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES; FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS
The Company is in the early stages of development and has incurred
significant operating losses in every fiscal period since inception. In August
1997, in connection with the acquisition of Skysite, the Company terminated its
production of the UITI and ED technologies and concentrated its business on the
global satellite communications market. Skysite was incorporated in August 1995
and has only limited operating history. The Company is thus subject to the risks
inherent in the establishment and growth of a new business enterprise. The
likelihood of success of the Company must be considered in light of the
problems, expenses, difficulties and delays frequently encountered in connection
with a new business, including, but not limited to, a continually evolving
industry subject to rapid technological and price changes, acceptance of the
products that Skysite markets and an increasing number of market competitors.
For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company's operating loss was
$4,440,822. The Company has incurred substantial quarterly operating losses
through the first three fiscal quarters of 1998 and expects a loss for the full
year and possibly longer.
In order to become profitable, the Company must successfully market and
sell its satellite telephone products and services, sell evolving products for
new and existing markets, increase gross margins through higher sales volumes,
expand its distribution capability and manage its operating expenses. There can
be no assurance that the Company will ever achieve those objectives or
profitability. The Company's actual working capital needs depend upon numerous
factors, including the extent and timing of acceptance of the Company's products
in the market, the Company's operating results, the cost of increasing the
Company's sales and marketing activities and the status of competitive products,
none of which can be predicted with certainty. As a result, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not require additional funding. There can be no
assurance that any additional financing will be available to the Company on
acceptable terms, or at all, when required by the Company. The inability to
obtain such financing would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company could be
required to significantly reduce or suspend its operations, seek a merger
partner or sell additional securities on terms that are highly dilutive to
shareholders. The type, timing and terms of financing amounts selected by the
Company will be dependent upon the Company's cash needs, the availability of
other financing sources and the prevailing conditions in the financial markets.
For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company raised $4,306,944 in equity
offerings. See "--Significant Dilutive Effects of Shares Eligible for Future
Sale on Market Price of Common Stock," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources"
and Financial Statements.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; DEPENDENCE ON PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
The market for satellite telephone products is characterized by rapidly
changing technology, frequent new product introductions and other changes.
Accordingly, the Company's success will be substantially dependent on a number
of factors, including its ability to identify emerging standards in the
satellite telephone markets, to differentiate the products it sells from those
of its competitors, and to bring those products to market quickly. Given the
emerging nature of the satellite telephone market, there can be no assurance
that the Company's products or technology will not be rendered obsolete by
alternative technologies. Furthermore, short product life cycles expose the
Company's products to the risk of obsolescence and require frequent new product
introductions. The satellite telephone market is extremely competitive and is
characterized by rapidly advancing technology, frequent changes in user
preferences and frequent product introductions. The future success of the
Company will depend in large part on its ability, and that of its product
suppliers, to keep pace with advances in technologies for the satellite
telephone market. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
identify, market or support such products successfully or that it will be able
to respond effectively to technological changes or product announcements by
competitors. The Company is unable to predict which of the many possible future
products and services will meet evolving industry standards and consumer
demands. Delays in response by the Company could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
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COMPETITION
The wireless communications industry is highly competitive and is
characterized by frequent technological innovation. The industry includes major
domestic and international companies, many of which have financial, technical,
marketing, sales, distribution and other resources substantially greater than
those of the Company and which provide, or plan to provide, a wider range of
services. The Company's products and services compete with a number of
communications services, including existing satellite services, terrestrial air-
to-ground services, and terrestrial land-mobile and fixed services, and may
compete with new technologies in the future. In addition, the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") has recently allocated large amounts of
additional spectrum for communications uses or potential uses that could compete
with the Company, and additional allocations of spectrum for such uses may occur
in the future. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
compete successfully with such companies. See "Business-Competition."
DEPENDENCE ON CERTAIN SUPPLIERS
The Company is supplied satellite services pursuant to agreements with
American Mobile Satellite Corporation and Iridium North America, L.P.
("Iridium"). The Company is a nonexclusive dealer for manufacturers of satellite
telephones, which include Westinghouse Electric ("Westinghouse"), Mitsubishi
Electronics America, Inc. ("Mitsubishi"), and (through Iridium) Motorola and
Kyocera. For the year ended December 31, 1997, retail sales by the Company of
Westinghouse products and services accounted for approximately 56% of the
Company's revenues. Since a material amount of the Company's equipment revenues
are derived from selling air time, the unavailability of products would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and prospects. The limited
number of manufacturers is a risk of the Company's business. The loss of any
supplier could have a mataerial adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, there can be no
assurance that current suppliers will continue to provide products to the
Company at attractive prices, or at all, or from these or other providers on the
scale and within the time frames required by the Company. Further there can be
no assurance that any of the Company's suppliers will not enter into exclusive
arrangements with the Company's competitors, or cease selling these components
to the Company at commercially reasonable prices, or at all. Any failure to
obtain such products on a timely basis at an affordable cost, or any significant
delays or interruptions of supply, would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company's net sales to its
five largest customers accounted for approximately 36% of total net sales. For
the year ended December 31, 1997, the Royal Bahamas Police Force represented 22%
of the Company's net sales. Other than the foregoing, no one customer accounted
for 10.0% or more of net sales for the period. In addition, the satellite
telephone market experiences rapidly changing technology and frequent new
product introduction which may result in loss of customers or uncollectiblity of
accounts receivables of any major customer. No one customer accounted for 10.0%
or more of trade receivables. The loss of or significant decrease in sales to
any one of the Company's major customers or uncollectability of any accounts
receivable of any major customer could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company is dependent upon its executive officers and certain key
employees, the loss of any one of whom could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The
Company's future success will depend in significant part upon the continued
service of certain key personnel, and the Company's continuing ability to
attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified managerial and sales and
marketing personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company can retain its
existing key managerial or sales and marketing personnel or that it can attract,
assimilate and retain such employees in the future. The loss of key personnel or
the inability to hire, assimilate or retain qualified personnel in the future
could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial
condition or results of operations. With the exception of its Chief Executive
Officer, the Company does not have employment contracts with its officers and
key employees. Moreover, the Company does not have key-man life or disability
insurance on any of its officers or key employees. In the event of their death
or disability or in the event they are otherwise unable to render services to
the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recruit
and retain replacements. See "Management--Directors and Executive Officers."
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MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
Depending on the extent of its future growth, the Company may experience a
significant strain on its management, operational and financial resources. The
Company's ability to manage its growth effectively may require it to continue to
implement and improve its operational and financial systems and may require the
addition of new management personnel. The failure of the Company's management
team to effectively manage growth, should it occur, could have a material
adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," "Business--Employees" and "Management."
UNCERTAINTY OF ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES
The Company believes that it will achieve significant competitive
advantages by expanding its geographic and products markets through
acquisitions. The availability of suitable companies on economically acceptable
terms is uncertain. The Company's growth could be affected unfavorably if it
cannot implement its acquisition strategy.
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
There can be no assurance that a public market for the Company's Common
Stock will be sustained. In the absence of such a market, purchasers of the
Common Stock may experience substantial difficulty in selling their securities.
The trading price of the Company's Common Stock may be, and has been, subject to
significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating
results, announcements of technological innovations by the Company or its
competitors, general conditions in the satellite telephone market and other
factors. In addition, the stock market is subject to price and volume
fluctuations that affect the market prices for companies in general, and small
capitalization companies in particular. See "Market For Registrant's Common
Equity and Related Shareholder Matters."
ILLIQUIDITY OF TRADING MARKET; RISK OF PENNY STOCK STATUS
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Consequently, the liquidity of the Common Stock has been in the past, and could
be in the future, impaired, not only in the number of shares of Common Stock
which could be bought and sold, but also through delays in the timing of the
transactions, reductions in security analysts' and the news media's coverage of
the Company, and lower prices for the Common Stock than might otherwise be
attained. The Company will be subject to the Commission's "penny stock" rules.
Securities are exempt from this rule if, among other things, the market price is
at least $5.00 per share. Consequently, an investor will find it more difficult
to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of, the
Company's securities. The "penny stock" rules under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, impose additional sales practice and market-making
requirements on broker-dealers who sell and/or make a market in such securities.
For transactions covered by the penny stock rules, a broker-dealer must make
special suitability determinations for purchasers other than established
customers and must have received the purchasers' written consent to the
transactions prior to sale. In addition, prior to any transaction involving a
penny stock, unless exempted, the rules require delivery of a disclosure
schedule to the Commission relating to the penny stock. Disclosure is also
required to be made about commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the
registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally,
monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information
for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in
penny stocks. The rules on penny stocks could affect the ability or willingness
of broker-dealers to sell and/or make a market in the Company's securities and
therefore could severely adversely affect the market liquidity for the Company's
securities. See "Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder
Matters."
INDICTMENT OF PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH WS MARKETING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
In September 1998, the Company became aware that persons associated with WS
Marketing and Financial Services, Inc., the placement agent for the Company's
Series B and Series C Preferred Stock, are currently under Federal indictment
concerning matters unrelated to WS Marketing and Financial Services, Inc.'s
relationship with the Company. The criminal indictment, filed in the United
States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, Criminal
No. H-97-262-SS, includes allegations of conspiracy, wire fraud and money
laundering. There can be no assurance that the foregoing indictment will not
affect the Company's liquidity or capital resources. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Liquidity and Capital Resources."
SIGNIFICANT DILUTIVE EFFECT OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE ON MARKET PRICE
OF COMMON STOCK
As of December 28, 1998, there were 735,000 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise of options under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Directors'
Stock Option Plan and the
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1998 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan. In addition, as of
December 28, 1998, there were 1,230,200 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options under the stock option plan adopted by the Company in 1995.
See "Executive Compensation-Stock Option Plans." Finally, as of December 28,
1998, there were 3,410,400 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
options granted outside any of the Company's stock option plans. Of these
options, 2,380,000 options were granted to a placement agent in connection with
the Series A Preferred Stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
In addition, the Company has issued 4,338,832 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 3,000 shares of Series C
Preferred Stock, which are all convertible into shares of Common Stock. Each
share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Common Stock,
whereas each share of Series B and Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into
a number of shares as determined by the Series B and Series C conversion
formula. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may convert up to 25% of their
shares 90 days following the date the shares were issued, and up to 25% of their
shares at the end of each of the three consecutive 90-day periods thereafter.
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock also possess conversion rights exercisable
upon acquisition of the Company by another entity. Further, the Series A
Preferred Stock is automatically converted into Common Stock upon the
consummation of the Company's sale of its Common Stock in a firm commitment
underwritten public offering, or upon acquisition of the Company, if, in
connection with such acquisition, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
receive an amount per share greater than $1.50. Holders of Series B Preferred
Stock may convert 50% of their shares into Common Stock on the effective date of
registration of the underlying Common Stock and the remaining 50% 45 days
thereafter. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock have the right to convert 50% of
their shares into Common Stock upon the earlier of the effective date of
registration of the underlying Common Stock, or 120 days after issuance of the
Series C Preferred Stock and the remaining 50% upon the earlier of 45 days
following the effective date of registration of the underlying Common Stock, or
165 days after issuance of the Preferred Stock. In connection with the sale of
the Series A, Series B and Series C Preferred Stock, the Company issued
2,169,216, 500,000 and 495,000 warrants, respectively, convertible into an
aggregate of 3,164,216 shares of Common Stock. Lastly, in connection with each
of the offerings of the Series B and Series C Preferred Stock, the Company
issued 250,000 warrants, for a total of 500,000 warrants, to the placement agent
thereof. The warrants include certain dilution adjustments resulting from the
subsequent issuance of Common Stock or securities converting into Common Stock.
All of the common shares, to the extent that they are eligible or appear to be
eligible for sale in the public market, could have a material adverse effect on
the market price of the Common Stock and therefore make it more difficult for
the Company to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the future
at a time and price that the Company deems appropriate.
The Series B Preferred Stock subscription agreements contain a "put"
provision for Common Stock which allows the Company to raise an additional
$3,000,000. The provision specifies that 75 days after the effective date of
the registration of additional common shares to be used under this provision,
the Company may sell Common Stock (the "Put Stock") to the Series B subscribers.
The price of the Put Stock is determined by taking the lower of (1) 80 percent
of the lowest closing bid price for the previous 20 trading days prior to
funding or (2) 80 percent of the closing bid price on the day of funding. The
minimum draw is $250,000 and the maximum draw is $750,000. If the price of the
Company's Common Stock for the 20 trading days prior to the funding is less than
$1.25 and the average trading volume is less than $300,000 per day for the
previous 20 trading days, the Series B shareholders have the option not to fund
the requested draw. These minimums increase as the amount of the funds
requested by the Company increase from $250,000 to $750,000.
The Company has issued in the past, and intends to issue in the future,
additional equity securities in order to fund working capital requirements. To
the extent the Company does so, existing shareholders of the Company will
experience substantial dilution, particularly if the terms of such issuance
include discounts to market prices or the issuance of warrants. In addition, to
the extent the Company issues securities at a discount to the then current
market price, the Company will be required to record a stock compensation
expense or other charge of such issuances in its financial statements, which may
adversely affect the Company's operating results for the period in which such
stock is issued.
In addition, the holders of Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred
Stock and related warrants are entitled to registration rights with respect to
the shares of Common Stock underlying their respective securities. Pursuant to
the registration rights agreement between the Company and the holders of Series
B and Series C Preferred Stock, the Company is required to file a registration
statement covering the resale of the shares of the Company's Common Stock,
together with any capital shares issued in replacement of or in exchange for
such Common Shares, issuable or issued upon conversion of the Series B or Series
C Preferred Stock and warrants, pursuant to each offering. The registration
rights agreements also grant holders piggyback and demand registration rights.
To the extent that such holders convert their existing securities into Common
Stock, following the effective date of the Registration Statement related
thereto, such shares will be immediately eligible to be sold in the public
market without restriction under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), which, given the relatively low trading volumes for the
Company's
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Common Stock, would likely have a significant depressant effect of the per share
market price of the Company's Common Stock. As of December 28, 1998, 120 days
had passed since the closing of the Series C Perferred Stock offering and the
Company had not filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as provided for in the Series C Registration Agreement. As a result
the holders of its Series C Perferred Stock were entitled to certain adjustments
that will increase the number of common shares to which they are entitled upon
conversion of their preferred shares - 50% of which were eligible for conversion
as of the end of December 1998.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The Company is assessing the internal readiness of its computer systems for
handling the year 2000 issue. The Company expects to implement the systems and
programming changes necessary to address year 2000 issues with respect to its
internal systems and does not believe that the costs of such actions will have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of
operations. Although the Company is not aware of any material operational
issues or costs associated with preparing its internal systems for the year
2000, there can be no assurance that there will not be a delay in, or increased
costs associated with, the implementation of the necessary systems and changes
to address the year 2000 issues, and the Company's inability to implement such
systems and changes in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company also relies, directly and indirectly, on external systems of
business enterprises such as brokers, sub-servicers, customers, financial
organizations and governmental entities for accurate exchange of data. Even if
the internal systems of the Company are not materially affected by the year 2000
issue, the Company could be affected by disruptions in the operation of the
enterprises with which the Company interacts. Despite the Company's efforts to
address the year 2000 issues' impact on its internal systems and business
operations, there can be no assurance that such impact will not result in a
material disruption of its business or have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH STOCK OPTION GRANTS
The Company has adopted three stock option plans under which it has granted
options to purchase an aggregate of 2,645,200 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. See "Executive Compensation--Stock Option Plans." In addition, the
Company has granted additional options to purchase 3,560,400 shares of Common
Stock outside of any stock option plan. To date, the shares underlying the
stock options have not been registered with the Commission, or under the
securities laws of any applicable state. The Company has granted the foregoing
options and permitted the issuance of 830,000 shares of Common Stock upon the
exercise of certain stock options in reliance on the exemption from registration
found in Section 4(2) of the Act or Rules 505 or 506 promulgated thereunder and
similar state securities exemptions. Section 4(2) of the Act exempts from the
registration requirements of Section 5 of the Act those transactions by an
issuer not involving a public offering. If it is determined at a later date
that the grant of the aforementioned stock options or the issuance of Common
Stock pursuant to the exercise thereof involved a public offering for which the
Company cannot find an exemption, then the Company will have committed a Section
5 violation, or a violation of similar state securities laws, and may be subject
to suit by shareholders pursuant to Section 12 of the Act or such other similar
state securities laws. A successful suit under Sections 5 or 12 of the Act or
their state securities law counterparts could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
8
<PAGE>
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The Company operates in the global personal voice, paging and data
communications industry. Potential customers for the products and services
provided by the industry include international corporations, professionals and
others (i) who travel outside their "home" wireless network's roaming area, (ii)
find it important to be able to make or receive calls, or receive pages, at any
time by means of a single phone or pager, with a single phone or pager number or
(iii) are located where terrestrial landline or wireless services are not
available or do not offer an attractive or convenient option.
Global satellite communications systems are designed to address two broad
trends in the communications market: (i) the worldwide growth in the demand for
portable wireless communications; and (ii) the growing demand for communications
services to and from areas where landline or terrestrial wireless service is not
available or accessible.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS
The Company believes that its products and services are applicable to six
distinct market segments:
1. Transportation;
2. Broadcast Media and Motion Picture Industry;
3. Disaster Recovery;
4. Government and Public Safety;
5. Natural Resource Extraction-Petroleum, Mining & Utilities; and
6. Rural, Remote and Mobile Telephony.
The Company currently sells satellite telephone and related products and
services to the markets listed above. Each subgroup has its own applications and
requires different equipment, service and market approach.
PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIERS
The Company is primarily a global satellite communications firm that
specializes in corporate applications. Specifically, the Company is a provider
of satellite telephone subscriber equipment and services, including Low Earth
Orbit and geostationary Digital Satellite Telephone Systems.
Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Digital Satellite Telephone Systems are
mobile satellite services for voice, fax and data, that span land-mobile, fixed-
site, transportable and maritime applications. Subscribers on the MSAT System
(i.e., mobile satellite) dial direct, through a communications satellite, using
a variety of satellite terminals. These mobile terminals are built by leaders
in wireless electronic communications, which include Westinghouse Wireless
Solutions Company, Mitsubishi Electronics of America, Cal Corporation, KVH
Maritime Products, Kyocera and Motorola. The Company is a distributor for
Westinghouse mobile terminals and Motorola and Kyocera satellite
telephones.
Pursuant to its agreement with AMSC Subsidiary Corporation ("AMSC"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of American Mobile Satellite Corporation, the Company
purchases and resells mobile satellite service on a private network basis. This
telephone service provides traditional voice, fax and data service through
satellite terminals that are similar to cellular phones. Telephone calls made
through the Skysite Satellite Telephone System on these mobile satellite
terminals initiate contact with the outside world through one L-Band (1.5Ghz)
GM/Hughes communications satellite in geo-synchronous orbit 22,300 miles above
the equator. The satellite is downlinked into the Public Switched Telephone
Network through a Westinghouse-built Communications Ground Segment ("CGS") earth
station located in Reston, Virginia. Within the satellite coverage area, which
encompasses most of North and Central America, Hawaii, the western Atlantic and
eastern Pacific oceans, the entire Caribbean basin and the northern portion of
Columbia and Venezuela, a subscriber can make or receive direct dial calls
generally to or from anywhere in the world. This is a dial-up-on-demand system
that charges the subscriber for the time actually used.
Satellite telephony customers also have the opportunity to subscribe for
advanced services. These offerings include voice mail, conference circuit
services, and disaster recovery telephone testing and audit services. Unlike
cellular, a satellite telephone cannot be monitored. The Company's services
also include full STU 3 encryption, which scrambles voice communication, when
required. With the special security system unique to the MSAT I satellite, the
telephone cannot be "cloned," which is the number one cause of fraud among
cellular roaming customers.
9
<PAGE>
In addition to dial-up telephone service, the Company also offers a half-
duplex, push-to-talk ("PTT") dispatch system that can be set up on a channeled
basis into talk groups organized along hierarchical, geographical or task-
related lines. When in this mode, users activating their talk group channel are
put directly in contact with each other, without interfacing with the Public
Switched Telephone or Data Networks.
As a complement to its other products and services, the Company also offers
pagers through its non-exclusive distribution agreement with CUE paging network,
covering the U.S. and Canada, and the ARDIS two-way wireless data services.
The Company, pursuant to an agreement with PTT Telecom BV (as represented
by Station 12, the satellite division of PTT Telecom BV), dated September 15,
1997, also offers Inmarsat and other satellite services provided by Station 12,
which services are marketed under the brand name of "Altus."
The Company also offers, on a non-exclusive basis, Iridium services
throughout the world, and subscriber units pursuant to its agreement for a term
of three years with Iridium North America, L.P. The IRIDIUM system is a
satellite-based, digital communications system that is designed to provide
subscribers with worldwide voice, paging, data and fax capability using a hand-
held telephone and pager linked to a constellation of low-earth orbiting
satellites. With 66 satellites forming a cross-linked grid above the Earth, the
Iridium system is the first low-Earth-orbiting system for wireless telephone
service. At 780 km (485 miles) high, these satellites work differently from
those at a much higher orbit (36,000 km) in two major ways. First, they are
close enough to receive the signals of a handheld device; and second, they act
like cellular towers in the sky - where wireless signals can move overhead
instead of through ground-based calls. The Iridium phone is the primary means by
which callers will communicate directly through the Iridium network. Its multi-
mode capability allows the telephone to work as a typical cellular telephone (in
areas where compatible cellular service exists) and as a satellite telephone.
For Iridium subscribers, this means one handheld phone providing both cellular
and satellite access.
Iridium now offers, or plans to offer several services. Iridium World
Satellite Service provides a direct satellite link for both incoming and
outgoing communications in remote areas, poorly covered regions, and locations
outside terrestrial networks. Iridium World Roaming Service allows roaming
across multiple wireless protocols, allowing one telephone number to receive and
one telephone bill to charge for calls made anywhere on earth. The Iridium World
Page Service will provide global alphanumeric messaging.
Commercial service on the Iridium system was initiated in the fourth
quarter of 1998. Although the Company has begun selling and shipping Iridium
services and equipment, there remain technical issues that could dampen demand
for these products unless or until they are resolved. See "Risk Factors--
Dependence on Certain Suppliers."
The Company has relationships with companies in both the wireless
communications industry and the Company's selected industry market segments as a
non-exclusive distributor of satellite telephone products. Westinghouse Wireless
Solutions is engaged in a strategic supply/marketing partnership with the
Company. The breadth of this relationship includes distribution of the
Westinghouse mobile satellite terminal equipment (SERIES 1000 Satellite
Telephone Systems), joint advertising and marketing that targets dealer and end-
user prospects. See "--Legal Proceedings" for a description of settlement and
payment with Westinghouse.
PRICING
As a distributor, the Company purchases products and services on a bulk
basis based on agreed upon prices with its suppliers and then resells those
products and services to its customers. The Company has a distinct pricing
strategy for each of its major product lines, equipment and telephone services
("airtime"). Retail pricing for satellite terminal equipment is highly
competitive and is characterized by the low gross margins associated with
commodity products. The Company completes aggressively in this arena, in part,
to establish customer relationships that may result in higher margin airtime
sales. The Company's pricing schedule for airtime is primarily determined by
the charges established for satellite system operators' and any intermediary
distributor's bulk airtime with whom it deals.
The Company offers fixed-site, land-mobile, transportable and maritime
telephone equipment ranging in price from approximately $3,000 to $6,000 per
unit. System price varies depending upon durability, power, battery life and
antenna gain.
The Company's Satellite Telephone Services is a dial-up-on-demand system
that only charges the subscriber for the time actually used. For example, if
there is a three-minute call made or received, the subscriber is charged for
only three minutes. Basic subscriber rates begin at $25.00 per month for voice
telephone service. Fax and data service is available for a small premium.
These rates include an assigned, toll-free 888 number for each subscriber Mobile
Terminal.
The Company's STS fixed-site, land-mobile, transportable and maritime
subscribers pay a non-discounted rate of only $1.45 per minute of use.
Industry-specific enhanced service plans provide bulk minutes and full dispatch
channels at a variety of per minute/channel rates. The Company provides special
"bundled" service packages by industry group to meet the unique needs of the
Company's varied subscriber base. When a Mobile Terminal makes or receives a
call to or from anywhere in the continental United States, there is no
additional long-distance charge. International long-distance calling is charged
as air time plus international toll from Reston, Virginia.
The Company's PTT dispatch system is charged out on either a talk group
channel, virtual or dedicated satellite channel basis.
Iridium handheld satellite telephones retail at approximately $4,000,
depending on features and accessories. Iridium airtime varies in cost depending
on the origin and destination of the call, ranging from approximately
$2.00/minute within North America and $10.00/minute for calls between South
America and Asia.
SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company predominately sells its telephone equipment and airtime
services via a direct-sales force and to a lesser extent via authorized agents.
Prior to August 1998, the direct-sales forces operated from the Company's office
in California. Since August 1998, the Company has hired sales representatives
who operate from their homes and are located across the United States. The
Company now has sales representatives in Los Angeles, New York City,
10
<PAGE>
Washington, DC, Providence, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Louis, Cincinnati,
Kansas City, San Diego and Portland, Oregon. Each sales representative sells the
Company's full line of products. Product managers assist the sales team in the
configuration of the various services and equipment supported by the Company to
meet the needs of individual customers.
The Company's marketing program is focused on identifying corporate
prospects in niche markets via direct mail campaigns, attending industry trade
shows and to a limited extent via trade journal advertising. The Company's web
page has been developed to support the sales and marketing effort. The
Company's marketing program is directed at corporate rather than individual
customers. The Company has an in-house art and editorial team that develop the
Company's promotional materials.
The Company's products are warehoused, tested and shipped to customers from
the Company's California office.
CUSTOMERS
The Company's customers are generally corporations with significant sales
or government entities. The Company has very few individual customers. The
Company's largest customer is the Royal Bahamas Police Force who accounted for
22% of sales during 1997. However, the Company believes 1998 sales to this
customer will drop significantly as approximately half of the Company's revenues
for fiscal 1997 from this customer was from the non-recurring sale of equipment.
COMPETITION
The wireless communications industry is highly competitive and is
characterized by frequent technological innovation. The industry includes major
domestic and international companies, many of which have financial, technical,
marketing, sales, distribution and other resources substantially greater than
those of the Company and which provide or plan to provide, a wider range of
services. The Company's satellite products and services compete with a number
of other communications services including cellular telephone and other wireless
data services, including Qualcomm. In addition, there are a number of planned
satellite systems using new technologies expected to be commercially available
in the next few years, including Globalstar. Furthermore, the FCC is
considering applications for satellite systems that currently operate in Canada
to provide commercial service in the United States.
The Company, as non-exclusive service providers for American Mobile
Satellite (AMSC) and Iridium, competes against other service providers of these
products. For the AMSC products and services, the Company's major competitor is
AMSC's direct sales force. The Company believes that the list of Iridium
service providers will include, among others, Allied Signal, Bearcom,
CellularOne Paging, GST Telecom, IWL Communications, Pagenet and Motorola
Cellular.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company operates as an indirect, unlicensed international
communications carrier in the wireless communications industry and therefore
falls loosely under the regulation of the FCC. The Company is not the satellite
or equipment licensee, and is not required to maintain manufacturing, service or
operational permits to provide product sales or provision of airtime services.
However, the Company is critically dependent on its equipment and airtime
suppliers who are, in turn, heavily regulated. The allocation and use of the
radio frequency spectrum for the provision of communications services are
subject to international and national regulation. The implementation and
operation of all satellite and wireless systems are dependent upon obtaining
licenses and other approvals. The national administration of each country
decides how the radio frequencies that the International Telecommunications
Union has allocated to particular communications services should be allocated
and assigned domestically to specific radio systems. In addition, the provision
of communications services in most countries is subject to regulatory controls
by the national governments of each country.
The Company is confident that its suppliers will continue to obtain the
approvals and licenses they require to operate globally. There is, however, no
guarantee that the Company's operation and profitability will not be subject,
directly or indirectly, to restrictive national policies or international
regulation or that the Company will not be subject to increased taxation by
federal, state or local agencies in the future.
11
<PAGE>
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
The Company has five granted patents relating to its ED and UITI
technology. The Company also owns trademarks on ED in the United States and
France, and on UITI and UITI TV in the United States. In August 1998, the
Company, pursuant to a settlement agreement, granted Raquel Velasco an option to
purchase the aforementioned intellectual property for $50,000 which Ms. Velasco
exercised in November 1998. See "--Legal Proceedings." Insat's products are not
branded, as Insat is primarily a reseller and service provider.
EMPLOYEES
At December 28, 1998, the Company had approximately 36 employees.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's headquarters are located in Chevy Chase, Maryland and consist
of approximately 1,500 square feet. The annual base rent is approximately
$98,736 and the lease expires December 31, 1999. The Company also leases space
in Washington D.C., consisting of 2,650 square feet. The annual base rent is
approximately $59,172, and the lease expires June 14, 2000. The Company also
leases space for Skysite in Burbank, California consisting of 6,157 square feet.
The annual base rent is approximately $66,000 and the lease expires January 31,
1999.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
William H. Buck v. Viscorp & Visual Information Services Corp. On or about
--------------------------------------------------------------
June 2, 1997, the Company filed a complaint against William H. Buck , the
Company's former Chief Executive Officer and Director, in the United States
District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Case No. 97 C
3390, entitled Viscorp and Visual Information Services Corp. v. William H. Buck,
----------------------------------------------------------------
alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of employment agreement, accounting as
to severance agreement and conspiracy to defraud arising out of Mr. Buck's
conduct as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On June 23 1997, Mr. Buck
filed a complaint against Viscorp, et. al., in the United States District Court,
Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Case No. 97 C 4480. Mr. Buck
sought a declaratory judgment permitting him to sell 220,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company. On September 19, 1997, Mr. Buck filed a counterclaim
against the Company, alleging partial rescission of his severance agreement,
dated January 8, 1997, breach of severance agreement, rescission of lock-up
agreement, breach of lock-up agreement and tortious interference with economic
advantage. On November 12, 1997, Raquel Velasco filed a complaint against the
Company, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois,
Eastern Division, Case Number 97-C-7897, entitled Raquel Velasco v. Viscorp,
-------------------------
seeking $220,000 in damages and expenses from alleged rescission for breach of
written severance agreement, or in the alternative, breach of severance
agreement. On June 9, 1998, the Company filed a counterclaim against Ms.
Velasco relating to her alleged employment agreement with the Company. The
aforementioned matters were consolidated for purposes of discovery. On August
31, 1998, the Company entered into settlement agreements with Mr. Buck and Ms.
Velasco. Pursuant to the Company's settlement agreement with Mr. Buck, Mr. Buck
is permitted to sell 350,000 shares of the Company's common stock that he
already owns, pursuant to a tradeability schedule. Mr. Buck returned all other
shares to the Company for cancellation. Mr. Buck's stock options have been
canceled. Pursuant to the Company's settlement agreement with Ms. Velasco, Ms.
Velasco retained 350,000 shares of the Company's common stock, formerly held by
Mr. Buck, also subject to a tradeability schedule. Ms. Velasco has also been
granted an option to purchase certain property from the Company, including the
ED and UITI technologies, for $50,000 which she exercised in November 1991. See
"Business --Background."
Visual Information Service Corp. v. Interactive Video Publishing, Inc. On
----------------------------------------------------------------------
July 25, 1996, the Company filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, case number C 96-
20593 RMW (EAI), against Interactive Video Publishing, Inc., David Serlin, Steve
Owens and Kaori Kuwata ("Defendants") for injunctive relief and damages of
approximately $7 million for misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion and
breach of fiduciary duty. Defendants filed counterclaims for declaratory
relief, intentional interference with economic advantage, breach of contract and
unfair competition claiming damages yet to be determined. On November 20, 1996,
David Serlin and Marvin Lerch filed suit against the Company and its former
officer, Jerome Greenberg, in the United States District Court, Northern
District of California, San Jose Division. The case is captioned
12
<PAGE>
Serlin v. Visual Information Service Corp., case number C 96-21073. David Serlin
- -----------------------------------------
and Marvin Lerch claimed damages in excess of $6.5 million in connection with
the alleged breach of their employment contracts, alleging breach of employment
contracts, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud,
deceit and negligent misrepresentation among several causes of action. On June
25, 1997, a settlement conference was held in Visual Information Service Corp.
--------------------------------
v. Interactive Video Publishing, Inc. and Serlin v. Visual Information Service
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Corp. and a settlement was reached with all parties in both actions. On
- -----
September 26, 1997, Messrs. Serlin and Lerch entered into a settlement agreement
with the Company whereby the Company agreed to pay Messrs. Serlin and Lerch
$25,000 each, and granted each 400,000 stock options with an exercise price of
$1.50. The Company is currently unable to comply with terms of the settlement
agreement because the shares underlying the stock options have not yet been
registered. This inability has raised questions about the validity of the
agreement and could result in consequential damages assessed against the
Company. At this time, management is unable to estimate the likelihood or amount
of any such damages.
Donald Gilbreath v. USDI, Viscorp and Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. On
--------------------------------------------------------------------
December 19, 1997, Donald Gilbreath, a former director of the Company, filed a
complaint against the Company in the United States District Court, District of
Colorado, Case No. 97-WY-2667-CB, alleging a claim against the Company for
failing to remove restrictive legends on shares owned by Mr. Gilbreath. Mr.
Gilbreath requested that the Court hold that he was the lawful owner of
1,000,000 unrestricted shares of Common Stock of the Company, and 237,800
unrestricted options to acquire common shares. On July 2, 1998, the Company
entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Gilbreath, whereby 500,000 of Mr.
Gilbreath's shares in the Company will be unrestricted, and Mr. Gilbreath will
retain 75,000 options, which must be exercised by January 1, 1999. Pursuant to
the settlement agreement, the remaining 500,000 shares have been canceled.
Further, Mr. Gilbreath is permitted to sell his shares pursuant to a
tradeability schedule.
Roger and Bonnie Remillard v. U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. f/k/a
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Viscorp and Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. On or about June 1, 1998, Roger and
- ------------------------------------------
Bonnie Remillard filed a complaint in the United States District Court, District
of Colorado, Case No. 98-WY-1217-CH, alleging that the Company failed to remove
restrictive legends from the Remillards' shares in the Company, in violation of
Nevada Revised Statute 104.8401. Pursuant to a settlement agreement, dated July
2, 1998, the Remillards retained 820,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Further, the Remillards retained 200,000 out of 288,000 stock options, which
must be exercised before January 1, 1999. As of December 28, 1998, 150,000 of
those options have been exercised. The Remillards are permitted to sell their
shares pursuant to a tradeability schedule.
James Goodnow v. Viscorp. On February 9, 1998, James Goodnow filed a
------------------------
complaint in the Nevada County Superior Court, State of California, against the
Company, alleging breach of contract, fraud, unfair business practices and money
on open book account, based on the alleged breach of a software consulting
agreement dated July 17, 1997. Mr. Goodnow sought damages in the amount of
$20,219.40. In June, 1998, the Company and Mr. Goodnow entered into a
settlement agreement whereby the Company agreed to pay Mr. Goodnow $16,000,
which was subsequently paid.
Cochran Ranch, ITG and Rubin Kitay v. U.S. Digital Communications Inc. and
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Siegel. In January 1998, plaintiffs, former shareholders of Skysite,
- ------------
filed a request for mediation and demand for arbitration with the American
Arbitration Association in Los Angeles, California, case number 72 174 00098 98
GS, requesting mediation and arbitration in connection with the Company's
alleged breach of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated June 20, 1997,
whereby the Company acquired Skysite. Plaintiffs alleged that the Company
failed to issue shares in consideration of the acquisition. On May 28, 1998,
plaintiffs and the Company settled this dispute pursuant to the amendment to
agreement and plan of reorganization. See "Business -- Background" for a more
detailed description of the settlement.
Nolan Bushnell v. Viscorp. On December 13, 1994, Nolan Bushnell filed a
-------------------------
complaint against the Company, in San Mateo Superior Court, case number 390474,
alleging breach of fiduciary duties, breach of contract, wrongful termination
and other causes of action in connection with Mr. Bushnell's employment with
Company. On February 3, 1998, the Company and Nolan and Nancy Bushnell entered
into a settlement, the terms of which, by agreement of the parties thereto, are
confidential. The Company believes that the terms of such settlement agreement
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
David Rosen v. U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. On July 27, 1998, David
------------------------------------------------
Rosen, a former employee and consultant of the Company, filed a complaint
against the Company in the California Superior Court, County of San Francisco,
case number 996762, in connection with his alleged employment contract and his
employment termination. Mr. Rosen alleged breach of contract, breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of California Labor Code
Sections 201, 226 and 227, and conversion. Mr. Rosen seeks severance pay and
other damages in excess of $100,000. Discovery has not yet begun.
CBS (formerly Westinghouse) v. Skysite. On April 1, 1998, CBS filed a
--------------------------------------
complaint, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, case number 188569, alleging
that Skysite breached a distribution agreement with CBS dated December 21, 1996,
and a subsequent settlement agreement between CBS and Skysite, dated March 6,
1997, seeking monies
13
<PAGE>
allegedly owed under the distribution agreement. In June 1998, CBS and the
Company entered into a settlement agreement whereby Skysite agreed to pay CBS
$430,000, which was paid soon thereafter.
Witter Publishing v. Skysite. On February 6, 1997, Witter Publishing filed
----------------------------
a complaint in Los Angeles Municipal Court, case number 97K02741, alleging open
book account and account stated, and seeking money damages. On December 12,
1997, Witter Publishing and Skysite entered a stipulation for entry of judgment
whereby Skysite agreed to pay Witter Publishing $19,037.96 between December 20,
1997 and November 20, 1998.
PR Newswire Association, Inc. v. Skysite. On November 12, 1997, PR
----------------------------------------
Newswire filed a complaint against Skysite in New Jersey Superior Court, Hudson
County, docket number DC - 10873 - 97, alleging a breach of contract and seeking
damages of $6,589.81. In January 1998, Skysite agreed to pay PR Newswire
payments totaling $5,043.95, and the case has been dismissed.
Tom Soumas v. Skysite. On October 6, 1997, Tom Soumas, a former employee
---------------------
of Skysite, filed a complaint with the Labor Commissioner of the State of
California, seeking damages for vacation pay and wellness days he alleges he was
due upon termination, in the amount of $9,300. A hearing on Mr. Soumas' claim
was held on June 2, 1998, pursuant to which the Labor Commissioner issued a
decision in favor or Mr. Soumas in the amount of $2,500.
Penwell Publishing v. Skysite. On March 5, 1997, plaintiff filed a
-----------------------------
complaint in the Tulsa County, Oklahoma District Court, Case Number CJ 9701105,
alleging actions for open account and breach of contract resulting from the
Company's alleged obligation to place certain advertisements in Penwell
Publications. Plaintiff seeks damages of $36,216.75.
Intelligent Data Systems, Inc. On August 4, 1998, counsel for Intelligent
------------------------------
Date Systems, Inc. ("IDS") made a demand on the Company for (i) rescission of a
technology licensing agreement dated January 1, 1995 and (ii) return of
consideration to IDS, in the amount of $968,750. No complaint has been filed.
Tom Soumas. In a letter dated August 31, 1998, counsel for Tom Soumas made
----------
a demand on the Company in connection with the Company's acquisition of Skysite.
No lawsuit has been filed and no damages have been alleged. The Company is
unable to express an opinion as to the outcome of this matter as no lawsuit has
been filed and the Company has made no independent investigation of potential
claims, defense and counterclaims. If a lawsuit is ever filed, it will be
vigorously defended.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1997.
14
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's shares have been traded on a limited basis on the Nasdaq
Bulletin Board under the symbol USDI since October 29, 1997. Prior to October
29, 1997, and subsequent to December 8, 1995, the Company's shares had been
traded on the Nasdaq Bulletin Board under the symbol VICP. The following table
sets forth the range of high and low bid prices as reported on the Nasdaq
Bulletin Board. These prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-
up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
1996
----
First Quarter $ 8.25 $5.25
Second Quarter $11.38 $8.13
Third Quarter $11.25 $8.75
Fourth Quarter $ 9.31 $1.25
1997
----
First Quarter $ 2.06 $1.06
Second Quarter $ 1.59 $0.31
Third Quarter $ 2.44 $0.61
Fourth Quarter $ 2.65 $0.67
1998
----
First Quarter $ 1.61 $0.67
Second Quarter $ 5.25 $0.77
Third Quarter $ 7.00 $2.25
Fourth Quarter (through December 28) $ 5.44 $2.31
</TABLE>
There were 117 shareholders of record of the Common Stock as of December
28, 1998. As of December 28, 1998, the closing bid price of the Company's Common
Stock was $3.94 as quoted on the Nasdaq Bulletin Board.
DIVIDENDS
Excluding the dividend described below, the Company has never declared or
paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying cash
dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future, but intends to retain
future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the future operation and expansion
of the Company's business and related development activities. Any future
determination to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock will be at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's
financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant, as well as the terms of any
financing arrangements.
Pursuant to the terms of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, the
Company is required to pay dividends at the rate of 8% per annum quarterly, on
March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The Company is not required to
pay any dividends on the Series B or the Series C Preferred Stock.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected data presented below under the captions "Statement of
Operations Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" for, and as of the end of, each of the
years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997, are derived from the
financial statements of U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 have been audited by Blackman
Kallick Bartelstein, LLP, whose report included an explanatory paragraph with
respect to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial
statements as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, are included elsewhere in this
filing. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the
15
<PAGE>
year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by Reznick, Fedder & Silverman
PC. See "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Disclosure."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales of equipment
and services $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 486,642
License Income 0 0 629,688 0 0
Gross Profit 0 0 629,688 0 73,875
Total operating expenses (1,248,360) (1,339,364) (3,222,489) (7,885,929) (4,514,697)
Loss from operations (1,248,360) (1,339,364) (2,592,801) (7,885,929) (4,440,822)
Other income (expense), net (112,246) 3,338 4,748 (170,989) (244,363)
Net loss (1,360,606) (1,336,026) (2,588,053) (8,056,918) (4,685,185)
Dividends on preferred stock 0 0 0 0 (1,629,916)
Net loss per common share (0.19) (0.12) (0.15) (0.37) (0.31)
Weighted average shares of 7,104,092 11,775,976 17,190,915 21,914,630 20,676,196
common stock outstanding
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 0 $ 552,878 $ 739,930 $ 8,654 $ 545,790
Working capital (128,371) 388,875 287,713 (2,936,191) (3,522,622)
Total assets 16,982 664,328 1,258,853 242,302 2,031,875
Notes payable (net 1,494,161 0 0 29,865 1,671
of current portion)
Common stock 800,200 2,566,167 212,080 221,280 222,980
Preferred stock 0 0 0 0 28,822
Accumulated deficit (2,405,750) (3,741,776) (6,329,829) (14,386,747) (20,701,848)
Total shareholders' equity (1,605,550) 493,752 706,636 (2,782,886) (2,397,670)
(deficit)
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking
statements. Written forward-looking statements may appear in documents filed
with the Commission, in press releases, and in reports to shareholders. The
Private Securities Reform Act of 1995 contains a safe harbor for forward-looking
statements on which the Company relies in making such disclosures. Forward-
looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "estimates" and the
negatives thereof and similar expressions. The Company's actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of certain factors, including those set forth in "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this report.
GENERAL
The Company has had recurring net losses including its last three fiscal
years. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company or its subsidiaries
will ever generate significant revenues. Further, there is no guarantee that if
the Company ever achieves a level of profitability, that it can be sustained.
Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated June 20, 1997,
and the amendment thereto, dated May 28, 1998, U.S. Digital Communications,
Inc., acquired Skysite Communications Corporation. See "Business--Background."
During 1997, the Company sold 2,882,232 shares of 8% Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock, pursuant to Regulation S promulgated by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
1997 Compared to 1996
The Company had $486,642 in revenue from sales of satellite equipment and
services in fiscal 1997 compared to no such revenue in fiscal 1996. This
increase resulted entirely from the Company's acquisition of Skysite.
Costs of goods sold was $412,767 in fiscal 1997 compared to no cost of
goods sold in fiscal 1996. These costs were associated with the sales generated
by Skysite.
Sales and marketing expense for fiscal 1997 was $286,258 compared to no
such expense in fiscal 1996. These costs were due to the Company's acquisition
of Skysite.
The Company had no research and development expenses for fiscal 1997, as
compared to $955,570 for fiscal 1996. This decrease was due to the Company's
decision to terminate the development of the ED device and related products.
General and administrative expenses, including travel and entertainment
expenses, legal fees and consulting fees, as well as certain other expenses,
were $2,975,782 for fiscal 1997, compared to $2,985,039 for fiscal 1996. This
slight decrease of $9,257 reflected a reduction in general corporate overhead
offset by the Company's assumption of Skysite's general and administrative
expenses pursuant to the Company's acquisition of Skysite.
The Company granted stock options to various employees and other
individuals during fiscal 1997. In connection with the granting of these
options, the Company recorded a stock option compensation expense in the amount
of $1,252,657. The amount recorded represents the difference between the
exercise price and the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock, as of
the date the options were granted.
1996 Compared to 1995.
The Company had no license income in fiscal 1996 compared to $629,688 in
fiscal 1995. The $629,688 represented the value of the 250,000 shares of
Digital Sciences, Inc. ("Digital") stock received by the Company as an initial
license fee pursuant to an agreement entered into, in 1995, by and between
Digital and the Company, by which the Company licensed its ED technology to
Digital.
Research and development expenses decreased to $955,570 for fiscal 1996
from $1,010,884 for fiscal 1995, a decrease of $55,314. This decrease was due
to the decreased activity relating to the production of a prototype of the ED.
17
<PAGE>
General and administrative expenses increased to $2,985,039 for fiscal 1996
from $2,211,605 for fiscal 1995, an increase of $773,434. This increase was due
to the relocation of the Company into larger office facilities, hiring of
additional employees, increased accounting fees and fees for directors and
officer's insurance, and increased depreciation on the Company's assets. An
amount of $300,000 was set aside for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to a
severance agreement which includes the Company's former president and a
consultant. The severance agreement provides that the Company shall reimburse
these individuals for reasonable expenses associated with the Company's business
incurred by them up to an amount equal to approximately $300,000 upon submission
to the Company of valid documentation. The amount of expenses currently claimed
is $255,350. The Company has recorded a liability of $300,000. This liability
has been reduced by $96,478, which represents amounts loaned to the former
president by the Company.
An amount of $118,237 has been charged to Operating Expenses for fiscal
1996 in connection with failed efforts to raise additional capital in 1996.
An amount of $900,000 has been charged to Operating Expenses for fiscal
1996 in connection with the Company's December, 1995 licensing agreement with a
technology company. In January, 1996, the Company paid an initial royalty
deposit of $450,000. Pursuant to the licensing agreement, the Company may be
obligated to pay an additional royalty fee of $450,000 in December, 1998.
The Company granted stock options to various employees and consultants
during fiscal 1996. In connection with the granting of these options, the
Company recorded compensation and consulting expense, and a related increase to
additional paid-in-capital, in the amount of $2,927,083 during 1996. The amount
recorded represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair
market value of the Company's Common Stock as of the date the options were
granted.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Pursuant to an agreement with a placement agent, Wincap, Ltd. ("Wincap"),
the Company effected two private offerings of 8% Cumulative Convertible Series A
Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the first offering, the Company sold approximately
2,031,832 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 1,015,916 warrants to purchase
shares of Common Stock, for a consideration of approximately $3,047,748.
Pursuant to the second offering, the Company sold approximately 2,307,000 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock and 1,153,500 warrants to purchase shares of Common
Stock, for a consideration of approximately $3,460,500, for a total
consideration from both offerings of approximately $6,508,248. Of this amount,
the Company received approximately $5,749,728, which it intends to use for
working capital. In addition, Wincap received the right to acquire 2,380,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, issuable upon registration.
Pursuant to an agreement with a placement agent, WS Marketing and Financial
Services, Inc., for a private offering of 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock, as of July 23, 1998 (the date of closing), the Company sold all 3,000
shares for a total consideration of approximately $3,000,000. Of this amount,
the Company received approximately $2,670,000, which it intends to use for
working capital. In addition, WS Marketing and Financial Services, Inc.
received 250,000 warrants to purchase Common Stock as part of its placement fee.
Pursuant to an agreement with a placement agent, WS Marketing and Financial
Services, Inc., for a private offering of 4,000 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock, as of December 28, 1998, the Company sold 3,000 shares for a total
consideration of approximately $3,000,000. Of this amount, the Company received
approximately $2,670,000, which it intends to use for working capital. In
addition, WS Marketing and Financial Services, Inc. received 250,000 warrants to
purchase Common Stock as part of its placement fee.
The Company has generated losses since its inception in May 1990 and cannot
currently generate sufficient revenues and cash flow from operations to meet its
business obligations.
The Company anticipates it will not need to incur material capital
expenditures in the future. In prior years, the Company was able to fund its
operations through the issuance of its Common and Preferred Stock in
transactions exempt under the Securities Act of 1933, and through shareholder
loans. The Company cannot currently generate sufficient revenues and cash flow
from operations to meet its business obligations. Therefore, future operations
are predicated on raising additional capital in debt or equity markets.
18
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of U.S.
Digital Communications, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
(deficit) and cash flows for the year then ended. The consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audit. The financial statements of U.S. Digital
Communications, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were audited
by other auditors whose report, dated April 4, 1997, expressed an unqualified
opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the 1997 consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1997, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ REZNICK FEDDER & SILVERMAN
Bethesda, Maryland
December 9, 1998
19
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
ASSETS
1996 1997
----------- ----------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,654 $ 545,790
Trade accounts receivable, net
of allowance for uncollectible
accounts of $19,000 - 209,073
Other receivables 20,000 -
Inventory - 107,967
Note receivable - 25,000
Prepaid expenses 30,478 17,436
---------- -----------
Total current assets 59,132 905,266
INVESTMENTS - 9,750
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 90,789 122,500
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 86,628 981,327
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 5,753 13,032
---------- -----------
Total assets $ 242,302 $ 2,031,875
========== ===========
(continued)
20
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CONTINUED
December 31,
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
1996 1997
------------ ------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 1,572,011 $ 1,766,838
Deferred revenue -- 107,267
Dividends payable -- 135,931
Stockholder loans 624,386 962,385
Accrued interest on stockholder loans 34,649 147,623
Notes payable 110,755 329,458
Minimum royalty obligation 450,000 450,000
Due to former officers and shareholders 203,522 528,426
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 2,995,323 4,427,928
NOTES PAYABLE (net of current portion) 29,865 1,617
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 3,025,188 4,429,545
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -- --
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Preferred stock - $.01 par, 10,000,000 shares
authorized; 2,882,232 issued and outstanding
at December 31, 1997; liquidation preference of
$4,459,279 -- 28,822
Common stock - $.01 par, 50,000,000 shares
authorized; 22,298,000 issued and 16,395,800
outstanding at December 31, 1997; 22,128,000
issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996 221,280 222,980
Additional paid-in capital 15,096,123 16,332,314
Common stock warrants -- 1,581,337
Accumulated unrealized losses on investments -- (31,200)
Treasury stock (5,902,200 shares of common
stock at cost) -- (10)
Deferred compensation (3,713,542) (19,648)
Shares to be issued (including additional
paid-in capital) -- 389,583
Shareholders' receivable -- (200,000)
Accumulated deficit (14,386,747) (20,701,848)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' deficit (2,782,886) (2,397,670)
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $ 242,302 $ 2,031,875
============ ============
See notes to financial statements
21
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996 1997
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales
Equipment $ - $ - $ 285,047
Airtime services - - 201,595
License fees 629,688 - -
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Total sales 629,688 - 486,642
Cost of goods sold - - 412,767
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Gross profit 629,688 - 73,875
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing - - 286,258
Research and development 1,010,884 955,570 -
Minimum royalty expense - 900,000 -
Fund-raising fees for failed offering - 118,237 -
General and administrative 2,211,605 2,985,039 2,975,782
Stock option compensation - 2,927,083 1,252,657
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Total operating expenses 3,222,489 7,885,929 4,514,697
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Loss from operations (2,592,801) (7,885,929) (4,440,822)
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (4,013) (47,618) (183,593)
Interest and other income 8,761 7,385 23,280
Loss on investments and disposal of equipment - (130,756) (84,050)
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Total other income (expense), net 4,748 (170,989) (244,363)
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Net loss (2,588,053) (8,056,918) (4,685,185)
Dividends and beneficial conversion feature on
preferred stock - - (1,629,916)
----------------------- ----------------------- ------------------------
Net loss available to common stockholders $ (2,588,053) $ (8,056,918) $ (6,315,101)
======================= ======================= ========================
Net loss per common share
Basic $ (0.15) $ (0.37) $ (0.31)
======================= ======================= ========================
Diluted $ (0.15) $ (0.37) $ (0.31)
======================= ======================= ========================
Weighted average shares of common
stock outstanding 17,190,915 21,914,630 20,676,196
======================= ======================= ========================
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
22
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
For the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common stock Common stock
Preferred stock par value no par value
------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 -- $ -- -- $ -- 3,722,000 $ 2,566,167
Sale of stock for cash -- -- -- -- 1,161,000 3,035,000
Stock issued as compensation -- -- -- -- 150,000 375,000
Stock issued for consulting services -- -- -- -- 26,500 66,250
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- -- (330,000)
Effect of merger -- -- 21,208,000 212,080 (5,059,500) (5,712,417)
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995 -- -- 21,208,000 212,080 -- --
Sale of stock for cash -- -- 920,000 9,200 -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- -- --
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- -- --
Options issued to placement agent -- -- -- -- -- --
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options -- -- -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred compensation -- -- -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996 -- -- 22,128,000 221,280 -- --
Sale of stock and warrants for cash 2,882,232 28,822 -- -- -- --
Issuance of stock for noncash
transactions -- -- 170,000 1,700 -- --
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- -- --
Options issued to Placement Agent -- -- -- -- -- --
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options -- -- -- -- -- --
Cancellation of options -- -- -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation -- -- -- -- -- --
Preferred dividends and beneficial
conversion feature -- -- -- -- -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- -- --
Repurchase of common stock -- -- -- -- -- --
Shareholders' receivable -- -- -- -- -- --
Shares to be issued (including
additional paid-in capital) -- -- -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1997 2,882,232 $ 28,822 22,298,000 $ 222,980 -- $ --
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
Common Accumulated Treasury stock
Additional paid- stock unrealized loss ------------------------
in capital warrants on investment Shares Cost
------------------ ---------- ----------------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 $ 1,669,361 $ -- $ -- -- $ --
Sale of stock for cash -- -- -- -- --
Stock issued as compensation -- -- -- -- --
Stock issued for consulting services -- -- -- -- --
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- --
Effect of merger 5,500,337 -- -- -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- (345,313) -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995 7,169,698 -- (345,313) -- --
Sale of stock for cash 1,290,800 -- -- -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- 345,313 -- --
Stock issuance costs (2,805,000) -- -- -- --
Options issued to placement agent 2,800,000 -- -- -- --
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options 6,640,625 -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred compensation -- -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996 15,096,123 -- -- -- --
Sale of stock and warrants for cash 2,696,785 1,581,337 -- -- --
Issuance of stock for noncash
transactions 107,900 -- -- -- --
Stock issuance costs (1,785,888) -- -- -- --
Options issued to Placement Agent 1,278,631 -- -- -- --
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options 879,596 -- -- -- --
Cancellation of options (3,320,833) -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation -- -- -- -- --
Preferred dividends and beneficial
conversion feature 1,380,000 -- -- -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- (31,200) -- --
Repurchase of common stock -- -- -- (5,902,200) (10)
Shareholders' receivable -- -- -- -- --
Shares to be issued (including
additional paid-in capital) -- -- -- -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1997 $ 16,332,314 $ 1,581,337 $ (31,200) $ (5,902,200) $ (10)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
Total
Deferred Shares to be Stockholders' Accumulated stockholders'
compensation issued receivable deficit equity
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ (3,741,776) $ 493,752
Sale of stock for cash -- -- -- -- 3,035,000
Stock issued as compensation -- -- -- -- 375,000
Stock issued for consulting services -- -- -- -- 66,250
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- (330,000)
Effect of merger -- -- -- -- --
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- (345,313)
Net loss -- -- -- (2,588,053) (2,588,053)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995 -- -- -- (6,329,829) 706,636
Sale of stock for cash -- -- -- -- 1,300,000
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- 345,313
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- (2,805,000)
Options issued to placement agent -- -- -- -- 2,800,000
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options (6,640,625) -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred compensation 2,927,083 -- -- -- 2,927,083
Net loss -- -- -- (8,056,918) (8,056,918)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996 (3,713,542) -- -- (14,386,747) (2,782,886)
Sale of stock and warrants for cash -- -- -- -- 4,306,944
Issuance of stock for noncash
transactions -- -- -- -- 109,600
Stock issuance costs -- -- -- -- (1,785,888)
Options issued to Placement Agent -- -- -- -- 1,278,631
Deferred compensation related to
grant of stock options (879,596) -- -- -- --
Cancellation of options 3,320,833 -- -- -- --
Amortization of deferred
compensation 1,252,657 -- -- -- 1,252,657
Preferred dividends and beneficial
conversion feature -- -- -- (1,629,916) (249,916)
Change in unrealized loss on
investments -- -- -- -- (31,200)
Repurchase of common stock -- -- -- -- (10)
Shareholders' receivable -- -- (200,000) -- (200,000)
Shares to be issued (including
additional paid-in capital) -- 389,583 -- -- 389,583
Net loss -- -- -- (4,685,185) (4,685,185)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1997 $ (19,648) $ 389,583 $ (200,000) $(20,701,848) $ (2,397,670)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
23
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1996 1997
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss $ (2,588,053) $ (8,056,918) $ (4,685,185)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 13,136 41,256 195,065
License income received in stock (629,688) - -
Stock option compensation - 2,927,083 1,252,657
Loss on investments - 129,688 84,050
Services paid in stock 416,250 - -
Provision for losses on advances 25,000 - -
Loss on disposal of equipment - 1,068 -
Changes in assets and liabilities
Increase in trade accounts receivable - - (96,380)
Decrease in other receivables - - 20,000
Decrease in inventory - - 43,349
Increase in note receivable - - (25,000)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses (93,247) 69,522 13,042
Increase in other noncurrent assets - - (3,079)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
and accrued expenses 197,274 1,260,270 (520,463)
Decrease in deferred revenue - - (70,400)
Increase in accrued interest on
stockholder loans 2,910 25,659 109,603
Increase in minimum royalty obligation - 450,000 -
Increase in due to former officers and
shareholders - 300,000 324,905
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in operating activities (2,656,418) (2,852,372) (3,357,836)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investments - - (125,000)
Capital expenditures (14,784) (30,518) (62,444)
Advances to Skysite prior to acquisition - - (231,039)
Advances to related company (25,000) - -
Patents and other expenditures (28,023) (13,838) -
Advances to stockholders - (116,478) -
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (67,807) (160,834) (418,483)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings from nonstockholders $ - $ 100,000 $ 300,000
Borrowings from stockholders 231,484 992,900 388,000
Repayment of stockholder borrowings - (100,000) (50,000)
Principal payments under notes payable - (5,970) (10,237)
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock 3,035,000 1,300,000 -
Proceeds from issuance of preferred
stock and warrants - - 4,306,944
Purchase of treasury stock - - (10)
Payment of dividends on preferred stock - - (113,985)
Payment of stock issuance costs, net (355,000) (5,000) (507,257)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 2,911,484 2,281,930 4,313,455
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 187,052 (731,276) 537,136
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning 552,878 739,930 8,654
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end $ 739,930 $ 8,654 $ 545,790
================= ================= =================
Supplemental disclosures of cash
transactions
Cash paid for interest $ - $ 7,772 $ 70,619
================= ================= =================
Supplemental disclosures of noncash
transactions
Beneficial conversion feature on
preferred stock $ - $ - $ 1,380,000
================= ================= =================
Acquisition of Skysite Communications
Corporation:
Fair value of assets acquired $ - $ - $ 420,622
Liabilities assumed - - 935,914
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
$ - $ - $ 1,356,536
================= ================= =================
Net change in unrealized loss
on investments $ - $ - $ 31,200
================= ================= =================
Satisfaction of note payable and accrued
interest with issuance of common
stock $ - $ - $ 109,500
================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE>
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997
NOTE A - ORGANIZATION
Operations
- ----------
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. (the "Company"), a Nevada corporation, is a
provider of satellite and wireless digital communications equipment and services
to corporate and other consumers. The Company, through a wholly-owned
subsidiary, markets satellite telephone products and services to provide
solutions for the communications needs of companies with global operations or
remote installations. Prior to its acquisition of this subsidiary, the Company
was a development stage enterprise founded to develop various internet, modem,
video data and telephone products and devices. In 1997, the Company discontinued
development of these products.
Formation
- ---------
On November 28, 1995, Global Telephone and Communications, Inc. ("GTCI"), a
Nevada corporation, and Visual Information Service Corporation ("Viscorp"), an
Illinois corporation, entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization under
which every share of Viscorp stock was exchanged for four shares of GTCI stock.
This resulted in the stockholders of Viscorp obtaining voting control over GTCI.
To the Company's knowledge, GTCI did not conduct any business prior to the
reorganization. The reorganization was consummated because the stock of GTCI
traded on the Nasdaq Bulletin Board and, therefore, provided the Company with a
public presence. In conjunction with the transaction, GTCI changed its name to
Viscorp. On October 24, 1997, Viscorp changed its name to U.S. Digital
Communications, Inc.
Acquisition of Skysite
- ----------------------
On June 20, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of
reorganization (the "Agreement") with Skysite Communications Corporation
("Skysite"). Under the Agreement, the Company was to issue 750,000 shares of
common stock to the shareholders of Skysite, as well as options to purchase an
additional 500,000 shares of restricted common stock at an exercise price of
$.40 per share.
The stock of Skysite was transferred to the Company on August 26, 1997.
Subsequent to the acquisition, a dispute arose between the Company and the
former President of Skysite related to the value of Skysite at the time of the
acquisition. As a result of this dispute, the Company withheld the issuance of
its shares. During 1998, the Company entered into an amended agreement with the
shareholders of Skysite, except for the former President (who was originally
allocated 240,000 shares). Under the terms of this amended agreement, the other
30
<PAGE>
shareholders' shares and options were placed in an escrow account in October
1998. The shareholders have all rights attributable to the escrowed stock,
however, they have agreed that at such time when they elect to sell these
shares, the first $200,000 of proceeds will be paid to the Company, and the
remaining shares and options will be released to the shareholders. The 240,000
shares due to the former President remain unissued, and the Company does not
intend to issue such shares. The Company anticipates that litigation or
arbitration by the former president may result, however, since no lawsuit has
been filed by the former president, no potential loss has been recorded by the
Company
At the time of the acquisition, the company also entered into an agreement with
the former President of Skysite to issue options to purchase 146,961 shares of
the company's stock, at an exercise price of $.40 per share, over the following
36 months in amounts to be determined by the company. The number of options
granted to the former President of Skysite would be adjusted for any material
breach of the agreement. In addition, the options to be granted were also based
upon employment services, which were to be provided. No options have been
granted to the former President since the company believes the former President
did breach the agreement, and no services were performed.
The Company recognized the Skysite acquisition as a purchase for accounting
purposes. The Company valued the acquisition at the fair value of the
consideration given plus the liabilities assumed. The consideration given
included the 510,000 shares and 500,000 options placed in escrow, less the
$200,000 to be received from escrow when these shares are sold. This $200,000
has been recognized by the Company as a reduction of stockholders' equity. The
shares and options have been recorded at management's estimate of fair value
which reflects a discount due to the restricted nature of the shares. The
following is the valuation at August 26, 1997, the closing date of the
acquisition, of consideration given:
510,000 shares of Company common stock $ 214,583
500,000 options to purchase Company common stock 175,000
Due from Skysite shareholders (200,000)
Advances made from the Company to Skysite prior to acquisition 231,039
-----------
420,622
Liabilities assumed 935,914
-----------
Total purchase price $ 1,356,536
===========
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<PAGE>
Since the Company had not issued the shares or options due to the other
shareholders, as of December 31, 1997, the Company has recorded the value of the
consideration to be given as shares to be issued in stockholders' equity. In
October 1998, when these shares and options were placed in the escrow account,
the Company recognized an increase to its common stock and additional paid-in
capital accounts. The purchase price is $1,051,422 in excess of the fair value
of the identifiable assets acquired. The Company has recognized this excess as
goodwill.
The Company has allocated the purchase price based on the fair value of the
assets acquired. The total purchase price of $1,356,536 was allocated as
follows:
Current assets $ 289,440
Property and equipment 11,474
Other assets 4,200
Goodwill 1,051,422
-----------------
$ 1,356,536
=================
The following unaudited proforma financial information presents the consolidated
results of operations of the Company and Skysite as if the acquisition had
occurred on January 1, 1996. The proforma financial information does not
necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had the
Company and Skysite constituted a single entity during such periods.
Year ended
December 31,
---------------------------
1996 1997
------------ ------------
(Unaudited)
Proforma revenue $ 704,179 $ 1,243,961
Proforma net loss available to common shareholders (8,898,614) (6,810,549)
Proforma net income (loss) per share (0.41) (0.33)
32
<PAGE>
Reorganization
- --------------
In July 1998, the Company formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Digital
Satellite, Inc. ("Insat"), to oversee its satellite communication operations,
and transferred the common stock of Skysite to Insat. Additionally, Insat formed
Project 77 Corp. ("Project 77") as its other wholly-owned subsidiary primarily
to market Iridium satellite telephone equipment and services in 1998.
Risks and Other Important Factors
- ---------------------------------
For the three years ended December 31, 1997, the Company has experienced
significant losses due to its previous technology development activities and the
losses from Skysite's operations. The success of the Company is dependent on its
ability to generate adequate cash for operations and capital needs. Its ability
to generate adequate cash for such needs is in part dependent on its success in
increasing sales from Insat's products and services and the sale of new products
and services. The Company has developed strategies to increase the sales of
products and services, however, due to market conditions and other factors
beyond its control, there can be no assurance the Company will be able to
adequately increase product sales. Therefore, the Company may have to generate
additional capital through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Although
the Company believes it has the ability to raise additional capital, such an
issuance may be dilutive to existing shareholders and there can be no assurance
that adequate funds will be available on terms that are reasonable or acceptable
to the Company.
If the Company is unable to generate adequate cash, there could be a material
adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the Company.
Therefore, the Company has developed a plan to implement certain cost control
measures to mitigate its liquidity risk, and is aggressively seeking new
products and services as well as other companies to acquire that will increase
cash flow and reduce the reliance on Insat's products and services.
Future operating results may be affected by a number of factors including the
timing of new product introductions in the market place, competitive pricing
pressures, and economic conditions. Because the market for the Company's
products is characterized by rapidly changing technology, the development and
introduction of competitive products may pose a threat to the Company's
business.
33
<PAGE>
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
- ---------------------------------------
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Skysite, after eliminating intercompany balances
and transactions. The amounts included for Skysite represent all activity from
August 26, 1997, the date of acquisition, to December 31, 1997.
Use of Estimates
- ----------------
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and
the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Management has estimated the fair value of its unregistered restricted stock and
options given as consideration for the acquisition of Skysite, compensation to
placement agents, and compensation to nonemployee directors. Management's
estimate of fair value included marketability discounts that were estimated
based on arm's length transactions consummated with equity securities (e.g.,
settlement of debt and stock sales). In addition, management has made estimates
in connection with the valuation allowance on the deferred income taxes and the
evaluation of potential impairment of goodwill.
Cash Equivalents
- ----------------
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31,
1997, substantially all funds are held at one financial institution and balances
exceed the federally insured limits. The Company does not believe it is exposed
to any significant credit risk on cash equivalents.
Inventory
- ---------
Inventory, which consists primarily of finished goods, is stated at the lower of
cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost is determined using the
weighted average cost method. During 1997, the Company's inventory and
receivables were pledged as collateral to a supplier for past due amounts. The
inventory and receivable balance on the date of the agreement was $433,206. The
supplier subsequently released their security interest in 1998.
Property and Equipment
- ----------------------
Property and equipment are recorded at historical cost and are being depreciated
over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to seven years,
using accelerated methods. For property and equipment under capital lease, the
assets are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining life of the lease or
the useful life of the asset.
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<PAGE>
Intangible Assets
- -----------------
Intangible assets includes the excess of purchase price over net assets received
resulting from the August 26, 1997 acquisition of Skysite. As of December 31,
1997, the unamortized balance was $981,327 (net of accumulated amortization of
$70,095). The amortization period being used is five years.
Prior to the Company's acquisition of Skysite, the Company incurred certain
expenses for patents and trademarks related to the development of various
internet, modem, video data and telephone products. Since the Company has
discontinued development of these devices, the Company has written-off the
unamortized balance related to these items as of December 31, 1997.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
- -------------------------------
The Company complies with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of." SFAS No. 121 requires that long-lived assets and
certain identifiable intangibles held and used by an entity be reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. To determine recoverability
of its long-lived assets, the Company evaluates the probability that future
undiscounted net cash flows will be less than the carrying amounts of net
assets. Impairment, if any, is measured at fair value.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
- --------------------------------
Effective January 1, 1997, the Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share" which requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share
on the face of the statement of operations for all periods presented. Basic
earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net loss available to
common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net loss by
the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus other
dilutive securities.
Since the Company had net losses from operations, no potential common shares to
be issued are included in the computation of the diluted per share amount as
they would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the following common stock equivalents
are not included in the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding.
35
<PAGE>
1995 1996 1997
--------- --------- ---------
Common shares to be granted under
option arrangements, less shares
assumed purchased at average
market price 1,054,786 2,312,122 1,580,562
Convertible preferred securities and
related warrants -- -- 935,800
--------- --------- ---------
1,054,786 2,312,122 2,516,362
========= ========= =========
Financial Instruments
- ---------------------
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and stockholder
loans are a reasonable estimate of their fair value given their short-term
nature. Investments in equity securities are carried at their fair value.
Stock-Based Compensation
- ------------------------
During 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." The Company has adopted the
disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123 for employee stock options.
Accordingly, when the Company grants employee stock options with an exercise
price equal to the Nasdaq bulletin board price ("quoted price") of the shares on
the date of grant, no compensation expense is recorded. If employee stock
options are granted at an exercise price less than the quoted price,
compensation expense is recorded to the extent of the intrinsic value.
Transactions with nonemployees in which consideration is received for the
issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the
consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued,
whichever is more reliably measurable.
Research and Development Expense
- --------------------------------
The Company expenses research and development costs as they are incurred.
36
<PAGE>
Advertising Costs
- -----------------
In accordance with the AICPA's Statement of Position 93-7, "Reporting on
Advertising Costs," costs for advertising are expensed as incurred. Such costs
are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying statements of
operations.
Revenue Recognition
- -------------------
The Company recognizes equipment sales revenue upon shipment. Airtime services
are recognized in the period in which communications services are rendered.
Deferred revenue consists of customer payments received in advance of services
provided under contractual arrangements.
Concentration of Credit Risk
- ----------------------------
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Risk
with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified among a number of
entities comprising the Company's customer base. The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and maintains
allowances for potential credit losses. Actual losses and allowances have been
within management's expectations.
Deferred Compensation
- ---------------------
The Company records deferred compensation as the difference between the exercise
price of options granted and the fair value of the Company's common stock on the
date of grant. The amount of deferred compensation recognized in 1996 and 1997
was $6,640,625 and $879,596, respectively. Deferred compensation is amortized to
expense during the vesting period of the related options.
Income Taxes
- ------------
Deferred income taxes are recognized based on the estimated future tax effects
of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amounts expected to be realized. Income tax expense represents the
current tax provision for the period and the change during the period in
deferred tax asset and liabilities.
Reclassifications
- -----------------
Certain balances from 1995 and 1996 have been reclassified to conform to the
current year presentation.
37
<PAGE>
New Accounting Pronouncements
- -----------------------------
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company will adopt SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." Those statements may require the Company to
change the format of its consolidated financial statements presentation and
disclose certain information related to the different segments of its business.
NOTE C - INVESTMENTS
In 1997, the Company loaned $50,000 to EDNET, an unrelated company. Under the
terms of a loan agreement, if EDNET did not repay the loan by June 15, 1997, the
Company would, and did, receive 65,000 shares of EDNET, which were restricted
through June 15, 1998. The value of these shares on June 15, 1997 was $40,950.
Due to the transaction, the Company has recognized a loss of $9,050, which is
included in loss on investments in the accompanying financial statements. As of
December 31, 1997, the fair value of these shares was approximately $0.15 per
share. The Company has reflected the reduction in the fair value of this
investment by recording a $31,200 unrealized loss in stockholders' equity in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
NOTE D - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, property and equipment consists of the
following:
1996 1997
----------------- -----------------
Office furniture and equipment $ 109,482 $ 176,623
Computer and video equipment 18,040 18,040
Less accumulated depreciation (36,733) (72,163)
----------------- -----------------
$ 90,789 $ 122,500
================= =================
Depreciation expense for 1995, 1996 and 1997 amounted to $10,432, $19,534 and
$35,430, respectively.
38
<PAGE>
NOTE E - NOTES PAYABLE
As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, notes payable consist of the following:
1996 1997
---------- ----------
Note payable to stockholder, interest rate 8%,
payable on demand $ 519,386 $ 857,385
Note payable to stockholder, interest rate 8%,
payable on demand 105,000 105,000
Note payable, interest rate 12%, payable June 30, 1997 100,000 --
Note payable, interest rate 10%, payable March 31, 1998 -- 300,000
Capital lease obligation, payable in monthly installments
of $846 through February 6, 1999, including
interest at an annual rate of 36.7% 15,403 9,521
Capital lease obligation, payable in monthly installments
of $211 through May 1, 2001, including interest at an
annual rate of 14.5% 8,143 6,817
Capital lease obligation, payable in monthly installments
of $431 through February 13, 2001, including
interest at an annual rate of 12.3% 17,074 14,737
---------- ----------
Total debt 765,006 1,293,460
Less current maturities 735,141 1,291,843
---------- ----------
$ 29,865 $ 1,617
========== ==========
On April 15, 1997, the Company issued 160,000 shares of common stock in full
satisfaction of the $100,000 note payable June 30, 1997. On this date, the
outstanding balance on this note, including accrued interest was $109,500. No
gain or loss was recognized by the Company in the settlement of the liability.
The Company has not made payment on the $300,000 note, which was due March 31,
1998. Under the terms of the agreement, the lender is entitled to collect a late
payment premium of five percent of any past due amount, which will be accrued by
the Company in 1998.
39
<PAGE>
On August 24, 1998, the Company entered into a settlement related to an amount
owed to a shareholder of the Company. The balance owed to the shareholder,
including interest and unreimbursed expenses totaled $1,033,951 as of December
31, 1997. Under the agreement, the Company will make $250,000 payments on the
following dates: September 1, 1998, January 5, 1999 and February 28, 1999.
Additionally, the Company will issue 200,000 shares of its restricted common
stock to the shareholder. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company in the
settlement of the liability.
Future minimum payments of debt, excluding those amounts payable on demand, are
as follows:
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------
1998 $ 314,493
1999 7,741
2000 6,969
2001 1,872
------------
$ 331,075
============
NOTE F - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock
- ------------
In November 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with a placement agent
for a private offering. This private offering resulted in the sale of 2,000,000
units at a purchase price of $0.625 per unit for a total consideration of
$1,250,000. Each unit consisted of one share of common stock, one Class A
warrant and one Class B warrant (no Class A or Class B warrants were exercised
prior to their expiration date). The placement agent received 200,000 shares of
common stock and 48,000 expense units valued at $155,000 as compensation for its
services and costs. Each expense unit was composed of one share of common stock,
one Class A warrant and one Class B warrant (no Class A or Class B warrants were
exercised prior to their expiration date). In addition, attorney and finder's
fees totaling $83,833, paid or to be paid in cash, were incurred and are
included as stock issuance costs. Of the $83,833, $50,000 was payable at
December 31, 1994 to one consultant. In addition, the consultant was granted an
option, exercisable until March 8, 1998, for the purchase of 80,000 shares of
common stock at the exercise price of $0.625 per share.
40
<PAGE>
During 1995, the Company and the consultant revised the fee structure noted in
the previous paragraph. In exchange for the cancellation of the $50,000
obligation and the option to purchase 80,000 shares, the consultant received
$25,000 in cash, 40,000 shares of common stock with a deemed value of $25,000
and 120,000 options. The additional compensation was recorded as general and
administrative expense by the Company.
During 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with an investment advisor to
raise equity financing solely from offshore purchasers and purchasers who may be
deemed "accredited investors" as those terms are generally defined under
Regulation S and Regulation D, respectively, promulgated by the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission. A total of 4,400,000 shares of the Company's common
stock were issued at a purchase price of $0.625 per share for a total of
$2,750,000. The placement agent received a finder's fee totaling $330,000, which
is included as stock issuance costs and charged against additional paid-in
capital.
Prior to signing the agreement with the investment advisor, the Company had
independently raised $285,000 through the issuance of 212,000 shares at a
purchase price of $1.25 per share and $20,000 through the issuance of 32,000
shares at a purchase price of $0.625 per share in separate transactions.
In addition, an officer of the Company and outside consultants received 600,000
and 66,000 shares, respectively, during 1995 as payment for services rendered,
valued at the price of $0.625 per share. The value of the shares issued,
$375,000 and $41,250, were charged to research and development, and general and
administrative, respectively.
In February 1996, the Company raised $50,000 through the issuance of 20,000
shares of common stock. In addition, from March 1 through April 11, 1996, the
Company raised $1,000,000 through the issuance of 500,000 shares of common stock
and $250,000 through the exercise of 400,000 options at a price of $0.625 per
share which were convertible into 400,000 shares. The options were issued to a
placement agent for raising the $1,000,000 noted in the previous sentence, and
were valued at $2,800,000. This amount is included as stock issuance costs and
charged to additional paid-in capital in the statement of stockholders' equity.
In 1997, the Company issued 160,000 common shares to a third-party for full
settlement of a note payable (see note E) and 10,000 shares to a former
consultant. In addition, the Company reacquired 5,902,200 common shares from a
former director for total consideration of $10.
41
<PAGE>
Preferred Stock
- ---------------
Series A
- --------
In December 1996 and August 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with a
placement agent to raise equity financing solely from non-U.S. persons as
defined in Regulation S promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission through a private offering of the Company's 8% cumulative convertible
preferred stock ("Series A"), $0.01 par value per share. The Company offered a
minimum of 2,000,000 and a maximum of 6,666,667 shares of the 8% preferred stock
for consideration of between $3,000,000 and $10,000,000. The Series A preferred
stock is nonvoting.
The first offering period, according to the December 1996 offering memorandum,
was to expire on June 30, 1997. However, the Company closed that offering in
February 1997 after selling 2,031,832 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with
1,015,916 warrants for a total consideration of $3,047,748. In August 1997, the
Company again offered its Series A Preferred Stock and warrants with the
offering period to expire March 31, 1998. The August 1997 memorandum was
subsequently amended and the offering period was extended to July 31, 1998. The
Company raised $3,460,500 through the issuance of 2,307,000 additional shares of
Series A preferred stock and 1,153,300 warrants. The Company raised a total of
$6,508,248 through the issuance of 4,338,832 total shares of Series A preferred
stock in the two offerings.
For every two Series A preferred shares purchased, the stockholder received one
warrant (which shall expire three years after the date of execution of the
subscription agreement) to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise
price of $3.00 per share (the "preferred stock warrants"). The preferred stock
warrants shall become exercisable in the same increments and on the same dates
that the conversion rights with respect to the shares to which they are attached
become vested, as described below. As of December 31, 1997, a total of 1,441,116
warrants had been issued. No warrants were exercised in 1997.
The Company has allocated the equity raised between the preferred stock and the
warrants. Based on the valuation of each on the date of issuance, the Company
has allocated approximately $2,868,000 to the preferred stock and $3,640,000 to
the warrants for the entire proceeds received under Series A through closing at
July 31, 1998. As of December 31, 1997, the allocation amounted to $2,725,607
and $1,581,337 for the preferred stock and warrants, respectively.
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<PAGE>
Series A preferred stockholders have the right to convert each share into one
share of common stock as follows: a) 25% of the shares 90 days following the
date the shares were issued (the initial conversion date) and b) 25% of the
shares at the end of each of the three consecutive 90-day periods following the
initial conversion date. No conversion of Series A preferred stock to common
stock was made in 1997.
Six months after the date of issuance of the Series A preferred shares, the
Company shall have the option to require the preferred stockholder to convert
each of such shares into one share of common stock. Upon such conversion, all of
the preferred stock warrants attached to such shares shall become fully
exercisable.
Each Series A preferred stockholder is entitled to receive quarterly dividends
on the last day of March, June, September and December in an amount equal to 8%
per annum of the stated value of the preferred stock. Dividends totaling
$113,985 were paid in 1997. Additionally, the Company has recognized dividends
payable totaling $135,931.
On the date of issuance of some of the Series A preferred stock, the purchase
price of the shares was less than the quoted market price of the Company's
common stock. Accordingly, the intrinsic value of this beneficial conversion
feature (approximately $1,529,000) is being accreted to preferred stock over the
conversion rights period. Accretion of the beneficial conversion feature as of
December 31, 1997 totaled $1,380,000 and is reflected as an increase in the
carrying value of the preferred stock and a dividend charge against accumulated
deficit. Subsequent to December 31, 1997, additional shares of Series A
preferred stock were issued. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion
feature for those shares was approximately $6,100,000.
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, the holders of the Series A preferred stock will be entitled to be
paid, before any distribution or payment is made in respect of any common stock
as to distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, an amount in cash
equal to the aggregate stated value ($1.50 per share) of all shares outstanding
plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.
43
<PAGE>
Under the terms of the placement agent agreement related to Series A, the
placement agent is entitled to (1) a placement fee based on a percentage of
capital raised, (2) options to purchase common stock of the Company and (3) 5%
of the proceeds related to exercise of warrants issued with the Series A
preferred shares. The total fees earned and the value of the options granted
through the closing at July 31, 1998 amounted to $2,037,151. In accordance with
the placement agent agreement, on March 6, 1997, the placement agent was granted
2,800,000 options to purchase common stock of the Company at $0.3125 per share.
On December 12, 1997, these options were canceled and the Company granted the
placement agent 2,800,000 new options, for which the placement agent could
exchange each option for .85 share of the Company's stock upon registration. On
December 12, 1997, the Company valued the new options to be $1,278,631. The
Company has recognized the value of the new options and the percentage fee
earned by the placement agent and recorded this amount, which totaled $1,785,888
for the year ended December 31, 1997 as stock issuance cost, which is reflected
as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. In addition, if all warrants
issued in the Series A offering are exercised, the placement agent's 5% fee
would increase by approximately $325,000.
Series B
- --------
In April 1998, the Company created a Series B issue of preferred stock, which it
offered in a Regulation D Private Placement. The Company offered 3,000 shares of
the 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock at a purchase price of
$1,000 per share. Each share had a stated value of $1,000 and a par value of
$0.01 per share. The Series B offer closed on May 28, 1998. The Company issued
all 3,000 shares for $3,000,000, resulting in $2,670,000 net cash proceeds to
the Company. (See note I related to the placement agent fee.) The Series B
preferred stock will not pay dividends and is nonvoting stock.
Each share of Series B preferred stock shall be convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock based upon a conversion formula, as defined in the
offering agreement.
In conjunction with the offering, 500,000 warrants were issued to the Series B
shareholders proportionate to each investor's number of shares purchased to the
total shares offered. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock at a price 110% of the closing bid price as of the
closing of the Series B offering. The exercise price is $4.34. The exercise
price and number of shares to be purchased may be adjusted from time to time
based on computations included in the warrant agreement. Such warrants are
exercisable for three years after closing of the Series B offering.
The Company has allocated the equity raised between the preferred stock and the
warrants. Based on the valuation of each on the date of issuance, the Company
will allocate approximately $955,000 to the preferred stock and $2,045,000 to
the warrants.
Each holder of Series B preferred stock will have the right to convert their
shares as follows: a) 50% of the shares on the effective date of registration
("conversion date") at the
44
<PAGE>
conversion price (lesser of (i) 25% off the five-day average closing bid price
for the Company's common stock immediately before conversion or (ii) 100% of
closing bid price for the Company's common stock on the date of closing, but not
less than $.50 per share of the Company's common stock) and b) 50% of the shares
on the 45th day after the effective date of registration at the conversion
price. The holder shall be entitled to an additional discount privilege equal to
1% per month, or fraction of a month, from the time of closing until the
conversion date for any conversion 30 days after the conversion date and 1/2%
per month or fraction of a month for any conversions thereafter ("additional
discount"). All shares outstanding on May 1, 2001 will be automatically
converted into common stock in accordance with the conversion formula, at the
conversion price.
The Company will have the right, in its sole discretion, to redeem in whole or
in part any shares of Series B preferred stock submitted for conversion. The
redemption price per share of common stock after conversion of the Series B
preferred stock shall be calculated as 133% of the face value plus any accrued
additional discount.
On the date of issuance of the Series B preferred stock, the conversion price of
certain of the Series B preferred stock was less than the quoted market price of
the Company's common stock. Accordingly, had the shares been converted as of the
issuance date, the intrinsic value of this beneficial conversion feature would
have been approximately $1,288,000. The eventual accretion of the intrinsic
value of the beneficial conversion feature will be recorded as an increase in
the carrying value of the preferred stock and a dividend charge to accumulated
deficit over the conversion rights period.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company,
either voluntary or involuntary (a "liquidation"), the holders of shares of the
Series B preferred stock then issued and outstanding shall be entitled to be
paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its
shareholders, whether from capital, surplus or earnings, before any payment
shall be made to the holders of shares of the common stock or upon any other
series of preferred stock of the Company with a liquidation preference
subordinate to the liquidation preference of the Series A preferred stock. The
amount of the pay-out will be an amount per share equal to the stated value.
The Series B preferred stock subscription agreements contain a "put" provision
for common stock which allows the Company to raise an additional $3,000,000. The
provision specifies that 75 days after the effective date of the registration of
additional common shares to be used under this provision, the Company may sell
common stock (the "put stock") to the Series B subscribers. The price of the put
stock is determined by taking the lower of (1) 80% of the lowest closing bid
price for the previous 20 trading days prior to funding or (2) 80% of the
closing bid price on the day of funding. The minimum draw is $250,000 and the
maximum draw is $750,000. If the price of the Company's common stock for the 20
trading days prior to the funding is less than $1.25 and the average trading
volume is less than $300,000 per day for the previous 20 trading days, the
Series B shareholders have the option not to fund the requested draw. These
minimums increase as the amount of the funds requested by the Company increase
from $250,000 to $750,000.
45
<PAGE>
On the date of issuance of the Series B preferred stock with the put provision,
the conversion price under the put provision was less than the quoted market
price of the Company's common stock. Accordingly, had the put provision been
exercised at the date of issuance of the Series B preferred stock, the intrinsic
value of the beneficial conversion feature would have been approximately
$483,000. The put provision will be recorded as an offsetting charge to
shareholders' equity. The stock put rights will be amortized over the period of
the put provision with an offsetting charge to accumulated deficit. The
accretion of the intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature will be
recorded ratably over the term of the put contract (two years from execution of
the subscription agreement) based on the earliest dates the Company may put its
shares.
Series C
- --------
In August 1998, the Company created a Series C issue of preferred stock. The
Company offered 4,000 shares of the 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred
stock at a purchase price of $1,000 and no par value. When the offering ended
September 1, 1998, the Company had issued 3,000 shares for $3,000,000, resulting
in $2,670,000 net cash proceeds to the Company (see note I for discussion of
placement agent fee). The Series C preferred stock will not pay dividends and is
nonvoting stock.
In conjunction with the offering, 495,000 warrants will be issued to the Series
C shareholders proportionate to each investor's number of shares purchased to
the total shares offered. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase shares of
the Company's common stock at a price of $4.34. The exercise price and numbers
of shares to be purchased may be adjusted from time to time based on
computations included in the warrant agreement. Such warrants are exercisable
for three years after closing of the Series C offering.
The Company has allocated the equity raised between the preferred stock and the
related warrants. Based on the valuation of each on the date of issuance, the
Company will allocate $1,802,000 to the preferred stock and $1,198,000 to the
warrants.
Fifty percent of each share of Series C preferred stock shall be convertible on
the earlier of the effective date of registration of the Company's common
("conversion date") or 120 days from the closing of the Series C preferred
stock, the remaining 50% shall be convertible on the earlier of the 45th day
after the effective date of registration or 165 days from the closing of the
Series C preferred stock. The conversion price will be either the discounted
price (25% off of the five-day average closing bid price immediately before the
conversion date) or $3.94, whichever is less. However, in no event shall the
conversion price be less than $1.875 per share. In the event the stock trades
below $1.875 for five consecutive days prior to the conversion date, the floor
price will be adjusted to the lowest closing bid price for the Company's common
stock during such five-day period from which the holder shall be entitled to an
additional discount. The holder shall be entitled to an additional discount
privilege equal to 1% per month, or fraction of a month, from the time of
closing until the conversion date for any conversion 30 days after the
conversion date and 1/2% per month, or
46
<PAGE>
fraction of a month, for any conversions thereafter ("additional discount"). All
shares outstanding on June 1, 2001 will be automatically converted into common
stock on such date in accordance with the conversion formula and the conversion
price then in effect.
The Company shall have the right in its sole discretion, to redeem, prior to
receipt of the notice of conversion, in whole or in part any shares of Series C
preferred stock. The redemption price per share of common stock after conversion
of the Series C preferred stock shall be calculated as 133% of the face value
plus any unpaid penalty should the Company not effect the date of registration
150 days from closing. The Company shall not have a redemption privilege if the
common stock is trading above $3.50 per share unless the holder agrees in
writing to allow the Company to redeem such shares.
On the date of issuance of the Series C preferred stock, the conversion price of
certain of the Series C preferred stock was less than the quoted market price of
the Company's common stock. Accordingly, had the shares been converted as of the
issuance date, the intrinsic value of this beneficial conversion feature would
have been approximately $263,000. The eventual accretion of the intrinsic value
of the beneficial conversion feature will be measured at the date of conversion
and will be recorded as an increase in the carrying value of the preferred stock
and a dividend charge to retained earnings over the conversion rights period.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company,
either voluntary or involuntary (a "liquidation"), the holders of shares of the
Series C preferred stock then issued and outstanding shall be entitled to be
paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its
shareholders, whether from capital, surplus or earnings, before any payment
shall be made to the holders of shares of the common stock or upon any other
series of preferred stock of the Company with a liquidation preference
subordinate to the liquidation preferences of the Series A and B preferred
stock. The amount of the pay-out will be an amount per share equal to the stated
value.
47
<PAGE>
NOTE G - INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 are as follows:
1995 1996 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
Deferred taxes (benefit)
Federal (879,938) (2,732,891) (1,588,986)
State (155,283) (482,609) (246,430)
----------- ----------- -----------
Income tax benefit (1,035,221) (3,215,500) (1,835,416)
Increase in valuation allowance 1,035,221 3,215,500 1,835,416
----------- ----------- -----------
Income tax provision $ - $ - $ -
=========== =========== ===========
Components of the Company's deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997
are as follows:
1996 1997
------------ ------------
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 3,374,800 $ 5,057,005
Compensation related to granting of stock
options 1,170,800 1,670,109
Amortization of goodwill - 18,627
----------- -----------
Total deferred tax assets 4,545,600 6,745,741
Valuation allowance (4,545,600) (6,745,741)
----------- -----------
$ - $ -
=========== ===========
Because of the uncertainty associated with future realization of the deferred
tax assets, the deferred tax asset has been offset in total by a valuation
allowance.
48
<PAGE>
The Company has net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards for federal tax return
purposes that may be offset against future taxable income. If not used, the
carryforwards will expire as follows. The use of the NOLs is subject to
statutory and regulatory limitations regarding changes in ownership.
Operating
losses
--------------
2009 $ 1,076,200
2010 2,249,000
2011 5,111,700
2012 3,374,100
--------------
$ 11,811,000
==============
Reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the effective rates were as
follows:
1995 1996 1997
--------- --------- ---------
U.S. federal statutory income
tax rate 34.00 % 34.00 % 34.00 %
State income taxes, net of
federal tax benefit 4.71 4.71 2.38
Amortization of intangibles assets - - 2.48
Valuation allowance (38.71) (38.71) (38.86)
--------- --------- ---------
- % - % - %
========= ========= =========
NOTE H - LEASES
The Company has entered into several operating leases for office space and
equipment that are to expire at certain times through 2002. Additionally, the
Company has certain capital lease obligations for office equipment. As of
December 31, 1997, the Company had the following minimum lease payments:
49
<PAGE>
Year ending December 31,
- ----------------------------
1998 $ 152,003
1999 15,997
2000 15,225
2001 7,718
2002 5,846
-------------
Total minimum lease payments $ 196,789
=============
Included in the above are lease payments being made by the Company on behalf of
the former lessee. During 1998, Management completed the process of assuming
this lease. Total rent expense was $8,400, $47,672 and $62,844 for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The amount of related
party rent expense was $8,400, $11,400 and $-0- for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
NOTE I - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Employment Agreements
- ---------------------
Through December 31, 1995, the Company had entered into separate employment
agreements with four of its officers. The agreements for the four officers were
to expire November 11, 1997 and automatically renew for an additional one-year
period unless the Company or the employees notified the other party not less
than 120 days prior to the expiration of the agreement of the Company's or the
employees' intent to let the agreement expire. One of the officers resigned on
January 8, 1997, but the remaining terms and conditions of his employment
agreement remained in full force as they related to his continuing obligations
(i.e., noncompete agreement) to the Company. The agreements for two of the
officers were terminated by the Board of Directors effective March 15, 1997.
During 1996, the Company entered into separate employment agreements with three
of its officers and one employee. All agreements expire in 1998 and do not
automatically renew. The agreements for two of the officers were terminated
August 6, 1996 and January 27, 1997, respectively.
All of the above agreements included the granting of stock options to purchase
common stock (see note J).
50
<PAGE>
Placement Agent Fee
- -------------------
Series B
- --------
Under the terms of the placement agent agreement related to the issuance of
Series B preferred stock, the placement agent was paid fees equal to 11% of the
funded amount of $3,000,000 or $330,000 for the placement of the 3,000 shares of
Series B preferred stock, 50,000 shares of common stock of the Company, valued
at approximately $66,000 as of the closing date, for establishing the put equity
line of credit and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at a
price and under the conditions of the Series B preferred stock investors'
warrants, valued at approximately $269,000 as of the closing date. In addition,
as the Company, at its sole discretion, utilizes the put equity line of credit,
the placement agent will receive a fee of 8% of the cash actually invested at
each funding. If the entire line of credit is used, the placement agent would
earn an additional $240,000.
Series C
- --------
Under the terms of the placement agent agreement related to the issuance of
Series C preferred stock, the placement agent was paid fees equal to 11% of the
funded amount of $3,000,000 or $330,000 for the placement of the 3,000 shares of
Series C preferred stock, and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of common
stock at a price and under the conditions of the Series C preferred stock
investors' warrants, valued at approximately $228,000 as of September 1, 1998,
the closing date.
Litigation
- ----------
In December 1994, a former officer and director filed suit against the Company,
claiming damages for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of oral agreement,
interference with contractual relations, conspiracy, restitution and fraud. On
April 4, 1995, the Company filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff for fraud,
breach of fiduciary duty, declaratory relief, recission, intentional and
negligent interference with prospective advantage and money loaned. On December
17, 1996, the Court entered summary judgment against the plaintiff on all claims
against the Company. On February 5, 1997, all claims were dismissed and final
judgment was entered. On February 11, 1997, the plaintiff filed a notice of
appeal. On February 2, 1998, the Company and the plaintiff agreed to a
settlement in which plaintiff would receive a certain number of the Company's
common shares. The Company recognized a liability of $58,905 as of December 31,
1997, related to the settlement. The liability is included in due to former
officers and shareholders in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
The Company filed a lawsuit against three individuals formerly associated with
the Company for misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion and breach of
fiduciary duty. The defendants filed counterclaims against the Company alleging
intentional interference with economic advantage, intentional interference with
contractual relations and unfair
51
<PAGE>
competition arising out of the same set of occurrences. On July 26, 1996, the
Company filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. On December 4, 1996, the
District Court granted the Company's motion and issued a preliminary injunction
against the defendants. The injunction was conditioned upon the Company's
posting a bond in the amount of $1,000,000. The Company did not post the bond
and the injunction was dissolved. Prior to December 31, 1997, the case was
settled in conjunction with another related case. See the following paragraph
for a discussion of the settlement.
On December 20, 1996, a lawsuit was filed against the Company by one of the
individuals discussed above and another individual formerly associated with the
Company. The complaint alleges multiple claims including breach of contract,
fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, wrongful
termination and conversion, all arising out of the plaintiffs' employment with
the Company. On March 25, 1997, the Company filed a counterclaim for
misappropriation of trade secrets, conversion and breach of fiduciary duty. On
June 25, 1997, the Company and the plaintiffs agreed to a settlement in which
the Company would pay cash and provide options to purchase shares of registered
Company common stock. Currently, the Company is unable to comply with the
requirement because the Company does not have a registration statement on file
with the SEC. The Court has requested continual updates regarding the Company's
efforts to comply. The Company recognized a liability of $266,000 related to the
settlement of this case in 1997. The liability is included in due to former
officers and shareholders in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Inability to provide unrestricted underlying stock has raised questions about
the validity of the agreement and could result in consequential damages assessed
against the Company. At this time management is unable to estimate the
likelihood or amount of any such damages.
In June 1997, a former director and officer filed a complaint against the
Company, in which he requested the Court to declare that he could sell 220,000
shares of the Company's common stock standing in his name. The Company also
filed a complaint against the former officer and director in which it asserted
claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a certain employment agreement,
accounting as to a certain severance agreement, declaratory relief, fraud and
conspiracy to defraud. In the declaratory relief claim, the Company alleged that
the former director and officer is required, pursuant to a certain reverse stock
split agreement, to return all of his issued and outstanding shares of the
Company so that new certificates equal to one-half the shares presently standing
in his name can be issued to him, the remaining shares to be retained by the
Company. In September 1997, the former director and officer filed a counterclaim
against the Company asserting claims for partial recission of the severance
agreement, breach of the severance agreement, recission of a certain lock-up
agreement, or in the alternative, breach of the lock-up agreement, and tortuous
interference with economic advantage. An unfavorable outcome against the Company
would not require the former officer and director to return his shares under the
reverse stock split agreement. Additionally, the Company would be required to
pay a maximum of $300,000 under the severance agreement among the former officer
and director, and another individual claiming existence of an employment and/or
consulting arrangement. At December 31, 1997, the
52
<PAGE>
Company accrued $203,522 related to this matter as due to former officer in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
In November 1997, the individual claiming the existence of an employment and/or
consulting agreement filed a complaint against the Company claiming recission
for breach of a severance agreement, or in the alternative, breach of severance
agreement. The settlement of this case would fall within the severance
settlement in the above case.
On September 1, 1998, a settlement agreement for all outstanding claims and
obligations was reached between the Company and the former officer/director and
the individual claiming existence of an employment and/or consulting agreement.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, 350,000 shares of the Company's
common stock, previously transferred by the former officer/director to the
individual claiming existence of an employment and/or consulting agreement can
remain with the individual. The former officer/director returned his 1,252,000
remaining shares of the Company's common stock, on or about September 23, 1998,
and the Company reissued him 350,000 shares of its common stock. The settlement
also provides that the individual claiming existence of an employment and/or
consulting agreement has the option to purchase the Company's former ED and UITI
technologies for $50,000. This option was exercised on November 1, 1998.
On June 28, 1998, the Company and CBS Corporation agreed to a settlement for
amounts past due, owed to CBS by Skysite. Under the settlement, the Company was
required to pay CBS $430,000. In 1998, the Company has made payment and CBS has
released all of its prior claims and security interests against the Company. At
December 31, 1997, the Company has fully recognized this settlement in accounts
payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
On July 27, 1998, a former employee and consultant of the Company filed a
complaint against the Company for breach of an employment contract related to
his employment termination. The plaintiff has requested unpaid wages and
severance totaling $100,000, the value of 100,000 stock options, to which the
former employee believes he is entitled, punitive damages (to be proved at the
time of trial), and related interest. Management believes that the plaintiff was
terminated for just cause and fully compensated under his employment agreement.
Given the early stage of the case, it is not possible to determine the
likelihood of an unfavorable outcome on this matter. Therefore, the Company has
not included an accrual for any possible loss in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements.
On August 14, 1998, the Company received correspondence from the legal counsel
of Intelligent Decision Systems, Inc., alleging breach of certain terms of a
technology licensing agreement, between Intelligent Decision Systems, Inc. and
the Company. Intelligent Decision Systems, Inc. is requesting return of the
consideration previously paid as the initial license fee of $968,750, plus
interest from February 1995. Management intends to vigorously defend the case.
As no lawsuit or arbitration has been filed, the likelihood of an unfavorable
outcome cannot be determined at this time; therefore, no accrual has been
included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
53
<PAGE>
Supplier Agreement
- ------------------
Skysite is subject to a "take-or-pay" provision pursuant to an agreement with a
supplier of private network satellite products and services. Under this
agreement, Skysite has made payments totaling $418,593. Effective January 1,
1998, Skysite executed a new agreement with the supplier requiring Skysite to
make future minimum purchases from the supplier as follows (assuming no
cancellation of the agreement under termination provisions described below).
Year ending December 31,
- ----------------------------
1998 $ 252,000
1999 572,000
2000 892,000
2001 1,212,000
2002 1,532,000
2003 1,852,000
2004 2,172,000
2005 1,206,000
-------------
Total $ 9,690,000
=============
Satisfaction of annual commitments are evaluated quarterly, beginning with a
minimum commitment of $33,000 in the first quarter of 1998 plus increases in
subsequent quarterly commitments of $20,000 each. Notwithstanding the above
provision, Skysite may terminate its agreement with the supplier upon 90 days
written notice, in which case Skysite is required to pay a termination fee equal
to 30% of the remaining unpaid balance as of the date of cancellation.
In August 1998, Project 77 entered into a take or pay minute of use commitment
for three million minutes with Iridium North America. The minutes must be taken
or paid within fifteen months following the commercial launch of the Iridium
System. The impact on the consolidated financial statements cannot be determined
due to potential fluctuations in future rates.
54
<PAGE>
NOTE J - STOCK OPTIONS
The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Company's
various stock option arrangements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Options Exercise price per average
outstanding share exercise price
------------- ------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994 1,002,400 $ 0.625 $ 0.6250
Granted 1,165,200 0.625 0.6250
Exercised - - -
Cancelled/Expired - - -
------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 2,167,600 0.625 0.6250
Granted 1,145,000 0.625 0.6250
Granted (immediately
exercisable) 75,000 10.5625-11 10.7100
Exercised (400,000) 0.625 0.6250
Cancelled/Expired - - -
------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 2,987,600 0.625-11 0.8780
Granted 2,860,000 0-0.88 0.1500
Granted (immediately
(exercisable) 568,000 0.3125-2.6250 0.9146
Exercised - - -
Cancelled/Expired (400,000) - 0.6250
------------ --------------- -------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 6,015,600 $ 0-11 $ 0.5100
============ =============== =============
</TABLE>
51
<PAGE>
The following table summarizes the status of options outstanding as of December
31, 1997.
Weighted average
remaining Number
Exercise price Number contractual life exercisable
- ---------------- ------------ --------------------- -----------------
$0.0000 2,380,000 2.2 -
0.3125 264,000 4.1 264,000
0.5000 120,000 4.3 120,000
0.6250 2,562,600 4.4 2,562,600
0.8733-0.9688 240,000 4.6 120,000
0.100-2.625 374,000 3.3 374,000
10.563-11.0 75,000 3.3 75,000
- ---------------- ------------ --------------------- -----------------
$0-11.0 6,015,600 3.4 3,515,600
================ ============ ===================== =================
The Company has adopted three stock option plans under which it has granted
options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock. In addition, the
Company has granted additional options to purchase shares of Common Stock
outside of any stock option plan. As of December 31, 1997, the shares underlying
the stock options have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or under the securities laws of any applicable state. The Company
has granted the foregoing options and permitted the issuance of shares of Common
Stock upon the exercise of certain stock options in reliance on the exemption
from registration found in Section 4(2) of the Act or Rules 505 or 506
promulgated thereunder and similar state securities exemptions. Section 4(2) of
the Act exempts from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Act those
transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. If it is determined
at a later date that the grant of the aforementioned stock options or the
issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise thereof involved a public
offering for which the Company cannot find an exemption, then the Company will
have committed a Section 5 violation, or a violation of similar state securities
laws, and may be subject to suit by shareholders pursuant to Section 12 of the
Act or such other similar state securities laws. A successful suit under Section
5 or 12 of the Act or their state securities law counterparts could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations.
In September 1995, the Company adopted a stock option plan that reserved a total
of 2,400,000 shares of authorized, but unissued shares of common stock (the
"1995 plan").
56
<PAGE>
Options under the 1995 plan may be granted to employees and/or parties who
render services to the Company. The final date on which options could be granted
was September 30, 1996. All options will expire on June 30, 2001 if not
previously exercised. During 1995, 725,200 options were granted to employees and
officers under the 1995 plan at an exercise price of $0.625 per share. During
1998, 150,000 options under the 1995 plan have been exercised.
In addition, during September 1995, 440,000 stock options were granted to
parties under various agreements at an exercise price of $0.625 per share. These
options expire in September 2000. During 1998, 120,000 options have been
exercised.
In January 1996, the Company granted options to purchase 170,000 shares of
common stock to various individuals at an exercise price of $0.625 per share
under the 1995 plan. All options expire October 1, 2000. No options have been
exercised.
In March 1996, the Company granted 400,000 options for services rendered in
connection with fund-raising activities to an investment advisor. These options
were exercised in 1996.
In May 1996 and September 1996, the Company, pursuant to employment agreements,
granted options to purchase 575,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price
of $0.625 per share. These options were issued to three officers and an employee
of the Company. Options to purchase 100,000 shares of the common stock were
immediately vested with the balance of the options vesting over a two-year
period. These options expire at various dates through September 2001. At the May
1997 Board meeting, the Company elected to cancel 350,000 of these options that
had not vested as of December 31, 1996. These employees were incorporated into
the new employee stock option plan effective January 1, 1997.
Effective May 6, 1996, the Company established a nonemployee directors' stock
option plan (the "director plan") whereby each person who is elected a director
and constitutes an eligible participant shall be granted an option to purchase
25,000 shares of common stock on the effective date of his/her becoming an
eligible participant. Each person who is subsequently re-elected to a second and
third term will be granted an option to purchase an additional 25,000 and 50,000
shares, respectively. The exercise price per share for all options granted under
the director plan will be equal to the market price of the common stock as of
the date of grant. The term of each option is for a period of five years from
the date of grant. During 1996, three directors were elected with each receiving
25,000 options. Effective March 15, 1997, the Board of Directors amended the
plan, entitling each outside director to receive 40,000 options quarterly which
will vest on the following dates: March 15, 1997; June 15, 1997; September 15,
1997; December 15, 1997; and March 15, 1998. The exercise price of each option
will be the average bid price for the 90 days immediately preceding the vesting.
The difference between the exercisable price and the fair value of the stock as
of the date of issuance represents deferred compensation which the Company will
recognize on the date the options vest. If a director should resign, options
will be awarded according to the above schedule through the closing date of the
quarter in which he/she submits the resignation. The
57
<PAGE>
Company reserved 300,000 shares of authorized but unissued shares of common
stock for this plan.
Effective March 14, 1997, the Board of Directors asked that two employees of the
Company vacate their employee agreements and continue to work for the Company
under the new employee stock option plan. Under the new plan, any and all
employees' in previous agreements will have their options prorated through
December 31, 1996. All full-time employees of record on January 1, 1997 will be
covered by the new employee stock option plan. Every full-time employee on
record will be granted 25,000 options on the first trading day of each calendar
quarter. Each option is vested as it is granted and the exercise price of each
option will be $.3125. As a result of implementation of the new plan and the
change in the options to be given, the Company has canceled the unvested options
by reducing deferred compensation and additional paid-in capital, and valued the
new options based upon the current exercise price and market value.
During 1997, the Company granted 1,048,000 options to employees and nonemployee
directors. These options were issued under various arrangements with different
terms for the exercise price and vesting periods. During 1998, 150,000 options
have been exercised.
In December 1997, in connection with the Series A issue of preferred stock, the
Company granted the placement agent 2,800,000 options for which the placement
agent could exchange each option for $.85 a share (see note F), or 2,380,000
shares, of the Company's common stock upon registration.
On February 21, 1998, the Board adopted the 1998 stock option plan which went
into effect on January 1, 1998. The number of shares reserved for stock options
was increased to 6,000,000. Officers, other key employees, directors and
advisors of the Company who contribute to the growth of the Company shall be
eligible for the plan. Both the option term and price are to be determined at
the date of grant.
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB Opinion No. 25, because
the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options is generally equal to
the fair value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, no compensation
expense is recognized. In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which
established an alternative method of expense recognition for stock-based
compensation awards to employees based on fair values. The Company elected not
to adopt SFAS No. 123 for expense recognition purposes.
58
<PAGE>
Proforma information regarding net income is required by SFAS No. 123 and has
been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options
under the fair value method of that statement. The weighted-average fair value
of options granted during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 was
$0.63, $10.14 and $1.26, respectively. The fair value for options was estimated
at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions:
1995 1996 1997
--------------- --------------- ----------------
Expected life (in years) 3 3 3
Risk-free interest rate 6.5% 6.5% 6.1%
Volatility factor 20.0% 20.0% 150.0%
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price characteristics, which
are significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in
the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate,
in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a
reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No.
123, the Company's net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the
following proforma amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
--------------- --------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss available to common
stockholders
As reported $ (2,588,053) $ (8,056,918) $ (6,315,101)
Proforma (2,758,053) (8,236,918) (6,703,585)
Net loss per common share
As reported $ (0.15) $ (0.37) $ (0.31)
Proforma (0.16) (0.38) (0.32)
</TABLE>
59
<PAGE>
Because the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123 has not been applied to
options granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting proforma
compensation cost may not be representative of that to be expected in
future years.
NOTE K - LICENSE FEE INCOME
In January 1995, the Company entered into a license agreement with Digital
Sciences, Inc. to license its "ED" technology and services, and received an
initial license fee paid in the form of 250,000 shares of Digital Sciences,
Inc. common stock with a fair value of $629,688. The Company recognized
this stock receipt as income during 1995 as management believed that all of
the requirements of the Company under the agreement were completed during
the year. In addition, Digital Sciences, Inc. will pay a license fee based
on a percentage of gross revenue derived from the use of the ED technology
and services. The Company did not receive an such license fees in 1996 and
1997.
As a result of various mergers and acquisitions, the Company's shares in
Digital Sciences, Inc. were converted to shares in Intelligent Decision
Systems, Inc. ("IDSI"). In November 1996, the Company agreed to transfer
all of its shares of IDSI stock to a stockholder in exchange for the
cancellation of a loan of $500,000 made by such stockholder to the Company
in October 1996. The Company recognized a loss of $129,688 on this
transfer.
NOTE L - LICENSE FEE EXPENSE
In 1994, as part of an agreement with NTN Communications, Inc. (NTN), the
Company incurred and expensed a license fee of $250,000. Of this fee,
$200,000 was paid in 1994. The remaining $50,000 has not been paid and is
included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet. The initial term of the agreement expires
December 13, 2001. Unless terminated, the agreement will be extended for a
period of seven years. The Company has a nonexclusive worldwide license to
promote, market and develop an online computer service, which was to be
provided by NTN, for use with the Company's now abandoned product. The
technology of the computer service provides two-way interactive
computerized games that are broadcast to multiple locations, can be played
by multiple participants at each location and allow the retrieval and
processing of data entered by the participants. The Company is required to
pay usage royalties as defined in the agreement. The Company has not used
the NTN online computer service and has not paid any royalties to NTN. The
Company has abandoned this product and does not intend to use the NTN
service in the future.
In January 1996, the Company finalized an agreement with a technology
company, for a nonexclusive, nontransferable license to its computer
operating system technology. The initial term of the agreement expires
December 26, 1998. Unless terminated, in accordance with the terms of the
agreement, the agreement is to be renewable for subsequent three-year
periods at the licensee's option. The Company is required to pay usage
royalties as defined in the agreement. To date no usage royalties have been
paid by the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is
required to pay a minimum royalty of $900,000 to
60
<PAGE>
the licensor or its successors. In January 1996, the Company paid an
initial royalty deposit of $450,000 to the licensor, and recognized this
payment as research and development expense. The Company also recorded an
additional liability in the amount of $450,000 for the unpaid portion of
the minimum royalty.
NOTE M - SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS/SUPPLIERS
A significant portion of the Company's net revenue is derived from a
limited number of customers. From August 26, 1997 to December 31, 1997,
approximately 22% of the Company's total net revenue was derived from the
Royal Bahamas Police Force.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company purchased
its supplies from three suppliers - Westinghouse Electric, American Mobile
Satellite Corporation and Mitsubishi Electronics America.
NOTE N - RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During 1995 and 1996, the Company made advances to stockholders of $57,908
and $116,478, respectively. The 1995 amount, which was originally intended
to be recovered, was forgiven during the year in which it was advanced and
accounted for as compensation expense in 1995.
NOTE O - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In April and August 1998, the Company made loans totaling $510,000 to a
target company in a potential acquisition. On May 6, 1998, the Company
signed a letter of intent to acquire the target company and certain other
companies. Subsequently, the Company and the target companies mutually
rescinded their letter of intent, and agreed to end discussions for the
time being. In December 1998, the Company and target companies resumed
exploratory conversations.
On July 2, 1998, the Company settled two outstanding cases with two former
officers and directors. Under the terms of the settlement, the plaintiffs
returned to the Company outstanding common shares totaling 872,000 and the
Company canceled 450,800 of options previously issued to the plaintiffs.
The Company released the restrictions associated with the remaining shares
held by the two parties. However, the two parties have agreed to specific
terms (i.e. timing) under which the shares can be sold and the options
exercised. Additionally, one of the plaintiffs has released the Company
from any further payments related to a note payable of $105,000 and accrued
interest of $12,701 owed by the Company to the plaintiff as of December 31,
1997.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
DECLINATION/RESIGNATION OF BLACKMAN KALLICK BARTELSTEIN, LLP.
The Company's former independent public accountants, Blackman Kallick
Bartelstein, LLP ("BKB"), declined to stand for re-election as the Company's
auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
The declination/resignation of BKB was effected by letter dated September
24, 1997.
BKB's Report to the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 was
qualified with respect to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
BKB's report stated that the Company's financial statements had been prepared
assuming that it would continue as a going concern; that the Company continues
to be a development stage enterprise and to date has not generated any revenues
from product sales or positive cash flows from operations; that the ultimate
success of the Company is dependent upon its ability to complete the development
of its products and technology and to successfully introduce its products to the
consumer marketplace; and that the Company must also be able to raise
significant additional capital in debt or equity markets for both the
introduction and development of products and also to sustain the day-to-day
operations of the company. BKB concluded that these factors raised substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The decision to change accountants was not recommended or approved by the
Company's Board of Directors or Audit Committee, although the Board understood
that since the Company had moved its operations to California, it was not
feasible to continue to have its books audited by a small, Chicago, Illinois
based accounting firm and therefore understood that BKB would probably
voluntarily resign or decline to stand for re-election as the Company's
auditors.
During the two most recent fiscal years, namely the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1996, and December 31, 1997, and the subsequent interim periods
preceding the decision of BKB to decline to stand for re-election as the
Company's auditors, there were no disagreements with BKB on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing
scope or procedure.
ENGAGEMENT/RESIGNATION OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN
On April 1, 1998, the Company engaged Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
principal accountants to audit the Company's and its subsidiaries financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. On September 30, 1998,
the Company's auditors, Arthur Andersen LLP, resigned as the Company's
independent accountants. The change in accountant is a result of Arthur Andersen
LLP's resignation and was not recommended or approved by the Company's Board of
Directors, nor was such approval required in order to give effect to the
resignation.
Arthur Andersen LLP was engaged to perform an audit of the Company's and
its subsidiary's 1997 consolidated financial statements and had issued an
unqualified report, dated September 1, 1998, on the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiary as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1997. That report, however, was not released by the Company, and on
September 30, 1998, Arthur Andersen LLP withdrew the report. Arthur Andersen
LLP's resignation and withdrawal were not related to the financial statements.
Further, there were no disagreements between the Company and Arthur Andersen LLP
on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure or reportable events during such
periods or through the interim period ended September 30, 1998 (date of
resignation).
Arthur Andersen LLP has advised the Company that at the time of its
resignation, it was preparing to issue a management letter with comments and
suggestions for consideration related to the Company's internal controls. This
letter was to contain a reference to material weaknesses in the Company's
internal controls over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 1997.
However, Arthur Andersen LLP had expanded the scope of its audit to take account
of the weaknesses in internal control so as to be able to issue an unqualified
report and its resignation and withdrawal of the report were unrelated to the
Company's financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 1997. Management
of the Company believes that it has begun to address the issues during 1998 with
the employment of qualified personnel in financial reporting positions.
On September 17, 1998, the Company became aware that persons affiliated
with WS Marketing and Financial Services, Inc., the placement agent used by the
Company during its Series B and C stock offerings in 1998, are currently under
Federal indictment concerning matters unrelated to the Placement Agent's
relationship with the Company. See "Risk Factors--Indictment of WS Marketing
and Financial Services, Inc."
ENGAGEMENT OF REZNICK FEDDER & SILVERMAN
The Company on October 15, 1998 engaged Reznick Fedder & Silverman P.C. to
perform an audit of its financial statements for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997. Prior to October 15, 1998, the Company had not consulted Reznick
Fedder & Silverman P.C. regarding the application of accounting principles to a
specified transaction where a written report or oral advice was provided to the
Company that it considered an important factor in reaching a decision as to any
accounting auditing or financial reporting issue.
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<PAGE>
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each of
the directors and executive officers of the Company as of December 28, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
----- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Robert Wussler .............. 61 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and Director of
Skysite
Edward Kopf ................. 51 Executive Vice President and Secretary
of the Company and Secretary of Skysite, Project
77 and Insat
David Ives .................. 46 Vice President, Treasurer and Controller of
the Company
Charles Maynard ............. 54 Chief Executive Officer of Skysite, Project 77
and Insat
Philip Kernan ............... 48 President and Chief Financial Officer of Skysite,
Project 77 and Insat
Lawrence Siegel ............. 49 Director of the Company and Skysite
Thomas Glenndahl ............ 51 Director of the Company and Skysite
Henrikas Iouchkiavitchious .. 63 Director of the Company and Skysite
A. Frans Heideman ........... 56 Director of the Company and Skysite
</TABLE>
ROBERT WUSSLER. Mr. Wussler has been Chairman of the Board since March
1997, a Director of the Company since May 1996 and President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since July 1998. Mr. Wussler has been a Director of
Skysite since August 1997. From June 1995 to May 1998, Mr. Wussler was the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Affiliate Enterprises, Inc., a
television syndication company. Since February 1992, Mr. Wussler has been the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wussler Group, a media consulting
group. From 1989 to 1992, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of
COMSAT Video Enterprises, which was in the business of satellite delivery of
entertainment to the U.S. lodging industry. Mr. Wussler is the former President
of CBS Television, CBS Sports and the former Senior Executive Vice President of
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Mr. Wussler is a member of the Board of
Directors of the following public companies: EDnet, INC. (OTC - DNET);
Nostalgia Network, Inc. (OTC - NNET); The Translation Group, Ltd. (OTC - THEO);
and Beachport Entertainment Corporation (OTC -BPRT).
EDWARD KOPF. Mr. Kopf has been the Executive Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company since July 1998. Prior to that, from January 1997 to
May 1998, Mr. Kopf was an independent consultant and from July 1991 to August
1996, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of American Political
Network, an information company located in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Kopf was
Vice President of Circuit Cities Stores, Inc. from 1982 to 1990.
DAVID IVES. Mr. Ives joined the Company in November 1998 as Vice President,
Treasurer and Controller. Prior to that, from May 1997 to August 1998, Mr. Ives
was the Corporate Controller of Telco Communications Group, Inc. and was
Assistant Corporate Controller from November 1996 to May 1997. From February
1994 to October 1996 he was Controller of LCC International, Inc. Mr. Ives was
U.S. Corporate Controller of ADT INC from 1987 to 1993.
CHARLES MAYNARD. Mr. Maynard has been the Chief Executive Officer of
Skysite since July 1997. Prior to joining Skysite, Mr. Maynard was the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cybernetics Services, Inc., a public
media and satellite network company engaged in the creation and delivery of
specialized programs and advertising to various markets. From 1995 to 1997, Mr.
Maynard was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Progressive World
Messaging, a company engaged in the marketing and delivery of wireless data text
messaging, voice messaging, extended cordless telephone service and interactive
video services. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Maynard served on the Board of Directors
of Source Media Inc. and from 1992 to 1994, he was the managing director of
TeleDiffusion de France.
PHILIP KERNAN. Mr. Kernan has been the President and Chief Financial
Officer of Skysite since July 1997. Prior to joining Skysite, Mr. Kernan worked
as a management consultant at Cybernetic Services, Inc. From May 1993 to
January 1997, Mr. Kernan was a Vice President of David Werner International.
63
<PAGE>
LAWRENCE SIEGEL. Mr. Siegel has been a Director of the Company since
March 1997. Mr. Siegel has been a director of Skysite since August 1997. From
March 1997 to July 1998, Mr. Siegel was the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, and had performed such duties since January 1997 upon
the resignation of William Buck. From January 1996 until January 1997, Mr.
Siegel was an independent consultant. From November 1994 until December 1995,
Mr. Siegel was the President of Yellow Pearl, Inc., a software company founded
by him in 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Siegel was the President of T-HQ, Inc., a
software company. From 1989 to 1992, he was the President of the Entertainment
Division of Atari Corporation.
THOMAS GLENNDAHL. Mr. Glenndahl was elected to the Board of Directors in
August 1996 and has been a director of Skysite since August 1997. He is the
founder and, since 1982, has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Aspect
Group, an international education group.
HENRIKAS IOUCHKIAVITCHIOUS. Mr. Iouchkiavitchious has been a Director of
the Company since February 1998. Since September 1990, Mr. Iouchkiavitchious has
been an assistant director-general of UNESCO, a division of the United Nations.
A. FRANS HEIDEMAN. Mr. Heideman has been a Director of the Company since
February 1998. Since 1993, Mr. Heideman has been the President of New Dominion
Capital Group, an investment banking firm. Mr. Heideman is a director of
Pyrocap International Corporation (OTC - PYOC), a manufacturer of specialty
products related to fire suppression and odor control and a director of Orion
Technologies, Inc., a Calgary-based Company that provides professional internet
services to businesses.
The Bylaws of the Company require that the Board of Directors be comprised
of not less than three nor more than nine members. There are currently five
members of the Board of Directors and one vacancy. The Company did not hold an
annual meeting of shareholders in 1997. The Company intends to hold its next
annual meeting of shareholders in early 1999.
As of March 1997, each non-employee Director received an option to purchase
up to 40,000 shares of Common Stock, every quarter, with the options vesting on
the 15th day of the month preceding the following quarter. The Company
discontinued the grant of such quarterly options following those grants made in
April 1998. The Company has granted 300,000 options pursuant to the terms of
the 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "1996 Stock
Option Plan") and 435,000 options pursuant to the terms of the 1998 Stock
Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan (the "1998 Stock Option
Plan"). None of the shares underlying any of the Company's stock option plans
have been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore,
many of the option grants were not granted pursuant to a written plan. For the
potential consequences of such option grants, see "Risk Factors--Risks
Associated With Stock Option Grants." Non-employee members of the Board of
Directors are entitled to a retainer fee of $6,000 per year, payable monthly,
and $1,000 per meeting attended, as well as reasonable expenses incurred in
attending such meetings. No family relationships exist between any of the
Directors or executive officers of the Company or Skysite.
SECTION 16(a) COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Company's officers, directors and greater than ten
percent shareholders of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to
file reports of beneficial ownership and changes of beneficial ownership with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 delivered to the Company by
its officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders, it appears that the
following reports were not timely filed: Mr. Glenndahl (Form 3); Donald
Gilbreath (Form 3); Roger Remillard (Form 3); William Buck (Form 3); Hugh Jencks
(Form 3); Jerome Greenberg (Form 3); Mitchell Melamed (Form 3); Robert Reid
(Form 3); Mr. Wussler (Form 3); and Mr. Siegel (Form 3).
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
compensation for fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 paid to the
Company's Chief Executive Officers (the "Named Executive Officers"). No other
executive officers of the Company received compensation in excess of $100,000
during 1997.
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<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------------------------- --------------------
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS/SARS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($) ($)
- -------------------------- ------- ------- ----- ------------- ------------ ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence Siegel........... 1997(1) 250,288 ---- ----- ----- ----- -----
President and Chief
Executive Officer
William Buck.............. 1997(2) ----- ---- ----- ----- ----- -----
President and Chief
Executive Officer
1996 60,000 ---- ----- ----- ----- -----
1995 60,000 ---- ----- 384,000 ----- -----
</TABLE>
________________
(1) Upon the resignation of Mr. Buck, Mr. Siegel replaced him as interim
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in January 1997, and
in March 1997, Mr. Siegel was appointed to such positions until May 1998,
when Mr. Wussler succeeded him.
(2) Mr. Buck resigned from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and
President of the Company on January 8, 1997.
THE STOCK OPTION PLANS
The Company has adopted three stock option plans, two of which, the 1996
Stock Option Plan and the 1998 Stock Option Plan, were adopted to provide a
means of performance-based compensation in an effort to attract and retain
qualified personnel. The Company can grant no further options pursuant to the
terms of its third stock option plan.
1996 Stock Option Plan
Effective May 1996, the Board of Directors adopted the 1996 Stock Option
Plan. The 1996 Stock Option Plan provides for the grant of stock options to the
non-employee Directors of the Company. The terms of the 1996 Stock Option Plan
provide that the exercise price of any options granted shall be no less than the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of grant. The exercise period
for any options granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan is five years.
The 1996 Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of options to purchase
300,000 shares of Common Stock and as of December 28, 1998, 300,000 shares
underlying the options were available for issue upon the exercise of such
options. Subject to anti-dilution provisions for a stock split, stock dividend,
combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization or other change in the
capital structure of the Company, corporate separation or division of the
Company, sale by the Company of all or a substantial portion of its assets,
reorganization, rights offering, a partial or complete liquidation, or any other
similar corporate transaction, the Board of Directors may adjust the number of
shares available for grant under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the number of
shares underlying outstanding options, the exercise price of outstanding options
and any other characteristics the Board of Directors deems necessary or
appropriate. In the event of a change in control, as defined in the 1996 Stock
Option Plan, any options not currently exercisable will become exercisable
immediately upon the occurrence of an event constituting a change in control.
Unless previously terminated by the Board of Directors, no options may be
granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan after December 31, 2000.
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<PAGE>
The exercise price of any option granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan
is payable in full (i) in cash, (ii) by surrender of shares of the Company's
Common Stock already owned by the option holder having a market value equal to
the aggregate exercise price of all shares to be purchased, (iii) by the
delivery of cash or the extension of credit by a broker-dealer, (iv) by the
delivery of a note executed by the optionholder, (v) by requesting that the
Company withhold whole shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of any
option, (vi) by certifying ownership of shares to the Board of Directors for
later delivery, or (vii) by any combination of the foregoing.
The Board of Directors may from time to time revise or amend the 1996 Stock
Option Plan, and may suspend or discontinue it at any time. However, no such
revision or amendment may impair the rights of any participant under any
outstanding Award without such participant's consent.
The Company has granted options to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock
at a per share exercise price ranging from approximately $0.50 to $10.87 per
share, vesting within three months from the date of grant under the 1996 Stock
Option Plan.
1998 Stock Option Plan
Effective January 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Stock
Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan (the "1998 Stock Option Plan"),
which provides for the grant of qualified incentive stock options ("ISOs") that
meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), stock options not so qualified ("NQSOs"), deferred stock,
restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and limited stock appreciation
rights awards ("Awards"). The 1998 Stock Option Plan may be administered by a
committee of directors appointed by the Board of Directors or by the Board (the
"Administrator"). Subject to shareholder approval of the 1998 Stock Option
Plan, ISOs may be granted to the officers and key employees of the Company, any
of its subsidiaries or parent corporation. The exercise price for any option
granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan may not be less than 100% (or 110% in
the case of ISOs granted to an employee who is deemed to own in excess of 10% of
the outstanding Common Stock) of the fair market value of the shares of Common
Stock at the time the option is granted.
The 1998 Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of options to purchase, and
Awards of 6,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, and as of December 28,
1998, 6,000,000 shares underlying the options were available for issue upon the
exercise of such options. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the
1998 Stock Option Plan is subject to anti-dilution provisions for stock splits,
stock dividends and similar events. If an option granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan expires or terminates, or an Award is forfeited, the shares subject
to any unexercised portion of such option or Award will again become available
for the issuance of further options or awards under the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
Under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, the Company may make loans available to
stock option plan holders, subject to the Administrator's approval, in
connection with the exercise of stock options granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan. If shares of Common Stock are pledged as collateral for such
indebtedness, such shares may be returned to the Company in satisfaction of such
indebtedness. If so returned, such shares shall again be available for issuance
in connection with future stock options and Awards under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan.
Unless the 1998 Stock Option Plan is previously terminated by the Board of
Directors, no options or Awards may be granted under the Stock Option Plan ten
years after the effective date of the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
Options granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan will become exercisable
according to the terms of the grant made by the Administrator. Awards will be
subject to the terms and restrictions of the award made by the Administrator.
The Administrator has discretionary authority to select participants from among
eligible persons and to determine at the time an option or Award is granted and
in the case of options, whether it is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO, and when
and in what increments shares covered by the option may be purchased.
Under current law, ISOs may not be granted to any individual who is not
also an officer or employee of the Company, any subsidiary or parent
corporation.
The exercise price of any option granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan
is payable in full (i) in cash, (ii) by surrender of shares of the Company's
Common Stock already owned by the option holder having a market value equal to
the aggregate exercise price of all shares to be purchased including, in the
case of the exercise of NQSOs, restricted stock subject to an Award under the
1998 Stock Option Plan, (iii) by cancellation of indebtedness owed by the
Company to the optionholder, (iv) by a full recourse promissory note executed by
the optionholder, (v) by requesting that the Company withhold whole shares of
Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of any option,
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<PAGE>
(vi) by arrangement with a broker which is acceptable to the Administrator, or
(vii) by any combination of the foregoing. The terms of any promissory note may
be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors to comply with applicable
Internal Revenue Service or Commission regulations or other relevant
pronouncements.
The Board of Directors may from time to time revise or amend the 1998 Stock
Option Plan, and may suspend or discontinue it at any time. However, no such
revision or amendment may impair the rights of any participant under any
outstanding Award without such participant's consent or may, without shareholder
approval, increase the number of shares subject to the 1998 Stock Option Plan,
materially modify the class of participants eligible to receive options or
Awards under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, or extend the maximum option term under
the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
The Company has granted options to purchase 435,000 shares of Common Stock
at a per share exercise price ranging from $0.81 to $4.88, vesting from time to
time from the date of grant under the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
In 1995, the Company adopted a stock option plan which permitted the grant
of options to purchase up to 2,400,000 shares of the Company's common stock
pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act (the "1995 Stock Option Plan"). Rule
701 exempts the sale of securities pursuant to the exercise of stock options for
those companies that are not required to make reports pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, if certain other conditions and restrictions are
satisfied. Because the Company is required to file reports pursuant to Section
13 of the Exchange Act, the Company can no longer grant options pursuant to this
Plan. The Company has granted options to purchase 1,910,200 shares pursuant to
the 1995 Stock Option Plan, of which, 680,000 shares have been issued and
1,230,200 are available for issue upon the exercise of such options. All grants
made pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan were made at a per share exercise
price of approximately $0.63.
The following tables set forth option grants and exercises for the named
executive officers for the year ended December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
PERCENT OF
TOTAL POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF OPTIONS ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES GRANTED TO PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR TERM
OPTIONS IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION ------------------------------
NAME GRANTED (#) YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- ----------- -------- ---------- ---------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William Buck ......... ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Lawrence Siegel(1) ... 40,000 5.52 1.1875 1/02/02 5,000 7,500
40,000 5.52 0.5000 4/1/02 43,000 46,000
40,000 5.52 0.8733 7/1/02 ----- -----
40,000 5.52 0.9688 10/1/02 3,248 5,248
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR ENDING OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF SHARES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
OPTIONS AT FISCAL THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
YEAR-END (#) FISCAL YEAR-END ($)(1)
---------------------- -------------------------
SHARE ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- -------------- ------------ ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William Buck(2) .... ----- ----- ----- -----
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
67
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence Siegel ... ----- ----- 160,000/0 257,600/0
</TABLE>
___________________
(1) The value of "in the money" options represents the difference between the
exercise price of such option and the $1.61 closing price of the Company's
Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Bulletin Board on December 31, 1997.
(2) Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Company, all outstanding
options granted to Mr. Buck were canceled on September 1, 1998.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Company does not have a Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. Decisions regarding the compensation of the Company's executive
officers are made by the Board. The only current or former officers or
employees of the Company that participated in decisions regarding the
compensation of the executive officers of the Company during the year ended
December 31, 1997 were Mr. Wussler, Mr. Siegel, Hugh Jencks, the Company's
former Secretary, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Jerome
Greenberg, the Company's former Chairman of the Board, Vice President and
Treasurer.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of December 28, 1998, except as set
forth in footnote 1 below, by (a) each director and the Named Executive Officers
of the Company, (b) each person known by the Company to beneficially own more
than five percent of the Common Stock and (c) all current executive officers and
directors as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY PERCENT OF SHARES
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED (4)
------------------------ ------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William Buck(1)........................... 350,000 2.1
Robert Wussler(2)(3)...................... 265,000 1.6
Thomas Glenndahl(2)(3).................... 265,000 1.6
Lawrence Siegel(2)(3)..................... 240,000 1.4
A. Frans Heideman(2)(3)................... 40,000 *
Henrikas Iouchkiavitchious(2)(3).......... 40,000 *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (8 persons)................. 1,078,000 6.6
</TABLE>
________________
* LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.
(1) To the best of the Company's knowledge, Mr. Buck can be reached at 11 Bis
du Dopropol, 75017 Paris, France. The 350,000 shares Mr. Buck is believed
to beneficially own is based upon a settlement agreement with the Company
dated September 1, 1998. Any subsequent acquisitions or dispositions by Mr.
Buck of the Company's Common Stock are unknown. Mr. Buck is no longer
affiliated with the Company.
(2) To the Company's knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this
table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named
in the table has or will have sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such person's name. Each
of such persons may be reached through the Company at 2 Wisconsin Circle,
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815.
(3) For each of such persons, represents currently vested but unexercised
options to purchase Common Stock.
(4) The percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated using 16,449,800
shares of Common Stock which were outstanding on December 28, 1998.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
investment power with respect to the securities. In computing the number of
shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership of
that person, shares of Common Stock subject to options held by that person
that are currently exercisable within 60 days of December 28, 1998 are
deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for
purposes of computing percentage ownership of any other person.
68
<PAGE>
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
William Buck, the Company's former President and Chief Executive
Officer and Director resigned on January 8, 1997. The resignation related to
his position as an officer and Director of the Company and any of the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Board of Directors approved a severance
agreement which included the former President and an individual claiming to have
incurred expenses on behalf of the Company as a consultant. The severance
agreement provided that the Company would reimburse the former President and the
alleged consultant for reasonable expenses associated with the Company's
business incurred by them up to an amount approximately equal to $300,000 upon
submission to the Company of valid documentation approved by the Company.
In June 1997, the Company filed a complaint against Mr. Buck in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern
Division asserting claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of employment
agreement, accounting as to his severance agreement, fraud and conspiracy to
defraud. The Company is also requesting declaratory relief seeking the return
of Mr. Buck's certificates for the Company's Common Stock so that new
certificates equal to one-half of those surrendered would be reissued to Mr.
Buck in accordance with the terms of a reverse stock split agreement. In
September 1997, Mr. Buck filed a counterclaim against the Company alleging
breach of the severance agreement, breach of a lock-up agreement and tortious
interference with economic advantage. See "Business--Legal Proceedings" for a
more detailed description of the lawsuit.
On June 23, 1997, Mr. Buck filed a lawsuit in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division against
the Company praying for a declaratory judgment that certain shares of the
Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by Mr. Buck could be sold pursuant to
Rule 144 of the Securities Act. See "Business--Legal Proceedings" for a more
detailed description of the lawsuit.
On September 1, 1998, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement
and Release with Mr. Buck resolving all disputes, claims and differences between
the parties. The Settlement Agreement and Release provided that Mr. Buck would
be entitled to retain 350,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, which shares
could be sold by him in accordance with a tradeability schedule limiting the
number of shares that could be sold by him during any month for a period of two
years.
On June 20, 1997, Jerome Greenberg agreed to contribute to the
Company's treasury 5,902,200 shares of Common Stock that he beneficially owned
in exchange for $10 and an agreement by the Company to use 6% of the funds
raised from the sale of its Series A Preferred Stock to repay outstanding notes
payable owed to Mr. Greenberg. As a result of this contribution, Mr. Greenberg
retained 655,800 shares (plus options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares
of Common Stock). The Company entered into a settlement agreement with Mr.
Greenberg on August 24, 1998 whereby the Company agreed to grant 200,000 shares
of Common Stock to Mr. Greenberg and to pay him an aggregate of $750,000 in
three equal installments on September 1, 1998 and January 5 and February 28,
1999 as payment in full for the Company's outstanding obligation.
In December 1997, Donald Gilbreath, a former Vice President of the
Company, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District
of Colorado alleging that the Company wrongfully interfered with the sale of
certain shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by Mr. Gilbreath and refused
to permit Mr. Gilbreath to exercise certain vested options to purchase the
Company's Common Stock. In July 1998, Mr. Gilbreath entered into a settlement
agreement which permitted him to keep one-half of his shares of the Company's
Common Stock with all restrictive legends removed. Mr. Gilbreath is subject to
a restrictive tradeability schedule as to the disposition of said shares. See
"Business--Legal Proceedings" for a more detailed description of the lawsuit.
In June 1997, Roger Remillard, a former Director of the Company, and
his wife filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District
of Colorado alleging that the Company wrongfully refused to remove legends from
certain of the Remillards' shares of the Company's Common Stock, that the
Company refused to permit the Remillards to exercise certain vested stock
options, that the Company wrongfully interfered with a private contract of Mr.
Remillard with a third party and that the Company failed to pay certain sums to
Mr. Remillard under a demand promissory note. In July 1998, the Company and the
Remillards entered into a settlement agreement in which the Remillards were
allowed to retain a majority of their 1,192,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock with all restrictive legends removed. The Remillards are subject to a
restrictive tradeability schedule as to the disposition of said shares.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Remillards were permitted to retain
200,000 stock options, which must be exercised before January 1, 1999. See
"Business--Legal Proceedings" for a more detailed description of the lawsuit.
69
<PAGE>
In March 1997, the Board of Directors agreed to pay Robert Wussler a
consulting fee of $8,000 per month. This consulting fee arrangement was
discontinued when Mr. Wussler was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company in July 1998. In December, 1998, the Board of Directors
approved an employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Wussler. For his
services as Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Wussler was to receive an
annual salary starting at $325,000, subject to increases each year, as well as
200,000 options annually to purchase common stock of the Company at a price of
$2.00 per share and a discretionary annual bonus. The contract provided that
additional options would be granted in relation to certain performance measures.
In addition, the Company was to lend Mr. Wussler $150,000 to be used for the
exercise of options currently held by Mr. Wussler to buy common stock of the
Company. The term of the agreement was five years starting on June 1, 1998.
70
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following financial statements are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company
and its subsidiaries:
. Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1997.
. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
(Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
. Notes to consolidated Financial Statements.
All schedules have been omitted because they are either not
applicable, not required or the information required has been disclosed in
the financial statements and related notes or otherwise in the Form 10-K.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 13, 1997, was filed
reporting on Item 4, relating to a change in the Company's certifying
accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated November 10, 1997, was filed
reporting on Item 4, relating to a change in the Company's certifying
accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated December 3, 1997, was filed
reporting on Items 4 and 7, relating to a change in the Company's
certifying accountant and letter from certifying accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated December 15, 1997, was filed
reporting on Items 4 and 7, relating to a change in the Company's
certifying accountants and letter from certifying accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 7, 1998, was filed
reporting on Items 4 and 7, relating to a change in the Company's
certifying accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 20, 1998, was filed
reporting on Items 4 and 7, relating to a change in the Company's
certifying accountant.
A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 11, 1998, was filed
reporting on Items 5 and 7, relating to correction to a press release
reporting the Company's financial results for the third quarter of 1998.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
- -------------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 20,
1997, by and among the Registrant, Skysite and the shareholders
of Skysite, as amended *
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended *
3.2 Bylaws of the Company(1)
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate(1)
4.2 Specimen Series A Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.3 Specimen Series B Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.4 Specimen Series C Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.5 Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Privileges of
the Series A Preferred Stock of the Company(2)
71
<PAGE>
4.6 Certificate of Designation, Number, Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional, and Other Special Rights and
the Qualifications, Limitations, Restrictions, and Other
Distinguishing Characteristics of Series B Preferred Stock of
the Company *
4.7 Certificate of Designation, Number, Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional, and Other Special Rights and
the Qualifications, Limitations, Restrictions, and Other
Distinguishing Characteristics of Series C Preferred Stock of
the Company *
10.1 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan *
10.2 1998 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan *
10.3 Lease, dated November 14, 1997 between the Company and Alliance
Business Centers, regarding 2 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 700,
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 *
10.4 Lease, dated July 22, 1998, between Skysite and Soundstorm,
regarding 727 South Main Street, Burbank, California 91510 *
10.5 Placement Agent Agreement between the Company and Wincap, Ltd.,
dated December 6, 1996(1)
10.6 Supply Agreement between Skysite and American Mobile Satellite
Corporation, dated February 25, 1998 *
10.7 Distributor Agreement between Skysite and Westinghouse
Electronic Corporation, dated February 21, 1996 *
10.8 Agreement between Skysite and Mitsubishi Electronics America,
Inc., dated November 7, 1997 *
10.9 Service Provider Agreement between Skysite and Iridium North
America, dated December 1, 1997, as amended *
10.10 Agreement between Skysite and PTT Telecom BV,
dated September 15, 1997 *
10.11 Distribution Agreement between Skysite and CUE Paging
Corporation, dated January 26, 1998 *
10.12 Bulk Seller Agreement between Skysite and ARDIS Company, dated
February 23, 1998 *
10.13 Service Provider Agreement Exhibit E; Additional terms and
conditions; Addendum Two Minutes Commitment Plan Addendum; and
Amendment to Addendum Two Satellite Minutes Commitment Plan
Addendum between Skysite/Project 77 and Iridium North America,
dated August 10, 1998.(3)
10.14 Lease, dated October 14, 1998 between the Company and
Alliance Business Centers, regarding 2 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite
700, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
10.15 Sub-sublease, dated July 2, 1998, between U.S. Digital
Satellite, Inc. and IT Corporation, regarding 1575 Eye Street,
NW, Suite 425, Washington, DC
10.16 Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert J. Wussler;
dated December 28, 1998.
20.1 Corrected press release, dated December 11, 1998, with respect
to the financial results for the Company's third quarter and
nine months ended September 30, 1998.(4)
21 Subsidiaries *
24 Power of attorney (included on signature page) *
27 Financial Data Schedule *
99.1 United States of America v. Alan Brady Bingham, et. al.,
Criminal No. H-97-262-SS, United States District Court,
Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. *
________________
(1) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, File No. 0-
21225 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q dated December 7, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference.
(4) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
* Previously filed with Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 7, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
72
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 30th day of
December, 1998.
U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ ROBERT WUSSLER
-----------------------------------------
Robert Wussler, Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Secretary and Treasurer
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS
REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON
THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ ROBERT WUSSLER Chairman of the Board and Directors, December 30, 1998
- ----------------------------------- President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Wussler
* Executive Vice President and Secretary December 30, 1998
- ----------------------------------- (Principal Accounting
Edward Kopf and Financial Officer)
* Director December 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Lawrence Siegel
* Director December 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Thomas Glenndahl
* Director December 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------
A. Frans Heideman
* Director December 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Henrikas Iouchkiavitchious
*By: /s/ ROBERT WUSSLER
-------------------------------
Robert Wussler
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
73
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- -------------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 20,
1997, by and among the Registrant, Skysite and the shareholders
of Skysite, as amended *
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended *
3.2 Bylaws of the Company(1)
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate(1)
4.2 Specimen Series A Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.3 Specimen Series B Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.4 Specimen Series C Preferred Stock Certificate *
4.5 Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Privileges of
the Series A Preferred Stock of the Company(2)
4.6 Certificate of Designation, Number, Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional, and Other Special Rights and
the Qualifications, Limitations, Restrictions, and Other
Distinguishing Characteristics of Series B Preferred Stock of
the Company *
4.7 Certificate of Designation, Number, Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional, and Other Special Rights and
the Qualifications, Limitations, Restrictions, and Other
Distinguishing Characteristics of Series C Preferred Stock of
the Company *
10.1 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan *
10.2 1998 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan *
10.3 Lease, dated November 14, 1997 between the Company and Alliance
Business Centers, regarding 2 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 700,
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 *
10.4 Lease, dated July 22, 1998, between Skysite and Soundstorm,
regarding 727 South Main Street, Burbank, California 91510 *
10.5 Placement Agent Agreement between the Company and Wincap, Ltd.,
dated December 6, 1996(1)
10.6 Supply Agreement between Skysite and American Mobile Satellite
Corporation, dated February 25, 1998 *
10.7 Distributor Agreement between Skysite and Westinghouse
Electronic Corporation, dated February 21, 1996 *
10.8 Agreement between Skysite and Mitsubishi Electronics America,
Inc., dated November 7, 1997 *
10.9 Service Provider Agreement between Skysite and Iridium North
America, dated December 1, 1997, as amended *
10.10 Agreement between Skysite and PTT Telecom BV, dated September
15, 1997 *
10.11 Distribution Agreement between Skysite and CUE Paging
Corporation, dated January 26, 1998 *
10.12 Bulk Seller Agreement between Skysite and ARDIS
Company, dated February 23, 1998 *
10.13 Service Provider Agreement Exhibit E: Additional terms and
conditions; Addendum Two Minutes Commitment Plan Addendum; and
Amendment to Addendum Two Satellite Minutes Commitment Plan
Addendum between Skysite/Project 77 and Iridium North America,
dated August 10, 1998.(3)
10.14 Lease, dated October 14, 1998 between the Company and
Alliance Business Centers, regarding 2 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite
700, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
10.15 Sub-sublease, dated July 2, 1998, between U.S. Digital
Satellite, Inc. and IT Corporation, regarding 1575 Eye Street,
NW, Suite 425, Washigton, DC
10.16 Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert J. Wussler,
dated December 28, 1998.
20.1 Corrected press release, dated December 11, 1998, with respect
to the financial results for the Company's third quarter and
nine months ended September 30, 1998.(4)
74
<PAGE>
21 Subsidiaries *
24 Power of attorney (included on signature page) *
27 Financial Data Schedule *
99.1 United States of America v. Alan Brady Bingham, et. al.,
Criminal No. H-97-262-SS, United States District Court,
Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. *
________________
(1) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, File No. 0-
21225 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commision as an Exhibit to
the Company's Report on Form 10-Q dated December 7, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference
(4) Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commision as an Exhibit to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 11, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference
* Previously filed with Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 7, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
75
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.14
[LOGO OF ALLIANCE BUSINESS
CENTERS APPEARS HERE]
LEASE AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made this 14th day of October, 1998, by and between ALLIANCE,
@ 2 Wisconsin Circle, Inc., d/b/a ALLIANCE Business Centers ("Lessor") having
-------------------------------
offices known and numbered as Suite 700 (the "Facility") in the building located
at 2 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (the "Building") and U.S. Digital
Communications, Inc., ("Lessee") a corporation with an address of 2 Wisconsin
Circle, Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
The parties for themselves, their heirs, legal representatives, successors and
assigns, agree as follows:
1. Demise and Description of Property.
-----------------------------------
a. Lessor leases to Lessee and Lessee leases from Lessor, the "Premises"
(defined below), being a subpart of Lessor's total leased Facility space, for
the term and subject to the conditions and covenants hereinafter set forth and
to all encumbrances, restrictions, zoning laws, regulations or statutes
affecting the Building, Facility or Premises.
b. The Premises consists of Facility office space number(s) #725, 726A/B,
#727/28, 729 and 730 as shown in the floor plan annexed hereto. Lessor hereby
grants Lessee the privilege to use in common with other lessees and parties that
Lessor may designate certain office amenities located in the Facility; the use
of all of which are subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as Lessor
currently has in place and may adopt from time to time. The amenities are more
particularly described in attached Exhibit "A." "The Operating Standards" as
presently in place and governing the use of the Premises and the Facility are
attached in Exhibit "B".
2. Use.
----
a. The Premises shall be used by Lessee solely for (business office use)
---------------------
and such other normally incidental uses and for no other purpose, in strict
accordance with the Operating Standards. Additionally, Lessee shall not offer at
the Premises any services which Lessor provides to its lessees, including, but
not limited to those amenities or services described in attached Exhibit "A". In
the event Lessee breaches any provision of this paragraph, Lessor shall be
entitled to exercise any rights or remedies available to the Lessor pursuant to
this Agreement together with such other rights and remedies as the Lessor may
otherwise have and choose to exercise.
b. Lessee shall not make nor permit to be made any use of the Premises
which would violate any of the terms of this Agreement or which, directly or
indirectly, is forbidden by statute, ordinance or government regulations, which
may be dangerous to life, limb or property, which may invalidate or increase the
premium of any policy of insurance carried on the Building or on the Facility,
which will suffer or permit the Premises to be used in any manner or anything to
be brought into or kept there which, in the sole judgment of Lessor, shall in
any way impair or tend to impair the high quality character, reputation or
appearance of the Building or the Facility, or which may or tend to impair or
interfere with any services performed by Lessor for Lessee or for others.
3. Term.
-----
a. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of twelve months,
commencing 9:00 a.m. on the 1st day of January, 1999, and ending 5:00 p.m. on
the 31st day of December, 1999, unless renewed as provided in paragraph "3(b)"
herein.
b. Upon the ending term date set forth herein or any extension thereof, the
Agreement shall be extended for the same period of time as the initial term and
upon the same terms and conditions as herein contained except for the amount of
base rental and additional service charges, which shall each be increased by at
least ten percent (10%), unless either party notifies the other in writing by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or delivered by hand
that the Agreement shall not be extended within the period hereinafter specified
or automatically renewed. If Lessee has less than three offices, such notice
shall be given at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of this Agreement.
If Lessee has three or more offices, such notice shall be given at least 90 days
prior to the expiration date of this Agreement.
c. In the event the entire Premises or the Facility are damaged, destroyed
or taken by eminent domain or acquired by private purchase in lieu of eminent
domain so as to render the Premises fully untenantable and unrestorable in
Lessor's sole judgment, then within 90 days thereafter by written notice to the
other party, either party shall be able to terminate this Agreement, which will
terminate as of the date thereof.
4. Rent.
-----
a. For and during the term of this Agreement, Lessee shall pay Lessor as
rent for the Premises a total annual rental of $107,820.00, payable in equal
monthly installments of $8985.00, (or otherwise indicated on Rebate Rider
attached) each payable in advance of the first day of each calendar month after
the commencement of the term, or a daily prorated amount for any partial
calendar month during the term. If any payment of rent or other charges due
under this Agreement is not received within five (5) calendar days after its due
date, the Lessee will also pay, as additional rent, a late payment charge which
shall be an amount equal to 10% of any amount owed to Lessor or $50 whichever is
greater.
b. It is additionally specifically covenanted and agreed that the financial
terms of this Agreement are strictly confidential and Lessee agrees not to
knowingly or willfully divulge this information to or any other Lessee or
potential Lessee of Lessor. Any such disclosure by the Lessee of the financial
terms of this Agreement as
1
<PAGE>
set forth herein above, shall constitute a material breach of this Lease.
c. The first such payment of rental as well as the payment of the Deposit
as set forth in below shall be paid by Lessee simultaneously with execution of
this Agreement. Should the Lessee fail to make such payment prior to the
commencement of the term of this Agreement, then, at Lessor's sole option, the
Agreement shall be null and void and of no further effect.
d. The rental payable during the term of this Agreement shall be increased
on the first day of the month following notification of any rental increase
(however designated) which the Lessor might receive from the Lessor's over-
landlord ("Building"). The term "direct expenses" as used herein shall refer to
the same items and costs as are used by the Building in its determination of
expenses and costs passed on to Lessor. Lessor shall immediately notify Lessee
in writing of any such increase, and shall bill Lessee for its pro rata share
thereof, which bill Lessee shall pay promptly upon such notification for each
and every month thereafter for the balance of the term.
e. Rent charges are based on the value of the rental Premises and services
to be used by one person per office. If more than said number of person(s)
habitually use the Premises or services, the Fixed Monthly Rental Charges will
be increased by a factor of $100 for each additional person who habitually uses
the Premises.
f. If a Lessee check is returned for any reason, Lessee will pay an
additional charge of $100.00 per returned check and, for the purpose of
considering default and/or late charges, it will be as if the payment
represented by the returned check had never been made.
5. Security Deposit.
-----------------
a. Lessee shall deposit with Lessor $10,220.00, or the equivalent of one
month rent or current on hand, in good or certified funds with a domestic bank,
as a non-interest bearing security deposit. Lessor may use the security deposit
to cure any default of Lessee under this Agreement, restore the Premises
including any and all furniture, fixtures and equipment provided by Lessor and
vendors at the Premises to their original condition and configuration,
reasonable wear and tear excepted, to pay for repairs to any damage to the
Premises, Executive Suite or Building, caused by Lessee or Lessee's guests, to
pay any rent or other charges which Lessee owes Lessor at or prior to the
expiration of this Agreement, and to reimburse Lessor for costs or expenses
arising from any other obligation of Lessee which Lessee has failed to perform.
If Lessor transfers control or ownership of the Premises and Lessor transfers
the security deposit to such purchaser, Lessee will look solely to the new
Lessor for the return of the security deposit, and the Lessor named in this
Agreement shall be released from all liability for the return of the security
deposit.
b. The security deposit (less any sums used by Lessor in accordance with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement) will be returned within sixty (60)
days after the termination of any services rendered or expiration of the term
hereof. The security deposit shall not under any circumstance be applied in lieu
of be the final payment(s) of Fixed Monthly Rental charges or service charges
under this Agreement.
c. In the event that, by reason of the Lessee's default in its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including but not limited to the
payment of the Fixed Monthly Rental Charge, any amounts due by reason of the
Lessee's use of additional services hereto and/or by reason of the Lessee's use
of telephone services as supplied pursuant to this Agreement, Lessor shall be
entitled to apply any of the security deposited pursuant to this Agreement to
any outstanding sums due or owing to the Lessor, and Lessor shall have the right
to charge the Lessee, as additional rent, such sums as are necessary to
replenish any and all amounts applied so as to cause the security to be returned
to its entire amount. The failure to pay such amounts as are necessary to
replenish the security shall be considered a breach of this Agreement and shall
entitle the Lessor to exercise any of its rights pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise.
6. Delivery of Possession.
-----------------------
If, for any reason whatsoever, Lessor cannot deliver possession of the
Premises to Lessee at the commencement of the term, this Agreement shall not be
void nor voidable nor shall Lessor be liable to Lessee for any loss or damage
resulting therefrom; but there shall be an abatement of rent for the period
between the stated term commencement and the time when Lessor does deliver
possession of the Premises.
7. Services.
---------
a. So long as Lessee is not in default hereunder, Lessor shall make
available certain amenities to Lessee as more particularly described in Exhibit
"A." Such services shall be offered to Lessee, in conjunction with such services
being offered by Lessor to its other lessees, without charge for the reasonable
use of the same.
b. In addition, provided Lessee is not in default hereunder and provided
the cost thereof does not exceed the Security Deposit, Lessor shall make
available to Lessee certain other services the cost of which shall be billed to
the Lessee as additional rent and the payment of which shall be subject to the
same terms and conditions as those governing the payment of the Fixed Monthly
Rental Charge herein regardless of when such charges are billed to the Lessee.
8. Telephone Services.
-------------------
a. Provided Lessee is not in default of any of the terms, covenants,
conditions or provisions of this Agreement, Lessor will make available to
Lessee, a telecommunications package which will consist of some combination of
telephone equipment, numbers, lines, conference calling, voice mail, local, long
distance and international service, and directory listing. All components of the
telecommunications package including any telephone numbers used by Lessee will
remain at all times the property of Lessor and Lessee will acquire no rights in
the components beyond the term specified by Lessor.
b. Upon Lessee's written request, Lessee shall be entitled to appoint
Lessor as its exclusive agent for the sole purpose of procuring and arranging
Lessee's local "white pages" listings. Lessor shall have no involvement nor
responsibility for any "yellow pages" listings desired by Lessee.
c. Lessor shall not be liable for any interruption or error in the
performance of its services to Lessee under this Section. Lessee waives any
recourse as against the Lessor for any claimed liability arising from the
provision of telecommunication services including, but not limited to; injuries
to persons or property arising out of mistakes, omissions, interruptions,
delays, errors or defects in transmissions occurring in the course of furnishing
telecommunications services provided same are not caused by the willful acts of
the Lessor, as well any claim for business interruption and for consequential
damages.
d. Lessor shall use reasonable efforts to provide Telephone Services to
Lessee in a first-class, professional manner. Telephone
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service charges shall be as per Lessor's then scheduled rates for the same, or
as the same may be amended by Lessor from time to time.
e. In the event that any toll fraud is traceable to telecommunications
services employed by Lessee, such toll fraud shall be deemed to be a material
default in the Lessee's obligations hereunder. Lessee further hereby agrees to
indemnify, hold harmless and to reimburse Lessor for all charges associated with
any such toll fraud including, but not limited to, unauthorized use of calling
cards or telephone lines.
f. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that Lessor shall be the sole
and exclusive provider of telecommunication services to Lessee. Lessee hereby
agrees and covenants that it will not use any other telephone service or
telephone carrier to provide it service in the Premises. In the event that
Lessee uses or acquires any other telephone service at the Premises, such use
and/or installation shall constitute a material default in the Lessee's
obligations hereunder.
9. Furniture and Fixtures.
-----------------------
At its own cost and expense, Lessor shall furnish and install furniture,
fixtures and equipment as are in Lessor's sole opinion necessary to provide
suitable office accommodations for Lessee, upon such terms and conditions
routinely applicable to the Facility. All such furniture, fixtures and equipment
shall remain Lessor's property.
10. Insurance: Waiver of Claims.
----------------------------
a. Lessor has no obligation to and will not carry insurance for Lessee's
benefit. Lessor will not be liable to Lessee or to any other person for damages
on account of loss, damage or theft, to any business or personal property of
Lessee. Lessee hereby waives any claims against Lessor from any loss, cost,
liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from
Lessee's use of the Premises or any common areas made available to Lessee by
Lessor or from the conduct of Lessee's business, or from any activity, work, or
thing done in the Premises or common areas by Lessee or Lessee's agents,
contractors, visitors or employees. To the extent that Lessor has any liability
for any of the forgoing pursuant to any law, ordinance or statute, Lessee shall
seek recovery for such loss(es)/or damage(s) from its own insurance company as
provided for in subparagraph (c) herein prior to making any claims against
Lessor.
b. The Lessor shall not be liable or responsible to the Lessee for any
injury or damage resulting from the acts or omissions of Lessor, its employees,
persons leasing office space or obtaining services from the Lessor, or other
persons occupying any part of the Premises or Building, or for any failure of
services provided such as water, gas or electricity, HVAC or for any injury or
damage to person or property caused by any person except for such loss or damage
arising from the willful or grossly negligent misconduct of the Lessor, its
agents, servants, or employees or from the Lessor's failure to make repairs
which it is obligated to make hereunder. Neither Lessor or any of its agents,
employees, officers or directors shall be responsible for damages resulting from
any error, omission or defect in any work performed or provided as part of the
services rendered, whether uncompensated services or compensated services.
c. Lessee shall provide Lessor with a certificate of insurance evidencing
General/Public Liability coverage with liability limits of not less than One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for Bodily Injury and/or Property
Damage Liability and One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per occurrence for
Fire/Legal Liability. Said insurance coverage shall remain in force during the
term of this Agreement and renewals thereof. The Lessor, Alliance National, Inc,
and Alliance Business Centers, Inc. shall be named as an additional named
insured on each of these policies. Lessee's failure to provide or maintain such
insurance shall not reduce or otherwise alter Lessee's liability or
responsibility to pay any judgment rendered against Lessee for such Liability
and Damages. Failure to maintain such insurance and/or to name the Lessor and
its designees, as set forth above, shall constitute a material breach of this
Agreement.
d. Both parties hereby agree to defend, indemnify and hold the other
harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, injury, loss and expenses
to or of any person or property resulting from the acts or negligence of their
agents, employees, invitees and/or licensees while in the Building, Executive
Suite and/or Premises.
e. Any fire and extended risk casualty insurance that Lessee maintains
shall include a waiver of subrogation in favor of Lessor and Building Landlord,
and any fire and extended risk insurance carried on the Facility by Lessor shall
likewise contain a waiver of subrogation in favor of Lessee.
11. Waiver of Breach.
-----------------
Should Lessor not insist upon the strict performance of any term or
condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy available for a
breach thereof, and no acceptance of full or partial payment during the
continuance of any such breach shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or
any such term or condition. No term or condition of this Agreement required to
be performed by Lessee and no breach thereof, shall be waived, altered or
modified, except by a written instrument executed by Lessor. No waiver of any
breach shall affect or alter any term or condition in this Agreement, and each
term or condition shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any
other then existing or subsequent breach thereof.
12. Operating Standards.
--------------------
The Operating Standards attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "B" are
hereby made an integral part of this Agreement. Lessee, its employees, agents,
guests, invitees, visitors and/or any other persons caused to be present in and
around the Premises by the Lessee shall perform and abide by the rules and
regulations and any amendments or additions to said rules and regulations as
Lessor may make. In addition, Lessee, its employees and agents shall abide by
all applicable governmental rules, regulations, statutes and ordinances relating
in any way to the Premises or the Facility or Lessee's use or occupancy of the
Premises or the Facility; failing which Lessee shall be in default hereunder and
shall pay any fines or penalties imposed for such violation(s) directly to the
appropriate governmental authority or to Lessor, if Lessor has paid such amount
on behalf of Lessee. Such remedy shall not be exclusive. It is hereby further
explicitly agreed and understood that full compliance with the Operating
Standards as set forth constitutes a material obligation of this Agreement, and
that the failure to so comply shall constitute a violation of this Agreement
entitling the Lessor to exercise any of its remedies pursuant to this Agreement
or otherwise.
13. Employment of Lessor's Employees.
---------------------------------
a. Lessee agrees that it will not, during the term of this Agreement and
any renewals thereof, or for a period of one year
3
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after the expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement, hire or issue an
offer to employ any person who is or has been an employee of Lessor or Lessor's
agent without prior consent from Lessor. If Lessee either hires an employee of
Lessor or Lessor's agent; or hires any person who has been an employee of Lessor
or its agent within six months prior to the time they are hired by Lessee,
Lessee will, at Lessors sole option, be liable to Lessor for liquidated damages
equal to six months wages of the employee, at the rate last paid that employee
by Lessor.
b. If Lessor assists in hiring an employee for Lessee, Lessee shall pay to
the Lessor a commission equal to 20% of that employee's annual salary. The
provisions hereof shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of the term
thereof.
14. Alteration.
-----------
If Lessee requires any special wiring or office alterations for
extraordinary business machines or other purposes not consistent with the
current wiring, extraordinary telephone equipment or computer equipment. Such
alteration shall be done (i) only with the express written permission of the
Lessor, and if said permission is granted, then (ii) by an agent designated by
Lessor at Lessee's cost. The electrical current shall be used for ordinary
lighting purposes only, unless written permission to do otherwise shall first
have been obtained from Lessor at an agreed cost to Lessee. Lessor further
reserves the sole and exclusive right to limit the number and type of lines and
telephone equipment Lessee can install in the leased Premises.
15. Re-Entry.
---------
Lessor and its agents shall have the right to enter the Premises at any
time for the purpose of making any repairs, alterations, inspections which it
shall deem necessary for the preservation, safety or improvements of said
Premises, without in any way being deemed or held to have committed an eviction
(constructive or otherwise) of or trespass against Lessee.
16. Relocation.
-----------
a. Lessee agrees that the Lessor may, in its sole discretion, relocate the
lessee from its present Premises to a like or similar office space within the
same facility upon ten (10) days notice to the Lessee. In the event that the
Lessor requires the Lessee to relocate, the Lessor hereby agrees to bear the
reasonable cost of any such relocation, which cost shall be limited to the cost
associated with the physical transfer of the Lessee's property to any different
office, which the Lessor may designate.
b. In the event that any such relocation is effected, the Lessee hereby
acknowledges that, unless otherwise agreed in writing, that all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
17. Assignment and Subletting.
--------------------------
No assignment or subletting of the Premises, this Agreement or any part
thereof shall be made by Lessee without Lessor's prior written consent, which
consent may be withheld for any or no reason in Lessor's sole discretion.
Neither all nor any part of Lessee's interest in the Premises or this Agreement
shall be encumbered, assigned or transferred, in whole or in part, either by act
of the Lessee or by operation of law.
18. Surrender.
----------
a. On expiration of the term, any extended term, or sooner termination of
this Agreement , Lessee shall promptly surrender and deliver the Premises to
Lessor, without demand, and in as good condition as when let, ordinary wear and
tear excepted.
b. Upon Lessee serving a notice of cancellation as provided in 3b herein
Lessor shall have the right to show Lessee's Premises during the 60 day period
(for one or two offices) or 90 day period (for three or more offices) as the
case may be.
c. Without prior written approval of Lessor, Lessee shall not remove any of
its property from the Premises upon termination of this Agreement or at any
other time, except during Lessor's normal business hours. In the event Lessor
consents to Lessee's removing property before or after normal business hours,
any expenses incurred by Lessor as a result, including but not limited to
expenses for personnel, security, elevator, utilities and the like shall be paid
by Lessee in advance, to the extent determinable by Lessor, by certified and/or
bank check.
d. If Lessee vacates the Premises and leaves behind any property,
whatsoever, same will be deemed abandoned by Lessee and may be disposed of by
Lessor at Lessee's expense. If Lessee defaults in the payment of sums due to
Lessor, and Lessor changes the locks, removes Lessee's property, or otherwise
denies access to Lessee, Lessor shall not be liable for conversion or partial,
actual and/or constructive eviction.
19. Holding Over.
-------------
a. In the event that Lessee, should not renew this Agreement in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereof, and/or fail to surrender the Premises upon
the expiration of the term of the Agreement as provided herein, Lessee agrees to
pay Lessor, as liquidated damages, a sum equal to twice the monthly rent and all
additional charges for services provided by Lessor to Lessee, for each month
that Lessee retains possession of the Premises or any part thereof; provided,
however, that the acceptance of such sums, representing liquidated damages shall
not be deemed to be permission to Lessee to continue in possession of the
Premises.
20. Default and Remedies.
---------------------
a. If the Lessee shall default in fulfilling any of its terms, conditions,
covenants or provisions of this Agreement, including but not limited to:
1. Payment of fixed Monthly Rental Charges and/or any other charges
hereunder within ten days of the date such charges become due;
2. Becomes comes insolvent, makes an assignment for benefit of creditors,
or files a voluntary petition under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or
has filed against it an involuntary petition under any such law;
3. Defaults in fulfilling any of the terms, conditions, covenants or
provisions of this Agreement including but not limited to the breach of any
of the terms and conditions set forth in the exhibits attached hereto;
4. The abandonment and/or vacatur of the Premises by the Lessee;
4
<PAGE>
then, after five days notice of any such default(s), the Lessor may, at its sole
discretion, terminate this Agreement upon five days notice to the Lessee, and
upon the expiration of such notice period, the Lessee shall quit and surrender
the Premises to the Lessor. In the event that the Lessee fails to quit and
surrender the Premises, the Lessor may re-enter and take possession of the
Premises and remove all persons and property therefrom, as well as disconnect
any telephone lines installed for the benefit of Lessee, without any liability
whatsoever to Lessee. In addition, Lessor may elect concurrently or alternately
to accelerate all of Lessee's obligations hereunder including without limitation
the rental, direct expenses, Schedule B Costs, and Telephone Services costs,
and/or the re-letting of the Premises or any part thereof, for all or any part
of the remainder of said term, to a party satisfactory to Lessor, at any monthly
rental rate. Lessor, in its sole discretion, may accept notwithstanding the
foregoing, Lessor shall have no obligation, implied or otherwise, to mitigate
its damage(s) under such circumstances.
b. Should Lessor be unable to re-let the Premises, or should each monthly
re-rental be less than the rental, Lessee is obligated to pay under this
Agreement or any renewal thereof, at Lessor's option Lessee shall pay the amount
of such deficiency, plus the expenses of reletting, immediately in one lump sum
(if allowable under law) to Lessor upon demand and/or as such obligations
accrue.
c. If Lessee shall default in the observance or performance of any term or
covenant on Lessee's part to be observed or performed under or by virtue of any
of the terms or provisions in any article of this lease, then, unless otherwise
provided elsewhere in this lease, Lessor may immediately or at any time
thereafter and with notice perform the obligation of Lessee thereunder, and if
Lessor, in connection therewith or in connection with any default by Lessee in
the covenant to pay rent hereunder, makes any expenditures or incurs any
obligations for the payment of money, including but not limited to attorney's
fees, in instituting, prosecuting or defending any actions or proceeding, such
sums so paid or obligations incurred with interest and costs shall be deemed to
be additional rent hereunder and shall be paid by Lessee to Lessor rendition of
any bill or statement to Lessee therefor, and if Lessee's lease term shall have
expired at the time of making of such expenditures or incurring of such
obligations, such sums shall be recoverable by Lessor as damages.
21. Mail & Telephone Forwarding.
----------------------------
a. After termination or expiration of the term of this Agreement, Lessee
hereby agrees that it will take all reasonable steps to notify all parties of
Lessee's new address and phone numbers. Lessor shall have no obligation, to
notify any person or entity of Lessee's new address and/or phone numbers, except
as expressly provided herein.
b. Lessor will, unless otherwise instructed by Lessee in writing, hold
mail for Lessee on the premises and give out new telephone number via a voice
mail message for a period of three (3) months at the rate of $150.00 per month,
which sums shall be deducted from any amounts deposited with the Lessor as
security hereunder and paid to the Lessor in advance. In the event that there is
not sufficient security remaining on deposit to pay for the charges set forth
herein, unless the Lessee shall pay the charges set forth herein to the Lessor
in advance, Lessor shall have no obligation to provide the services set forth
herein.
22. Notices.
--------
Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either
delivered by hand or by first class mail to the party at the address set forth
below. Lessor hereby designates its address as:
ALLIANCE BUSINESS CENTERS
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Attn: Management
with a copy by regular first class mail to:
ALLIANCE Business Centers
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2707
New York, NY 10168
Attn: Legal Department
Lessee hereby designates its address (which address must be an address within
the United States), as
Caplan, Buckner, Rohrohr & Kostecka
U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
Attn: Mr. Steve Buckner
3 Metro Center, Suite #430
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 718-1900
Fax: (301) 718-8359
If such mail is properly addressed and mailed, as above, it shall be deemed
notice for all purposes, given when sent or delivered, even if returned as
undelivered.
23. Landlord's Election Under This Agreement.
-----------------------------------------
Upon early termination of the main Building lease, this Agreement shall
terminate unless the Building Landlord under the main lease elects to have this
Agreement assigned to the Building Landlord or another entity as provided in the
main lease. Upon notice to Lessor of the termination of the main lease and such
election, (i) the Agreement shall be deemed to have been assigned by Lessor to
the Building Landlord or to such other entity as is designated in such notice by
the Building Landlord, (ii) the Building Landlord shall be deemed to be the
Lessor under this Agreement and shall assume all rights and responsibilities of
Lessor under this Agreement, and (iii) Lessee shall be deemed to have attorned
to the Building Landlord as Lessor under this Agreement.
24. Time of Essence.
----------------
Time is of the essence as to the performance by Lessee of all covenants,
terms and provisions of this Agreement.
25. Severability.
-------------
The invalidity of any one or more of the sections, subsections, sentences,
clauses or words contained in this Agreement or the application thereof to any
particular set of circumstances, shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Agreement or of their valid application to any other set of
circumstances. All of said sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and words
are inserted conditionally on being valid in law; and in the event that one or
more of the sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or words contained herein
shall be deemed invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid
sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or words had not been inserted. In
5
<PAGE>
the event that any part of this Agreement shall be held to be unenforceable or
invalid, the remaining parts of this Agreement shall nevertheless continue to be
valid and enforceable as though the invalid portions had not been a part hereof.
In addition, the parties acknowledge (i) that this Agreement has been fully
negotiated by and between the parties in good faith and is the result of the
joint efforts of both parties, (ii) that both parties have been provided with
the opportunity to consult with legal counsel regarding its terms, conditions
and provisions and (iii) that regardless of whether or not either party has
elected to consult with legal counsel, it is the intent of the parties that in
no event shall the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement be
construed against either party as the drafter of this Agreement.
26. Execution by Lessee.
--------------------
The party or parties executing this Agreement on behalf of the Lessee
warrant(s) and represent(s): (i) that such executing party (or parties) has (or
have) complete and full authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of Lessee;
(ii) that Lessee shall fully perform its obligations hereunder.
27. Assumption Agreements and Covenants.
------------------------------------
This Agreement is subject and subordinate to the main Building lease
governing the Facility, under which Lessor is bound as tenant; and the
provisions of the main lease, other than as to the payment of rent or other
monies, are incorporated into this Agreement as if completely herein rewritten.
Lessee shall comply with and be bound by all provisions of the main lease except
that the payment of rent shall be governed by the provisions of this Agreement,
and Lessee shall indemnify and hold Lessor harmless from and against any claim
or liability under the main lease of Lessor arising from Lessee's breach of the
Main Lease or this Agreement. Lessor covenants and warrants that the use of the
Premises as a business office is consistent with and does not violate the terms
of the main lease.
28. Covenant and Conditions.
------------------------
Each term, provision and obligation of this Agreement to be performed by
Lessee shall be construed as both a covenant and condition.
29. Entire Agreement.
-----------------
This Agreement embodies the entire understandings between the parties
relative to its subject matter, and shall not be modified, changed or altered in
any respect except in writing signed by all parties.
30. Counterparts.
-------------
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
LESSOR: ALLIANCE, 2 Wisconsin Circle, Inc.
By: /s/ Lori Shackleton
----------------------------------------------------
Date: 10/30/98
--------------------------------------------------
LESSEE: U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
(If a corporation)
By: /s/ Edward Kopf
----------------------------------------------------
Title: Exec. Vice President
-------------------------------------------------
Date: 10/28/98
--------------------------------------------------
[Corporate Seal]
LESSEE:
(If an individual or partnership)
By:
----------------------------------------------------
By:
----------------------------------------------------
Date:
--------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT "A"
- -----------
. Furnished Private Office
. 24 Hour Access to Suite/Office #725, 726A/B, 727/28, 729 & 730 and Building
Located at 2 Wisconsin Circle
. Furnished, Decorated Reception Room with Professional Receptionist
. Personalized Telephone Answering During Office Hours
. 24 hour Voicemail
. 12 hours of Conference Room or private furnished offices, subject to prior
scheduling and use by other lessees
. Corporate Identity on Lobby Directory where Available
. Complete Mail Room Facility
. Receipt of Mail and Packages
. Complete Kitchen Facilities with Coffee Machine
. Utilities and Maintenance
. HVAC During Normal Business Hours
. Janitorial Services
6
<PAGE>
. 8 hours per month courtesy use of other ALLIANCE Business Centers
affiliated facilities. Locations subject to current affiliation and
availability.
EXHIBIT "B" OPERATING STANDARDS
- -------------------------------
1. Lessees and their guests will conduct themselves in a businesslike manner;
proper attire will be worn at all times; and the noise level will be kept
to a level so as not to interfere with or annoy other Lessees.
2. Lessee shall not provide or offer to provide any services to Lessor's
customers if such services are available from Lessor.
3. Lessee will not affix anything to the walls of the Premises without the
prior written consent of the Lessor.
4. Lessee will not prop open any corridor doors, exit doors or doors
connecting corridors during or after business hours.
5. Lessees using public areas may only do so with the consent of the Lessor,
and those areas must be kept neat and attractive at all times.
6. Lessee will not conduct any activity within the Premises, Executive Suite
or Building, which in the sole judgment of the Landlord will create
excessive traffic or is inappropriate to the executive office suite
environment.
7. Lessee may not conduct business in the corridors or any other areas except
in its designated offices or conference rooms without the written consent
of Lessor.
8. All corridors, halls, elevators and stairways shall not be obstructed by
Lessee or used for any purpose other than normal egress and ingress.
9. No advertisement, identifying signs or other notices shall be inscribed,
painted or affixed on any part of the corridors, doors, or public areas.
10. Without Lessor's specific prior written permission, Lessee is not permitted
to place "mass market", direct mail or advertising (i.e. newspaper,
classified advertisements, yellow pages, billboards) using Lessor's
assigned telephone number or take any such action that would generate a
excessive of incoming calls.
11. Lessee shall not solicit clients of Lessor or and their employees in the
Building without first obtaining Lessor's prior written approval.
12. Immediately following Lessee's use of conference room space and/or
audio/visual equipment, Lessee shall clean up and return the space and
equipment to the state and condition it was in prior to Lessee's use. If
not, Lessor may charge Lessee for any other expenses required to restore
the conference space and/or equipment to its original condition.
13. Lessor must be notified in writing if Lessee desires to utilize the
conference room or other common areas of the Executive Suite during evening
or weekend hours. Lessor may deny the Lessee access if the desired usage is
inappropriate and may disrupt normal operations.
14. Lessee shall not, without Lessor's written consent, store or operate any
computer (except a desktop/laptop computer or fax machine) or any other
large business machines, reproduction equipment, heating equipment, stove,
speaker phones, radios, stereo equipment or other mechanical amplification
equipment, refrigerator or coffee equipment, or conduct a mechanical
business, do any cooking, or use or allow to be used on the Premises oil,
burning fluids, gasoline, kerosene for heating, warming or lighting. No
article deemed extra hazardous on account of fire or any explosives shall
be brought into said Premises or Facility. No offensive gases, odors on
liquids shall be permitted.
15. Lessee will bring no animals into the Premises or Facility except for those
assisting disabled individuals.
16. Lessee shall not remove furniture fixtures or decorative material from
offices or common areas without the written consent of Lessor.
17. Lessee shall not make any additional copies of any Lessor issued keys. All
keys and security cards are the property of Lessor and must be returned
upon request or by the close of the business on the expiration or sooner
termination of the Agreement term. Any lost or unreturned keys or cards
shall incur a $25.00 per item charge and the cost to re-key the office.
18. Lessee shall not smoke nor allow smoking in any area of the Facility,
including the Premises, and shall comply with all governmental regulations
and ordinances concerning smoking.
19. Lessee shall not allow more than three visitors in the reception lobby of
the Premises at any one time.
20. Lessee's parking rights (if any) are defined by Lessor's Agreement with the
owner of the Building. Landlord reserves the right to modify parking
arrangements if required to do so by Building management.
21. Lessee shall cooperate and be courteous with all other occupants of the
Facility and Lessor's staff and personnel.
22. Lessor reserves the right to make such other reasonable rules and
regulations as in its judgment may from time to time be needed for the
safety, care, appropriate operation and cleanliness of the Facility.
7
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ALLIANCE BUSINESS
CENTERS APPEARS HERE]
LEASE AND SERVICE AGREEMENT REBATE RIDER
RE: Lease and Service Agreement between ALLIANCE 2 Wisconsin Circle,
Inc., and U.S. Digital Communications, Inc., ("Agreement").
DATE: October 14, 1998
CENTER: 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD
WHEREAS The agreement in Paragraph "4a" provides that the lessor shall pay, as
rent for the premises, a total annual rental of $107,820.00 payable in equal
monthly installments of $8985.00, and
WHEREAS the parties agree and understand that the said sum reflects the market
rent for the Premises, and
WHEREAS the parties have agreed, that in consideration of entering into the
Agreement, that the Lessor shall accept instead and in place of the rent
described in paragraph "4a" the total annual sum of $98,736.00 payable in
monthly installments of $8228.00 which reflects a monthly abatement in the
amount of $757.00.
It is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Paragraph "4a" is hereby modified so that , upon expiration of the term of
the Agreement and upon the first lease renewal thereof, whether by
operation of the Agreement or otherwise, the Lessee agrees to pay and
shall pay rent as set forth in Paragraph "4a" of the Agreement.
2. Upon further expiration of any such renewal terms, Lessee hereby agrees
and understands that Paragraph "3b" of the Agreement shall apply to any
such renewals.
All other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect.
ACCEPTED BY LESSOR: ACCEPTED BY LESSEE:
ALLIANCE 2 Wisconsin Circle, Inc. U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
By: /s/ Lori Shackleton By: /s/ Edward Kopf
---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Date: 10/28/98 Title: Exec. Vice President
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Date: 10/28/98
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BASIC TERMS OF AGREEMENT
<S> <C>
Tenant: U.S. Digital Communications, Inc.
Landlord: ALLIANCE Business Centers, Chevy Chase
Term: Twelve Month Lease
Move in date: January 1, 1999 Move out date: December 31, 1999
Office/Suite No.(s): #725, 726A/B, 727/28, 729, 730
# of People in the Office Space: 1 per office
Conference Room Usage Allowance: Up to 12 hours per month.
Reciprocal Use Allowance: 8 Hours per month/per location
Fixed Monthly Office Rental: $7928.00
Fixed Monthly Furniture Rental: $300.00 (6 Sets)
Fixed Monthly Add'l Furn. Rental: $0.00
Fixed Monthly Phone Charge: $665.00 (7 Sets)
Fixed Monthly Line Charge: $240.00 (2 Fax Line/4 Modem Lines)
Fixed Monthly Add'l People Charge: $0.00
Fixed Monthly Parking: Billed Direct By Vendor
Other Fixed Monthly Charges: Description: Coffee Service: $40.00
</TABLE>
Refundable Service Deposit:
Equal to One Month Office/Furniture Rental: $10,220.00 (Current on hand)
((6) set(s) of keys included)
Payment Due at Signing:
1st Month's Office Rental To Be Billed
1st Month's Furniture Rental
1st Month's Additional Furniture Rental
1st Month's Additional Persons
State Tax (5.0%)
1st Month's Phone Charge
1st Month's Fax/Modem Line
Phone Line(s) Wiring Charge
Initial Set Up Charge
Service Deposit On Hand
TOTAL FIRST MONTH'S RENTAL AND CHARGES AND DEPOSIT.................To Be Billed
Note: Please be sure to write a separate check for security deposit and first
months fixed rental charges.
Rent Check Received (Amount): Date:___________
Deposit Check Received (Amount): Date:___________
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE OF FURNISHINGS
- -----------------------
FURNITURE COLOR CONDITION CHARGE
--------- ----- --------- ------
6 Executive Desk(s) Oak
- --- ---------- ------------------
6 Credenza/Workstation Oak
- --- ---------- ------------------
6 Executive Chair(s) Grey
- --- ---------- ------------------
9 Guest Chair(s) Oak
- --- ---------- ------------------
0 Secretarial Desk(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
0 Secretarial Chair(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
2 Bookcase(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
1 Conference Table(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
0 Lateral File(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
6 Waste Basket(s)
- --- ---------- ------------------
6 Floor Mat(s) Clear
- --- ---------- ------------------
ARTWORK: FRAMED PICTURE(S)
- ------- -------
(1) (2)
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ADDITIONS/DELETIONS:
Date:
COMMENTS ON CHANGES:
Tenant SIGNATURE:
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DATE:
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Landlord SIGNATURE:
DATE:
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<PAGE>
SCHEDULE OF KEYS
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One each key for file drawer in credenza and desk
2 Key(s) for office/suite (725) door
---
2 Key(s) for office/suite (726A/B) door
---
2 Key(s) for office/suite (727/28) door
---
2 Key(s) for office/suite (729) door
---
2 Key(s) for office/suite (730) door
---
2 Security card for building 2 Wisconsin Circle, Chevy Chase, Maryland
---
2 Security key or card for 7th floor at Chevy Chase
--- --- -----------
Tenant SIGNATURE:
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DATE:
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Landlord SIGNATURE:
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DATE:
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<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.15
SUB-SUBLEASE
------------
THIS SUB-SUBLEASE is made this 2nd day of July 1998, by and between IT
Corporation, a California corporation, hereinafter called "Sub-Sublessor," and
US Digital Satellite, Inc. a Delaware corporation, hereinafter called
"Sub-Sublessee."
RECITALS
--------
I. The American Association of Museums (Sublessor) and IT Corporation, a
California corporation (Sublessee), entered into a sublease agreement,
which for reference purposes is dated June 6, 1997, with respect to the
premises known as 1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 425, Washington, D.C. said
sublease and amendments being hereinafter referred to as the "Master
Sublease", a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated by reference.
II. Sub-Sublessor desires to sublease to Sub-Sublessee approximately 2,650
rentable square feet for twenty one (21) months and 14 days of the
above-described property being subleased by Sub-Sublessor under the
terms of the Master Sublease, a copy of which is attached hereto, and
Sub-Sublessee desires to sublease such space from Sub-Sublessor.
THEREFORE, Sub-Sublessor and Sub-Sublessee agree as follows:
A. Demise and Description of Property. Sub-Sublessor hereby subleases
-----------------------------------
to Sub-Sublessee, and Sublessee hereby hires from Sub-Sublessor, on
and subject to the terms, conditions, and covenants hereinafter set
forth, the property described above; hereinafter referred to as the
"Subleased Premises", located at 1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 425,
Washington, D.C. as further described in the Master Sub-Sublease
attached hereto.
B. Term. The term of this sub-sublease shall be for a period of
----
Twenty One (21) months and 14 days, commencing on September 1, 1998,
and terminating on June 14, 2000, unless sooner terminated as
outlined in the Master Sublease.
C. Rent. Upon execution of this sub-sublease, Sub-Sublessee shall
----
provide advance payment of the two (2) month's rent which includes
a security deposit of one (1) months rent and the first months rent
in advance. The rent is $4,858.33 per month full service, excluding
any taxes based upon rent through July 31, 1998 and $5,004.08 per
month thereafter to the termination of the Sub-Sublease on June 14,
2000. The following schedule shall be the rent which shall be paid
directly to Sub-Subleaser.
September 1, 1998 to July 31, 1999 $4,858.33 per month
August 1, 1999 to June 14, 2000 $5,004.08 per month
D. Use of Premises. The subleased premises shall be used by
---------------
Sub-Sublessee for office and for uses normally incident thereto. No
storage of any kind or hazardous materials will be allowed or any
materials used in the subleased premises that would be
environmentally dangerous to the subleased premises.
E. Obligations of Sublessee.
------------------------
1. Sub-sublessee will be required to submit a security deposit of
$4,858.33 due upon execution of this Sub-Sublease.
2. Sub-Sublessee shall pay rent directly to Sub-Sublessor at
IT Corporation, Accounts Payable, 2790 Mosaide Blvd.,
Martinsville, PA, 15148-2792.
3. Sub-Sublessee will confine its operations to the designated
office space and will not use any office space whether used or
occupied by Sub-Sublessor, or other Tenant or Subtenant.
1
<PAGE>
4. Sub-Sublessee will provide a Certificate of Insurance to evidence the
following coverages: Workers Compensation/statutory coverage,
Employers Liability/$2,00,000, Commercial or General
Liability/$2,000,000, Automotive Liability/$2,000,000 and All Risk
Property Insurance for replacement value for all of Sub.-Sublessee's
property and improvements. Such insurance will provide a Waiver of
Subrogation to Sub-Sublessor, and list the Sublessor and Sub-
Sublessor as an Additional Insured on the Commercial or General
Liability. Employers Liability and Automotive Liability policies.
Such certificate must be sent to: Mr. Frank C. Rice, Vice President,
IT Corporation, 2790 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville, Pennsylvania,
15146, prior to the effective date of this Sub-Sublease and any
occupancy of the premises in accordance with this Agreement. In the
event that such insurance is canceled or discontinued, or a current
certificate is not on file at the above-mentioned address, this Sub-
Sublesse may be canceled at the sole discretion of Sub-Sublessor.
5. Sub-Sublessee accepts the space in an "As IS, WHERE IS" condition,
with all faults, except that Sub-Sublessor will permit the Sub-
Subleased Premises with a color selected by Sub-Sublessee, subject
to Sublessor's approval, shampoo the existing carpet, and
(a) Sub-Sublessee covenants and agrees to pay the rent herein
reserved, used the premises for the purpose hereinbefore
stated, and to surrender the leased premises on expiration, or
earlier termination, of the term hereof, in as good as
condition as when received, reasonable wear and tear expected.
(b) Sub-Sublessee agrees that it will protect and save and keep in
Sublessor and Sub-Sublessor forever harmless and indemnified
against, and from, any penalty or damage or changes imposed for
any violation of any laws or ordinances, whether occassioned by
the neglect Sub-Sublessee or those holding under Sub-Sublessee,
and that Sub-Sublessee will, at all times, protect, indemnify,
save and keep harmless the Sublessor and Sub-Sublessor against,
and from, any and all loss, cost, damage or expense arising out
of, or from, any accident or other occurrence on or about said
premises, causing injury to any person or property whomsoever
or whatsoever, and will protect, indemnify, save and keep
harmless the Sublessor and Sub-Sublessor against and from any
and all claims, and against, and from, any and all loss, cost
or damage, or expense arising out of any failure of Sub-
Sublessee in any respect to comply with and perform all of the
requirements and provisions hereof. All of the above expect for
any liability or damage caused by the negligence of Sub-
Sublessee.
(c) Sub-Sublessee will insure any personal property it maintains in
the sub-subleased premises at replacement value with no more
than a $5,000.00 deductible.
(d) Sub-Sublessee will make a good faith effort to keep the
subleased premises secure and in good, clean and orderly
condition.
(e) Sub-Sublessor will use it's reasonable efforts to assist
Sub-Sublessee to obtain parking in the Building garage. Any
such parking is at the Sub-Sublessee's expenses.
(f) Sub-Sublessee will pay the direct costs associated with any
additional HVAC required after customary billing operating
hours as additional rent to the extent that such billing hours
are clearly identified in the utility bill.
F. Other Provisions of Sub-Sublease. All applicable forms and
-------------------------------
conditions of the Master Sublease are incorporated into and made a
part of the Sub-Sublease as if Sub-Sublessor were Sublessor
thereunder, Sub-Sublessee the Sublessee thereunder, and the
Subleased
<PAGE>
Premises the Master Sublease Premises, except for the following
Master Sublease provisions:
Sub-Sublessee assumes and agrees to perform the Sublessee's
obligation under the Master Sublease during the Term to the
extent that such obligations are applicable to the Sub-Subleased
Premises, except that the obligation to pay rent to Sublessor
under the Master Sublease shall be considered performed by Sub-
Sublease to the extent and in the amount rent is paid to Sub-
Sublessor in accordance with Section C. above of this Sub-
Sublease. Sub-Sublessee shall not commit of suffer any act or
omission that will violate any of the provisions of the Master
Sublease. Sub-Sublessor shall exercise due diligence in
attempting to cause Sublessor to perform its obligations under
the Master Sublease for the benefit if Sub-Sublease. Section 12
(Pre-Occupancy Tenant Work) Section 58 (Financial Statements
Rent Section 4 Deposits) Section 5 Term Section 2
G. Signage. The Sub-Sublessor will provide the Sub-Sublessee with
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building standard suite signage in the building directory and at
the suites entrance.
H. Master Sublessor Consent. This Sub-Sublease is subject to the
------------------------
consent of the Master Sublessor, which shall be attached hereto,
and is incorporated herein by reference. If the Master Sublessor
does not consent, then the Sub-Sublease is terminated and both
Parties are released from all obligations under this Sub-
Sublease. Further, this Sub-Sublease shall be modified to
incorporate any reasonable terms and conditions required by the
Master Sublessor or Landlord to obtain such consent.
I. Severability and Survival of Covenants. If any provisions of
--------------------------------------
this Sub-Sublease shall be invalid under any law, it shall be
inapplicable and deemed omitted, but the remaining provisions
shall be given effect in accordance with the intent of the Sub-
Sublease.
J. This Sub-Sublease does not replace, negate, or otherwise
invalidate the Sublease Agreement (Master Sublease) dates June
18, 1997 between IT Corporation and American Association of
Museums, nor the Office Lease Agreement between 1575 Eye Street
Associates and the American Association of Museums (Overlease).
Sub-Sublessee acknowledges that it has received a copy of the
referenced Master Sublease and Overlease, that it has reviewed
both, and that it is familiar with the contents thereof.
Executed at Monroeville, PA and _________________, __ on the day and year first
written above. Sublessee must notarize its signature.
SUB-SUBLESSOR: ITS CORPORATION SUB-SUBLESSEE: US DIGITAL SATELLITE, INC.
Signature: /s/ Frank C. Rice Signature: /s/ Philip Kernan
--------------------- --------------------------------
Name: Frank C. Rice Name: Philip Kernan
--------------------- --------------------------------
Title: Vice President Title: President
--------------------- --------------------------------
(ATTACH NOTARY STATEMENT HERE)
3
<PAGE>
================================================================================
U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
with
ROBERT J. WUSSLER
================================================================================
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
-----------------------------
1. Employment...............................................................1
2. Best Efforts of Employee.................................................1
3. Term of Employment.......................................................2
4. Fringe Benefits..........................................................2
4.1 Vacation........................................................2
4.2 Benefits Provided to Other Employees............................2
4.3 Reimbursement of Expenses.......................................2
4.4 Non-Deductibility...............................................3
5. Deductions From Compensation.............................................3
6. Compensation of Employee.................................................3
6.1 Basic Compensation..............................................3
6.2 Bonus...........................................................3
7. Option Rights; Loan to Purchase Options..................................3
7.1 Stock Option for First Five Years...............................4
7.2 Stock Option for Increase in Market Cap.........................4
8. Termination of Agreement.................................................4
8.1 Termination Without Cause.......................................4
8.2 Termination of Agreement for Cause..............................5
Termination of Agreement By Employer upon Change of Control.....5
9. Other Employment.........................................................6
10. Relationship Between The Parties.........................................6
11. Ownership of Documents...................................................6
12. Representations..........................................................7
12.1 Representations of Employer.....................................7
12.2 Representations of Employee.....................................7
13. No Waiver................................................................8
14. Severability; Reformation................................................8
15. Governing Law............................................................8
<PAGE>
16. Headings.................................................................8
17. Successors and Assigns...................................................8
18. Notice...................................................................8
19. Modification of Contract; Construction...................................8
20. Review by Counsel........................................................9
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------------------
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, is made and entered into this 28 day of
Decenber, 1998, by and between U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a
State of Nevada corporation ("Employer") and ROBERT J. WUSSLER
("Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Employee is desirous of continuing to be employed by Employer,
and Employer is desirous of continuing to engage the services of Employee, on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties
each to the other made and hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable
consideration acknowledged by each party to have been received from the other,
Employer and Employee agree as follows:
1. Employment. Employer employs Employee in the position of President
----------
and Chief Executive Officer, and Employee accepts and agrees to such employment,
subject to the general supervision of Employer and pursuant to the orders,
rules, regulations, policies, practices and direction of Employer in existence
and promulgated from time to time. Employee shall perform such duties as (i) are
set forth in the By-Laws of the Employer, (ii) customarily assigned to, and
performed by, one holding such a position with Employer, and (iii) may be
defined and/or expanded from time to time by the Board of Directors of Employer.
2. Best Efforts of Employee. Employee agrees that he will, at all times,
------------------------
faithfully, industriously, and to the best of his efforts, ability, experience
and talent, perform all of the duties and functions that may be reasonably
required of and from him pursuant to the express and implicit terms hereof, to
the satisfaction of Employer. Employee agrees to comply with all practices,
<PAGE>
policies, standards, rules and regulations of Employer which, from time to time,
may be established by Employer.
3. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of Section 8., below,
------------------
this Agreement shall commence as of June 1, 1998, and continue for an initial
period of five (5) years until May 31, 2003.
4. Fringe Benefits. In addition to the compensation provided for in
---------------
Section 6., above, Employer agrees to:
4.1 Vacation. Provide Employee with a paid vacation period, the term
--------
of which will be determined by Employer, but shall be at least Four (4) weeks
during each year of employment. Vacation schedules, leave or "days off" shall be
subject to prior approval of Employer. The approval of Employer shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
4.2 Benefits Provided to Other Employees. Provide all fringe
------------------------------------
benefits (such as participation in Employer's Qualified Pension and Profit
Sharing Plans, and health/medical insurance coverage for Employee and his
family) which Employer may, in its discretion, from time to time, extend to its
employees. It is understood that with respect to such fringe benefits, Employer
reserves the right to install, modify, amend and/or terminate the same in its
discretion at any time, and from time to time, without affecting the respective
rights, duties and obligations of Employer and Employee hereunder.
4.3 Reimbursement of Expenses. Employer shall reimburse Employee for
-------------------------
his reasonable business expenses (including expenditures for travel, meals,
hotel accommodations, and the like), if any, incurred in the course of his
employment hereunder
<PAGE>
4.4 Non-Deductibility. If any payment, employee fringe benefit or
-----------------
other expense incurred by Employer for the benefit of Employee is disallowed in
whole or in part as a deductible expense of Employer for Federal income tax
purposes, Employee shall treat such payment as compensation includable in the
income of Employee and deductible by Employer.
5. Deductions From Compensation. Employer shall have the right to deduct
----------------------------
from the salary payable to Employee under the provisions of this Agreement
Social Security taxes, if applicable, all Federal, State and local income taxes
and charges as may now be in effect or which may hereinafter be enacted.
6. Compensation of Employee. As compensation to Employee in connection
------------------------
with this Agreement, Employer agrees to pay, and Employee agrees to accept the
following:
6.1 Basic Compensation. During the term of this Agreement, Employer
------------------
shall pay to Employee as basic per annum compensation for the period June 1,
1998 through May 31, 1999 the sum of $325,000.00 ("Basic Compensation").
Employee's Basic Compensation shall increase each June 1, beginning June 1,
1999, by seven (7%) percent. The Basic Compensation shall be paid to Employee in
accordance with the standard payroll practices of Employer relating to time and
manner of payment.
6.2 Bonus. In addition to Employee's Basic Compensation, Employer
-----
shall pay to Employee, within a reasonable period of time after the close of
each calendar year of Employer, a discretionary bonus in an amount not to exceed
One Hundred (100%) percent of the Employee's Basic Compensation. The Bonus shall
commence on January, 1999.
7. Option Rights; Loan to Purchase Options. Upon the execution of this
---------------------------------------
Agreement, Employer shall loan Employee the sum of approximately One Hundred
Fifty Thousand Dollars
<PAGE>
($150,000.00), pursuant to the terms of the Promissory Note attached hereto as
Exhibit "A". The Employee shall use the proceeds of the loan to simultaneously
purchase 340,000 shares of the common stock of the Employer pursuant to certain
options he presently owns. The Promissory Note shall be non-recourse and shall
be secured by the shares of Stock purchased.
7.1 Stock Option for First Five Years. Employee shall be granted for
---------------------------------
each year of employment, the option to purchase 200,000 shares of the common
stock of Employer, or any portion thereof, for a purchase price of Two Dollars
($2.00) per share. Employee must notify Employer of his intent to exercise said
option, or any portion thereof, on or before the date of the termination of his
employment. Employee shall have seven (7) years from the date of his exercise to
close on the purchase of the shares of the common stock of Employer represented
by the options.
7.2 Stock Option for Increase in Market Cap. Employee shall be
---------------------------------------
granted the option to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the common stock of
Employer, for a purchase price of Two Dollars ($2.00) per share, for each Fifty
Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) of increase in the market cap of the Employer
above a market cap of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) during
the term of employment. Employee must notify Employer of his intent to exercise
said options on or before the date of the termination of his employment.
Employee shall have seven (7) years from the date of his exercise to close on
the purchase of the shares of the common stock of Employer represented by the
options.
8. Termination of Agreement.
------------------------
8.1 Termination Without Cause. This Agreement can be terminated
-------------------------
without cause upon the following terms and conditions:
<PAGE>
A. Termination by mutual written consent of both Employer and
Employee to be effective as of the date stated in the written consent of both
Employer and Employee.
B. Termination by Employee upon ninety (90) days written notice
delivered to Employer.
8.2 Termination of Agreement for Cause. This Agreement and the
----------------------------------
employment of Employee may be terminated immediately and without any advance or
written notice by Employer if any of the following events should occur, and in
which case Employee's compensation shall be measured to the date of such
termination without severance pay:
8.2.1 Criminal Offense. If Employee shall be convicted of, or
----------------
pleads guilty to a criminal offense constituting a felony.
8.2.2 Dishonesty. If Employee shall be proven to have been
----------
materially dishonest with respect to his duties and obligations to the business
and affairs of Employer.
8.2.3 Insanity; Incompetency; Death. If Employee shall be
-----------------------------
adjudicated insane or determined to be legally incompetent, or dies.
8.3 Termination of Agreement By Employer upon Change of Control.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Employer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90) days
written notice delivered to Employee, in the event the voting stock ownership of
Employer changes by more than fifty One (51%) percent from the present voting
stock ownership of Employer. Any determination as to a change in the common
voting stock ownership of the Employer shall be based upon the records of the
Employer's stock transfer agent, Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. or its
successor(s). In the event the Employer terminates Employee pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 8.3,
<PAGE>
Employer shall pay Employee all compensation (including all options) that would
otherwise have been payable to Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
through May 1, 2003.
9. Other Employment. Employee agrees that he shall devote his full
----------------
working time and attention to his employment by Employer and shall not engage in
any other gainful employment during the initial term of this Agreement and all
extensions thereof, unless the written consent of Employer is first obtained.
Employer shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits or other issues
arising from or incident to all work, services and advice performed or given by
Employee. The above restriction, however, shall not be construed as preventing
Employee from expending reasonable amounts of time for charitable and
professional activities or from investing his assets in such form or manner as
will not require any services on the part of Employee in the operation of the
affairs of the companies in which such investments are made.
10. Relationship Between The Parties. The parties recognize that the
--------------------------------
relationship between Employer and Employee shall be that of employer and
employee. Employee shall be considered and treated as having an employee status
and being entitled to participate in any plans, arrangements or distributions of
and by Employer pertaining to or in connection with any pension, bonus, profit
sharing or similar employee fringe benefits for the regular employees of
Employer.
11. Ownership of Documents. All documents and/or other work product
----------------------
produced by Employee in the performance of Employee's services hereunder are and
shall remain the sole property of Employer and Employee shall have no
independent rights therein. Employee agrees that at no time during Employee's
employment shall Employee remove from the premises of Employer any documents,
files or records of Employer (including computerized versions), whether or not
produced by Employee, without Employer's prior consent. Further, upon
termination of Employee's
<PAGE>
employment and/or this Agreement, Employee agrees to immediately return any
documents in the possession of the Employee to Employer and shall maintain no
copies for the Employee's own use.
12. Representations.
---------------
12.1 Representations of Employer. Employer hereby represents and
---------------------------
covenants to Employee that:
A. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
adopted and approved by the Board of Directors of Employer.
B. Employer has the power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
C. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by, and is the valid and binding obligation of, Employer, enforceable
against Employer in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation,
moratorium, or similar laws now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors'
rights generally; and specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of
the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
12.2 Representations of Employee. Employee hereby represents and
---------------------------
covenants to Employer that this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by, and is the valid and binding obligation of Employee enforceable
against Employee in accordance with its terms.
<PAGE>
13. No Waiver. The failure of Employer, or its successors and assigns,
---------
to insist upon strict compliance as to any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any similar right or power
pursuant to this Agreement at any subsequent time.
14. Severability; Reformation. If any of the provisions of this
-------------------------
Agreement or a part hereof, is hereafter construed by any Court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the
remainder of such provision or provisions, all of such remainder to be given
full effect, without regard to the invalid or unenforceable portions.
15. Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity
-------------
and interpretation of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations
imposed by this Agreement will be governed by the internal laws, and not the law
of conflicts, of the State of Maryland.
16. Headings. The headings set forth herein are for convenience only and
--------
shall not be used in interpreting the text of the sections in which they appear.
17. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
----------------------
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
18. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
------
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered or
certified mail in the care of Employee to his residence and in the case of
Employer to the principal office of Employer.
19. Modification of Contract; Construction. This instrument contains the
--------------------------------------
entire agreement of the parties concerning employment. No modification of this
Agreement or of any covenant, condition, or limitation herein contained shall be
valid unless in writing and duly executed by the parties hereto. The parties
further agree that the provisions of this Section may not be waived
<PAGE>
except as herein set forth. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Employee
and shall not preclude the employment of other employees by Employer upon
different terms and conditions.
20. Review by Counsel. Employee acknowledges that he has been given an
-----------------
opportunity to have this Agreement reviewed by counsel of his choice and that
Employer has urged Employee to avail himself of such review. Employee further
acknowledges that this Agreement has either been so reviewed or that Employee
has determined to waive such review notwithstanding the advice of Employer to
have this Agreement reviewed on Employee's behalf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date first hereinabove set forth.
U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Lawrence Siegel
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Lawrence Siegel, Director
By: /s/ Henrikas Iouchkiavitchious
---------------------------------------
Henrikas Iouchkiavitchious, Director
By: /s/ Thomas Glenndahl
---------------------------------------
Thomas Glenndahl, Director
By: /s/ A. Frans Heideman
---------------------------------------
A. Frans Heideman, Director
/s/ Robert J. Wussler
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ROBERT J. WUSSLER
<PAGE>
NON-RECOURSE PROMISSORY NOTE
-------------------------------------
$150,000,000 [Date]
- ------------ Bethesda, Maryland
------------------
FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION ACKNOWLEDGED TO HAVE BEEN RECEIVED,
the undersigned, ROBERT J. WUSSLER, (the "Maker"), promises to pay to the order
of U.S. DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (the "Payee"), the principal sum of One
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) with interest upon the unpaid
balance from the date of this Promissory Note until paid, at a rate equal to
seven (7%) percent per annum.
The entire unpaid balance including any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon shall be due and payable in full on the fifth anniversary of the
execution of Promissory Note.
1. Payments. All payments due hereunder shall be made Payee at his
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principal place of business, unless the undersigned Maker shall be advised, in
writing, to make such payments to another Noteholder and/or to a different
address.
All payments of principal and/or interest shall be payable in immediately
available funds in lawful money of the United States which shall be legal tender
for public and private debts at the time of payment. Any payment by other than
immediately available funds which Payee or other Noteholder, at its sole option,
elects to accept shall be subject to collection and interest shall continue to
accrue until the funds are available to Payee or other Noteholder.
2. Prepayment. Maker reserves and is granted the right to prepay all
----------
or any part of Maker's obligations due and owing hereunder, at any time and
form time to time, without penalty. Any such prepayments shall not relieve
Maker's obligation to continue the payments otherwise prescribed to be
hereunder, until such time as the entire principal balance and all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon has been paid in full.
3. Default. Default is defined as the non-payment when due of any
-------
obligation or non-performance of any duty hereunder, provided that the Payee or
other Noteholder shall provide written notice specifying the default and giving
Maker not less than five (5) days in which to cure the default.
4. Remedies. In the event of a default as defined hereunder, the
--------
principal sum and all accrued and unpaid interest may, at the option of the
Payee or other Noteholder become automatically accelerated and due and payable,
in full, without further notice to Maker, and Maker shall be liable for all
expenses incurred by the Payee or other Noteholder in the enforcement or the
collection of this Promissory Note, including, but not limited to, reasonable
attorney's fees and court costs, whether or not suit is instituted.
5. Waiver of Rights. The Maker hereby waives, to the maximum extent
----------------
not prohibited by law, (i) presentment, demand, protest and notice of protest
and/or dishonor, notice of default,
<PAGE>
except as set forth above, (ii) all other notices now or hereafter otherwise
provided by law, (iii) the benefits of the homestead exemption (if applicable),
(iv) any right of offset, and (v) the benefit of any law or rule of law intended
for Maker's advantage or protection as a maker under this Note, or providing for
Maker's release or discharge from liability, in whole or in part (including
statutes of limitations), on account of any facts or circumstances other than
full and complete payment of all amounts due hereunder. The Maker hereby waives
the right to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or in
any way pertaining to this Promissory Note.
6. Commercial Purpose. The Maker represents and warrants that the
------------------
indebtedness evidenced by this Promissory Note was incurred for the purpose of
carrying on or acquiring a business or commercial enterprise in accordance with
Section 12-103(e) of the Commercial Law Article of the Annotated Code of
----------------------
Maryland and constitutes an exempt transaction under the Truth-in-Lending act,
15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
------
7. Severability. If any provision of this Promissory Note shall be
------------
judged invalid or not enforceable by any court, then such partial invalidity or
unenforceability shall not cause the remainder of this Promissory Note to be or
to become invalid or unenforceable, and if a provision hereof is held invalid or
unenforceable in one or more of its applications, the Maker agrees that said
provision shall remain in effect in all valid or enforceable applications that
are severable from the invalid or unenforceable application or applications.
8. Forbearance; Waiver; Modification. In the event that the Payee or
---------------------------------
other Noteholder forebears in exercising any rights in connection herewith, such
forbearance shall not constitute a waiver of the right to exercise such rights
in the event of any subsequent default. No amendment to or modification of this
Promissory Note shall be binding upon the Payee unless in writing and signed by
Payee.
9. Remedies Cumulative and Concurrent. Each right, power and remedy of
----------------------------------
the Payee, or other Noteholder, as provided for in this Promissory Note or any
other document between the Maker and the Payee, or now or hereinafter existing
under any applicable law, or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent, shall
be in addition to every other right, power and remedy provided for in this
Promissory Note or any other such document or now or hereinafter existing under
any applicable law, and the exercise of any one or more of such rights, powers
or remedies shall not preclude a simultaneous or later exercise by the Payee or
other Noteholder or any or all such rights, powers or remedies.
10. Security. This Promissory Note is secured by the Maker's interest in
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__________ shares of the common stock of U.S. Digital Communications, Inc. which
are being acquired with the proceeds of this loan.
11. Limitation of Liability; Non-Recourse. Maker shall be liable on this
-------------------------------------
Promissory Note and for all amounts covenanted to be paid by Maker under the
terms hereof (collectively the "Indebtedness") to the full extent (but only to
the extent) of the security for the payment of this
<PAGE>
Promissory Note, being all those properties, rights and interests described in
Section 10, above. If default occurs in the payment of all or any part of the
Indebtedness, any judicial proceedings brought by the Payee against Maker shall
be limited to the preservation, enforcement, and foreclosure of the liens,
rights and security interests provided for herein or at any time hereafter
securing the Indebtedness. No attachment, levy, execution or other writ of
process shall be sought or issued upon any property of Maker, other than the
properties and interests described in Section 10. If there is a foreclosure of
the liens, rights and security interests securing the payment of this Promissory
Note, by power of sale or otherwise, no judgment for any deficiency upon the
Indebtedness shall be sought or obtained by Payee against Maker.
12. Governing Law. This Promissory Note shall be governed by and
-------------
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker's signature and seal has been affixed on
the date first hereinabove written.
/s/ Robert J. Wussler (Seal)
----------------------------------------
ROBERT J. WUSSLER
