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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 30, 1998.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------------
WAVEPHORE, INC.
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
INDIANA 86-0491428
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
3311 NORTH 44TH STREET
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018
(602) 952-5500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of principal executive offices)
----------------------------
DAVID E. DEEDS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WAVEPHORE, INC.
3311 NORTH 44TH STREET
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018
(602) 952-5500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
----------------------------
COPY TO: COPY TO:
DOUGLAS J. REICH, ESQ. STEVEN D. PIDGEON, ESQ.
WAVEPHORE, INC. SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.
3311 NORTH 44TH STREET ONE ARIZONA CENTER
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85018 PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85004-0001
(602)952-5500 (602) 382-6000
----------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
----------------------------
From time to time after this Registration Statement
becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. //
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
----------------------------
(FACING PAGE CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================================
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Class of Amount to be Offering Price Aggregate Amount of
Securities to be Registered Registered(1) Per Share Offering Price Registration Fee
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COMMON SHARES 454,654 SHARES $8.50 (2) $3,864,559 $1,140.04
=======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) In the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction
involving Common Shares of the Company, in order to prevent dilution, the
number of shares registered shall be automatically increased to cover the
additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act
of 1933.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c), based upon the average of the high and low
prices of the Common Shares on January 26, 1998, as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market.
----------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE> 3
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
PROSPECTUS
454,654 COMMON SHARES
WAVEPHORE, INC.
This Prospectus relates to the resale by Paracel Online Systems, Inc.
(the "Selling Security Holder") of up to 454,654 Common Shares of WavePhore,
Inc. ("WavePhore" or the "Company"), which were previously acquired by the
Selling Security Holder in connection with the acquisition by the Company of
certain assets of the Selling Security Holder. The distribution of the Common
Shares by the Selling Security Holder currently is not subject to any
underwriting agreement. None of the Common Shares offered pursuant to this
Prospectus has been registered prior to the filing of the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus is a part. The Common Shares registered for resale
hereby have been registered pursuant to the Company's obligations contained in a
written agreement with the Selling Security Holder.
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Common
Shares by the Selling Security Holder. The Selling Security Holder may elect to
sell all, a portion, or none of the Common Shares registered hereby. The Common
Shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol
"WAVO." On January 26, 1998, the last reported sales price of the Common Shares,
as reported by Nasdaq, was $8.3125 per share.
The Common Shares being registered under the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part may be offered for sale from time to time by or
for the account of the Selling Security Holder in the open market, on Nasdaq, in
privately negotiated transactions, in an underwritten offering, or a combination
of such methods, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. The Common
Shares are intended to be sold through one or more broker-dealers or directly to
purchasers. Such broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Security Holder and/or
purchasers of the Common Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent,
or to whom they may sell as principal, or both (which compensation as to a
particular broker-dealer may be in excess of customary concessions). The Selling
Security Holder and any broker-dealers who act in connection with the sale of
Common Shares hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), and any commissions received
by them and proceeds of any resale of the Common Shares may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. See "Selling
Security Holder" and "Plan of Distribution." All expenses of registration
incurred in connection with this Offering are being borne by the Company, except
that the Selling Security Holder will pay any brokerage and other expenses of
sale incurred by it. See "Plan of Distribution."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY.
THE SELLING SECURITY HOLDER AND ANY BROKER EXECUTING SELLING ORDERS ON BEHALF OF
THE SELLING SECURITY HOLDER MAY BE DEEMED TO BE AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT. COMMISSIONS RECEIVED BY ANY SUCH BROKER MAY BE
DEEMED TO BE UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JANUARY , 1998.
<PAGE> 4
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in
accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements, and other
information filed by the Company may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices located at 7
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and at Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Commission maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports,
proxy, and information statements and other information regarding registrants,
such as the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. The Company's
Common Shares are listed on Nasdaq and similar information can be inspected and
copied at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") with respect to the Common Shares offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Common Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits thereto. Statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
otherwise filed with the Commission are not necessarily complete and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such document as so filed. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
No person is authorized to give any information or make any
representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be
relied upon as having been authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered
hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such
offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this
Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company
since the date hereof.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents have been filed by the Company with the
Commission and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus: (1)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996; (2)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1997, June 30,
1997, and September 30, 1997; (3) the Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Securityholders; (4) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12,
1997; (5) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 1997; (6) Current Report
on Form 8-K/A filed on August 12, 1997; and (7) Description of Capital Stock
contained in the Company's registration statement on Form 8-A, including all
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. All
other documents and reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of this Offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and to be made a part hereof from the date of the filing of
such reports and documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all documents incorporated
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herein by reference (not including the exhibits to such documents, unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in the document which this
Prospectus incorporates). Requests for such documents should be directed to
Investor Relations, WavePhore, Inc., 3311 North 44th Street, Phoenix, Arizona
85018; telephone (602) 952-5500.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus, including all documents incorporated herein by reference,
contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding, among other
items, the Company's business strategy, growth strategy, and anticipated trends
in the Company's business. Additional written or oral forward-looking statements
may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Commission or
otherwise. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," and "project" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date the statement is made. These forward-looking statements are based
largely on the Company's expectations and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and are beyond
the Company's control. Future events and actual results could differ materially
from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking
statements. Statements in this Prospectus, including those set forth in "Risk
Factors," and the documents incorporated herein by reference, describe factors,
among others, that could contribute to or cause such differences. In light of
these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the
forward-looking information contained in or incorporated into this Prospectus
will in fact transpire or prove to be accurate. All written and oral
forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its
behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing.
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THE COMPANY
Investors should carefully consider the information set forth under the
heading "Risk Factors" commencing on page 6 of this Prospectus. Except as
otherwise specified, all references herein to the "Company" or "WavePhore"
include WavePhore, Inc., an Indiana corporation, and each of its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
WavePhore is a developer and provider of proprietary products and
services for low-cost, high-speed, data broadcasting systems for distributing
electronic information via existing worldwide television, radio, and satellite
broadcast infrastructures and the Internet. The Company currently operates two
divisions and is developing a third division within the data broadcasting
industry: (i) its Networks Division provides equipment and data broadcasting
services to major information providers to enable them to broadcast news and
other information to their customers; (ii) its Newscast(TM) Division provides
business customers with customized and aggregated news and information delivered
from information providers and other content sources; and (iii) its recently
formed WaveTop(TM) Division is continuing to develop a consumer-based
entertainment and programming service for data broadcasting to home PCs and
TV/PCs.
NETWORKS DIVISION
The Company, through its Networks Division, provides wireless data
broadcasting network services and equipment to providers of financial data,
news, and other information, such as Reuters America, Inc. ("Reuters"), Dow
Jones & Company, Inc., the Associated Press, Knight-Ridder, Inc., and Thompson
Financial Services. The Company's broadcast networks utilize established
technologies, such as FM subcarrier and small dish satellite broadcasting
technologies, that are well-suited to the economical one-way transmission of
time-sensitive data from one central location to many remote sites. The
Company's FM subcarrier transmission operations are established in 14 major
United States markets that, combined with the Company's small dish satellite
coverage, enable the Company to serve the continental United States and the
major population centers in Canada. The Company designs, sells, and rents data
receivers and network management equipment and systems to information providers
for world-wide use with the Company's networks or their own private network.
These companies include Novanet Communications Limited, SkyTel Corp., AEI Music
Network, Inc., Reuters, Muzak, 3M Company, and WSI Corporation.
NEWSCAST DIVISION
The Company's WavePhore Newscast(TM) Today service allows users to create
customized information profiles and have news and information matching those
profiles electronically "clipped" from a large variety of information sources
and delivered to the users' PCs. The Newscast service, which incorporates
hardware and software elements, enables end users to filter real-time news and
other data from information providers and allows integration of this flow of
information into an organization's local area network or electronic mail system
for delivery to persons who need timely access to such information. Pursuant to
an agreement between the Company and Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"),
Microsoft has agreed to include WavePhore Newcast(TM) Today as a "premier"
business channel for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0.
WAVETOP(TM) DIVISION
The Company is continuing development of and, in December 1997, commenced
beta test operation of WaveTop(TM) ("WaveTop"), a consumer broadcast service
that the Company expects will become a nationwide wireless broadcast medium for
the home PC. This new service is intended to deliver entertainment and
information programming, utilizing "push" technology, via existing analog
television broadcast signals, without the bandwidth limitations associated with
the Internet. The Company expects WaveTop to provide streaming multimedia
content, including audio, video, software, and real-time data, to
broadcast-ready PCs or TV/PCs. The WaveTop service will broadcast data and other
content by inserting it into the vertical blanking interval ("VBI") of existing
analog television
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signals. The Public Broadcasting Service ("PBS") and its member stations,
pursuant to an agreement with PBS National Datacast, Inc., will provide the
broadcast signal that WaveTop utilizes to transmit information. The Company
intends to offer a variety of "channels" through WaveTop, free of charge to the
consumer. The Company is seeking to generate revenue from advertiser-sponsors
and content provider-sponsors for the respective channels. The Company also will
seek to create revenue-sharing opportunities with on-line service providers and
plans to explore opportunities to create subscriber-based premium channels and
pay-per-view downloads. Pursuant to an agreement between Microsoft and the
Company, Microsoft will include the Company's WaveTop software in its Windows(R)
98 operating system. Pursuant to a separate agreement between Microsoft and the
Company, Microsoft will include the Company's WaveTop service as Active Channel
content for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0. The Company currently is beta
testing the WaveTop service and expects to commence commercial operations of the
WaveTop service in the first half of 1998, although there can be no assurance
that commercial operations will not be delayed.
The Company designs and produces proprietary VBI equipment, including
encoders, decoders, and bridges, and has developed various software packages and
systems for data transmission and reception. To facilitate reception of the
WaveTop service by home PC users, the Company has licensed WaveTop related
technology to PC manufacturers such as Compaq Computer Corporation and to
certain manufacturers of TV tuner cards for PCs. Certain of the Company's VBI
technology, which has been licensed to Intel Corporation ("Intel") by the
Company, permits a PC to receive and display television broadcasting and
datacasting. The Company and Intel also have jointly developed a hardware
developer's kit for Intel's Intercast Viewer and WavePhore's broadcast services,
which includes jointly developed VBI decoder technology in software form that is
used to extract data embedded in the standard television signal. The kit
provides OEM PC/board manufacturers and independent hardware vendors tools to
develop and test products that will support Intel's Intercast technology and
WavePhore's data broadcasting technology and services.
ACQUISITION OF PARACEL ONLINE SYSTEMS, INC.
On May 29, 1997, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets
and assumed certain of the liabilities of the Selling Security Holder (the
"Acquired Business"), a provider of customized and aggregated news and other
information derived from newspapers, newswires, and news magazines to general
business customers worldwide utilizing proprietary and licensed technology. The
Acquired Business also provides industry specific, high performance text and
data analysis services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and commercial
online information industries.
The Company paid $3,000,000 to the Selling Security Holder for the
Acquired Business at closing, and paid an additional $6,000,000 in November
1997. The purchase agreement also provides for the delivery of additional
consideration if the combined WavePhore Newscast and Acquired Business achieve
certain minimum financial performance thresholds in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
Because the threshold for 1997 was met, additional consideration was paid to the
Selling Security Holder in Common Shares based upon the then current value of
those shares. This Prospectus pertains to the resale of those shares.
The Acquired Business' news service receives information from a wide
variety of national and international sources continuously throughout the day
via satellite and other methods of electronic transmission. Through the use of
proprietary technology, the information is processed and then delivered to
customers' PCs, principally via the Internet, and also via Lotus Notes networks
and e-mail servers. Each customer of the Acquired Business' service has at least
one custom-designed profile, which pinpoints topics, competitors, industry
terms, and companies according to the customer's predefined profile. The
Acquired Business' news service utilizes Fast Data Finder ("FDF") text filtering
and categorization technology licensed to the Acquired Business. The Fast Data
Finder uses the custom-built profiles as road maps for filtering the information
for each customer. The FDF is a massively-parallel hardware accelerator for
high-precision, large-scale text profiling that enables the filtering of raw
information and customization of information on a very large scale. The Acquired
Business is currently operated within the Company's WavePhore Newscast division.
The Company is an Indiana corporation formed on November 13, 1990. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 3311 N. 44th Street,
Phoenix, Arizona and its telephone number is (602) 952-5500.
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RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should carefully consider the factors discussed below in
evaluating the Company and its business before purchasing any of the Common
Shares offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties. 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 the following risk
factors and elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Disclosure Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements."
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY; LACK OF PROFITABILITY
The Company was organized in November 1990 as the successor to an Arizona
corporation formed in 1983. Prior to a significant acquisition in December 1995,
the Company had very limited revenues from operations and had incurred
significant losses and substantial negative operating cash flow. Since the
initial acquisition and partially as the result of substantial additional
acquisitions, the Company's revenues have increased significantly. However, the
Company has continued to incur losses and negative cash flow and expects to
continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND FREQUENT NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
The market for the Company's products and services is characterized by
rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions. The Company
believes that its future success depends upon its ability to develop and market
products and services which incorporate new technologies, and to enhance and
expand its existing product lines. The Company will need to spend significant
amounts of capital to develop and enhance its products and services to meet and
take advantage of technological changes. There can be no assurance that the
Company (i) can develop or market new products or services successfully, (ii)
can respond effectively to technological changes or new product announcements by
its competitors, or (iii) will have sufficient capital when required to
implement such strategies.
The Company is continuing development of and has commenced beta test
operation of its new consumer service, "WaveTop", for the home PC market,
utilizing the VBI of analog television signals broadcast by PBS member
television stations pursuant to an agreement with PBS National Datacast, Inc.
The Company also is continuing its development of certain advanced data
broadcasting technologies. There can be no assurance (i) that the Company will
be successful in commercially developing such products and services, (ii) that
third party manufacturers of personal computers, PC boards, set top boxes, and
other consumer electronic products will be willing to incorporate the Company's
technology into their products, or (iii) that such technology, products, and
services will achieve significant market acceptance.
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED TELEVISION SYSTEM FORMAT
The advanced television system format ("ATV") currently under development
by the broadcast industry is expected eventually to enable television
broadcasters to transmit digital programming and non-programming related data at
high speeds to a mass audience. ATV utilizes a digital television signal, as
compared to the analog signals currently used by U.S. and other television
broadcasters. While the Company expects to migrate its television signal- based
data broadcasting products and services to the digital-based ATV format when it
becomes available, and anticipates that it will develop products and services
that will take advantage of the data broadcasting opportunities expected to be
created by implementation of ATV, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in these efforts. If the digital-based ATV format achieves
widespread acceptance in the future, the Company will be required to adapt its
television signal-based data broadcasting products and services to be compatible
with such format or its future business operations will be materially and
adversely affected.
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AGGRESSIVE COMPETITION
The Company has aggressive competitors in the data broadcasting and
electronic information access, processing, and distribution businesses. The
Company's sales and potential profitability will be affected by competition from
other businesses, including established firms with greater financial and
technical resources and more experience in data and information distribution
than the Company. The Company is aware of numerous competitors that provide
products and services similar to those offered by the Company, including, among
others, (i) the regional Bell operating companies, AP SatNet, and Data
Broadcasting Corporation in the data broadcasting business, (ii) dial-up
services such as Reed Elsevier, Inc.'s LEXIS/NEXIS(R), Desktop Data, Inc., and
Individual, Inc. in the electronic information access, processing, and
distribution business, and (iii) Wegener Communications, Comstream Corporation,
International Datacasting Corporation, and Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. in the
equipment sales business. In addition, with the rapid expansion of the Internet,
numerous companies provide access to or deliver similar products via this
on-line facility. Additional competitors may enter the market as demand for the
Company's products and services expands. The Company's sales and marketing
efforts will be critical as the Company continues to face competition in the
marketplace. The Company does not offer two-way, interactive communications
products or services, and the Company could face a potential competitive
disadvantage in the event that two-way services are developed and offered at
more competitive prices than those of the Company's broadcast systems. There can
be no assurance that the Company will, in the future, (i) be able to provide the
technological enhancements and new products necessary to maintain its
competitive position, or (ii) have the financial resources to make the required
investments in sales, marketing, engineering, and research and development
necessary to sustain a competitive position for its products and services. The
Company's financial condition and results of operations may be adversely
affected by the actions of existing or future competitors, including the
development of new technologies, the introduction of new products, and the
reduction of prices to gain or retain market share.
EMERGING MARKET FOR CUSTOMIZED INFORMATION SERVICES
The market for the Company's customized information services has only
recently begun to develop, is rapidly evolving, and is characterized by an
increasing number of market entrants who have introduced or developed business
information services for delivery by facsimile and over public and private
networks, online services, the Internet and intranets. As is typical of a new
and rapidly evolving industry, demand and market acceptance for recently
introduced products and services are subject to a high level of uncertainty.
The Company's future operating results will depend in substantial part on
its ability to increase the subscriber base of its Newscast service, which is
sold to businesses, organizations, professionals, and other institutional users,
to successfully launch its WaveTop service, which will be offered to consumers,
and to attract content sponsorship from advertisers for its products. Growth in
the subscriber base of Newscast and WaveTop will depend on, among other factors,
the ability of the Company to expand its direct and indirect sales and marketing
channels, to attract and retain information providers that publish news and
information that is relevant to the needs of the Company's customers, and to
deliver its services across the multiple delivery platforms that are relied upon
by its customers to support their changing communications infrastructure. The
receipt of paid advertising sponsorship of WaveTop will depend on, among other
matters, market acceptance of this form of advertising, the Company's ability to
develop a sales force to sell advertising, the Company's ability to attract and
retain information providers, and the Company's ability to develop and increase
a base of users of a sufficient size and with appropriate demographics to
attract advertisers.
Because the market for the Company's products and services is new and
evolving, it is difficult to predict with any assurance the growth rate, if any,
and size of this market, as well as the costs to develop this market. There can
be no assurance that the market for the Company's products and services will
develop or that the Company's products and services will achieve market
acceptance. Specifically, the Company has no prior experience in marketing its
products and services to consumers, which is the primary target market for its
WaveTop service. If this market fails to develop, develops more slowly than
expected, or becomes saturated with competitors; if the Company's products and
services do not achieve market acceptance; or if pricing becomes subject to
significant competitive pressures, the Company's business, results of
operations, and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
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DEPENDENCE ON GROUPWARE SOFTWARE AND LICENSED TECHNOLOGY
With the Company's recent acquisition of Paracel Online, it is
anticipated that a portion of the Company's revenue will be derived from
services delivered to customers who have established private communications
networks based on third party groupware software, including primarily Lotus
Notes (a software program marketed by IBM). Any factor adversely affecting the
demand for, or use of, Lotus Notes or other similar software could have an
adverse impact on the demand for the Company's newly acquired products and
services and would cause a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations, and financial condition. Additionally, any changes to the
underlying components of Lotus Notes or other similar software that would
require changes to the Company's newly acquired products and services would
materially adversely affect the Company if it were not able to successfully
develop or implement such changes in a timely and cost-effective fashion. In
addition, certain technology critical to the Paracel Online service, including
FDF technology, is licensed from third parties, principally its former parent
company. Under a license from Paracel Online's former parent company, WavePhore
has been granted exclusive rights to certain software through May 29, 2002, and
non-exclusive rights thereafter.
DEPENDENCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDERS
The Company currently offers information profiles electronically
"clipped" from a large variety of information sources pursuant to agreements
between the Company and approximately 36 information providers. The Company's
agreements with information providers are generally for a term of one or more
years, with automatic renewal unless notice of termination is provided before
the end of the term by either party. These agreements also may be terminated by
the information providers if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations under
the applicable agreement. Some agreements are terminable at will. Many of these
information providers compete with one another and, to some extent, with the
Company for subscribers and paid advertising. Termination of one or more
significant information provider agreements would decrease the news and
information which the Company can offer its customers and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial
condition. The Company may in the future be subject to certain third party
claims, such as defamation, as a result of the content supplied by its
information providers, and any such claim may have a material adverse effect on
the Company. In addition, fees payable to the Company's information providers
constitute a significant portion of the Company's cost of revenues for such
business. If the Company is required to increase the fees payable to its
information providers, such increased fee payments could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's gross margins and results of operations.
RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE OR INADEQUACY
The Company's operations are dependent on its ability to maintain its
computer and telecommunications equipment in effective working order and to
protect its systems against damage from fire, natural disaster, power loss,
telecommunications failure, or similar events. The Company's business depends in
significant part on its Network Control Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and
access to shared satellite uplink facilities in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Although the Company has arranged for off-site back-up for its network control,
this measure does not eliminate the significant risk to the Company's operations
from a natural disaster or system failure at its principal site. The Company's
operations are dependent upon receipt of timely feeds and computer downloads
from its information providers, and any failure or delay in the transmission or
receipt of such feeds and downloads, whether on account of system failure of the
information providers, the Company's network, or otherwise, would disrupt the
Company's operations. In addition, growth of the Company's customer base may
strain the capacity of its computer and telecommunications systems and lead to
degradations in performance or system failure. Any damage, failure or delay that
causes interruptions in the Company's operations could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial
condition.
DEPENDENCE ON INFORMATION TRANSMISSION FACILITIES
The Company's Newscast news and information is transmitted, and WaveTop
is expected to be transmitted, using one or more of three methods: via
television transmission utilizing VBI, satellite transmission, or FM radio
transmission.
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None of these methods of transmission is completely within the control of the
Company, and the loss or significant disruption of any of them could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business. News and information is
delivered by information providers to the Company's news consolidation facility,
where it is reformatted for broadcast and transmitted to the Company's
customers. Any interruption in transmission facilities could adversely affect
the Company's ability to broadcast its services. Although the Company generally
is not required to hold an FCC license to broadcast data via these transmission
sources, such sources typically are required to hold an FCC license. To the
extent the transmission facility relied upon by the Company to transmit data
fails to maintain its license with the FCC or the FCC does not renew the license
upon expiration, the Company will not be able to transmit data using that source
in the future. In addition, the Company currently relies on an agreement with
PBS National Datacast, Inc. to broadcast its WaveTop service through the PBS
television signal. This agreement expires on January 1, 2002, subject to a
five-year option to extend the Agreement. The agreement may be terminated if the
Company fails to fulfill certain conditions. To the extent this contractual
arrangement is terminated or the PBS television signal is interrupted, the
Company's ability to broadcast its WaveTop service will be significantly
impaired.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS
Acquisitions, including the Company's acquisition of BleuMont Telecom
Inc. in January 1995, Mainstream Data, Inc. in December 1995 and Paracel Online
in May 1997, involve a number of potential risks, including difficulties in the
assimilation of the acquired companies' operations, technology, products and
personnel, completion and integration of acquired in-process technology,
diversion of management's resources, uncertainties associated with operating in
new markets, and working with new employees and customers, and the potential
loss of the acquired companies' key employees. In order for the Company to
achieve anticipated benefits from its acquisitions, the Company will need to
integrate the acquired companies' business and key employees with the Company's
existing operations. No assurance can be given that the Company will be
successful in this regard. Moreover, even if successfully integrated, the
acquired companies' operations may not achieve levels of revenues or
productivity comparable to those achieved by the Company's existing operations,
or otherwise perform as expected. The combination of these companies will also
require substantial attention from management. In addition, the process of
combining these organizations could cause the interruption of, or a loss of
momentum in, the activities of the Company's businesses. The diversion of the
attention of management and the interruption or loss of momentum with respect to
the Company's business activities could have an adverse effect on the business,
results of operations, and financial condition of the Company.
Management may from time to time consider other acquisitions of assets or
businesses that it believes may enable the Company to acquire complementary
skills and capabilities, offer new products, expand its customer base, or obtain
other competitive advantages. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates or complete future
acquisitions. In order to finance such acquisitions or fund the operations of
any acquired businesses, it may be necessary for the Company to raise additional
funds either through public or private financings, including bank borrowings.
Any financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to
the Company. In addition, issuances of the Company's equity securities for
future acquisitions could result in dilution to the Company's existing
stockholders. There can be no assurance that the Company's acquisitions and any
future acquisitions will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's
business and results of operations.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
A component of the Company's strategy is its planned expansion into
international markets. To date, the Company has only limited experience in
marketing, selling, and delivering its products and services internationally.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully market,
sell, and deliver its products and services in international markets. The
Company anticipates that any significant international expansion efforts may
require a substantial commitment of the Company's funds. In addition to the
uncertainty as to the Company's ability to expand its international presence,
there are certain risks inherent in doing business on an international level,
such as regulatory requirements, export restrictions, tariffs and other trade
barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, difficulties
in protecting intellectual property rights, longer payment cycles, problems in
collecting accounts receivable, product warranty obligations, political
instability, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, currency controls,
9
<PAGE> 12
changes in import/export regulations, and potentially adverse tax consequences,
which could adversely impact the success of the Company's international
operations. There can be no assurance that one or more of such factors will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's future international operations
and, consequently, on the Company's business, results of operation, and
financial condition.
DEPENDENCE UPON STRATEGIC ALLIANCES OR RELATIONSHIPS
The Company's future success will depend, in part, upon its ability to
develop additional and maintain existing strategic alliances or relationships
with information providers, personal computer and computer chip manufacturers;
original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), television networks, consumer
electronic manufacturers, software developers, and sales and marketing partners.
Through such relationships, the Company may seek to develop additional
commercial opportunities in the data broadcasting industry, including the
deployment of encoders and decoders, applications and device driver software,
network operations, and demand for high-speed data broadcasting products and
services. The Company will be dependent on the efforts of such third parties to
assist in commercializing such products and services. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to develop or maintain such strategic
relationships, and the inability of the Company to do so would have a material
adverse affect on the Company's business. In addition, there can be no assurance
that the Company's collaborators will not pursue alternative technologies or
develop alternative products either on their own or in collaboration with
others, including the Company's competitors. The Company may seek to enter into
arrangements with third parties for foreign commercialization of its products
and services. The Company's ability to address markets outside the United States
may depend in large part on its ability to enter into collaborative arrangements
with such third parties. To the extent that the Company enters into
collaborative relationships with third parties, whether domestic or foreign, the
success of the Company's products and services that are subject to such
relationships will depend in part on the efforts and commitment of such
collaborative partners.
FCC REGULATION
In the United States, broadcast transmissions are subject to regulation
by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). In June 1996, the FCC, acting
upon a petition submitted by the Company, ruled that television broadcast
licensees may, without prior FCC authorization, use the Company's TVT1/4
technology to broadcast digital data within the video portion of the National
Television Standards Committee ("NTSC") television broadcast signal of the type
currently transmitted by FCC licensees. In adopting this amendment to its rules,
the FCC stated that allowing television broadcast licensees to use this
technology, among others, to insert digital data into the video portion of the
television signal will allow licensees to provide a wide variety of ancillary
services, which the FCC expects will expand the products and services available
to businesses and consumers within a television service area. However, there is
no assurance that any television networks or television stations will utilize
the Company's TVT1/4 technology to broadcast digital data.
The FCC authorizes FM station licensees to utilize subcarriers within the
FM baseband signal for specified purposes including data broadcasting. The
Company has entered into contracts with certain FM licensees to lease their
subcarriers to broadcast data. The Company is not currently required to hold an
FCC license to act as a private carrier to use FM subcarrier channels. An FM
license is granted for a period of seven years and may be renewed by the FCC for
like terms. There can be no assurance that the licenses for the FM stations used
by the Company will be renewed. Although the Company believes that adequate
alternative FM stations would be available for use by the Company, any delay in
identifying alternative stations or in reaching agreements regarding the terms
upon which they are willing to supply their services could adversely affect the
Company's business.
The Company currently holds an FCC license for a satellite uplink in Salt
Lake City, Utah. The Company's license is subject to renewal, and there can be
no assurance that its license will be renewed upon the expiration of its term on
October 23, 2002. Any such license may be revoked for cause.
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<PAGE> 13
Future changes in regulations affecting allocation of the spectrum for
services which compete with the Company's services could also adversely affect
the Company's business, including spectrum allocations currently under
consideration by the FCC. Specifically, the FCC has not issued final regulations
regarding the transmission of non-programming related content in the ATV format,
although Congress specifically authorized such use in the legislation adopting
the ATV format. If the Company migrates its television signal-based data
broadcasting services to the ATV format, the Company will become subject to any
regulations adopted by the FCC governing transmission of content in the ATV
format.
FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS; UNCERTAINTY OF ADDITIONAL FINANCING
The Company currently anticipates that the net proceeds from its recent
offering of Series C Preferred Shares and related Warrants, together with other
available funds, including under its credit facility, and cash flow generated
from business operations, will be sufficient to meet anticipated needs for
working capital, capital expenditures, and business expansion for at least the
next 12 months. Thereafter, the Company believes that it may need to raise
additional funds. The Company may need to raise additional funds in order to
fund expansion, develop new or enhanced services or products, to respond to
competitive pressures, or to acquire complimentary products, businesses or
technologies. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or
convertible securities, the percentage ownership of the stockholders of the
Company will be reduced and such securities may have rights, preferences or
privileges senior to those of the holders of the Common Shares. There can be no
assurance that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to the
Company, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on
acceptable terms, the Company may not be able to fund its expansion, take
advantage of acquisition opportunities, develop or enhance services or products
or respond to competitive pressures. Such inability could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
conditions.
DEPENDENCE ON SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND KEY EMPLOYEES
The Company's success depends to a significant extent upon the
performance of its executive officers and other key personnel. The loss of the
services of any of its executive officers or other key employees could have a
material adverse affect on the Company. The Company has not entered into
employment agreements with any of its senior executive officers and is not the
beneficiary of life insurance on any of them. Although the Company has
agreements with certain members of management not to compete with the Company,
there can be no assurance that such agreements will be enforceable or effective
in retaining such management persons. In addition, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified
personnel.
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS
Components used in certain of the Company's products, including
microprocessors and other electronic components, may be available from only one
source, while certain other components are available from only a limited number
of sources. Although to date the Company has been able to obtain adequate
supplies of these components, the Company's inability in the future to obtain
sufficient sole-or limited-source components or to develop alternative sources
could result in delays in product introductions or shipments, which could have a
material adverse affect on the Company's operating results. In addition, the
Company has elected to obtain certain components, electronic component kitting,
manufacture, assembly and test of printed circuit boards, manufacture of
enclosures, and assembly of mechanical components from single sources. The
Company generally obtains these products on a purchase order basis and does not
have long-term contracts with these suppliers or subcontractors. Although the
Company believes that other qualified subcontractors are available, the
inability of any of these suppliers or subcontractors to provide these services
or products to the Company on a timely basis could materially adversely affect
the Company's operations.
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The Company relies upon a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and
trade secret laws, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and other
measures to establish and protect its proprietary rights to its technologies,
11
<PAGE> 14
products, and services. Such protection may not preclude competitors from
copying or learning from the Company's technologies, products, and services or
from developing similar technologies, products, and services. Also, there can be
no assurance as to the range or degree of protection which the Company's
existing patents and any future patents which may be issued to the Company will
afford, that such patents will provide any competitive advantages for the
Company, or that others will not obtain patents similar to any patents issued to
the Company. There can be no assurance that any patents issued to the Company
will not be challenged by third parties, invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or
designed around. Further, there can be no assurance that any pending patent
applications or future applications will result in the issuance of any patents
to the Company. Since patent applications in the United States are maintained in
secrecy until patents issue, and since publication of inventions in technical or
patent literature tends to lag behind actual discoveries, there can be no
assurance that others will not obtain patents for technology that the Company's
technology will infringe, and that technology would need to be designed around
or licensed from the inventor by the Company. If the Company deems it necessary
to license technology to avoid infringement, there can be no assurance that such
licenses will be available on terms that the Company considers to be favorable.
No assurance can be given that the Company's technology will not infringe
patents or proprietary rights of others, nor that the Company can obtain
licenses to use such proprietary rights if necessary. In addition, there can be
no assurance that the Company's competitors will not independently develop
technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's
technology. Further, the laws of certain countries in which the Company's
products may be sold or licensed may not protect the Company's products and
intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United
States. Any litigation to determine the validity of any third party claims could
result in significant expense to the Company, adversely affect operating
results, and divert the efforts of the Company's technical and management
personnel, whether or not such litigation is resolved in favor of the Company.
Although the Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation
involving such matters as of the date of this Prospectus, in the event of an
adverse result in any such litigation, the Company could be required to expend
significant resources to develop non-infringing technology or obtain licenses to
the disputed technology. There can be no assurance that the Company would be
successful in such development or that any such licenses would be available on
commercially reasonable terms.
The Company's technologies, products and services also incorporate
subject matter that the Company believes is in the public domain and subject
matter that is licensed to the Company or that it otherwise has the right to
use. There can be no assurance, however, that third parties will not assert
patent or other intellectual property infringement claims against the Company
with respect to its technologies, products, and services, or other matters.
There may be patents and other intellectual property relevant to the Company's
technologies, products, and services and which are not known to the Company and
which are owned by third parties.
QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY
The Company has experienced quarterly fluctuations in operating results
and expects that such fluctuations will continue. These fluctuations have been
caused by various factors, including the timing of significant equipment orders
from major customers and the timing of shipments. In addition, the Company's
operating results may be influenced by seasonality, which typically results in
increased revenue in the fourth quarter related to equipment sales. Because of
these factors, the Company expects that its future quarterly results of
operations will continue to be subject to significant fluctuations. These
factors could also affect significantly annual results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON A SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS
The Company's current customers include the world's leading providers of
financial information, general and industry-specific business news and
information, and business music. These customers utilize the Company's network
services and hardware products to distribute their products to end-users. A
relatively small group of these customers is responsible for a significant
percentage of the Company's revenue. Although the Company believes that its
current relationships with its customers are generally good, the loss of one or
more of its major customers could have a material adverse affect on the Company.
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<PAGE> 15
CONTROL BY EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS
As of January 26, 1998, the current officers and directors of the Company
owned approximately 26% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company. Certain
of such persons also hold stock options to purchase additional Common Shares and
hold preferred shares convertible into Common Shares, the exercise or conversion
of which would increase their percentage ownership of the Company. Accordingly,
the officers and directors, acting as a group, may be able to effectively elect
all of the Company's directors and to determine corporate actions requiring
shareholder approval. The continuing voting power by such shareholders could
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company.
VOLATILITY IN PRICE OF COMMON SHARES; STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN; NASDAQ LISTING
MATTERS
The market price of the Company's Common Shares, like that of the stock
of many other technology companies, has been highly volatile. Factors such as
announcements of technological innovations and new products by the Company or
its competitors, governmental regulation, industry legislation, developments in
patent or other proprietary rights of the Company or its competitors, including
litigation, fluctuations in the Company's operating results, analyst reports and
market conditions for technology stocks in general, could have a significant
impact on the future price of the Common Shares. The stock market has from time
to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have particularly
affected the market price for many technology companies for reasons frequently
unrelated to the operating performance of the companies affected. In addition,
the Company has adopted a stock repurchase plan pursuant to which the Company
may from time to time repurchase its Common Shares in the open market. Such
purchases, if made, could tend to increase the price of the Common Shares.
The Company's Common Shares are quoted on Nasdaq, which imposes various
requirements for ongoing listing. Among other matters, rules applicable to
Nasdaq National Market issuers require shareholder approval of certain stock
issuances. Although the Company does not believe shareholder approval is
required for the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to conversion of the Series
C Preferred Shares and the exercise of the related Warrants, the Company has
agreed to seek shareholder approval for the issuance of such Common Stock at its
next meeting of shareholders. If shareholder approval is not obtained, there can
be no assurance that Nasdaq will not seek to delist the Company's Common Shares.
DILUTION
Certain events, including the issuance of additional shares of preferred
stock or Common Shares, including upon the exercise or conversion of outstanding
options, warrants and shares of preferred stock of the Company, or in connection
with the payment of dividends on the Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred
Shares, could result in substantial dilution of the Common Shares. The Company's
Series A and Series B Preferred Shares are convertible into Common Shares of the
Company at a ratio based, in part, upon the lowest daily low trading price of
such Common Shares during the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the date of conversion, reduced by an applicable percentage as set
forth in the respective designations of the Series A and Series B Preferred
Shares and written agreements with the holders of such shares. For the first six
months following the date of issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares (the
"Fixed Conversion Price Period"), which ended January 23, 1998, the conversion
price was $8.80, which is equal to 115% of the average of the closing sale
prices of the Company's Common Shares as reported on Nasdaq on the five trading
days immediately prior to, but not including, the date of issuance (the "Fixed
Conversion Price"). Following the Fixed Conversion Price Period, the conversion
price will be the lesser of: (i) the Fixed Conversion Price, or (ii) a
"floating" conversion price equal to the average of the third to seventh lowest
closing sale prices for the Company's Common Shares during the 30 trading days
immediately prior to but not including the Conversion Date. Because the
applicable conversion prices, and thus the number of Common Shares that may be
issued upon conversion are dependent upon presently unknown future market prices
for the Common Shares, the number of Common Shares to be issued upon conversion
is not presently determinable. As of January 26, 1998, the Company would be
obligated to issue approximately 1,403,111 and 61,576 Common Shares,
respectively, if all of the Series A and Series B Preferred Shares outstanding
on January 26, 1998 were converted at the applicable conversion price.
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Based on the Fixed Conversion Price of $8.80, the Company would be obligated to
issue approximately 2,659,091 Common Shares if all Series C Preferred Shares
were converted as of the date of this Prospectus. The issuance of such amount of
Common Shares, and the potential "overhang" of such shares on the market, could
adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Company's Common Shares. In
addition, the Company may from time to time issue additional Common Shares or
other series of preferred stock exercisable for or convertible into Common
Shares to finance the expansion of its business, for acquisitions, or for other
corporate purposes.
RISK OF MANDATORY REDEMPTION OF SERIES C PREFERRED SHARES
If a Mandatory Redemption Event (as defined below) occurs, which events
the Company believes are within its control, each holder of Series C Preferred
Shares will have the right to require the Company to redeem those shares for
cash equal to the Stated Value of the Series C Preferred Shares ($1,000 per
share) being redeemed multiplied by 120%, unless the Mandatory Redemption Event
relates to the Company's failure to deliver Common Shares in certain
circumstances, in which case the Mandatory Redemption Price will be equal to (a)
the Stated Value of the shares being redeemed, plus (b) the Stated Value of such
shares multiplied by 1.125% for each month elapsed between the date the Series C
Preferred Shares were purchased from the Company and the Mandatory Redemption
Date. Mandatory Redemption Events include, but are not limited to, (i) the
failure of the Company to timely deliver Common Shares as required under the
terms of the Series C Preferred Shares, (ii) the failure by the Company's
shareholders to approve the transactions contemplated by the agreement relating
to the issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares, including the issuance and
sale of the Series C Preferred Shares and the reservation for issuance and the
issuance of the Common Shares upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Shares,
and the failure by the Company, within 20 days following the meeting at which
the shareholders failed to approve such transactions, to cause the Common Shares
to be listed or quoted on a recognized national securities exchange or quotation
system that does not require shareholder approval of such transactions, (iii)
the Company's failure to satisfy registration requirements applicable to the
Series C Preferred Shares and any underlying securities, (iv) the failure by the
Company to maintain the listing of its Common Shares on Nasdaq or another
national securities exchange, and (v) certain transactions involving a sale of
assets or business combination involving the Company. If a Mandatory Redemption
Event occurs, there can be no assurance that the Company will have the necessary
funds to effect such redemption or that the satisfaction of such redemption will
not adversely affect the financial condition of the Company.
EFFECT OF ANTIDILUTION PROTECTION FOR EXISTING SECURITIES
The Company's outstanding series of Preferred Shares and certain related
warrants provide for antidilution protection upon the occurrence of certain
events such as stock splits, redemptions, mergers, and major corporate
announcements. In such event, the number of shares of Common Stock that may be
acquired upon conversion or exercise would increase.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
The Company's Articles of Incorporation contain certain provisions that
could have the affect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the Company. In addition, certain provisions of the Indiana Business
Corporation Law restrict business combinations with any "interested shareholder"
as defined in such law. These provisions may discourage, delay, or prevent
certain types of transactions involving actual or potential change in control of
the Company, including transactions in which the shareholders might otherwise
receive a premium for their Common Shares over then-current market prices, and
may limit the ability of the Company's shareholders to approve transactions
which they may deem to be in their best interests. These provisions may have the
effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without
action by the shareholders, and therefore could adversely affect the price of
the Company's Common Shares.
The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue a total of up
to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to fix the rates, preferences,
privileges, and restrictions, including voting rights, of such preferred stock,
without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The rights of the
holders of the Common Shares will be subject to, and
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<PAGE> 17
may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of the preferred stock
that have been issued, or might be issued in the future. The issuance of
preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it
more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company, thereby delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in
control of the Company. Furthermore, holders of such preferred stock may have
other rights, including economic rights senior to the Common Shares, and, as a
result, the existence and issuance thereof could have a material adverse affect
on the market value of the Common Shares. The Company has in the past issued,
and may from time to time in the future issue, preferred stock for financing or
other purposes with rights, preferences, or privileges senior to the Common
Shares.
RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS AND REDEMPTIONS
The Company has not paid any dividends on its Common Shares, and does not
plan to pay any dividends on its Common Shares for the foreseeable future. In
addition, the provisions of certain series of its preferred stock prohibit the
payment of dividends on the Common Shares under certain circumstances. Further,
the Company's credit facility includes certain prohibitions on the payment of
dividends, including various financial covenants that could have the effect of
limiting cash dividend or redemption payments. The Indiana Business Corporation
Law includes limitations on the ability of corporations to pay dividends on or
to purchase or redeem their own stock.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
As of January 26, 1998, the Company had 18,172,872 Common Shares
outstanding, all of which were eligible for trading on Nasdaq. The Company also
had outstanding, as of January 26, 1998, 501,963 1994 Cumulative Preferred
Shares, 307,618 Series A Preferred Shares, 13,500 Series B Preferred Shares,
23,400 Series C Preferred Shares, and options and warrants to acquire an
additional 5,571,863 Common Shares. All of the Common Shares underlying the
Company's outstanding preferred stock and warrants, and substantially all of
such shares underlying any outstanding options, have been registered for resale
by the holders thereof. Future sales of such Common and Preferred Shares and
additional presently indeterminate Common Shares that may be issued by the
Company in the future, including the Common Shares subject to outstanding
options, warrants and conversion rights, could adversely affect the prevailing
market price of the Common Shares.
The Company has granted registration rights to certain other holders of
the Company's Common Shares. In addition, the Company may from time to time
issue additional Common Shares or securities exercisable for or convertible into
Common Shares to finance the expansion of its business, for acquisitions, or for
other corporate purposes.
NO DIVIDENDS
The Company has not paid any dividends on its Common Shares, and does not
plan to pay dividends on its Common Shares for the foreseeable future. In
addition, the provisions of certain series of its Preferred Shares prohibit the
payment of dividends on the Common Shares under certain circumstances.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Selling Security Holder will receive all of the proceeds and the
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares
offered hereby.
SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
The following table provides information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Shares as of January 26, 1998, and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of the securities offered hereby by the Selling Security
Holder. The securities offered hereby may be sold by the Selling Security Holder
or its parent, Paracel, Inc., if the Selling Security
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Holder transfers such securities to its parent. Pursuant to Rule 416 of the
Securities Act, the Selling Security Holder may also offer and sell Common
Shares issued as a result of stock splits, stock dividends and anti-dilution
provisions. The Selling Security Holder has sole voting and investment power
with respect to the Common Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON SHARES
BENEFICIALLY COMMON SHARES COMMON SHARES
OWNED PRIOR TO THE TO BE SOLD IN BENEFICIALLY OWNED
OFFERING(1) THE OFFERING(1) AFTER THE OFFERING(1)
----------- --------------- ---------------------
NAME OF SELLING
SECURITY HOLDER NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER PERCENT
--------------- ------ ------ ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Paracel Online Systems, Inc. 454,654 464,654 0 0
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Assumes that the Selling Security Holder disposes of all Common Shares
covered by the Prospectus and does not acquire any additional Common
Shares.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The Company has authorized 50,000,000 Common Shares and 10,000,000
Preferred Shares ("Preferred Shares"). As of January 26, 1998, 18,527,372 Common
Shares were issued, of which 18,172,872 Common Shares were outstanding and
354,500 were held in the Company's treasury; and a total of 846,481 Preferred
Shares in four series were issued and outstanding.
The Company's Board of Directors has the authority, without further
action by the shareholders, to issue a total of up to 10,000,000 Preferred
Shares in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions granted to or imposed upon any series of unissued Preferred Shares
and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of
such series, without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The
issuance of Preferred Shares may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the
shareholders, may discourage bids for the Company's Common Shares at a premium
over the market price of the Common Shares, and may adversely affect the market
price of and other rights of the holders of Common Shares.
The following summary of certain provisions of the Common Shares and
Preferred Shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by, the amended Articles of Incorporation of the
Company and the Restated Code of Bylaws of the Company and by the provisions of
applicable law.
COMMON SHARES
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote. Subject to the rights of
holders of any class or series of shares, including Preferred Shares, having a
preference over the Common Shares as to dividends or upon liquidation, holders
of Common Shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the
Company's Board of Directors out of funds lawfully available therefor, and are
entitled upon liquidation to receive pro rata the assets available for
distribution to common shareholders. Holders of the Common Shares have no
preemptive, subscription, or conversion rights. The Common Shares are not
subject to assessment and have no redemption provisions.
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SERIES 1994 PREFERRED SHARES
The Series 1994 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares (the "Series 1994
Preferred Shares") consist of 501,963 authorized, issued, and outstanding
shares, which have a stated value of $11.00 per share and are convertible at any
time into Common Shares at $11.00 per share. The conversion provisions are
subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Cumulative dividends on the
Series 1994 Preferred Shares accrue at the rate of 10% per annum and are payable
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company. No dividends
may be paid on the Common Shares or other series junior to the Series 1994
Preferred Shares unless all accrued dividends have been paid on the Series 1994
Preferred Shares. On liquidation of the Company, holders of the Series 1994
Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, before any distribution to holders
of Common Shares or other series junior to the Series 1994 Preferred Shares,
liquidation distributions equal to the stated value per Series 1994 Preferred
Share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Company may redeem the Series 1994
Preferred Shares at any time on at least 30 days written notice at the
redemption price of $11.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends,
provided that such redemption has been approved by a majority of the Directors
of the Company who are not holders of such Series 1994 Preferred Shares. The
Series 1994 Preferred Shares have no voting rights except as otherwise provided
by law or the Articles of Incorporation. All of the Series 1994 Preferred Shares
are held by David E. Deeds, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of the Company.
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES
The Company is authorized to issue 1,308,000 Series A Convertible
Preferred Shares (the "Series A Preferred Shares"), of which 307,618 Series A
Preferred Shares were outstanding as of January 26, 1998. Holders of the Series
A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of
$1.25 per share per annum, payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 of
each year, when and as declared by the Company's Board of Directors, in
preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on the Common Shares or
any other class or series of shares of the Company. In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any
distribution of any assets of the Company to the holders of any other class or
series of shares, the amount of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid
dividends (the "Series A Liquidation Preference"). The Series A Preferred Shares
may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time beginning on the first year
anniversary after the date of issuance, on at least 30 days notice, at a
redemption price equal to the Series A Liquidation Preference. However, the
Company may not exercise the right of redemption unless and until (i) the
average last trade price of the Common Shares for the 20 consecutive trading
days prior to the redemption date exceeds $38.00 per share, and (ii) shares
issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares have been registered
for resale under the Securities Act. Pursuant to written agreements with the
holders, each share of the Series A Preferred Shares may be convertible, at the
option of the holder thereof, into such number of Common Shares as is determined
by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) the applicable
Series A Conversion Price. At any date, the Series A Conversion Price will be
the lesser of (x) $21.00 for certain holders and $5.48 for other holders or (y)
a fixed discount from the underlying market price of the Common Shares. The
conversion provisions are subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. On the
third anniversary of the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares
(December 27, 1998), such shares will be converted into Common Shares without
any action on the part of the holders thereof. Except as otherwise provided by
law or the Articles of Incorporation, the Series A Preferred Shares have no
voting rights. The sole holder of the Company's Series 1994 Preferred Shares
consented to the creation by the Company of the Series A Preferred Shares, which
have certain rights senior to the Series 1994 Preferred Shares.
SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES
The Company is authorized to issue 600,000 Series B Convertible Preferred
Shares (the "Series B Preferred Shares"), of which 13,500 were outstanding as of
January 26, 1998. The provisions of the Series B Preferred Shares are identical
to those of the Series A Preferred Shares, with the exception that the Series A
Preferred Shares have certain rights, preferences and privileges that are
superior to those of the Series B Preferred Shares in matters involving
dividends, liquidation preference, redemption and the issuance of Common Shares
on conversion. The sole holder of
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<PAGE> 20
the Company's Series 1994 Shares consented to the creation by the Company of the
Series B Preferred Shares, which have certain rights senior to the Series 1994
Preferred Shares.
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES
Warrants to purchase Series B Preferred Shares (the "Series B Warrants")
were issued in connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred Shares. Such
Series B Warrants enable the holder to purchase Series B Preferred Shares at the
purchase price of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share at any time until their
expiration on December 31, 2000. As of January 26, 1998, a total of 14,340
Series B Warrants were outstanding. The exercise price and number of Series B
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Series B Warrants are subject
to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
REPRESENTATIVE'S WARRANTS
The Representative's Warrants were sold by the Company pursuant to the
underwriting agreement relating to its initial public offering in October 1994.
Such warrants enable the holder to purchase an aggregate of 165,000 Common
Shares at a purchase price of $18.15 per share at any time until their
expiration on October 20, 1999. The exercise price and number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants are subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events.
1996 WARRANTS
The 1996 Warrants were issued by the Company to holders of Series A and
Series B Preferred Shares who agreed not to convert their Shares for at least
180 days after the deemed issuance of such 1996 Warrants on September 10, 1996
("Deemed Issuance Date"). They expire on December 31, 1998. Upon exercise of a
1996 Warrant during the exercise period, the Company will issue to the 1996
Warrantholders a number of Common Shares at a per share price of $7.00, subject
to certain adjustments from time to time, up to the maximum number of Common
Shares stated in the 1996 Warrant, determined as follows: (i) if such exercise
occurs at any time following 180 days after the Deemed Issuance Date, one Common
Share, plus (ii) if such exercise occurs at any time following 270 days after
the Deemed Issuance Date, an additional one-half Common Share; plus (iii) if
such exercise occurs at anytime following 365 days after the Deemed Issuance
Date, an additional one-half Common Share, in each case for each Series A or
Series B Preferred Share as to which the 1996 Warrant was issued and that
continues to be held on the date of exercise of the 1996 Warrant, but only to
the extent that the 1996 Warrant has not been previously exercised as to such
Preferred Shares pursuant to (i), (ii), or (iii) above.
SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue 25,000 shares of its Series C
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series C Preferred Shares"), of which 23,400
Series C Preferred Shares were outstanding as of January 26, 1998. Holders of
the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at
the rate of 6% per annum, payable quarterly in cash or Common Shares, at the
option of the Company, when and as declared by the Company's Board of Directors
in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on Common Shares. In
the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders
of the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, prior and in
preference to any distribution of any assets of the Company to the holders of
Common Shares, the amount of $1,000 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid
dividends (the "Series C Liquidation Preference"). The Series C Preferred Shares
may be redeemed, subject to certain restrictions, at any time beginning on the
first anniversary after the date of issuance, at a redemption price equal to
115% of the Stated Value of the Series C Preferred Shares being liquidated. Such
redemption price may be paid in cash or Common Shares. The Stated Value of the
Series C Preferred Shares is $1,000 per share. However, the Company may not
exercise its right of redemption unless the closing sale price of the Common
Shares exceeds 150% of the Fixed Conversion Price for any consecutive ten
trading days. Commencing three months after the date of issuance of the Series C
Preferred Shares, each holder may convert its Series C Preferred Shares into
Common Shares, subject to certain limitations and procedures described in the
Articles of Amendment. The
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<PAGE> 21
number of Common Shares that may be acquired upon conversion will equal the
Stated Value of the Series C Preferred Shares being converted divided by the
applicable Conversion Price. For the first six months following the date of
issuance (the "Fixed Conversion Price Period"), the conversion price was $8.80,
which is equal to 115% of the average of the closing sale prices of the
Company's Common Shares as reported on Nasdaq on the five trading days
immediately prior to but not including the date of issuance (the "Fixed
Conversion Price"). The Fixed Conversion Price Period expired on January 23,
1998. Following the Fixed Conversion Price Period, the conversion price will be
the lesser of: (i) the Fixed Conversion Price, or (ii) a "floating" conversion
price equal to the average of the third to seventh lowest closing sale prices
for the Company's Common Shares during the 30 trading days immediately prior to
but not including the conversion date. On the fifth anniversary of the date of
issuance, or July 24, 2002, all Series C Preferred Shares then outstanding will
be automatically converted into the number of Common Shares equal to the Stated
Value of the Series C Preferred Shares being converted divided by the applicable
Conversion Price. In the event of certain Mandatory Redemption Events, which
events the Company believes are within its control, each holder of Series C
Preferred Shares will have the right to require the Company to redeem those
shares for cash at the Mandatory Redemption Price, which will be equal to the
Liquidation Preference of the Series C Preferred Shares being redeemed
multiplied by 120%, unless the Mandatory Redemption Event relates to the
Company's failure to deliver Common Shares in certain circumstances, in which
case the Mandatory Redemption Price will be equal to (a) the Stated Value of the
Shares being redeemed, plus (b) the Stated Value of such Shares multiplied by
1.125% for each month elapsed between the date of issuance and the Mandatory
Redemption Date. Mandatory Redemption Events include, but are not limited to,
the failure of the Company to timely deliver Common Shares as required under the
terms of the Series C Preferred Shares or Warrants; the Company's failure to
satisfy registration requirements applicable to such securities; the failure by
the Company's shareholders to approve the transactions contemplated by the
agreement relating to the issuance of the Series C Preferred Shares, including
the issuance and sale of the Series C Preferred Shares and the reservation for
issuance and the issuance of the Common Shares upon conversion of the Series C
Preferred Shares, and the failure by the Company, within 20 days following the
meeting at which the shareholders failed to approve such transactions to cause
the Common Shares to be listed or quoted on a national securities exchange or
quotation system that does not require stockholder approval of such
transactions; the failure by the Company to maintain the listing of its Common
Shares on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange; and certain
transactions involving the sale of assets or business combinations involving the
Company. The Company's Series A and Series B Preferred Shares are senior to the
Series C Preferred Shares. The Company's Series 1994 Cumulative Preferred Shares
rank pari passu with the Series C Preferred Shares.
WARRANTS RELATED TO SERIES C PREFERRED SHARES
Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares also received Warrants to
purchase that number of Common Shares equal to 20% of the Stated Value of the
Series C Preferred Shares purchased by such holders divided by the exercise
price. The exercise price of the Warrants is equal to $8.80, which is equal to
115% of the average of the closing sale prices of the Common Shares for the five
trading days immediately preceding but not including the date of issuance of the
Series C Preferred Shares. Each Warrant has a three year term.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Shares is American
Securities Transfer, Incorporated.
CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS AND EFFECTS OF INDIANA LAW
The Company's Articles of Incorporation require that proposals for
consideration at a meeting of shareholders must be submitted to the Secretary of
the Company not later than the earlier of (i) 270 days after the adjournment of
the next preceding annual meeting, or (ii) the close of business on the seventh
day following the date on which notice of the meeting is formally given to
shareholders. The foregoing provision may not be amended except with the
affirmative vote of 85% of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote.
In the event any person acquires 10% of the voting power of the
Company's Common Shares (an "Interested Shareholder"), then, for a period of
five (5) years after such acquisition, the Indiana Business Corporation Law
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prohibits certain business combinations between the Company and such Interested
Shareholder unless prior to the acquisition of such Common Shares by the
Interested Shareholder, the Board of Directors of the Company approves of such
acquisition of Common Shares or approves of such business combination. After
such five-year period, only the following three types of business combinations
between the Company and such an Interested Shareholder are permitted: (i) a
business combination approved by the Board of Directors of the Company before
the acquisition of Common Shares by the Interested Shareholder, (ii) a business
combination approved by holders of a majority of the Common Shares not owned by
the Interested Shareholder, and (iii) a business combination in which the
shareholders receive a price for their Common Shares at least equal to a formula
price based on the highest price per Common Share paid by the Interested
Shareholder. In addition, certain accretions of voting power may result in an
acquiring shareholder losing the right to vote the Common Shares acquired unless
such voting power is approved by a majority of the disinterested Common Shares
and, if authorized by an appropriate provision of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation or Code of Bylaws adopted prior to the time the person becomes an
Interested Shareholder, may permit the redemption of the acquiring shareholder's
Common Shares. The Company has not adopted such redemption provision.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Common Shares are being offered on behalf of the Selling Security
Holder, and the Company will not receive any proceeds from the Offering. The
Common Shares may be sold or distributed from time to time by the Selling
Security Holder or by pledgees, donees, or transferees of, or other successors
in interest to, the Selling Security Holder, including its sole shareholder,
Paracel, Inc., directly to one or more purchasers (including pledgees) or
through brokers, dealers or underwriters who may act solely as agents or may
acquire Common Shares as principals, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices,
or at fixed prices, which may be changed. The distribution of the Common Shares
may be effected in one or more of the following methods: (i) ordinary brokers'
transactions; (ii) transactions involving cross or block trades or otherwise on
Nasdaq; (iii) purchases by brokers, dealers or underwriters as principal and
resale by such purchasers for their own accounts pursuant to this Prospectus;
(iv) "at the market" to or through market makers or into an existing market for
the Common Shares; (v) in other ways not involving market makers or established
trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through
agents; (vi) through transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives
(whether exchange-listed or otherwise); (vii) pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act; or (viii) any combination of the foregoing, or by any other
legally available means. The Selling Security Holder may be subject to
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and rules and regulations thereunder,
including without limitation, Regulation M, which provisions may limit the
timing of purchases and sales of any of the Shares of Common Stock by the
Selling Security Holder.
All sales of Common Shares by the Selling Security Holder must be made
in an orderly manner and in an amount which may not exceed on any trading day
the greater of (i) 20,000 Common Shares, or (ii) 10% of the trading volume of
WavePhore's Common Shares on such previous trading day; provided that with the
prior consent of the Company, such limitations will not apply to negotiated
block trades executed at prices equal to or greater than $9.2378 per share. If
the sum of (i) the total net proceeds (gross proceeds less direct selling costs)
received by the Selling Security Holder from the sale of the Common Shares
offered hereby during the period commencing on the effective date of the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and ending on April
30, 1998 (the "Sale Period"), plus (ii) the market value of all unsold Common
Shares held by the Selling Security Holder as of the close of trading on the
last trading day of the Sale Period, valued at the closing price of WavePhore's
Common Shares as of such date, is less than $4,000,000, the Company must pay to
the Selling Security Holder the difference between $4,000,000 and such sum in
immediately available funds on the third business day following the close of the
Sale Period.
If the total number of available trading days on which the
Registration Statement is effective during the Sale Period is less than 30 days,
then the Sale Period shall be extended for an additional number of trading days
equal to the difference between 30 and the number of available trading days.
Brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the
distribution of the Common Shares as agents may receive compensation in the form
of commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Security Holder and/or
purchasers of the Common Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent,
or to whom they may sell as
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<PAGE> 23
principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be
less than or in excess of customary commissions). The Selling Security Holder
and any broker-dealers who act in connection with the sale of the Common Shares
hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any commissions they receive and proceeds of any sale of
Common Shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. Neither the Company nor the Selling Security Holder can
presently estimate the amount of such compensation. The Company knows of no
existing arrangements between the Selling Security Holder, any other
shareholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent relating to the sale or
distribution of the Common Shares.
The Company will pay substantially all of the expenses incident to the
registration, offering and sale of the Common Shares to the public other than
commissions or discounts of underwriters, broker-dealers or agents.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Common Shares offered hereby will be passed upon
for the Company by Barnes & Thornburg, Indianapolis, Indiana.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of WavePhore, Inc. appearing in
WavePhore, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such
report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The financial statements of Paracel Online Systems, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the period from January 1, 1995 to December
4, 1995 (Predecessor), the period from December 5, 1995 (Acquisition) to
December 31, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1996 (Successor) appearing in
WavePhore Inc.'s Current Report (Form 8- K/A filed on August 12, 1997), have
been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in
reliance on the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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No dealer, sales representative, or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Company, the Selling Security Holder, or any other
person. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer of any securities other
than those to which it relates or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an
offer to buy, to any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or
solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder and thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any
implication that the information contained herein is correct as of anytime
subsequent to the date hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Available Information............................................. 2
Information Incorporated by Reference............................ 2
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking.
Statements ..................................................... 3
The Company....................................................... 4
Risk Factors...................................................... 6
Use of Proceeds...................................................15
Selling Security Holder...........................................15
Description of Securities.........................................16
Plan of Distribution..............................................20
Legal Opinions....................................................21
Experts...........................................................21
454,654 COMMON SHARES
WAVEPHORE, INC.
---------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------
JANUARY , 1998
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PART II.
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following are the estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the securities being registered, all of which expenses will be
paid by the Company:
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee $ 1,140
Nasdaq Listing Fee $ 9,093
Printing and Engraving Expense $ 500*
Legal Fees and Expenses $ 4,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses $ 3,000*
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses $ 500*
Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses $ 500*
Miscellaneous $ 1,267*
==========
TOTAL $ 20,000*
- ----------------
* Estimated
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Unless limited by the Articles of Incorporation, the Indiana Business
Corporation Law (the "IBCL") requires that a corporation indemnify a director
who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any
proceeding to which the director was a party because the director is or was a
director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by the director
in connection with the proceeding. The IBCL permits a corporation to indemnify
an individual made a party to a proceeding because the individual is or was a
director against liability incurred in the proceeding if: (1) the individual's
conduct was in good faith; and (2) the individual reasonably believed: (A) in
the case of conduct in the individual's official capacity with the corporation,
that the individual's conduct was in its best interest; and (B) in all other
cases, that the individual's conduct was at least not opposed to its best
interests; and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the individual
either: (A) had reasonable cause to believe the individual's conduct was lawful;
or (B) had no reasonable cause to believe the individual's conduct was unlawful.
Unless a corporation's articles of incorporation provide otherwise, an officer
of the corporation, whether or not a director, is entitled to mandatory and
court-ordered indemnification to the same extent as a director; and the
corporation may indemnify an officer, employee or agent of the corporation,
whether or not a director, to the same extent as a director, and to the extent,
consistent with public policy, that may be provided by its articles of
incorporation, bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors, or
contract. The indemnification provisions of the IBCL are not exclusive of any
other rights to indemnification that a person may have under the corporation's
articles of incorporation or bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or
of the shareholders, or any other authorization, whenever adopted, after notice,
by a majority vote of all of the voting shares then issued and outstanding.
The IBCL provides that a director is not liable for any action taken as
a director, or any failure to take any action, unless: (1) the director has
breached or failed to perform the duties of the director's office in compliance
with Section 23-1-35-1 of the IBCL; and (2) the breach or failure to perform
constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness. Section 23-1-35-1 of the IBCL
provides that a director shall, based upon the facts then known to the director,
discharge the duties as a director, including the director's duties as a member
of a committee: (1) in good faith; (2) with the care an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances; and (3) in
a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the
corporation. In discharging the director's duties, a director is entitled to
rely upon information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial
statements and other financial
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data, if prepared or presented by: (1) one or more officers or employees of the
corporation whom a director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in
the matters presented; (2) legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons
as to matters the director reasonably believes are within the person's
professional or expert competence; or (3) a committee of the board of directors
of which the director is not a member if the director reasonably believes the
committee merits confidence. A director is not acting in good faith if the
director has knowledge concerning the matter in question that makes reliance
otherwise permitted by the foregoing provisions unwarranted. A director may, in
considering the best interests of a corporation, consider the effects of any
action on shareholders, employees, suppliers, and customers of the corporation,
and communities in which offices or other facilities of the corporation are
located, and any other factors the director considers pertinent.
The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the corporation
shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including any action
or suit by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, to the maximum extent permitted under the IBCL. Such indemnification
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may
be entitled under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise.
The Company's Restated Code of Bylaws provide that the corporation
shall indemnify any individual who is or was a director or officer of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, partner or trustee of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
enterprise whether or not for profit, against liability and expenses, including
attorneys fees, incurred by him in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, and whether formal or informal,
in which he has been made or threatened to be made a party by reason of being or
having been in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, except
(i) in the case of any action, suit, or proceeding terminated by judgment, order
or conviction, in relation to matters as to which he is adjudged to have
breached or failed to perform the duties of his office and the breach or failure
to perform constituted a willful misconduct or recklessness; and (ii) in any
other situation, in relation to matters as to which it is found by a majority of
a committee composed of all directors not involved in the matter in controversy
(whether or not a quorum) that the person breached or failed to perform the
duties of his office and the breach or failure to perform constituted willful
misconduct or recklessness.
The directors and officers of the Company are covered by an insurance
policy indemnifying against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), in certain circumstances.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Security Holder,
including its officers, directors, or controlling persons, against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that, in the
opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT NO. EXHIBIT
- ----------- -------
2 Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 12, 1998 to Agreement for
the Purchase and Sale of Assets by and among WavePhore, Inc.,
WavePhore Newscast, Inc., Paracel Online Systems, Inc. and
Paracel, Inc., dated May 29, 1997.
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1994).
3.2 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated December 27, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated December 27, 1995).
24
<PAGE> 27
3.3 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated February 7, 1996 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration
Statement No. 333-1198 on Form S-3).
3.4 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated July 23, 1997 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed as of August 1, 1997.
3.5 Restated Code of Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement No. 33-80343 on
Form S-8).
5 Opinion of Barnes & Thornburg regarding legality.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick L.L.P., Independent Certified
Public Accountants
23.3 Consent of Barnes & Thornburg (included in Exhibit 5).
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement to include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the Registrant's Annual
Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange of
1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by
reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the
requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where
interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of
Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be
delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest
quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the
prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
25
<PAGE> 28
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Phoenix, State of Arizona, on January 28, 1998.
WAVEPHORE, INC.
/s/ David E. Deeds
-------------------------------
David E. Deeds, Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE Title Date
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ David E. Deeds Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer January 28, 1998
- --------------------------------- and President (Principal Executive Officer)
David E. Deeds
/s/ R. Glenn Williamson Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer January 28, 1998
- --------------------------------- and Director
R. Glenn Williamson
/s/ Kenneth D. Swenson Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, January 28, 1998
- --------------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal
Kenneth D. Swenson Accounting Officer) and Director
/s/ C. Roland Haden Director January 28, 1998
- ---------------------------------
C. Roland Haden
/s/ Glenn Scolnik Director January 28, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Glenn Scolnik
/s/ J. Robert Collins Director January 28, 1998
- ---------------------------------
J. Robert Collins
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 29
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. EXHIBIT
- ----------- -------
2 Amendment No. 1 dated as of January 12, 1998 to Agreement for
the Purchase and Sale of Assets by and among WavePhore, Inc.,
WavePhore Newscast, Inc., Paracel Online Systems, Inc. and
Paracel, Inc., dated May 29, 1997.
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1994).
3.2 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated December 27, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated December 27, 1995).
3.3 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated February 7, 1996 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration
Statement No. 333-1198 on Form S-3).
3.4 Articles of Amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation dated July 23, 1997 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed as of August 1, 1997.
3.5 Restated Code of Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement No. 33-80343 on
Form S-8).
5 Opinion of Barnes & Thornburg regarding legality.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick L.L.P., Independent Certified
Public Accountants
23.3 Consent of Barnes & Thornburg (included in Exhibit 5).
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 2
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS
BY AND AMONG WAVEPHORE, INC., WAVEPHORE NEWSCAST, INC., PARACEL ONLINE
SYSTEMS, INC. AND PARACEL, INC.
This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS dated May
29, 1997 (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 12th day of January,
1998 among WavePhore, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("WavePhore"), WavePhore
Newscast, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Newscast"), Paracel Online Systems,
Inc., a California corporation ("Seller") and Paracel, Inc., a California
corporation ("Shareholder").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, WavePhore, Newscast, Seller and Shareholder desire to amend certain of
the terms and conditions of the Agreement, as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and mutual agreements set
forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.6(a) OF THE AGREEMENT.
Section 2.6(a) of the Agreement hereby is amended by deleting the original text
of Section 2.6(a) in its entirety and replacing it with a new Section 2.6(a),
the text of which is as follows:
"2.6(a) First Incentive Payment. On January 12, 1998 or as soon thereafter
as is practicable, WavePhore Newscast shall deliver to Seller the First
Incentive Payment in the amount of $4,200,000, payable in an amount of
WavePhore Common Stock (the "Shares") based upon the Average Market Price
of WavePhore Common Stock ending the last Trading Day prior to January
12,1998. WavePhore shall register all the Shares for resale by Seller
and/or Shareholder (collectively, the "Selling Security Holder") pursuant
to an SEC Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9(a),(b),(c),(d) and (e) of
the Agreement. All sales of the Shares by the Selling Security Holder
pursuant to the Registration Statement shall be made in an orderly manner
and in an amount (the "Volume Limitation") which shall not exceed on any
Trading Day the greater of (i) 20,000 Shares, or (ii) 10% of the Trading
Volume of WavePhore Common Stock on the previous Trading Day; provided
that with the prior consent of WavePhore the foregoing Volume Limitation
shall not apply to negotiated block trades executed at prices equal to or
greater than the Average Market Price of WavePhore Common Stock ending the
last Trading Day prior to January 12,1998. For purposes hereof " Trading
Volume" shall include all trades reported to the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or otherwise to a "consolidated system" as that
term is defined in the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, and
"Trading Day" shall mean any day on which at least 20,000 shares of
WavePhore Common Stock are traded on the Nasdaq National Market or on the
principal securities exchange or market on which WavePhore Common Stock is
then traded and such Market or exchange remains open for at
<PAGE> 2
least one continuous hour on such day.
If the Sum of (i) the total net proceeds (gross proceeds less direct
selling costs) received by the Selling Security Holder from the sale of
the Shares during the period commencing on the effective date of the
Registration Statement and ending on April 30, 1998 (the "Sale Period"),
plus (ii) the market value of all unsold Shares held by the Selling
Security Holder as of the close of trading on the last Trading Day of the
Sale Period, valued at the closing price of WavePhore Common Stock as of
such date, is less than $4,000,000, WavePhore and Newscast shall pay to
the Selling Security Holder the difference between $4,000,000 and such Sum
(the "Difference") in immediately available funds on the third business
day following the close of the Sale Period.
Provided, however, that if the total number of Trading Days on which the
Registration Statement is effective during the Sale Period (the "Available
Trading Days") is less than 30 days, then the Sale Period shall be
extended for an additional number of Trading Days equal to the difference
between 30 and the number of available Trading Days.
Upon payment of the Difference, if any, by WavePhore and Newscast to
Selling Security Holder, WavePhore and Newscast shall have no other or
further liability or obligation with respect to the delivery of the First
Incentive Payment or the Shares."
2. APPLICATION OF SECTION 2.9(f) OF THE AGREEMENT.
The first sentence of Section 2.9(f) of the Agreement shall not apply to
amended Section 2.6(a) of the Agreement. In addition, any payment required
by the second sentence of Section 2.9(f) with respect to the First
Incentive Payment described in Amended Section 2.6(a) shall be limited to
a maximum of $4,000,000.
3. NO OTHER CHANGE.
No other change or modification to the Agreement is intended or implied.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed, as of the date set forth above.
WAVEPHORE, INC. PARACEL ONLINE SYSTEMS, INC.
By: ______________________________ By: ____________________________
David E. Deeds, Chairman, Kwang- I Yu, President
Chief Executive Officer and President
WAVEPHORE NEWSCAST, INC PARACEL, INC.
<PAGE> 3
By: _______________________________ By: ____________________________
David E. Deeds, Chairman, Kwang- I Yu, President
Chief Executive Officer and President
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5
[BARNES & THORNBURG LETTERHEAD]
January 28, 1998
WAVEPHORE, INC.
3311 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
Re: Registration of Common Shares
Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Indiana counsel to WavePhore, Inc., an Indiana
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"), relating to the registration of up to 454,654 of
the Company's Common Shares, without par value (the "Shares"), for resale by
Paracel Online Systems, Inc., a California corporation ("Paracel"), which were
previously acquired by Paracel pursuant to that certain Agreement for the
Purchase and Sale of Assets dated May 29, 1997, as amended by that certain
Amendment No. 1 thereto dated January 12, 1998, by and among the Company,
WavePhore Newscast, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Paracel and Paracel, Inc., a
California corporation (the "Agreement").
In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have limited our factual
inquiry to (i) reliance on a certificate of the Secretary of the Company, (ii)
reliance on the facts and representations contained in the Registration
Statement, including without limitation those relating to the number of the
Company's Common Shares, without par value, which are authorized, issued or
reserved for issuance upon conversion or exercise of preferred shares, warrants
and options, and (iii) such documents, corporate records and other instruments
as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed
below, including without limitation a certificate issued by the Secretary of
State of the State of Indiana dated January 28, 1998, attesting to the corporate
existence of the Company in the State of Indiana.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In
rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed that the Shares (i) will
conform in all material respects to the description thereof set forth in the
Registration Statement, (ii) were issued and delivered in accordance with the
terms of the Agreement, and (iii) were issued pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933
Act.
<PAGE> 2
WAVEPHORE, INC.
January 28, 1998
Page 2
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the current internal laws of the
State of Indiana (without giving effect to any conflict of law principles
thereof), and we have not considered, and express no opinion on, the laws of any
other jurisdiction. This opinion is based on the laws in effect and facts in
existence on the date of this letter, and we assume no obligation to revise or
supplement this letter should the law or facts, or both, change.
This opinion is intended solely for the use of the Company in
connection with the registration of the Shares. It may not be relied upon by any
other person or for any other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by any
person, without the written consent of Barnes & Thornburg; provided, however,
that we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement and to the references to Barnes & Thornburg contained in
the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Barnes & Thornburg
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of WavePhore, Inc. for
the registration of 454,654 shares of its common stock and the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 14, 1997 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of WavePhore, Inc. included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
[ERNST & YOUNG LLP LOGO]
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Phoenix, Arizona
January 26, 1998
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants
The Board of Directors
Paracel Online Systems, Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-3 and related Prospectus of WavePhore, Inc. for the registration of
454,654 shares of its common stock of our report dated July 3, 1997, with
respect to the balance sheets of Paracel Online Systems, Inc. (formerly Carthage
International, Inc.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paracel, Inc., as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of operations, stockholders'
equity (deficiency) and cash flows for the period from January 1, 1995 to
December 4, 1995 (Predecessor), the period from December 5, 1995 (Acquisition)
to December 31, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1996 (Successor), which
report appears in Form 8-K/A of WavePhore, Inc. dated August 12, 1997.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
Prospectus.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Los Angeles, California
January 28, 1998
