-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, B7HGbtLKYHvTUfU6c7JwBTYhPWrl7Vto4jgARPx5o3jBYx7WtfJAX7xNp9g7w7mZ 6EmvWFU2ql4vzzjENQ9lQA== 0000020232-02-000019.txt : 20021018 0000020232-02-000019.hdr.sgml : 20021018 20021018170502 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000020232-02-000019 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-1/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20021018 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHYRON CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000020232 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3861] IRS NUMBER: 112117385 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-1/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-86424 FILM NUMBER: 02793013 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5 HUB DR CITY: MELVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 11747 BUSINESS PHONE: 5168452000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5 HUB DRIVE CITY: MELVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 11747 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: COMPUTER EXCHANGE INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19760114 S-1/A 1 s1a101802.htm AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH __, 2000

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 18, 2002

Registration No. 333-86424_____

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________________

Amendment No. 1 to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

__________________________________

CHYRON CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

New York

3861

11-2117385

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

____________________________________

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

(631) 845-2000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

Roger Henderson

President and Chief Executive Officer

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

(631) 845-2000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

____________________________________

With a copy to:

Willie Dennis, Esq.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.

590 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Telephone: (212) 872-1000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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, 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 this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. ¨

CALCULATION OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Security

to be Registered

Amount to be

Registered (1)

Offering Price
Per Share (2)

Aggregate Offering

Price (2)

Amount of

Registration Fee (3)

Common Stock, $.01 par value

10,827,697 shares

$0.28

$3,031,755

$278.92

  1. These shares are in addition to shares previously registered relating to shares of our Common Stock (a) issuable upon conversion of (i) $2,210,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes issued in a private placement completed in December, 2001 which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $0.35, and additional senior subordinated notes of $574,984 related to interest which may be paid in kind through December 31, 2003, (ii) $1,292,000 aggregate principal amount of Series A Subordinated Convertible Debentures issued in a private placement completed in January 1999, $50,000 of which were converted and $1,242,000 of which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $2.466, and additional convertible debentures of $528,794 related to interest which may be paid in kind through December 31, 2004, and (iii) $6,452,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B Subordinated Convertible Debentures issued in a private placement completed in September, 1999, which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $1.625 per share, additional convertible debentures of $3,965,187 related to interest which may be paid in kind through December 31, 2004, and related placement agent stock purchase warrants of 123,631, (b) issuable upon exercise of stock purchase warrants for 861,027 shares issued in December, 2001 to holders of the convertible debentures, (c) issued in connection with our November, 2000 purchase of a 20% equity investment in Video Technics, Inc. and our January, 2001 acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of Interocity Development Corporation, (d) issued to certain investors in a private placement completed in April, 2000, and issuable upon exercise of related placement agent stock purchase warrants of 151,914 shares, and (e) issuable upon exercise of stock purchase warrants of 120,000 shares and 50,00 0 shares issued for warrants previously exercised, which warrants were issued for consulting services. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be required to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar events.
  2. Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the average of the bid and asked price of the common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on October 14, 2002.
  3. Pursuant to Rule 429, this Registration Statement includes a Combined Prospectus relating to this Registration Statement and Registration Statement File Numbers 333-54346 and 333-37408. Pursuant to Rule 429(b), 616,206 and 7,641,151 shares of Common Stock are being carried forward in the within Combined Prospectus.

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, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

Pursuant to Rule 429(b), this Registration Statement on Form S-1 also serves as post-effective amendment number 3 to the registration on Form S-3 File Number 333-54346 and post-effective amendment number 2 to the registration on Form S-3 File No. 333-37408.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 18, 2002

PROSPECTUS

CHYRON CORPORATION

19,064,781 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

__________________________

Shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share of Chyron Corporation are being offered from time to time by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus. The selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are offering up to 19,064,781 shares of our common stock. The prices at which such selling stockholders may sell the shares will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. Our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "CYRO.OB." The last reported sale price for the common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on October 14, 2002 was $0.24 per share.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock because they are being offered by the selling shareholders and we are not offering any shares for sale under this prospectus, but we may receive proceeds from the exercise of warrants held by the selling stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds," and "Selling Shareholders" and "Plan of Distribution" for a description of sales of the shares by the selling shareholders.

Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

__________________________

The date of this prospectus is October 18, 2002.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

   

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

1

RISK FACTORS

5

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

19

USE OF PROCEEDS

20

DIVIDEND POLICY

20

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

20

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

21

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

 

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

22

BUSINESS

39

MANAGEMENT

48

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

57

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

60

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

62

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

67

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

69

LEGAL MATTERS

74

EXPERTS

74

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION

 

FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

75

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

76

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

77

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-1

   
   

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling shareholders have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of common stock.

In this prospectus, "we," "us," "our company" and "our" refer to Chyron Corporation unless the context otherwise requires.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

You should read this summary together with the entire prospectus, including the more detailed information in our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our Business

We develop, manufacture, market and support a broad range of equipment, software and systems, including character generators, signal distribution systems, master control switchers and broadcast automation and media management packages. We have served the television industry for over three decades and believe that we have established ourselves as a leading innovator in the development of products that generate television graphics and distribute and control the distribution of video and audio signals. In addition, we believe that we have established a global leadership position in providing products for graphics authoring and automated content delivery for the emerging markets of interactive television. The principal markets for our products are the U.S. and Europe.

Our Products

We offer Graphics products through our Graphics division and Signal Distribution and Automation products through our Signal Distribution and Automation, or Pro-Bel, division. Our Graphics division provides a broad range of hardware and software products that enhance the presentation of live and pre-recorded video and other data. Our Pro-Bel division provides signal distribution systems, master control switchers, automation and media management packages and routers that are known in the broadcasting industry for superior performance and reliability. Our products enable customers to:

  • Create, manipulate and manage text, logos and other graphic images using special effects such as 3D transforming, compositing and painting;
  • Control and distribute live video, audio and other data signals;
  • Manage broadcast video content and automate the output of broadcast facilities; and
  • Create interactive content and deliver to TV set top boxes.

Our Strategy

Our Graphics division plans to build on our leading brand image and large installed base in the broadcast graphics market to further penetrate the post-production, corporate, educational and professional video market sectors, and to develop partnerships to deliver advanced interactive graphics tools for use in the interactive market. Our Pro-Bel division, a European leader in routers and associated equipment enabling the management and delivery of high bandwidth digital video, digital audio and other data signals, and an established provider of high-end transmission automation and media asset management solutions, plans to continue to develop and bring to market routing, control and management solutions.

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on April 8, 1966, under the name The Computer Exchange, Inc. We changed our name to Chyron Corporation on November 28, 1975. On April 12, 1996, we acquired Pro-Bel Limited, a United Kingdom company. Our principal executive offices are located at 5 Hub Drive, Melville, New York 11747. Our telephone number is (631) 845-2000.

 

The Offering

Common stock to be offered by the selling shareholders(1)

19,064,781 Shares

Common stock to be outstanding after the offering(2)

39,563,691 Shares

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock because they are being offered by the selling shareholders and we are not offering any shares for sale under this prospectus, but we may receive proceeds from the exercise of warrants held by the selling stockholders. See "Use of Proceeds."

OTC Bulletin Board symbol

"CYRO.OB"

 

  1. This prospectus relates solely to the sale of 19,064,781 shares of our common stock:

  • issuable upon conversion of $2,210,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes issued in a private placement completed in December 2001 which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $0.35, and additional senior subordinated notes of $574,984 related to interest payable in kind through December 31, 2003,
  • issuable upon conversion of $1,242,000 aggregate principal amount, and issued upon conversion of $50,000 principal amount, of Series A Subordinated Convertible Debentures issued in a private placement completed in January 1999 which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $2.466, and additional convertible debentures of $528,794 related to interest payable in kind through December 31, 2004,
  • issuable upon conversion of $6,452,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B Subordinated Convertible Debentures issued in a private placement completed in September, 1999, which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion rate of $1.625 per share, additional convertible debentures of $3,965,187 related to interest payable in kind through December 31, 2004, and related placement agent stock purchase warrants for 123,631 shares,
  • issuable upon exercise of stock purchase warrants for 861,027 shares issued in December 2001 to holders of the convertible debentures,
  • issued in connection with our November, 2000 purchase of a 20% equity investment in Video Technics, Inc., and our acquisition in January, 2001 of all of the outstanding capital stock of Interocity Development Corporation, issued to certain investors in a private placement completed in April, 2000, and issuable upon exercise of related placement agent stock purchase warrants for 151,914 shares, and
  • issuable upon exercise of stock purchase warrants for 120,000 shares, and 50,000 shares issued for warrants previously exercised, that were issued for consulting services.

(2) The outstanding share information is based on our shares outstanding as of October 1, 2002 and excludes an aggregate of 15,085,757 shares of common stock that are issuable upon conversion of our senior subordinated notes and convertible debentures discussed above in footnote (1). The share and per share amounts presented in this prospectus have been retroactively restated to give effect to all stock splits. This information also excludes:

 

  • an aggregate of 1,256,572 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants;
  • an aggregate of 3,875,610 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options granted under our stock option plan, and
  • an aggregate of 1,248,776 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options reserved for future grant under our stock option plan.

 

 

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review and consider the risks listed in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before purchasing any shares of our common stock.

 

Summary Consolidated Financial Information

The following table provides summary consolidated financial data of our company for the periods ended and as of the dates indicated. You should read the summary consolidated financial data set forth below in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

Statement of Operations Data:

         

Net sales

$46,182

$56,272

$60,709

$83,710

$86,774

Gross profit

15,011

25,928

26,058

39,460

39,830

Operating expenses:

         

Selling, general and administrative

28,952

29,858

28,166

31,420

29,662

Research and development

5,635

6,862

7,315

9,537

6,822

Restructuring and other unusual

Charges

12,468

 

6,681

3,979

3,082

Total operating expenses

47,055

36,720

42,162

44,936

39,566

Operating (loss) income

(32,044)

(10,792)

(16,104)

(5,476)

264

(Loss) on sale of investments

(328)

607

541

1,194

 

Interest and other expense, net

(1,295)

(1,723)

(1,272)

(1,786)

(1,242)

Loss

(33,667)

(11,908)

(29,784)

(4,447)

(760)

Loss per common share -

         

Basic

$(0.86)

$ (.34)

$ (.93)

$ (.14)

$ (.02)

Diluted

$(0.86)

$ (.34)

$ (.93)

$ (.14)

$ (.02)

Weighted average number of common

shares outstanding (1) -

         

Basic

39,352

34,824

32,084

32,058

32,538

Diluted

39,352

34,824

32,084

32,058

32,538

           
 

As of December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

Balance Sheet Data:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

$4,342

$15,332

$ 5,453

$1,585

$2,968

Working capital

4,366

31,019

17,761

30,036

38,955

Total assets

33,899

65,828

58,381

83,116

94,080

Long-term obligations

16,027

18,602

21,622

17,315

21,959

Shareholders' equity

313

32,961

22,512

49,770

53,962

 

 

(1) Adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split effected on February 7, 1997.

Risk Factors

Before you invest in our common stock, you should understand the high degree of risk involved. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus, including our historical consolidated financial statements and related notes, before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock. The following risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face. However, these are the risks management believes are material. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

We cannot assure you that we will reach profitability because we have a history of losses.

We incurred significant losses from 1997 through 2001. Our accumulated deficit in these five years as of December 31, 2001 was $70.6 million. We had a net loss of $33.7 million in 2001. We cannot assure you that we will achieve profitability in any future periods, and you should not rely on our historical revenue or our previous profitability as any indication of our future operating results or prospects. If we continue to generate losses and do not generate sufficient cash, we will not have cash to maintain operations at current levels. In addition, we may need additional financing to sustain our operations in the future. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available or if available that it will be on terms acceptable to us.

Our future operating results are likely to fluctuate and therefore may fail to meet expectations, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our operating results have varied widely in the past and are likely to do so in the future. In addition, our operating results may not follow any past trends. Our future operating results will depend on many factors and may fail to meet our expectations for a number of reasons, including those set forth in these risk factors. Any failure to meet expectations could cause our stock price to significantly fluctuate or decline.

Factors that relate to our internal operations and could cause our operating results to fluctuate include:

  • the need for continual, rapid new product introductions,
  • changes in our product mix,
  • our inability to adjust our fixed costs in the face of any declines in sales, and
  • successful execution of our strategy to develop and market products for the TV broadcasting markets, namely, character generators, routing equipment, routing switchers, routing peripherals, master control, automation, signal processing, switchers network management, video clip and stillstore and media management.

Factors that depend upon our suppliers and customers and could cause our operating results to fluctuate include:

  • the timing of significant product orders, order cancellations and reschedulings,
  • the availability of production capacity and fluctuations in the manufacturing yields at the facilities to which we subcontract our critical components, and
  • the cost of raw materials and manufacturing services from our suppliers.

Factors that are industry risks and could cause our operating results to fluctuate include:

  • intense competitive pricing pressures,
  • introductions of or enhancements to our competitors' products, and
  • the cyclical nature of the industry.

Our day-to-day business decisions are made with these factors in mind. Although certain of these factors are out of our immediate control, unless we can anticipate and be prepared with contingency plans that respond to these factors, we will be unsuccessful in carrying out our business plan.

If we fail to successfully develop, introduce and sell new products, we may be unable to compete effectively in the future.

We operate in a highly competitive, quickly changing environment marked by rapid obsolescence of existing products. Our future success depends on our ability to develop, introduce and successfully market new products, including Duet products that replaced our existing iNFiNiT!, Max and Maxine product lines. To date, we have been selling our Duet products in increasing quantities, and we must continue to increase our sales or our business will suffer. If any of the following occur, our business will be materially harmed:

  • We fail to complete and introduce new product designs in a timely manner,
  • We are unable to have these new products manufactured according to design specifications,
  • Our customers do not perceive value in our new products and demand deep discounts,
  • Our sales force and independent distributors do not create adequate demand for our products, or
  • Market demand for our new products does not develop as anticipated.

If we are unable to keep up with rapid change in our industry, our business will not grow.

The markets for our products are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions and enhancements. Due to technological advancements and changes in industry standards, our products may become obsolete or the prices at which we can sell them may decline. Future technological advances in the television and video industries may result in the availability of new products or services that could compete with our products or reduce the price of our existing products or services. The availability of competing or less expensive products could cause our existing or potential customers to fulfill their needs better and more cost efficiently with products other than ours.

For example, customers are beginning to use personal computers to edit graphics. This is a task that traditionally would have been completed on our lower-end stand-alone machines. We may not be successful in enhancing our products or developing, manufacturing or marketing new products that satisfy customer needs or achieve market acceptance. In addition, services, products or technologies developed by others may render our products or technologies uncompetitive, unmarketable or obsolete. Announcements of currently planned or other new product offerings by either our competitors or us may cause customers to defer or fail to purchase our existing products or services.

In addition, errors or failures may be found in our products. Such errors or failures could cause delays in product introductions and shipments or require design modifications that could adversely affect our competitive position. This could result in an increase in the inventory of our products. If we do not develop, on a timely basis, new products, and enhancements to existing products or correct errors should they arise, or if such new products or enhancements do not achieve market acceptance, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer. Furthermore, the trend toward the use of open systems may cause price erosion in our products, create opportunities for new competitors, allow existing competitors enhanced opportunities and limit the sale of our proprietary systems. Customers may also have unique product requirements such as support of foreign languages, which may be difficult and expensive for us to support and may have limited acceptability.

We expend substantial resources in developing and selling our products, and we may be unable to generate significant revenue as a result of these efforts.

To establish market acceptance of our products, we must dedicate significant resources to research and development, production and sales and marketing. We experience a long delay between the time when we expend these resources and the time when we begin to generate revenue, if any, from these expenditures. Typically, this delay is one year or more. We record as expenses the costs related to the development of new products as these expenses are incurred. As a result, our profitability from quarter to quarter and from year to year may be material and adversely affected by the number and timing of our new product introductions in any period and the level of acceptance gained by these products.

Our customers may cancel or change their product plans after we have expended substantial time and resources in the design of their products.

If one of our potential customers cancels, reduces or delays product orders from us or chooses not to release equipment that incorporates our products after we have spent substantial time and resources in designing a product, our business could be materially harmed. Our customers often evaluate certain of our products for six to twelve months or more before designing them into their systems, and they may not commence volume shipments for up to an additional six to twelve months, if at all. During this lengthy sales cycle, our potential customers may also cancel or change their product plans. Even when customers integrate one or more of our products into their systems, they may ultimately discontinue the shipment of their systems that incorporate our products. System integrators whose products achieve customer acceptance may choose to replace our products with other products giving them higher margins or better performance.

If the digital video market does not grow, we will be unable to increase our revenues.

Our future growth and success in our existing business lines will depend to a significant degree on the rate at which broadcasters and cable operators convert to digital video systems and the rate at which digital video technology expands to additional market segments. Television broadcasters and cable television operators have historically relied on and utilized traditional analog technology for video management, storage and distribution. Digital video technology is still a relatively new technology and the move from traditional analog technology to digital video technology requires a significant initial expense for television broadcasters and cable television operators. Accordingly, the use of digital video technology may not expand among television broadcasters and cable television operators or into additional markets. If television broadcasters and cable television operators do not accept and implement digital video technology, or if the October 1996 ruling of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") mandating these changes is repealed or amended, we may not be able to grow our existing business lines and our financial condition will suffer.

 

We will be unable to compete effectively if we fail to anticipate product opportunities based upon emerging technologies and standards and fail to develop products that incorporate these technologies and standards.

We may spend significant time and money on research and development to design and develop products around an emerging technology or industry standard. If an emerging technology or industry standard that we have identified fails to achieve broad market acceptance in our target markets, we may be unable to generate significant revenue from our research and development efforts. Moreover, even if we are able to develop products using adopted standards, our products may not be accepted in our target markets. As a result, our business would be materially harmed.

We have limited experience in designing and developing products that support industry standards. If systems manufacturers move away from the use of industry standards that we support with our products and adopt alternative standards, we may be unable to design and develop new products that conform to these new standards. The expertise required is unique to each industry standard, and we would have to either hire individuals with the required expertise or acquire this expertise through a licensing arrangement or by other means. The demand for individuals with the necessary expertise to develop a product relating to a particular industry standard is generally high, and we may not be able to hire such individuals. The cost to acquire this expertise through licensing or other means may be high and such arrangements may not be possible in a timely manner, if at all.

We may not successfully develop strategic relationships that may be important to our business.

We believe the formation of strategic relationships will be important to our Interactive television business. The inability to find strategic partners or the failure of any existing relationships to achieve meaningful positive results for us could harm our business. We will rely in part on strategic relationships to help us:

  • Maximize adoption of our products through distribution arrangements,
  • Enhance our brand,
  • Expand the range of commercial activities based on our technology, and
  • Increase the performance, functionality and utility of our products and services.

Many of these goals are beyond our traditional strengths. We anticipate that the efforts of our strategic partners will become more important as the use of Interactive television matures. For example, we may become more reliant on strategic partners to provide multimedia content and build the necessary infrastructure for media delivery. We may not be successful in forming strategic relationships. In addition, the efforts of our strategic partners may be unsuccessful. Furthermore, these strategic relationships may be terminated before we realize any benefit.

We operate in a highly competitive environment and industry and we may lack resources needed to capture increased market share

We may not be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. The markets for graphics imaging and editing, signal routing and media storage systems and products are highly competitive. These markets are characterized by constant technological change and evolving industry standards. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and marketing resources than we have. In addition, certain vendors dominate certain product categories and market segments, on a region-by-region basis, in which we currently operate or may wish to operate in the future. As a result, our ability to compete and operate in these areas may be limited.

We anticipate increased competition from companies with which we currently compete and from companies that may enter our industry. We are currently aware of several major and a number of smaller competitors:

    • In the graphics area, we believe our primary competitors are Pinnacle Systems Inc., Aston Electronic Designs Limited, Pixel Power and Inscriber.
    • In the signal management area, we believe our primary competitors are nVision, Leitch Incorporated, Thomson, Sony Corporation and Grass Valley Group.
    • In the control and automation area, we believe our primary competitors are Encoda, Harris Corporation and Omnibus.

We believe that our ability to compete depends on factors both within and outside our control, including the success and timing of new product developments introduced by us and our competitors, product performance and price, market presence and customer support. We may not be able to compete successfully with respect to these factors. Maintaining any advantage that we may have, now or in the future, over our competitors will require our continuing investments in research and development, sales and marketing and customer service and support. In addition, as we enter new markets, we may encounter distribution channels, technical requirements and competitive factors that differ from those in the markets in which we currently operate. We may not be able to compete successfully in these new markets. In addition, increased competition in any of our current markets could result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market share, any of which could harm our business, financial co ndition and results of operations.

We may encounter periods of industry-wide surface mount components shortage, resulting in pricing pressure and a risk that we could be unable to fulfill our customers' requirements.

The semiconductor industry (from which surface mount components are derived) has historically been characterized by wide fluctuations in the demand for, and supply of, its products, which feed the electronics, telecommunications and computer markets. These fluctuations have resulted in circumstances when supply and demand for the industry's products have been widely out of balance. Our operating results may be materially harmed by industry-wide surface mount component shortage, which could result in severe pricing pressure. In a market with undersupply, we would have to compete with the larger customers of our vendors for limited manufacturing capacity. In such an environment, we may be unable to have our products manufactured in a timely manner or in quantities necessary to meet our requirements. Since we outsource a large proportion of our products, we are particularly vulnerable to such supply shortages. As a result, we may be unable to fulfill orders and may lose customers. Any future industry-wide shortage of surface mount components or manufacturing capacity would materially harm our business.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers of surface mount components.

We depend on a limited number of contract manufacturers to produce surface mount components for our products. Our principal suppliers may experience unanticipated events that could inhibit their ability to provide us with adequate manufacturing capacity on a timely basis, or at all. Introducing new surface mount components or transferring existing design and specifications to a new third party manufacturer would require significant development time to adapt our designs to their manufacturing processes and could cause product shipment delays. In addition, the costs associated with manufacturing our components may increase if we are required to use a new third party manufacturer. If we fail to satisfy our manufacturing requirements, our business would be materially harmed.

If we fail to adequately forecast demand for our products, we may incur product shortages or excess product.

Our agreements with third-party manufacturers require us to provide forecasts of our anticipated manufacturing orders, and place binding manufacturing orders in advance of receiving purchase orders from our customers. This may result in product shortages or excess product inventory because it may not be practical to increase or decrease our rolling forecasts under such agreements. Obtaining additional supply in the face of product shortages may be costly or not possible, especially in the short term. Our failure to forecast adequately demand for our products would materially harm our business.

Problems in manufacturing our products, especially our new products, may increase the costs of our manufacturing process.

Difficulties or delays in the manufacturing of our products in the U.S. and the U.K. can adversely impact our gross margin. In the past we have experienced production and supply problems that affected the gross margin. We may experience in the future the same type of problems or other problems. This would be especially true if we face cash constraints, slowing payments to our suppliers. That in turn affects our ability to manufacture products in a timely manner, which would adversely affect our profitability.

We may be unable to grow our business if the markets in which we sell our products do not grow.

Our success depends in large part on the continued growth of various markets that use our products. Any decline in the demand for our products in the following markets could materially harm our business:

  • Broadcasting infrastructure projects,
  • Video/audio, graphics and imaging,
  • Advertising,
  • Corporate customers,
  • Military and security systems.

Slower growth in any of the other markets in which our products are sold may also materially harm our business. Many of these markets are characterized by rapid technological change and intense competition. As a result, our products may face severe price competition, become obsolete over a short time period, or fail to gain market acceptance. In addition, customers may require replacements and upgrades of equipment rather than the purchase of new, more expensive products. Any of these occurrences would materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business will suffer if our systems fail or become unavailable.

A reduction in the performance, reliability and availability of our network infrastructure will harm our ability to distribute our products and services to our users, as well as our reputation and ability to attract and retain funding, users and content providers. Our systems and operations could be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, Internet breakdown, earthquake and similar events. Our systems are also subject to viruses, break-ins, sabotage, acts of physical terrorism, intentional acts of vandalism, hacking, cyber-terrorism and similar misconduct. Our computer and communications infrastructure are located at Melville, NY and Reading, U.K. We do not have fully redundant systems or a formal disaster recovery plan, and we do not carry adequate business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur from a system outage. Any system error or failure that causes interruption in availability of products or content or an incr ease in response time could result in a loss of potential or existing customers or content providers and declines in stock values. If we suffer sustained or repeated interruptions, our products and services could be less attractive to our users and our business would be harmed.

In order to become profitable, we will need to offset the general pattern of declines and fluctuations in the prices of our products.

The legacy iNFiNiT!, MAX!> and MAXINE! products sold at prices that are a multiple of the current Duet line prices. With advances in technology and introduction of Windows-based operating systems, we have to strive continuously to provide more performance and characteristics in our products at lower prices. We may not be able to do so successfully in the future, thus negatively affecting our performance.

We depend upon third party dealers to market and sell our products and they may discontinue sale of our products, fail to give our products priority or be unable to successfully market, sell and support our products.

We employ independent, third party dealers to market and sell a significant portion of our products. During 2001, 23% of our sales were made through our dealers and representatives. Although we have contracts with our dealers and representatives, any of them may terminate their relationship with us on short notice. The loss of one or more of our principal dealers, or our inability to attract new dealers, could materially harm our business. We may lose dealers in the future and we may be unable to recruit additional or replacement dealers. As a result, our future performance will depend in part on our ability to retain our existing dealers and representatives and attract new dealers and representatives that will be able to market, sell and support our products effectively.

Furthermore, with advances in technology we have been able to introduce lower-priced products. It may be that our distribution strategy needs to be modified as new product prices are lowered. It is possible we may not be successful in modifying our distribution strategy, thus adversely impacting our ability to sell our new products.

Problems associated with international business operations could subject us to risks from financial, operational and political situations, and affect our ability to manufacture and sell our products.

Sales to customers located outside the United States accounted for 57%, 42% and 46% of our total sales in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. We anticipate that sales to customers located outside the United States will continue to represent a significant portion of our total sales in future periods and the trend of foreign customers accounting for an increasing portion of our total sales may continue. Accordingly, our operations and revenues are subject to a number of risks associated with foreign commerce, including the following:

  • Managing foreign dealers and foreign customers, which may be state corporations or government agencies,
  • Staffing and managing foreign branch offices,
  • Political and economic instability,
  • Foreign currency exchange fluctuations,
  • Changes in tax laws, tariffs, environmental directives, freight rates and governmental royalties,
  • Timing and availability of export licenses,
  • Changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies,
  • Inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in some countries, and
  • Obtaining governmental approvals for certain products.

In 2001 we denominated sales of our products in foreign countries exclusively in U.S. dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros. As a result, any increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency of a foreign country will increase the price of our products in that country so that our products become more expensive to customers in the local currency of that foreign country. As a result, sales of our products in that foreign country may decline. To the extent any such risks materialize, our business would be materially harmed.

We may be unable to accurately predict quarterly results if we are inaccurate in our sales projections, which could adversely affect the trading price of our stock.

We build up our sales projections from information obtained by the sales force and our dealers. We recognize revenue from sales to our dealers only when these dealers make sales to customers. Furthermore, in certain large contracts, applicable to both Graphics division and Pro-Bel division, there are acceptance and/or commissioning conditions. It is possible our products are delivered but are not paid for because acceptance and/or commissioning have not taken place to the satisfaction of the customer. We would not be able to recognize the revenue until the customer has accepted and/or commissioned the products.

Any deviation or inaccuracy in these above factors could affect our quarterly revenue and results of operations. As a result, on a quarterly basis, our stock price could materially fluctuate.

We may be unable to successfully grow our business if we fail to compete effectively with others to attract and retain key personnel.

We believe our future success will depend upon our ability to attract and retain engineers and other highly skilled personnel and sales people. Our employees are at-will and only a few are subject to employment contracts. Hiring qualified sales and technical personnel will be difficult due to the limited number of qualified professionals. Competition for these types of employees is intense. We have in the past experienced difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified sales and technical personnel necessary for the development of our business. Failure to attract and retain personnel, particularly sales and technical personnel, would materially harm our business. We are also highly dependent upon the efforts of our senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of these individuals may delay or prevent us from achieving our objectives.

We may not be able to protect our proprietary technology and may be sued for infringing on the rights of others.

Protection of intellectual property rights is crucial to our business, since that is how we keep others from copying innovations that are central to our existing and future products. Our success also depends, in part, upon our ability to operate without infringing the rights of others. We rely on a combination of methods to protect our proprietary intellectual property, technology and know-how, such as:

  • trade secret laws,
  • copyright law,
  • trademark law,
  • patent law,
  • contractual provisions,
  • confidentiality agreements, and
  • certain technology and security measures.

Because it is critical to our success that we are able to prevent competitors from copying our innovations, we intend to continue to seek patent and trade secret protection for our products. The process of seeking patent protection can be long and expensive and we cannot be certain that any currently pending or future applications will actually result in issued patents, or that, even if patents are issued, they will be of sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or any commercial advantage to us.

The steps we have taken regarding our proprietary technology, however, may not be sufficient to deter misappropriation. For example, we have rights in trademarks, service marks and copyrights that are not registered. In addition, the laws of certain countries in which our products are or may be developed, manufactured, sold or otherwise distributed do not protect our products and intellectual rights to the extent of the laws of the U.S. We also rely on trade secret protection for our technology, in part through confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties. However, employees may breach these agreements, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. In any case, others may come to know about or determine our trade secrets through a variety of methods.

In the systems and software industries, companies receive notices from time to time alleging infringement of patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of others. In the past we have been, and may from time to time continue to be, notified of claims that we may be infringing patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. Companies may pursue claims against us with respect to the alleged infringement of patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary to protect our intellectual property rights and trade secrets, to determine the validity of and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against third party claims of invalidity. Any litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

Existing copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws afford only limited protection. Moreover, effective protection of copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other proprietary rights may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries and territories. Domestic and foreign laws, in combination with the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or other proprietary rights. Also, these protections do not preclude competitors from independently developing products with functionality or features similar or superior to our products and technologies or designing around the patents we own or the technology we create.

Litigation may be necessary to defend against claims of infringement, to enforce our proprietary rights, or to protect trade secrets and that could result in substantial cost, and a diversion of resources away from the day-to-day operation of our business.

Our future operating results may fluctuate or deteriorate and we would be in violation of restrictive bank covenants.

Our borrowing facility with our U.S. bank requires that for 2002, we achieve certain quarterly financial covenants with respect to our U.S. operations: a designated minimum EBITDA; maintain a stated minimum cash balance at all times; and, achieve a set fixed charge ratio financial covenant for each of the quarters of 2002. While we met the financial covenants for the first two quarters of 2002, our operating results in the past, including 2001, have caused us to violate the minimum EBITDA financial covenants in place at the time for which we either obtained waivers or amended our bank agreement. The bank financial covenants for the third and fourth quarters of 2002 require that the U.S. operations achieve a minimum EBITDA of $0.19 million and $0.22 million, respectively, maintain a minimum cash balance of $1 million at all times, and achieve a fixed charge ratio of 1:1. We are uncertain whether we will attain the EBITDA or minimum cash balance financial covenants for these two quar ters, although we believe that based on current forecasts we will be close. Unless there is a material adverse change in the results of operations we expect to be able to attain the fixed charge ratio covenant. There is no assurance we will not be in violation of bank covenants in the future because of fluctuations or even deterioration in our operating results. At that point there is no assurance we will be able to obtain waivers or amend our bank agreements. If not, we would be in violation of our restrictive bank financial covenants and the bank would have the right to demand full payment of all amounts owed them. We would then be required to settle the outstanding obligation. At December 31, 2001, we owed the U.S. bank $4.8 million, consisting of $2.7 million under our revolving credit line and $2.1 million under our outstanding term loan. At June 30, 2002 we owed the U.S. bank $3.68 million, consisting of $1.8 million under our revolving credit line and $1.88 million under our outstanding term loan.

Our expectation is that we would not have the financial resources to meet the bank obligation in one payment. We would expect to agree to a payment plan to pay off the bank debt over a specific period of time. We cannot provide any assurance that the bank would accept any plan. Furthermore, we cannot provide any assurance that the sources of capital to pay off the bank would materialize in a timely manner and to the extent we had planned for.

In specific terms, the contemplated sources of capital to meet our bank obligation are listed below:

  • Sale or sale-leaseback of our Pro-Bel office building in Reading, U.K.: Net of the existing mortgage, a sale or sale-leaseback could generate proceeds of between $1.5 million to $2.5 million. However, this may not materialize.
  • Cash on the balance sheet: There may be no cash on the balance sheet at the time of covenant violation.
  • Cuts in staff and overhead: A further restructuring may not be achievable without impairing the business
  • Third party financial support: Sufficient additional financial support from third parties, which may include directors and principal shareholders, may not materialize as it has in the past.

We may not be able to successfully implement our contingency plan upon a decline in revenues.

During 2001 we effected a restructuring that involved reductions in staff and overhead, as well as reduced capital expenditures and discretionary spending, so as to reduce costs and expenses and reduce cash outflows in response to lower revenues. If sales decline we could be forced to further reduce staff and other costs and expenses, as contemplated in our contingency plan. Were this to occur, we may be unable to reduce personnel and other costs and expenses on a timely basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, further reductions in personnel and costs and expenses may adversely affect our ability to generate revenues.

We are uncertain of our ability to obtain additional financing or refinance existing obligations for our future needs, and liquidity issues have and may continue to increase our cost of capital.

At December 31, 2001 we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.3 million and working capital of $4.4 million. We also had repayment obligations on revolving lines of credit, term debt, leases, a mortgage, senior subordinated convertible notes, and Series A and Series B convertible debentures of $5.1 during 2002, $7.9 million during 2003, $13.3 million during 2004, $0.8 million during 2005, $0.7 million during 2006 and $5.9 million thereafter. We believe that cash on hand and net cash expected to be generated in the business will be sufficient to meet our needs for the next twelve months if we are able to achieve our planned results of operations. However, we may need to raise additional funds in order to fund our business, expand our sales and marketing activities, develop or enhance new products, respond to competitive pressures and satisfy our existing and any new obligations that may arise. Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. While we significantly reduced our cash usage for operations during the latter part of 2001, capital is critical to our business, and our inability to raise capital in the event that ongoing losses use our available cash would have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our need for cash in late 2001 in order to maintain liquidity necessitated that we borrow additional monies and modify the terms of existing obligations, which actions increased our cost of capital. Due to the level of our current and non-current debt in relation to cash, as well as our results of operations and cash flows, we expect our cost of capital to remain at relatively higher levels. In December 2001 the holders of the existing Series A and Series B subordinated debentures agreed to an amendment of those debentures to change their maturity dates from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004. In return we were required to increase the interest rate payable on the debentures from 8% to 12% annual percentage rate and issue 861,027 warrants to the holders thereof to permit them to purchase stock at a price of $0.35 per share at any time until the debentures mature. The effect of the amendment to the debentures and the related issuance of warrants is to increase interest expense by $0.41 million, $0.48 million and $1.38 million for years 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively. The increased risk to note holders associated with our ability to repay the $2.1 million in Senior Notes issued December 2001 and maturing December 31, 2003 resulted in us having to agree to pay an annual percentage rate of 12% on that debt.

The TV broadcast industry has historically expected substantial marketing expenses.

In the past we have spent generously on marketing. We have attended major trade shows in the U.S. and Europe, which cost us substantial sums. Our plan going forward is to participate in the principal trade shows and some of the minor shows. We plan to control these expenditures and be more frugal in our expenditures. We cannot provide any assurance we will remain frugal and judicious in expensing our marketing dollars, because of market demands. Furthermore, we cannot provide any assurance that selective spending of our marketing dollars will pay off in the areas in which we are expecting results.

We sell hardware and software service agreements to our customers that may become onerous because of product problems or the age of our products.

We generated approximately 5% of our 2001 revenues from hardware and software service agreements sold to our customers. The customary term of such agreements is one year, and as they are sold throughout the year, they tend to expire throughout the year. In order to maintain our customer relations, we may need to support customers' products beyond their useful life, which may require us to expend significant resources. It is possible that our products, current and prospective, will not provide sufficient customer satisfaction and require inordinate and expensive service support for each product category, beyond the level planned in the service agreements in place. That, by itself, would increase our expenses and make these service agreements unprofitable. In addition, customers who purchase service agreements and experience problems may be disinclined to renew their service agreements in subsequent years, hence affecting the revenues generated from service agreements.

 

Our warranties on products may prove insufficient and could cause us unexpected costs.

We warranty our products from 90 days to two years, depending on the type of product and industry practices. It is possible that our products, current and prospective, do not provide sufficient customer satisfaction and we are required to extend our warranty for a particular product or product line. In addition, we may extend the warranty period in certain special situations to win a particular contract, hence extending our liability period.

Any unplanned increase of our warranty periods would increase our costs and reduce our profitability. Because of the attendant contingent liabilities, it is possible that a reserve would have to be established, further affecting our operating results.

If a new law or regulation is created pertaining to the telecommunications and television industries it could cause our customers to suffer and impede our ability to increase profits.

The enactment by U.S. federal or state or international governments of new laws or regulations, changes in the interpretation of existing regulations or a reversal of the trend toward deregulation in these industries could cause our customers to suffer, and thereby adversely affect our ability to continue to be profitable. Television operators are subject to extensive government regulation by the FCC and other U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies. These regulations could limit capital expenditures by television operators and if that happens our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

The telecommunications and television industries are subject to extensive regulation in the United States and other countries. Our business is dependent upon the continued growth of these industries in the United States and internationally. Recent legislation has lowered the legal barriers to entry for telecommunications companies into the United States' multi-channel television market, but telecommunications companies may not successfully enter this or related markets. Moreover, the growth of our business internationally is dependent in part on similar deregulation of the telecommunications industry abroad, which deregulation may not occur.

Our principal stockholders have significant voting power and may vote for actions that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our officers, directors and principal stockholders together control approximately 44% (as of October 1, 2002) of our issued and outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders, if they act together, will be able to significantly influence the management and affairs of our company and all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control or other business combination and might affect the market price of our common stock. This concentration of ownership may not be in the best interest of our other stockholders.

We have not issued dividends on our common stock for over twelve years and do not anticipate doing so in foreseeable future.

We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock since November 27, 1989 and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain any earnings for use in our business. The decision to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and is subject to certain restrictions under our loan agreements. The historical and prospective lack of issuing dividends may diminish the value of the common stock.

If operating results decrease, our stock price may also decrease and our shareholders may not be able to resell their shares.

Due to a variety of factors that may affect our revenues or our expenses in any particular quarter, our quarterly operating results may decrease significantly in the future. It is possible that in some future periods our results of operations or other performance measures may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. If this occurs, the price of our common stock will likely fall.

You should not rely on our results of operations during any particular quarter as an indication of our future results for a full year or any other quarter. Our quarterly operating results have in the past varied and in the future will be affected by factors such as:

  • the timing and recognition of revenue from significant orders,
  • the success of our products,
  • increased competition,
  • changes in our pricing policies or those of our competitors,
  • the financial stability of our major customers,
  • new product introductions or enhancements by our competitors,
  • delays in the introduction of our products or product enhancements,
  • customer order deferrals in anticipation of upgrades and new products,
  • our ability to access a sufficient supply of sole source and third-party components,
  • the quality and market acceptance of new products,
  • the timing and nature of selling and marketing expenses (such as trade shows and other promotions),
  • personnel changes,
  • the lengthy sales cycle associated with our switching and routing systems and certain other products,
  • high per unit list prices for our equipment, thereby posing significant barriers to the purchase of equipment for potential customers, and
  • economic conditions affecting our customers and us.

The price of our common stock may be volatile.

The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, general conditions in the digital media industry, announcements of technological innovations or new products introduced by us or our competitors and other events or factors. The stock market in general, and the shares of technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price fluctuations in recent years. During the period October 1, 2001 through October 1, 2002 the closing price of our common stock has ranged between $0.21 and $0.76. This volatility has had a substantial impact on the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of the companies affected. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, our common stock is now traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. You may expect trading volume to be low in such a market. Consequently, the activity of only a few shares may affect the market and may result in wide swings in price and in volume.

 

Shares of our common stock eligible for public sale after the offering could reduce the price of our common stock.

As of October 1, 2002, 39,563,691 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. Of these shares, approximately 20,711,678 shares will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") after giving effect to this prospectus. The remaining 18,852,013 outstanding shares are "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act. All of the approximately 18,852,013 restricted shares may be eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144. Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market, or the perception that sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price for our common stock. This offering will result in additional shares of our common stock being available on the public market. These sales also might make it difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

We have various mechanisms in place to discourage takeover attempts, which may reduce or eliminate your ability to sell your shares for a premium in a change of control transaction.

Various provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws and in New York corporate law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of our company by a third party which is opposed to by our management and board of directors. Public stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change of control or change in our management and board of directors. These provisions include:

  • authorizing the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and thwart a takeover attempt,
  • limiting who may call special meetings of our stockholders, and
  • establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our stockholders at stockholder meetings.

It may be difficult to sell your shares and the value of your investment may be reduced because our common stock has experienced low trading volumes on the OTC Bulletin Board and currently lacks public market research analyst coverage

Our common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board and it experiences lower trading volumes than many stocks listed on a national exchange, and therefore it may be difficult for an investor to sell the shares and to realize any return on an investment in our common stock. Because our common stock lacks public market research analyst coverage it is more difficult to obtain reliable information about its value or the extent of risks to which the investment is exposed. Even if a liquid market for the shares of our common stock exists in the future, there can be no assurance that the securities could be transferred at or above the price paid in this offering. The price of our common stock may fall against the investor's interests, and the investor may get back less than he or she invested.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact but rather reflect our current expectations, estimates and predictions about future results and events. These statements may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed in this prospectus. Factors that can cause or contribute to these differences include those described under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Man agement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements you read in this prospectus reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or individuals acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this prospectus that would cause actual results to differ before making an investment decision.

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock because they are being offered by the selling shareholders and we are not offering any shares for sale under this prospectus. We may receive proceeds from the exercise of warrants held by the selling stockholders. We will apply such proceeds, if any, toward working capital.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared or paid any cash dividend since November 27, 1989. We currently plan to retain our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In connection with our term loan and revolving credit facility, we are prohibited from paying dividends in excess of 25% of our net income in any fiscal year.

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock has been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "CYRO.OB" since May 25, 2001, when it was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sales prices per share of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CHY" from January 1, 2001 to May 24, 2001, and the high and low reported bids as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board from May 25, 2001 through October 14, 2002. The over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Price Range of Common Stock (in $)

 

High

Low

Year ended December 31, 2002

   

Fourth quarter through October 14, 2002

0.300

0.240

Third quarter

0.390

0.230

Second quarter

0.720

0.310

First quarter

0.510

0.220

     

Year ended December 31, 2001

   

Fourth quarter

0.430

0.200

Third quarter

0.700

0.350

Second quarter

1.190

0.250

First quarter

2.188

0.790

     

Year ended December 31, 2000

   

Fourth quarter

3.375

1.125

Third quarter

4.750

1.625

Second quarter

11.250

2.437

First quarter

13.500

1.500

On October 14, 2002, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board was $0.24 per share. As of October 1, 2002, there were approximately 5,100 holders of record of our common stock.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

You should read the selected consolidated financial data presented below in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2001 and 2000 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

Statement of Operations Data:

         

Net sales

$46,182

$56,272

$60,709

$83,710

$86,774

Gross profit

15,011

25,928

26,058

39,460

39,830

Operating expenses:

         

Selling, general and administrative

28,952

29,858

28,166

31,420

29,662

Research and development

5,635

6,862

7,315

9,537

6,822

Restructuring and other unusual

Charges

12,468

 

6,681

3,979

3,082

Total operating expenses

47,055

36,720

42,162

44,936

39,566

Operating (loss) income

(32,044)

(10,792)

(16,104)

(5,476)

264

(Loss) on sale of investments

(328)

607

541

1,194

 

Interest and other expense, net

(1,295)

(1,723)

(1,272)

(1,786)

(1,242)

Loss

(33,667)

(11,908)

(29,784)

(4,447)

(760)

Loss per common share -

         

Basic

$(0.86)

$ (.34)

$ (.93)

$ (.14)

$ (.02)

Diluted

$(0.86)

$ (.34)

$ (.93)

$ (.14)

$ (.02)

Weighted average number of common

shares outstanding (1) -

         

Basic

39,352

34,824

32,084

32,058

32,538

Diluted

39,352

34,824

32,084

32,058

32,538

           
 

As of December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

Balance Sheet Data:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

$4,342

$15,332

$ 5,453

$1,585

$2,968

Working capital

4,366

31,019

17,761

30,036

38,955

Total assets

33,899

65,828

58,381

83,116

94,080

Long-term obligations

16,027

18,602

21,622

17,315

21,959

Shareholders' equity

313

32,961

22,512

49,770

53,962

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus.

General

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, revenue recognition investments, intangible assets, income taxes, financing operations, warranty obligations, restructuring costs, retirement benefits, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on histo rical experience and on various other factors. These include, but are not limited to, pricing pressures, customer requirements, supply issues, manufacturing performance, product development and general market conditions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Results for the periods reported herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected in future periods.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. While we engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our component suppliers, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Should actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required.

We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Technology changes and market conditions may render some of our products obsolete and additional inventory write-downs may be required. If actual, future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. We hold interests in companies having operations or technology in areas within or adjacent to our strategic focus, one of which is publicly traded whose share prices are highly volatile and one of which is privately held whose value is difficult to determine. We record an investment impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underly ing investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of the investments that may not be reflected in an investment's current carrying value, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Additionally, should we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase income in the period this determination was made.

Net sales include revenue derived from product sales and upgrades as well as service revenue. For product sales, we recognize revenue at the time products are shipped and title has transferred, provided that a purchase order has been received or a contract has been executed, there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collectability is deemed probable. If uncertainties regarding customer acceptance exists, revenue is recognized when these uncertainties are resolved. For programming, consulting and software licensing services and construction contracts, we recognize revenue based on the percent complete for fixed fee contracts, with the percent complete being calculated as either the number of direct labor hours in the project to date divided by the estimated total direct labor hours or based upon the completion of specific task orders. It is our policy to record contract losses in their entirety in the period in which these lo sses are foreseeable. For nonfixed fee jobs, revenue is recognized based on the actual direct labor hours in the job times the standard billing rate and adjusted to realizable value, if necessary. There are no significant post-contract support obligations at the time of revenue recognition. Our accounting policy regarding vendor and post-contract support obligations is based on the terms of the customers' contract, billable upon the occurrence of the post-sale support. Costs of goods sold are recorded as the related revenue is recognized. Revenue results are difficult to predict, and any shortfall in revenue or delay in recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and could result in future operating losses. Service revenue related to annual maintenance contracts is generally recognized ratably over a period of twelve months. Customer service costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are not material. Revenues associated with long-term contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, subject to substantive customer acceptance. Revisions in profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Provisions for anticipated losses are charged to earnings when identified.

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2002 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2001

Net Sales. Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 were $10.3 million, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 22% from the $13.2 million reported for the second quarter of 2001. Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2002 were $20.4 million, a decrease of $3.5 million or 15% from the $23.9 million reported for the first six months of 2001. Revenues in the three and six month periods of 2001 included $0.04 and $0.22 million, respectively, from the streaming services division that was discontinued in the second quarter of 2001.

Revenues from the graphics division increased in the three and six month periods in 2002 as compared to 2001 by $0.8 million or 16%, and $1.4 million or 15%, respectively. These increases are primarily due to greater customer acceptance in the US and European marketplaces of the Company's Windows NT-based Duet and Aprisa Clip/Stillstore products as these have essentially replaced the legacy iNFiNiT! products over the past two years.

Revenues from the signal distribution and automation division decreased in the three and six month periods in 2002 as compared to 2001 by $3.7 million or 46%, and $4.7 million or 33%, respectively. These decreases are primarily attributable to lower customer spending for technology in the U.K and the rest of Europe, which is this division's major market.

Gross Profit. Gross margins for the second quarter of 2002 increased to 51% from 37% in the comparable quarter in 2001. Gross margins for the six-month periods in 2002 and 2001, were 53% and 40% respectively. Gross margins in the three and six month periods in 2001 were negatively impacted by a $0.4 million write down of inventory which had the effect of reducing the gross margins by 3% and 2%, respectively.

The higher margins were primarily due to lower fixed overhead costs in 2002 attributable to the Company's cost reduction efforts implemented during 2001, decreased outsourcing and that in 2001 the iNFiNiT! products experienced lower margins due to greater discounting as they neared the end of their product life cycle and began to be replaced by the newer Duet and Aprisa products. The signal distribution and automation division also provided increased margin contribution, due to a greater concentration of sales of automation products that carry a higher gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by $3.1 million, to $5.0 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared to $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2001. SG&A expenses decreased by $7.8 million, to $9.7 million in the first six months of 2002 compared to $17.5 million for the first six months of 2001. Included in the three and six months ended June 30, 2001 were expenses of $1.9 million and $5 million, respectively, related to the Company's streaming services division that was discontinued in the second quarter of 2001. The balance of the decline was driven by the substantial cost cutting and restructuring efforts implemented in 2001 that is being realized in 2002.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (R&D) costs in the second quarter of 2002 of $1 million are less than the comparable 2001 levels by approximately $0.5 million. R&D costs decreased to $2 million during the first six months of 2002 as compared to $3.4 million in the same period in 2001. Throughout 2001, as the Company launched its new products and refocused on its core competencies, it became apparent that its expenditures on R&D could be reduced to a level commensurate with its projected product needs. R&D efforts were refocused on near term products rather than on longer-term products for which no definable future product benefits were apparent.

Goodwill Impairment, Restructuring and other Unusual Charges. During 2001 the Company experienced a slowdown in revenues in its graphics business. In addition, revenues in the streaming services business were significantly lower than anticipated and the Company virtually eliminated any additional investment in that business for the foreseeable future. Consequently, during the second quarter of 2001, management approved restructuring plans to realign its organization, reduce operating costs, and curtail any spending associated with the pursuit of streaming services. This restructuring involved the reduction of employee staff by approximately 40 positions and the closure of its New York and London offices and two satellite offices. As a result of these circumstances and events, the Company considered a variety of factors and determined that the carrying amount of the excess of purchase price over net tangible assets acquired and other long-lived assets were in excess of their fai r value. Impairment charges were recorded for the write down of the excess of purchase price over net tangible assets acquired associated with the streaming services business, leasehold improvements, software, computers and other equipment. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring and other unusual charges totaling $8.3 million.

Interest and Other Expenses. Overall interest expense increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 by $0.07 million and $0.2 million, respectively. These increases result from the additional costs associated with the issuance of senior notes and higher interest rates resulting from the Company's restructuring of its convertible debentures and issuance of warrants in December 2001, and higher amortization of debt issue and warrants costs as a result. Interest income declined by $0.07 million and $0.2 million in the respective three and six month periods due to lower cash balances available for investment purposes.

Other (income) expense, net, increased by $0.4 million and $0.7 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, as a result of losses realized in the second quarter of 2001 on the sale of marketable securities of $0.1 million offset by increases in foreign exchange gains.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2000

Net Sales. Net sales for 2001 were $46.2 million, a decrease of $10.1 million, or 17.9% from the $56.3 million reported in 2000. Net sales during the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 consisted of $18.9 million and $26.9 million, respectively, from the Graphics division and $27.1 million and $29.4 million, respectively, from the Signal Distribution and Automation division. In addition, in 2001 we generated $0.2 million in direct interactive/streaming revenues, compared to nominal revenues in 2000. Formally launched in November 2000, the Streaming Services division was closed down in the second quarter of 2001.

The Graphics division is completing a transition. The legacy iNFiNiT! products are being successfully replaced by the lower priced Windows NT-based Duet and Aprisa Clip/Stillstore products. Duet is gaining wide acceptance in our markets in the U.S. and in Europe. Duet sales in 2001 increased 60% over 2000. Our Clip/Stillstore product, Aprisa, declined in 2001 by 8% compared with 2000 revenues. The newer Duet and Aprisa products provide similar functionality but improved performance as compared to the legacy iNFiNiT! family of products that they are replacing. The average selling prices of the newer Duet and Aprisa products are approximately 60% of the average selling prices of the older iNFiNiT! family of products. This, coupled with a market that is growing but not appreciably and a difficult economic environment in 2001 in the U.S., which is the primary market for Graphics division products, has put pressure on Graphics division sales. While it is difficult to forecast what the future impact on sales will be, the newer Duet and Aprisa products appear to be gaining increased recognition in the broadcast market.

In 2001 sales of the Signal Distribution and Automation division were lower than in 2000 because there were no large infrastructure projects being awarded to it. In addition, a transition from one generation of modular products to the next contributed to customer uncertainty and slower sales. However, we believe our engineering and development efforts in automation products began to improve late in 2001 and in the fourth quarter we received a large order from Turner Broadcasting extending through 2003. The order, totaling approximately $3.2 million, resulted in revenue for 2001 of approximately $0.2 million, with the balance expected to be recognized in revenue using the percentage of completion method of accounting over 2002 and 2003.

The impact of the recession of 2001 on our net sales cannot be quantified. A U.S. recession combined with an economic slowdown in Europe (our principal market) translated to customers canceling or deferring projects resulting in continued lower sales levels.

Gross Profit. Gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, were 33% and 46%, respectively, inclusive of a $3.2 million write-down of obsolete (older analog product line materials) and other excess inventory, materials in inventory related to signal distribution products that were discontinued and obsolete demonstration equipment at customer locations in the third quarter of 2001. Margins in the Graphics division deteriorated significantly because of changing product mix and the discounting of selected products. Sales in the Graphics division started a transition in 2000 away from the legacy iNFiNiT! products and towards the newer Duet and Aprisa products. This trend accelerated during 2001. During 2000, the iNFiNiT! products carried a higher average selling price and higher gross margins than the newer Duet and Aprisa products. During the latter part of 2001 Graphics division increased the sales discounts offered on single unit sales of the iNFiNiT! products as they neared the end of their product life cycle, which led to lower gross margins on iNFiNiT! products in 2001 than in 2000. During 2001 sales of the newer Duet and Aprisa products increased as a percentage of total Graphics division sales, and due to their lower average selling price, gross margins on these products were lower than on iNFiNiT! products. The net effect was a slight decline in gross margins for the Graphics division in 2001 as compared to 2000. The transition from iNFiNiT! products to Duet and Aprisa was essentially complete by the end of 2001 such that beyond 2001, we do expect to see gross margins impacted by the change in product mix and discounting of the iNFiNiT! products as they were in 2001. Margins in the Signal Distribution and Automation division have increased marginally over 2000 primarily due to launching of new products. The relative proportion of margins in hardware and in software products remained essentially the same in 2001 compared to 2000. The effect of the $3.2 million write-down of inventory in the third quarter of 2001 was to decrease gross margin for the full year 2001 to 33% from what would otherwise been 39%. This write-down of inventory was unrelated to the restructurings that took place in the second and fourth quarters of 2001.

During 2001, the Graphics division began to utilize semiconductor surface mount component technology more extensively than it had in the past. Production is outsourced to subcontract manufacturers and is accomplished through pick and place equipment rather than discrete electronic components assembled by hand on a printed circuit board. This technology is in constant and rapid change and would require large capital expenditure if we were to manufacture on our own with surface mount technology. In consequence, we began to rely on high volume contract manufacturers to produce inventory items rather than to manufacture in-house. As a result, effective as of the first quarter of 2002, we will no longer allocate Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) and Research and Development (R&D) related to manufacturing as these costs will be incurred by third party manufacturers. Throughout 2001, we allocated portions of R&D and SG&A costs of approximately $1 million to cost of s ales and overhead applied to inventory.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by $1.0 million, or 3%, to $28.9 million, compared to $29.9 million in 2000. SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter were sharply reduced as part of a restructuring plan, which eliminated sales and marketing staff by 33% and reduced other operating costs. We have entered 2002 with a lower SG&A cost structure and expect SG&A to be lower on a prospective basis as a result of this headcount reduction.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (R&D) costs decreased during 2001 compared to 2000 by $1.2 million. Throughout 2001, as we launched our new products and refocused on our core competencies it became apparent that our expenditures on R&D could be reduced to a level commensurate with our projected product needs.

The headcount reduction of 26% in R&D was made to refocus resources on near term products rather than on longer-term products for which no definable future benefits were apparent.

Goodwill Impairment, Restructuring and other Unusual Charges. We recorded goodwill impairment, restructuring and other unusual charges totaling $12.5 million during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2001 as summarized in the table below.

 

Goodwill Impairment, Restructuring and Unusual Charges ($000)

           
 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

           

Goodwill impairment

$ 0

$5,478

$3,595

$ 0

$ 9,073

Fixed assets

0

1,504

0

0

1,504

Severance

0

749

0

571

1,320

Lease commitments

0

523

0

0

523

Other

0

48

0

0

48

Total

$ 0

$8,302

$3,595

$ 571

$12,468

Breakdown:

         

Non-cash charges

 

6,982

3,595

0

10,577

Cash charges

0

1,320

0

571

1,891

Timing of cash outlays:

         

Cash outlays in 2001

 

1,090

0

431

1,521

Remaining cash outlays

         

at December 31, 2001

0

230

0

140

370

The largest charge ($8.3 million) occurred in the second quarter of 2001 and was directly related to a restructuring involving the closing down of our Streaming Services division. Of this charge, $5.5 million related to the impairment of goodwill from our investment in Interocity, which was the core component of our Streaming Services division, as is explained in more detail below. The second major charge ($3.6 million) occurred in the third quarter and was directly related to an impairment of goodwill from our investment in our Pro-Bel division, as is explained further below. The third major charge ($0.6 million) occurred in the fourth quarter and was related to a company-wide restructuring plan effected to bring costs and expenses in line with forecasted revenues. Of the total 2001 charges of $12.5 million, $10.6 million were non-cash charges, consisting of the goodwill impairment and fixed assets write-offs, and the balance of $1.9 million were cash charges, consisting of severa nce payments, lease payments and other minor payments. The majority of the cash charges were paid out in 2001, with the balance to be paid out during 2002 as follows. The total remaining cash obligation at December 31, 2001 related to the second and fourth quarter restructurings equals $370,000, consisting of $113,000 in lease commitments, which amount will be paid out of working capital in roughly equal monthly amounts over the related lease term through the fourth quarter of 2002, and $257,000 in severance costs that will be paid out of working capital during the severance period running through May, 2002.

The leased offices in New York, NY, London, U.K., Slough, U.K., Atlanta, GA and Cupertino, CA, were closed and the related liabilities were written-off in the second quarter, as were operating leases for software and leased communication lines, in connection with the closure of the Streaming Services division. We are actively seeking third parties to sub-lease abandoned facilities. Total lease commitments written off were $523,000.

We paid severance to 40 employees, representing all of our Streaming Services division employees who were made redundant by the closure of the Streaming Services division. Employee severance costs amounted to $749,000. Severance consisted of salary and benefits continuance for a period of time and was determined based on length of service or in, in a few cases, as per the terms of employment agreements.

Concurrently with closing down our Streaming Services division in the second quarter of 2001, we evaluated our investment in Interocity Development Corporation, the core component of that division, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("FAS 121"). We assessed the recoverability of our investment in Interocity by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows from forecasted results of operations and its potential disposition with the carrying amount of our investment. As a result of this analysis, we determined that the expected future cash flows would be insufficient to recover the carrying value of our investment and determined the asset was impaired. Accordingly, we determined that the entire net asset of $5.5 million was non-recoverable and recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million during the second quarter of 2001.

In creating the Streaming Services division, we invested in computer equipment, servers and furniture. When the division was closed, those fixed assets that could not be used elsewhere in the Company, or sold, were written off in the second quarter in the amount of their depreciated carrying value of $1.5 million.

In the third quarter of 2001, due to continued poor results of our Pro-Bel division, we assessed the recoverability of our investment in Pro-Bel in accordance with FAS 121 by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows from forecasted results of operations with the carrying value of our investment. As a result of this analysis, we determined that the expected future cash flows would be insufficient to recover the carrying value of our investment and determined the asset was impaired. Accordingly, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $3.6 million during the third quarter of 2001. We calculated the goodwill impairment by comparing the carrying value of our investment with the present value of our estimated future cash flows.

In the fourth quarter of 2001, we implemented the company-wide restructuring plan as discussed in "Liquidity and Capital Resources." Severance associated with the elimination/termination of 66 employees in implementing the restructuring plan was $0.57 million. Positions were eliminated in virtually all functions of the Company including marketing, manufacturing and testing, customer support, service and training, finance support and administration and research and development. Severance consisting of salary and benefits continuance for a period of time was determined based on length of service or, in some cases, as per the terms of employment agreements. Cash outlays related to severance of $0.43 million were made during the fourth quarter of 2001 and approximately $0.14 million will be paid out during the first and second quarters of 2002, and was accrued for as of December 31, 2001.

Gain or Loss on Sale of Investments. During 2001, we recorded a loss of $0.3 million on the sale of approximately 60 percent of our marketable securities in RT-Set. In comparison, in 2000 we realized a gain of $0.6 million on our sale of approximately 23% of our investment in RT-Set. Fluctuations are a function of market share price.

Interest and Other Expenses. Interest and other expense, net, decreased by $0.4 million to $1.3 million during 2001 from $1.7 million in 2000. During 2001, we recognized interest income of approximately $0.2 million compared to $0.7 million in 2000, due to lower cash balances year over year. Foreign exchange losses were not material in 2001. A loss of $0.3 million was recognized in 2000 as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

 

 

Interest and Other Expenses Net ($000)

 

2001

2000

     

Transaction (gain) loss

50

327

Bank interest

696

892

Bank fees

113

69

Lease interest

40

28

Convertible debenture interest

655

1075

Interest income

(227)

(773)

Other expenses (income)

(32)

105

 

$1,295

$1,723

Provision/Benefit for Income Taxes. We did not record a tax benefit in 2001 relative to our operating loss. In the second quarter of 1999 we established a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets to recognize the uncertainty surrounding our reliability, and have continued to record a full valuation allowance against U.S. net deferred tax assets. Until we have significant U.S. taxable income, no additional benefit will be realized. Our net operating losses are subject to annual limitations under U.S. income tax rules as a result of the changes in control of our company.

Year Ended December 31, 2000 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1999

Net Sales. Net sales for the year 2000 were $56.3 million, a decrease of $4.4 million, or 7.3% from the $60.7 million reported in 1999. Net sales during the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 consisted of $26.9 million and $28.0 million, respectively, from the Graphics division and $29.4 million and $32.7 million, respectively, from the Signal Distribution and Automation division.

The Graphics division is experiencing a transition. Sales continue to be impacted by the shift from the high-end iNFiNiT! products to the lower priced Windows NT-based Duet and Aprisa Clip/Stillstore products. Duet is gaining acceptance in the U.S. and in Europe and sales in 2000 were double those in 1999. Our Clip/Stillstore product, Aprisa, also gained momentum in 2000 by doubling its revenues. In the year 2000 we recorded revenues associated with the Sydney Olympics of approximately $1 million. Sales in 1999 reflect a substantial number of system upgrades, in part to insure that customers were Y2K compliant.

Sales in the Signal Distribution and Automation division were lower primarily as a result of a disappointing rollout of digital television in Europe and unfilled orders resulting from disruptions caused by the implementation of the division's new inventory-management system. Differences in exchange rates accounted for over $1 million of the decline.

We generated nominal revenues in 2000 in connection with our Streaming Services division. This division, which was formally launched in November 2000, had begun to build a customer base in the U.K. and U.S. Streaming media services such as consultancy, equipment installation, encoding and webcasting, were being offered by this division.

Gross Profit. Gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, were 46% and 43%, respectively, inclusive of a $2.2 million write-down of materials inventory related to non-performing products discontinued in the second quarter of 1999. Margins in the graphics sector improved, in large part, to products provided to the Sydney Olympics and lower overhead costs. Margins in the Signal Distribution and Automation division declined as a result of product mix due to the relative proportion of hardware versus software products, reduced pricing in the international market due to competition and the reduced value of the Euro, but were offset, to a lesser degree by lower costs associated with product redesigns. The effect of the $2.2 million write-down of inventory in the second quarter of 1999 was to decrease gross margin for the year 1999 to 43% from what would otherwise have been 47%.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $1.7 million, or 6%, to $29.9 million in 2000 compared to $28.2 million in 1999. SG&A expenses in the core businesses declined as a result of the 1999 restructuring and have continued to be reduced, primarily in the area of personnel, as the reduction in personnel year over year is 8%. These savings were offset by our expenditures, of approximately $6.3 million in 2000, associated with the efforts relative to our Streaming Services division.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (R&D) costs decreased during 2000 compared to 1999 by $0.5 million. The revised product strategy implemented at the end of the second quarter of 1999 resulted in the elimination of effort associated with non-strategic products, thereby reducing costs. Efforts in this area were redirected to Graphics and Signal Distribution and Automation products for the Internet and Interactive TV.

Gain or Loss on Sale of Investments. During 2000, we sold approximately 23% of our remaining investment in RT-Set. This transaction resulted in a net gain of approximately $0.6 million. During 1999, we sold approximately 18% of our original investment in RT-Set. This transaction resulted in a net gain of approximately $0.5 million.

Interest and Other Expenses. Interest and other expense, net, increased $0.5 million during 2000 as compared to 1999. This increase was due primarily to a non-cash charge of $0.5 million resulting from our decision to satisfy an interest obligation related to our subordinated debentures. Overall, interest rates were higher in 2000 as compared to 1999 but were offset by lower average borrowings. During 2000, we recognized interest income on investments of approximately $0.7 million. A loss of $0.3 million was recognized in 2000 as a result of foreign exchange rates as compared to a gain of $0.3 million in 1999.

Provision/Benefit for Income Taxes. We did not record a tax benefit in 2000 relative to our operating loss. In the second quarter of 1999 we established a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets to recognize the uncertainty surrounding its realizability. Until we have U.S. taxable income, no additional benefit will be realized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2002, the Company had cash on hand of $2.3 million and working capital of $5.5 million. As set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company generated $0.4 million in cash from operations during the six months ended June 30, 2002 as compared to using $7.8 million in cash for the comparable 2001 period. The generation of cash from operations results primarily from the realization of the net loss of $1.8 million, reduced by non-cash items totaling $2.2 million. During the first six months of 2002, payments totaling $2.4 million were made to reduce borrowings under the Company's credit facilities. During the first six months of 2001, the Company paid $4.7 million in cash (towards the ultimate total cash payment of $5.0 million) for the acquisition of Interocity Development Corporation and $0.8 million to acquire property and equipment, primarily related to the infrastructure associated with its new media initiatives. In response to lower than anticipated sales and a slowdown in the worldwide economy, the Company took steps during the second and fourth quarters of 2001 to reduce its cost structure to a level that is more in line with its planned sales levels for 2002. Should planned sales levels not be achieved, the Company may implement an additional downsizing and further curtail discretionary spending. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient time to recognize the benefit of reduced expenditures if revenue shortfalls were to occur.

We used $7.7 million in cash from operations during 2001 as compared to using cash of $8.8 million for the comparable 2000 period. The utilization of cash from operations during 2001 results primarily from the realization of the net loss offset by decreases in accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory balances. The decrease in accounts receivable results from the timing of receipt of certain milestone payments and more effective collection efforts. Inventory balances at the end of 2001 were lower due to an inventory write-off of $3.2 million, improved procurement and consuming existing inventory as revenue decreased to $46.2 million in 2001 from $56.3 million in 2000.

During 2001, we purchased Interocity for $5 million, in addition to shares of our common stock valued at $1.0 million, and had capital expenditures of $0.5 million. In comparison, we acquired property and equipment in 2000 totaling $2.1 million of which $1.2 million related to the infrastructure established to support our new media initiatives. In 2000, we also utilized $3.9 million in cash to pay down our credit facility and received $0.7 million from the issuance of common stock as a result of exercises of options and warrants and $0.8 million from the sales of investments.

As we neared the end of 2001 we anticipated a need for cash in excess of the amount available to pay for severance obligations incurred in connection with the fourth quarter restructuring and for general working capital needs. In December 2001, we raised $2.21 million in connection with a private placement of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes. We also increased our bank borrowings by $2.5 million. We are utilizing the net proceeds of these transactions, of approximately $4.7 million, to fund severance costs of $0.6 million associated with the cost reductions made in the fourth quarter 2001 and to fund our working capital needs. Proceeds from our issuance of the Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes and our additional bank borrowings resulted in cash on hand, at December 31, 2001of $4.3 million and working capital of $4.4 million. The availability under the revolving line of credit as of December 31, 2001 was $0.5 million.

In December 2001 the terms of the existing Series A and Series B subordinated debentures were amended to extend their maturity dates from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004, to increase the interest rate payable on the debentures by 4%, from 8% to 12% annual percentage rate, and to provide that, until maturity, interest may be payable in the form of cash or additional debentures, at the Company's sole option. However, as is explained below, we decided in February 2002 that interest on these debentures will only be paid in the form of additional debentures and not cash. In connection with the amendment to the debentures, the Company issued warrants to holders of the amended debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.35 per share. The warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire December 31, 2004. The warrants have been recorded as a $0.13 million discount to the related debentures at the warra nts fair value at issue date using the Black-Scholes pricing model based on the closing market price per share of $0.26 on issue date and a risk free interest rate of 4.96%, and are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the debentures. The effect of the amendment to the debentures and the related issuance of warrants is to increase interest expense by $0.41 million, $0.48 million and $1.38 million for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

On February 28, 2002, we amended our Senior Convertible Subordinated Notes, Series B Subordinated Convertible Debentures and Series A Subordinated Convertible Debentures (collectively the "notes and debentures") then outstanding, by electing for the company to pay interest on the notes and debentures only by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder, as was our sole discretion under the terms of the notes and debentures. As a result, the company has waived its right to pay interest in cash. This action was taken so as to conserve cash to use for general business purposes, which cash would otherwise have been paid out as interest during the term of the notes and debentures, and to avoid current charges to income for increases in the market value of common stock that would be issued upon conversion by holders of the notes and debentures.

Our Company has issued an aggregate of 1,306,572 warrants, of which there remains outstanding 1,256,572 warrants, including the 861,027 discussed above, to purchase our common stock at prices ranging from $0.35 per share to $6.50 per share. These warrants have various expiration dates ranging from September 6, 2004 to April 11, 2005. Exercise of all outstanding warrants, absent any adjustments in the number or exercise price of the warrants under certain conditions of the warrants, would result in gross proceeds of approximately $1.95 million, which we would apply towards working capital.

We have financial obligations comprised of senior bank term debt, leases, a mortgage, senior subordinated notes and Series A and Series B convertible debentures. Repayments for these obligations are summarized below:

 

December 31 ($000 )

Obligation Repayments

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007 On

             

Revolving line of credit

$2,711

$2,347

$ 0

$ 0

$ 0

$ 0

Term debt

675

1,425(1)

0(1)

0(1)

0(1)

0(1)

Capital leases

149

123

108

36

0

0

Operating leases (inc. real estate)

1,414

1,113

836

595

550

5,298

Danehill, U.K., building mortgage

128

128

128

128

128

627

Senior Subordinated Notes(2)

0

2,772

0

0

0

0

Series A and B Debentures(2)

0

0

12,263

0

0

0

Total

$5,077

$7,908

$13,335

$ 759

$678

$5,925

(1) Assumes Term Debt is paid in full when it matures on December 26, 2003.

(2) Interest paid in kind is added to the principal.

Restructuring Plan, Second Quarter. In response to lower than anticipated sales levels and a slowdown in the U.S. economy, we took steps to reduce our costs structure. During the second quarter, we realigned our organization and closed down our Streaming Services division to conserve cash. We implemented personnel reductions and employee headcount was 260 at June 30, 2001 as compared to 326 at the beginning of the year. Additional downsizing and curtailed spending initiatives continued into the fourth quarter.

Restructuring Plan, Fourth Quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2001, we implemented a restructuring plan to size our cost structure in line with anticipated revenues. All aspects of our business were examined in the U.S., U.K. and France. A plan was formulated that defined cuts of different magnitudes in all departments.

The restructuring plan implemented during the fourth quarter was substantially completed by December 31, 2001. Pursuant to the plan, we implemented staff reductions of 66 individuals (excluding contract personnel), down from 256 at the end of the third quarter. Budgeted costs for 2002 have been established at lower levels than in prior years. The combination of annualized reductions in personnel (including contract personnel) and overhead budgets was approximately $11.0 million. The savings in recurring operations expenses resulting from the restructuring were realized commencing immediately after the restructuring and are expected to continue in 2002.

We provide signal distribution and graphics products to the broadcast industry for use in digital television. Currently, our customers are facing capital budget constraints because of an economic slowdown in the U.S. and European economies, and there are few signs of growth in our traditional markets. In addition, we have sustained losses from operations in each of the five years ended December 31, 2001, and had failed, under our agreement with our U.S. bank, to maintain our bank financial covenant of achieving a minimum cumulative year-to-date earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization requirement for all four quarters of 2001. Amendments to the borrowing agreement or waivers to the failed covenant were obtained from our U.S. bank for all four quarters of 2001. While we met our financial covenants for the first two quarters of 2002, there can be no assurance that we will meet our financial covenants for the remainder of 2002 or that should we fail a bank financi al covenant, that our U.S. bank will amend the agreement or grant a waiver.

We are approaching 2002 with caution, adopting a modest outlook for growth, and sizing the business accordingly. We do not currently intend to effect another restructuring, as we did in 2001, unless a downturn in sales necessitates it. We have configured our business with a level of costs that allows flexibility to reduce costs if economic conditions deteriorate. We believe we have sized our core businesses to a level that will not significantly reduce our cash resources while continuing to invest in our new products. We operate in a rapidly changing environment and must remain responsive to changes as they occur. In the event that revenues are significantly below 2002 forecasted revenues we believe we have the ability to reduce or delay discretionary expenditures, such as capital purchases and marketing, so that we will have sufficient cash resources through December 31, 2002, however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to adjust our costs in time to respond to revenue sh ortfalls or obtain waivers and/or amendments should defaults occur.

In preparing contingency plans for a further decline in 2002 sales, we re-examined our cost structure and prepared a contingent restructuring plan that recommends, in the event it is necessary, to reduce spending in staffing, travel, trade shows, advertising, outside Engineering services, professional fees, development projects, equipment, international sales offices and bonuses, among other items. This plan would affect both the Graphics and the Signal Distribution and Automation segments of our business. Should sales drop further we believe we have the ability to make further reductions in staff and overhead, in capital expenditures and in discretionary expenses. However, it should be noted that additional reductions take time to implement and can have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business.

We have financial covenants under a loan agreement with our U.S. bank. The agreement contains financial covenants that require our company to achieve, with respect to our U.S. operations, in 2002 and thereafter: minimum quarterly earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); a minimum cash amount on the balance sheet at all times; and, a minimum fixed charge ratio. While we met all three financial covenants for the first two quarters of 2002, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so for the remainder of 2002 and thereafter or that should we fail a bank financial covenant, that our U.S. bank will amend the agreement or grant a waiver. To achieve the covenants for the third and fourth quarters of 2002 would require our company's U.S. operations to perform in accordance with our planned results for those periods, and there is no assurance that we will be able to do so. If our performance were to deteriorate to levels below our planned results and we were to be in violation of covenants, the bank would have the right to demand, and may demand, payment of all amounts owed them under the agreement, including any unpaid fees and the amounts outstanding, including accrued interest, under the revolving credit loan, any issued letters of credit, and the term loan. At December 31, 2001, the amount owed to our U.S. bank totaled $4.8 million, consisting of $2.7 million owed under the revolving credit line and $2.1 million owed under the term loan. At June 30, 2002, we owed the U.S. bank $3.68 million, consisting of $1.8 million under the revolving credit line and $1.88 million under the term loan. Should the bank demand payment and were we required to make such payment, we have contemplated four alternatives to generate cash and pay off the bank debt:

    • Make additional reductions in staff and overhead.
    • Sell or enter into a sale - lease back of our office building in Reading U.K. to generate $1.5 million to $2.5 million, net of the existing mortgage.
    • Utilize available cash on the balance sheet, which was $2.26 million at June 30, 2002.
    • Raise additional capital from third parties, which may include our existing major shareholders and board members, through the sale of our securities.

There is no guarantee, however, that any of these sources of cash would ever materialize or materialize in a timely fashion or upon terms that are acceptable to us.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Although we cannot accurately determine the precise effect of inflation, we have experienced increased costs of materials, supplies, salaries and benefits and increased general and administrative expenses. We attempt to pass on increased costs and expenses by developing more useful and cost-effective products for our customers that can be sold at more favorable profit margins.

Industry Transition to Digital Standards

In October 1996, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission adopted a new digital television standard. Conversion to the new standard will produce an opportunity to appropriately positioned companies involved in the broadcast industry and related business; however, this change has caused uncertainty, hesitation and indecision for broadcasters and other customers in their decisions on capital spending. The delay in capital spending by broadcasters has affected the level of our sales. The method and timing of broadcasters' conversion to digital television is very important to our future operating results.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations. All business combinations in the scope of this statement are to be accounted for using only the purchase method. The provisions of this statement apply to all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001.

Also in July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Tangible Assets." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment. Separable intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. We do not believe the application of the goodwill non-amortization provisions of these rules has had any material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting requirements for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 143 will have any material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121 and the accounting and reporting provisions of the Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 30. SFAS No. 144 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 has not had a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

In May 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." The statement primarily rescinds and amends certain reporting requirements relating to gains and losses from extinguishment of debt, accounting for intangible assets of motor carriers, and accounting for leases in sale-leaseback transactions. The provision of the statement relating to gains and losses on extinguishment of debt is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002 while the remaining provisions of the statement are effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" (SFAS 146). This statement provides guidance on the recognition and measurement of liabilities associated with disposal activities and is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Our Common Stock in 401(k) Plan

We have a 401(k) plan for U.S. employees into which we make a matching contribution in our common stock equal to one-fifth of up to the first 10% of the compensation contributed by a participant. A participant in the plan has 19 investment choices, one of which is our common stock. As of December 31, 2001, our common stock represented 2.2% of total pension investments.

Transactions with Related Parties

In December 2001, we issued 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2.21 million. The price and other terms of our senior subordinated notes were determined through negotiations between us and our placement agent, Nash Fitzwilliams Ltd, and the major purchaser of the Senior Subordinate Notes, Posaune Ltd., who is not a related party and who acquired $500,000 principal amount, with our board of directors representing us. Certain directors, officers and beneficial owners of 5% or more our common stock ("5% Shareholders") acquired $875,000 principal amount, or approximately 40%, of the senior subordinated notes, at face value as follows:

  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliate, acquired $250,000 principal amount,
  • Christopher Kelly, a director and 5% Shareholder, acquired $450,000 principal amount,
  • Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, through an affiliate, acquired $100,000 principal amount,
  • Eugene Weber, a director, through an affiliate, acquired $15,000 principal amount,
  • the wife of Roger Henderson, President, CEO and a director, acquired $20,000 principal amount,
  • Graham Pitman, Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales & Marketing, acquired $20,000 principal amount, and
  • James Paul, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Graphics division, acquired $20,000 principal amount.

We intend to use the proceeds of the offering for general business purposes. We were required to file a registration statement relating to the shares of common stock underlying the senior subordinated notes with the SEC by April 15, 2002. These shares are being registered hereunder.

On February 28, 2002, our note holders consented, and our board of directors agreed, to allow us to amend our senior subordinated notes. The notes were amended to require that we will only pay interest on the senior subordinated notes by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. If we were to decide to pay interest on the notes in cash, we would be required to obtain the consent of the note holders at that time to amend the notes.

On September 7, 1999, we completed a private placement of approximately $6.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Series B Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003. The price and other terms of the Series B debentures were determined through negotiations of the independent committee of our board of directors with our placement agent at the time and Weiss, Peck & Greer, one of the lead investors in the Series B debentures. Certain directors, officers and 5% Shareholders acquired $5,352,000 principal amount, or approximately 83% of the Series B debentures, at face value, as follows:

  • Christopher Kelly, a director and 5% Shareholder, acquired $2,350,000 principal amount,
  • Weiss Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder affiliated with Wesley Lang, a director, acquired through its affiliates $1,960,000 principal amount,
  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliates, acquired $760,000 principal amount,
  • Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, through an affiliate, acquired $200,000 principal amount,
  • Charles Diker, a director, acquired $80,000 principal amount, and
  • Eugene Weber, a director, through an affiliate, acquired $2,000 principal amount.

On January 22, 1999, we completed a private placement of approximately $1.3 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Series A Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003. The price and other terms of the Series A debentures were determined through negotiations of the independent committee of the board of directors with our placement agent at the time and Weiss, Peck & Greer, the lead investor in the Series A debentures. Certain directors, officers and 5% Shareholders acquired $1,242,000 principal amount, or approximately 96% of the Series A debentures, as follows:

  • Weiss Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder affiliated with Wesley Lang, a director, acquired through its affiliates $790,000 principal amount,
  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliates, acquired $273,000 principal amount,
  • Children and affiliates of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, acquired $90,000 principal amount,
  • Charles Diker, a director, acquired $39,000 principal amount,
  • Edward Grebow, then our President and CEO, acquired $30,000 principal amount, and
  • Eugene Weber, a director, through an affiliate, acquired $20,000 principal amount.

The proceeds of the offerings of the Series A debentures and the Series B debentures were used for general business purposes. We are obligated to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to the shares of common stock underlying the Series A debentures for a period of at least two years from the initial effective date and underlying the Series B debentures until such time as all of these shares have been sold. On May 19, 2000 we filed a registration statement on Form S-3, Registration Number 333-37408, with the SEC, relating to such shares (the "2000 Registration Statement"). Upon the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC on April 1, 2002, holders were no longer permitted to sell these shares under the 2000 Registration Statement because we are no longer eligible to use Form S-3 registration statements, because our common stock is no longer listed on the New York Stock Exchange. This registration statement covers such shares that to our knowledge were not previously sold.

On December 17, 2001, the terms of the Series A and Series B debentures were amended to:

  • extend the maturity date of the Series A and B debentures from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004,
  • increase the interest rate from 8% to 12%, and
  • provide that until December 31, 2004, interest may be paid in the form of additional debentures, or in cash, at our sole option.

The terms of the amendment were determined through negotiations of the independent committee of the board of directors with Weiss, Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder and significant investor in the Series A and Series B debentures. In connection with the amendment to the Series A and Series B debentures, on December 17, 2001, we issued warrants to holders of the amended Series A and Series B debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.35 per share. Holders received 114.285719 warrants for each $1,000 principal value of debentures held. The warrants are immediately vested and are exercisable through December 31, 2004. The shares of common stock underlying these warrants are also being registered hereunder. On February 28, 2002, our debenture holders consented, and our board of directors agreed, to allow us to amend our debentures. The debentures were amended to require that we will only pay interest on the debentures by i ncreasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. If we were to decide to pay interest on the debentures in cash, we would be required to obtain the consent of the debenture holders at that time to amend the debentures.

During 2001, Mr. Michael Wellesley-Wesley, a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of our board of directors, was paid $15,000 on a monthly basis for a period of six months and an additional $26,000 in other forms of compensation for consulting and other services rendered in respect of transactions and potential transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley will continue to receive the $15,000 monthly payment during 2002 for consulting and other services related to future transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley and Mr. Roger Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, may receive a bonus upon the consummation of certain transactions constituting a sale of our company on or before December 31, 2002. The amount of the bonus varies between one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) and one-half of one percent (0.50%) of the gross sales price obtained in such transaction.

Video Technics started its relationship with us by supplying a proprietary line of still and video clip servers. In November 2000, we purchased 20% of Video Technics in order to have a ready source of proprietary servers and to have some say in product development to meet customer needs.

Since we have hardware manufacturing capabilities and supply arrangements, the relationship with Video Technics changed. Video Technics currently only writes the software, sold under license to our company, and we produce the servers.

The price of the Video Technics software is fixed. It is set by Video Technics, taking into account market conditions and competitive offerings. Purchases of Aprisa Clip/Stillstore products from Video Technics were approximately $1.3 million, $2.5 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Currently, we are the only customer of Video Technics whose financial well being is dependent on our success with the Aprisa line. Being a privately-held and small company, there is no assurance that Video Technics will not face financial problems, thus being unable to meet its supply obligations and endangering the Aprisa product line for several months. In the past the Aprisa line has provided significant revenues to our company and is expected to continue doing so in 2002.

For an additional discussion of transactions with related parties, see those described under "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of business related to investments in our foreign subsidiaries and sales to foreign customers. For the three months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, sales to foreign customers were 53% and 60% of total sales, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, sales to foreign customers were 54% and 55% of total sales, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, sales to foreign customers were 57% and 42% of total sales, respectively. Substantially all sales generated outside of the U.S. are denominated in British pounds sterling, Euros and U.S. Dollars. The net impact of foreign exchange transactions for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was a gain of $0.3 million. The net impact of foreign exchange transactions in the three-month period ended June 30, 2001 was minimal. The net impact of foreign exchange transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 was a gain of $0. 2 million and a loss of $0.4 million, respectively. The net impact of foreign exchange transactions was a $0.4 million loss in 2001 and a loss of $0.3 million in 2000. The Company records translation gain or loss as a separate component in shareholders' equity, and such amounts have not been material for the periods shown.

Additionally, we are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to certain of the Company's short-term and long-term debt that carries a variable interest rate. Rates that affect the variable interest on this debt include the Prime Rate and LIBOR. We have evaluated the foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk and believe that the Company's exposure to these risks are not material to the Company's near term financial position, earnings or cash flows.

 

 

Business

Overview

We develop, manufacture, market and support a broad range of equipment, software and systems, including character generators, signal distribution systems, master control switchers and broadcast automation and media management packages. Our Graphics division provides a broad range of hardware and software products that enhance the presentation of live and pre-recorded video and other data. Our Pro-Bel division provides signal distribution systems, master control switchers, automation and media management packages and routers that are known in the broadcasting industry for superior performance and reliability. Our products enable customers to:

  • Create, manipulate and manage text, logos and other graphic images using special effects such as 3D transforming, compositing and painting,
  • Control and distribute live video, audio and other data signals,
  • Manage broadcast video content and automate the output of broadcast facilities, and
  • Create interactive content and deliver to TV set top boxes.

Serving the television industry for over three decades, we believe that we have established ourselves as a leading innovator in the development of products that generate television graphics and distribute and control the distribution of video and audio signals. Our products are intended to meet the myriad demands of digital television, which includes high definition television mandated by the FCC in 1996. More recently we believe that we have established a global leadership position in providing products for graphics authoring and automated content delivery for the worldwide emerging markets of Interactive TV.

The transition from analog to digital signals in the video and audio world has created a range of new means to deliver video and audio content to the consumer. These range from High Definition Television ("HDTV"), through Standard Definition Digital TV ("DTV"), Interactive TV services, to the Internet, where the ability to incorporate video to enhance web sites or to deliver a video channel without a broadcast license continues to attract a growing number of participants.

In 2000 we established an additional business unit to take advantage of the perceived opportunities presented by the emerging Internet and interactive markets. Specifically, we set up a Streaming Services division to provide consulting services to corporate clients and in January 2001 acquired an Internet service provider, Interocity to strengthen our presence in that market. The early part of 2001 proved to be a difficult period in which to operate such a business. While management still believed in the eventual viability of this business line, we decided to exit the streaming services business and to redirect our involvement in Interactive TV. The prevailing economic conditions at the time and our inability to devote significant resources to this initiative without affecting the core business mandated the decision. However, management views Interactive TV as having a direct bearing on everyday business opportunities, particularly in the European market, where the rollout of Interac tive TV is more advanced. Management regards our capabilities in that space as an important technological competitive edge that is expected to ultimately generate significant revenues because our products enable customers to create interactive content.

Our Graphics division plans on building on our leading brand image and large installed base in the broadcast graphics market to further penetrate the post-production, corporate, educational and professional video market sectors. Additionally, Graphics will continue to be involved in the Interactive market by developing partnerships to deliver advanced interactive graphics tools. The new Duetâ and Lyricâ product lines are now established in the U.S. and are rapidly gaining acceptance in Europe and Asia. We believe our Graphics division continues to be the world leader in the "real-time" character generator market. It dominates the live, "on-air" TV graphics segment and our customers include most major broadcast, cable, satellite and post production facilities in the U.S. and Europe. We believe our new Graphics products can only reinforce this position.

The Pro-Bel division is a European leader in routers and associated equipment enabling the management and delivery of high bandwidth digital video, digital audio and other data signals. It is also established as a provider of high-end transmission automation and media asset management solutions. Pro-Bel is recognized in the global broadcast community for the high quality and reliability of its products. Pro-Bel will continue to develop and bring to market innovative routing, control and management solutions.

We started 2001 organized into Graphics products (Graphics division), Signal Distribution and Automation products (referred to in this prospectus as the Signal Distribution and Automation, or Pro-Bel division) and Streaming Services, which was discontinued in the second quarter. Revenues from the two divisions were $19 million and $27 million for the Graphics and Pro-Bel divisions, respectively, outperforming Streaming Services at $0.2 million. The U.S. and Europe accounted for 49% and 48% of total revenues, respectively, which demonstrate our revenues are derived almost exclusively from these two regions. Our Pro-Bel division is based in the U.K. and derives a significant portion of its revenues from U.K. customers, to which are also added Graphics revenues derived from U.K. customers. In consequence, in 2001 revenues derived from U.K. customers represented a significant percentage of total revenues.

As a result of the difficult economic and operating environments we faced at the beginning of the fourth quarter, we implemented a restructuring plan to reduce staff costs and to set new and lower departmental budgets. At the end of the fourth quarter 2001 we employed approximately 190 fulltime employees, a reduction of 26% of our staff at the end of the third quarter. The purpose of this restructuring plan was to generate anticipated annual savings of almost $11 million.

Products and Services

We offer a broad range of products that meet the needs of the video and audio production, post-production and distribution markets. In addition, the convergence of traditional broadcast and Internet technology is providing our company preliminary opportunities in the Interactive TV market and, to a lesser extent, the Internet streaming market.

Our line of high-performance graphics systems is used by many of the world's leading broadcast stations to display news flashes, election results, sports scores, stock market quotations, programming notes and weather information. Our signal management systems interconnect video, audio and data signals to and from equipment within a studio's control room or edit suite, as well as to and from signal transmission sites. Our line of control and automation systems is used to automate the steps taken in the management, editing and distribution of video and audio content. In the area of interactive TV, we are leveraging our expertise as a provider of broadcast tools to promote solutions for the creation and delivery of interactive content.

Graphic Systems

Duetâ and Duetâ HD: The Duet is a real-time 2D/3D serial digital video graphics processing platform that integrates a Windowsâ NT front end with real-time graphics processing to provide exceptional performance for television character generator applications. It has become the replacement for the analog industry standard iNFiNiT!® family of products. The Duet is configurable as a standard definition digital TV ("DTV") or digital HDTV unit. Content may be created for both formats simultaneously, and can be played back on the two separate devices.

Duet uses Lyric, our content creation and play-out software, to compose messages and play back content. Lyric is the winner of several product awards based on its ease of operation and flexibility. Lyric can output files for television broadcast, HTML and interactive television. It imports over 25 different file formats, including True TypeÒ fonts, TIFF and TGA bitmaps as well as iNFiNiT! messages, making Lyric a universal graphics tool.

Lyric may be used off-line for composition and preview purposes when installed on a standard PC. New features of Lyric include full screen, dual channel video squeeze-back, advanced effects (blinds, assemble, explosion, matrix, page turns, ripple), iNFiNiT! file export, zoom function for timeline editing, and Windowsâ 2000 support. Imports of numerous formats are supported.

Extending the reach of Duet, CAL (Chyron Abstraction Layer) allows third party software developers to use standard Open GL code to create custom applications, making Duet as accessible for software product development as a personal computer. Currently over 200 U.S. broadcasters are using Duet for on-air graphics creation and play-out. In addition, Duet is used extensively on major sporting events, such as "Monday Night Football" (ABC), "Sunday Night Football" (ESPN), NASCAR racing (Fox Sports), and the 2002 Winter Olympics (CBC). Duet is also used in high profile production applications for customers like Turner Studios, Fox News, CNNfn and ABC. Grass Valley Groupâ and Avidâ are also using Lyric as a "plug in" to their non linear editing systems, enabling content creation and iNFiNiT! and Duet family import of existing graphics, enhancing the capabilities and value of those editing systems.

The open architecture of the Duet system has enabled us to introduce additional scalable, cost effective product solutions to the Duet family. These products include Duet LEX, which enables real-time animation play-out, Duet LE, a compact character generator with pre-loaded animations and Duet PCI and PCI+, which offer Duet capabilities in a PC board set. These additions to the Duet product line open new markets to us that include non-broadcast users, government, industry, education and smaller post-production facilities.

Chyron Aprisaâ Clip/Stillstore Systems: The Aprisa family of Digital Disk Recorders (DDRs) and Stillstores has evolved further with the Aprisa SSX 601 digital multi-channel SSX Stillstore server, which offers up to four channels each with key, all in a single chassis. In addition, a number of new feature sets are available across the Aprisa line, including the SSX Stillstore option for the Duet LE, enabling users to have multi channel character generator and Stillstore capabilities in the same frame. This cost-effective product continues our strategy of providing solutions in new markets. The Aprisa 100 is a Windows NT based Stillstore system. It provides sophisticated database functions, play list creation and playback with effects, search, sort and editing. The Aprisa 250 Integrated Clip/Stillstore provides the combined functionality of a 90-minute, dual-stream digital disk recorder and a single channel Aprisa 100 Stillstore in one chassis. This combination offers an affordable and feature-packed solution for d elivering animated on-air graphics. The new Aprisa 200SX offers four channels of stills or clips, on a channel-by-channel basis. The new Aprisa Director controls unlimited Aprisa channels and streams the program output to a desktop VGA. Finally, the Aprisa Video Graphics Server SAN enables true real-time sharing of media resources, either locally or across a storage area network (SAN).

iNFiNiT! â Family of Graphics and Character Generators: Our family of iNFiNiT! products has long been the standard for broadcast quality character generators. Largely due to the iNFiNiT! family line, we believe that we have a 60-70% share of the installed base of the high-end broadcast character generator market in the U.S. The iNFiNiT! family are legacy products that are being phased out in favor of the Duet line. The large iNFiNiT! installed base will not provide significant revenues from product sales prospectively. Service revenue and support on the existing large installed base is expected to continue for several years on a declining basis.

Compact Graphics and Character Generators: Our compact character generators, sold under the CODIÒ and pcCODI names, provide real-time text, titling and logo generation which are used for broadcasting time, temperature, weather warnings, sports statistics, scoreboards, news updates and financial information. Now fully digital, the rackmount version, which has up to two CODI cards, is called DigiCODI and is a direct plug-in replacement to the analog CODI. It is used extensively for Emergency Alert System (EAS) applications. The Digital pc CODI 601 is a powerful 32-bit processing engine, which has increased capabilities within the CODI product line.

Signal Distribution and Automation

Signal Routing and Control:

Pro-Bel provides an extensive range of distribution, signal processing, routing and control solutions, which are utilized to process and distribute broadcast media and data signals. Pro-Bel prides itself on the scalability of its hardware and the sophistication and flexibility of its control systems. Pro-Bel control protocols have become industry standards and are embraced by many of our competitors.

Eclipse: A family of high performance, large-scale routing switchers, providing cost effective and compact serial digital video, mixed format Serial Digital Video ("SDV")/HDTV as well as Audio Engineering Society ("AES") audio routing. Incorporating sophisticated power supply monitoring and internal cooling, the Eclipse routers also have extensive in-field expansion capabilities, ensuring an easy path to future product upgrades and next generation products.

Freeway: Offering the most comprehensive and flexible architecture, Freeway is a true multi-format system, enabling in-field upgrades from analog to digital, and even allowing format conversion of audio within the router. With support for RS422 control and telecom signals, together with a powerful internal control system, Freeway is the number one choice for small to medium scale applications in the broadcast, transmission, post-production and outside broadcast environments.

MADI: Offering solutions for a diverse range of applications from large scale broadcast center routing to live theatre sound reinforcement. Pro-Bel invented the concept of routing MADI (Multiplexed Audio Digital Interface) signals. The latest systems combine advanced digital technology with precision format conversion techniques in an exceptionally compact package. 

Axis: For the smaller requirement, such as signal monitoring, bypass or preview selection, a wide range of self contained 16 x16 sources/destinations routers for all broadcast signals are available. This range offers unique versatility in control, unusual for such a competitive package, and is entirely compatible with the larger routers in the Pro-Bel range, making it a valuable entry-level product.

Aurora Router Control: Aurora encompasses a range of hardware and software control elements.  Each can be used as a control system in its own right, permitting users to choose either hardware or software based control.  However, when used together they provide an incredibly powerful, integrated control platform.

Control Panels:  A wide range of hardware, and touchscreen soft, pushbutton and keypad control panels are available to suit various requirements and budgets.

Modular Interfacing:

ICON from Pro-Bel is an innovative and flexible rack frame that can house a wide variety of functions. We have invited other broadcast manufacturers to participate in the use of this rack frame, making it an industry standard. This has increased the attractiveness of the product as it offers more acceptability and compatibility than one vendor alone can typically achieve. Pro-Bel also offers the 6063 range with an economic rack frame architecture, ideally suited to general purpose distribution applications.

Automation & Asset Management Systems:

Pro-Bel offers the complete solution for television station transmission automation.  The broadcast automation product line is partnered with MAPP, a powerful modular asset management system. The systems are designed to work across the three main areas of the broadcast operation: Ingest, Storage and Play-out. Our automation solution is aimed at the larger more complex broadcast operation. We believe that industry consolidation and the trend to centralcasting increase the applicability of our automation product.

Asset Management: MAPP is a Windows-based, video server management and control system, allowing an unlimited number of users on a network or even wide area network to record, track, browse, cache and replay broadcast material according to a user-defined schedule. MAPP easily interfaces with disk based video servers manufactured by many different vendors.

Meridian: The fast track to station automation, Meridian incorporates many of the advantages available in larger systems by integrating a number of key applications for ingest and playout.

Compass and Sextant: Provide comprehensive station automation for single and multi-channel operations, with Compass controlling a larger number of devices including large cart machines. Sextant can be upgraded to Compass functionality.  Unique real-time hardware platform with redundant controllers and power supplies provides reliability.  Users edit schedules and interface to traffic systems via standard NT workstations that provide familiar and intuitive operation.

Network Management:

COSMOS is Pro-Bel's workflow management system, providing status information and reconfiguration capability for a complete broadcast installation over a computer network. Even off-site engineers, alerted via e-mail or SMS messages can log into the central server, find out the nature of the reported fault and carry out any reconfiguration required.  The system embraces not only processing and routing hardware, but also software products, including integration, with a growing number of COSMOS partners who utilize the ICON frame and the COSMOS workflow management system.

Digital Master Control Switchers:

TX 420 and TX 410: Compact and cost effective, these switchers process serial digital video and digital analog or embedded audio inputs. For sophisticated transitions, an optional 3D DVE (Digital Video Effects) may be added. TX Series master control switchers provide unique built-in integration with Pro-Bel Compass/Sextant automation and maximum flexibility, where one panel can control many channels, or a number of panels can share channels. With its multi-channel capability, the TX Series panels can control HDTV channels along side standard definition digital channels, permitting a seamless migration to high definition operation.

Streaming Services

Although we are not directly involved in the streaming services market anymore, the Pro-Bel division provides hardware and software products targeted at the streaming professional. The Clarinet DualStreamer is a broadcast-compliant streaming media coder used to encode video and audio for use on the Internet. A typical application is webcasting a broadcast station's output or an on-line corporate briefing for shareholders. Unlike conventional PCs, DualStreamer is designed as a rack mount PC with professional signal interfaces and dual power supplies for reliability. This compact unit provides scaleable 'headless operation' with an LCD display for configuration and status monitoring. In addition, the optional DSP audio pre-processor greatly improves the audio quality and eliminates the need for external signal processing equipment. DualStreamer also offers a centralized control platform and the unique ability to stream two separate video feeds or share the same input for dual format st reaming.

Sales and Marketing

We market our products and systems to traditional broadcast, production and post-production facilities, government agencies, educational institutions and telecommunications and corporate customers. In order to maintain and increase awareness of our products, we display at the major domestic and international trade shows of the broadcast and computer graphics industries. In the U.S., we exhibit at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) conventions. We also exhibit at the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC) in Europe.

We also exhibit at minor shows across the world, either directly or in partnership with our dealers. Product promotion is also achieved through direct-mail campaigns, e-newsletters and advertisements placed in relevant journals. Due to our reputation as a market leader and innovator, articles are often published in trade journals and papers presented at technical conventions by the engineering staff, reinforcing our technical credentials. In order to operate within the restructuring plan implemented in the fourth quarter of 2001, we will continue to participate selectively in trade shows and plan to spend marketing dollars carefully in conformance with the restructuring plan.

Sales of our products in the U.S. and the U.K. are made through our direct sales personnel, dealers, independent representatives, systems integrators and OEMs. Direct sales, marketing and product specialists serving these markets act as links between the customer and our development teams. Although reductions were made in our sales and marketing staff as part of a restructuring plan implemented in the fourth quarter of 2001, we have attempted to limit the impact on the direct sales personnel.

Sales of our products outside of the U.S. and the U.K. are made through dealers and sales representatives covering specific territories. In addition, we operate sales offices in Hong Kong, Paris, New Delhi and Copenhagen to support foreign sales. In some territories, dealers sell products from all of our product categories; in other territories, dealers handle only specific products.

Service, Support and Training

We offer comprehensive technical service, support and training to our customers through 24 hours per day, seven days per week access to trained service and support professionals for an annual fee. Scaleable and fixed duration training courses are available through our company. In length these range from three days to two weeks and consist of a mix of classroom discussions and hands-on training. We offer training courses for many of our products at our Melville, NY headquarters and our Reading, U.K. and Paris, France facilities. We also conduct on-site training.

We make available installation assistance, hardware and software maintenance contracts and spare parts. We believe support contracts and a responsive spare parts supply service facilitate customer satisfaction. Service is provided both domestically and internationally by us or through our appointed dealers and representatives. We also provide sales and service support to our dealers from time to time.

Warranty and Service

We provide warranties on all of our products ranging from ninety days to two years. On new products, the Graphics division offers a warranty of one year and Pro-Bel division offers up to two years. There may be, in certain instances, exceptions to these terms. A provision is made to estimate the warranty cost in products sold based on historical actual results.

Research and Development

Our research and product development, conducted primarily in Melville, NY and Reading, U.K., has been focused on the revitalization and extension of our core products. During 2001, 2000 and 1999, we spent approximately $5.6 million, $6.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for research and development, net of amounts capitalized for software development for new and existing products. We believe that personnel reductions made in the Research and Development Department during the restructuring will not adversely impact our research and development efforts regarding our core product offerings.

Manufacturing

We have final assembly and system integration operations located in Melville, NY and Reading, U.K. We primarily use third-party vendors to manufacture and supply all of the hardware components and sub-assemblies utilized in the Graphics division. In 2001, one particular vendor, U.S. Assemblies, represented 25% of our purchases for the Graphics division. We are beginning to diversify sourcing of capital components and now have a second vendor and are searching for another to qualify to diversify sourcing of critical components. In the case of the Pro-Bel division, which has more extensive manufacturing and assembly, we rely on a combination of outside vendors, none of which is irreplaceable.

Pro-Bel designs many of its system components to meet its own specifications, including metal and electronic parts and components, circuit boards and certain sub-assemblies. It assembles these items and standard parts, together with internally developed software, to create final products. We then perform testing and quality inspections of each product. The Pro-Bel division is certified to British Standard-EN-ISO 9001.

Customers

There are no customers that represent in excess of 10% of our consolidated revenues for 2001, 2000 and 1999.

Competition

The markets for graphics imaging, media storage, transmission automation, signal routing systems and distribution systems are highly competitive and are characterized by rapid technological change and evolving industry standards. Rapid obsolescence of products, frequent development of new products and significant price erosion are all features of the industry in which we operate. The FCC's ruling requires U.S. broadcasters to utilize DTV transmission by 2006. If a similar requirement were to be imposed by other government agencies worldwide, it would require large future capital expenditures by the broadcast industry. Management believes the FCC's ruling has created an opportunity for our company in the market place; however, our ability to capitalize on this opportunity has been delayed due to slow market acceptance and implementation of DTV transmission globally.

We are currently aware of several major and a number of smaller competitors. In the graphics area, we believe our primary competitors are Pixel Power Ltd., Pinnacle Systems Inc., and Inscriber Technology Corporation. For routing and distribution products, we believe our primary competitors are Leitch Technology Corporation, Thomson Multimedia, Miranda Technologies, Avid Technology Inc. and the Grass Valley Group (recently acquired by Thomson Multimedia). In the control and automation area, we believe our primary competitors are Encoda, Harris, Thomson Multimedia and Omnibus. Many of these companies have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and marketing resources than we have. On a region-by-region basis, certain product categories or market segments in which our company does or may operate, are dominated by established vendors.

Patents and Proprietary Rights

All of our products are proprietary as we have the exclusive right to manufacture them. We sell our products directly and through third party dealers and agents under contractual arrangements with those third parties. Our success depends upon our ability to protect our proprietary intellectual property , technology and know-how and operate without infringing on the rights of others. We rely on a combination of methods to protect our proprietary intellectual property, technology and know-how, such as trade secret laws, copyright law, trademark law, patent law, contractual provisions, confidentiality agreements and certain technology and security measures.

Our registered trademarks are Chyron, Scribe, Chyron Scribe, Chyron Scribe Junior, Chyron SuperScribe, iNFiNiT!, MAX!>, MAXINE!, CODI, Duet, I2, Chyron Care, Intelligent Interface, Intelligent Interface (I2), CMX, CMX AEGIS, CMX OMNI, Aurora, Lyric, Liberty and Liberty Aurora and Design. We also have rights in trademarks and service marks that are not federally registered. We do not have registered copyrights on any of our intellectual property.

While we do not have any significant patents granted for our current products we have two important patents pending on our Duet architecture and our Interactive TV authoring software applications.

Government Regulation

The telecommunications and television industries are subject to extensive regulation in the United States and other countries. For example, the FCC has issued regulations relating to shielding requirements for electromagnetic interface in electronic equipment. Our products are in compliance with these regulations. Furthermore, television operators are subject to extensive government regulation by the FCC and other federal and state regulatory agencies.

If adopted, the Pro-Bel division will be required to comply with the Waste on Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("WEEE") directive being considered by the United Kingdom authorities. The WEEE directive puts a duty on manufacturers of electrical and electronics products to finance the collection, removal of hazardous components and recycling of their products when they will be discarded after 2005. This directive is likely to enter into force in Summer 2002 and Member States of the European Union will then have 18 months to implement it into their national legislation. The WEEE Directive's primary aim is to reduce annual production of 6 million metric tons of waste from WEEE in the European Union Community, in line with the EU Commission's waste strategy (which has previously been applied to packaging and is being applied to end of life vehicles).

A precise figure on the implementation cost of the directive for manufacturers cannot be given at this stage as some principles including timescale, allocations of responsibility and financing of historical waste, have not yet been defined or agreed to by the U.K. authorities.

Employees

Personnel reductions occurred during 2001 and employee headcount was 190 at December 31, 2001 as compared to 326 at the beginning of the year. We continued additional downsizing and curtailed spending initiatives into the fourth quarter.

As of December 31, 2001, we had 190 fulltime employees, comprised of 35 in sales and marketing, 59 in manufacturing and testing, 17 in customer support, service and training, 33 in finance, support activities and administration and 46 in research and development. None of these employees are represented by a labor union. As part of the restructuring plan in the fourth quarter we eliminated 66 individuals, representing 26% of staff at the end of the third quarter of 2001. We also employ contract personnel for specific functions or expertise, especially in manufacturing operations. The number of contract hires fluctuates according to our requirements.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are involved in routine legal matters incidental to our business. In the opinions of management, the ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Properties

The executive offices and principal office of our company and our graphics business are located in Melville, New York pursuant to a lease that expires on June 30, 2004. This facility consists of approximately 47,000 square feet and is used for manufacturing, research and development, marketing and the executive offices. We closed down sales offices in Dunwoody, GA, of 2,700 square feet, and in Cupertino, CA, of 4,000 square feet, but we remain liable pursuant to leases, which both expire on November 30, 2002.

In the United Kingdom, our executive office is located in Reading, U.K. where we own a facility of approximately 19,000 square feet. This facility is also used for research and development and marketing and sales. We occupy additional facilities in Reading U.K., used primarily for manufacturing, assembly and test, which total approximately 28,000 square feet pursuant to leases that expire from December 25, 2012 through September 29, 2020. We currently utilize 90% to 100% of the space of all of our facilities. Management believes that each facility is suitable for our existing operations and does not foresee the need for any significant expansion of our current U.K. facilities. Finally, we have a sales office in Paris, France of approximately 3,000 square feet from which we cover the French market and support adjacent territories.

Management

Executive Officers and Directors

Our executive officers and directors, and their ages and positions as of October 1, 2002 are as follows:

Name

Age

Position

Charles M. Diker

67

Director, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee

Donald P. Greenberg

68

Director

Roger Henderson

46

President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

     

Christopher R. Kelly

43

Director

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

45

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee

Eugene M. Weber

51

Director, Member of the Audit Committee

Michael I. Wellesley-Wesley

50

Director, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, Member of the Office of the Chairman, Member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee

Jerry Kieliszak

50

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

James M. Paul

59

Executive Vice President

Graham Pitman

52

Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Chyron Pro-Bel

Charles M. Diker has been a director of our company since September, 1995. He was a non-managing principal with the investment management company of Weiss, Peck & Greer, L.L.C. from April 1995 through October 2001, and had previously been associated with such company since 1976. Mr. Diker has been the Chairman of the board of directors of Cantel Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of infection control equipment and distributor of diagnostic devices, since 1986. Mr. Diker is also a member of the board of directors of International Specialty Products Inc., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals. Mr. Diker was a member of the board of directors of AMF Bowling Inc., an operator of bowling centers, from April 1996 through March 2002.

Donald P. Greenberg has been a director of our company since September, 1996. He is the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Computer Graphics and Founding Director, Program of Computer Graphics, at Cornell University. He has been a professor at Cornell University since 1968. He is also a member of the board of directors of Interactive Data Corporation, a provider of various financial data and proprietary information, and PCA International, an operator of portrait studios.

Roger Henderson is our President and Chief Executive Officer and has held such positions since June 1999. He has been a director of our company since February 1999. Prior to his current positions, he served as the Managing Director of Chyron Pro-Bel since April 1996. From 1987 to March 1996, he was Software Director of Pro-Bel and Managing Director of Pro-Bel Software Ltd.

Christopher R. Kelly has been a director of our company since August 1999. He has been the owner of Fortuna Investments since 1997, where he specializes in private investments and venture capital. From 1985 through 1997, he held various positions, including partner and director, at Kelly Television. During his last four years at Kelly Television, he was also Partner and Director of Kelly Broadcasting Company.

Wesley W. Lang, Jr. has been a director of our company since July 1995 and has served as Chairman of our board of directors since February 2002. He continues to serve as a Managing Director with the investment management company of Weiss, Peck & Greer, and has been associated with such company since 1985. Weiss, Peck & Greer manages, directly or indirectly, the following funds: WPG Corporate Development Associates IV, L.L.C.; WPG Enterprise Fund II, L.L.C., WPG Corporate Development Associates IV (Overseas), L.P., and Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Associates III, L.L.C. (collectively, the "WPG Funds"). These funds are shareholders of our company.

Eugene M. Weber has been a director of our company since July 1995. He is the Managing Partner of Weber Capital Management, L.L.C., an investment management firm that is the successor to Bluewater Capital Management, Inc., which Mr. Weber founded in 1995. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Weber was an independent consultant to Westpool Investment Trust plc, a shareholder of our company, and from 1983 to 1994 he was with Weiss, Peck & Greer, L.L.C., becoming a partner in 1987.

Michael I. Wellesley-Wesley is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the board of directors as of February 2002 and a Member of the Office of the Chairman. He formerly held the position of Executive Chairman of the board of directors from July 1995 through February 2002 and previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from July 1995 through June 1997. He is currently a Managing Director of WIT Soundview Ventures. From 1992 until 1995, he was a Director and Executive Vice President of DBC and from 1990 until 1992 he was a consultant to that corporation's predecessor. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley was an executive director of Stephen Rose & Partners Ltd., a London-based investment banking firm, from 1980 to 1990.

Executive Officers

In addition to Mr. Henderson, our executive officers are as follows:

Jerry Kieliszak joined us in March 2002 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From 2000 to 2001 he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CoreCommerce, a business-to-business e-commerce software developer. From 1989 to 2000, Mr. Kieliszak was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ABT Corporation, an international enterprise project management software development company. From 1977 to 1989 he was with Price Waterhouse where he was a Senior Audit Manager.

James M. Paul is General Manager of the Graphics Division and is a corporate Executive Vice President. Mr. Paul joined us as Senior Vice President, Human Resources in October 1997 and was promoted to General Manager, Graphics Division, in January 2001 and named a corporate Executive Vice President in mid-2001. From February 1995 through September 1997 he held the position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources with TELE-TV. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Paul was Human Resource Director for Bell Atlantic Information and Video Services. From 1975 to 1993 he held several management positions at PRC Inc., a subsidiary of Black and Decker Corporation, including Vice President, Human Resource Policy and Programs and Vice President of Human Resources for the Commercial and International Group.

Graham Pitman is Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing. Mr. Pitman was appointed Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing in April 2001. From 1999 to 2001 he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Pro-Bel Division. He joined Pro-Bel Ltd. in 1977 as a Founding Director and, upon our acquisition of it in 1996, served as Operations Director and later General Manager of the Pro-Bel Hardware Division until 1999.

Board of Directors

Our directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

General

Our board of directors has created a Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the "Compensation Committee") and an Audit Committee. In addition, from time to time our board has created other sub-committees in order to address specific needs of our company. Recently, our board created an Office of the Chairman that consists of Messrs. Henderson, Lang and Wellesley-Wesley. This office is charged with enhancing shareholder value.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to review and make recommendations to the board of directors on all matters regarding the remuneration of our executive officers, including the administration of our compensation plans. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Diker, Lang and Wellesley-Wesley.

The Audit Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the board of directors as to the selection of our independent auditor, maintaining communication between the board of directors and the independent auditor, reviewing the annual audit report submitted by the independent auditor and determining the nature and extent of problems, if any, presented by such audit warranting consideration by our board of directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Diker and Weber. Membership on the Audit Committee is restricted to directors who are independent of management and free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a committee member.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Messrs. Diker, Lang and Wellesley-Wesley served as members of our Compensation Committee during 2001. No executive officer served as a director of another entity or as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a member of our board of directors or on our Compensation Committee.

Mr. Wellesley-Wesley, a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Compensation Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of our board of directors, served as our Chief Executive Officer from July 1995 through June 1997. During 2001, Mr. Wellesley-Wesley was paid $15,000 on a monthly basis for a period of six months and an additional $26,000 in other forms of compensation for consulting and other services rendered in respect of transactions and potential transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley will continue to receive the $15,000 monthly payment during fiscal 2002 for consulting and other services related to future transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley may also receive a bonus upon the consummation of certain transactions constituting a sale of our company on or before December 31, 2002. The amount of the bonus varies between one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) and one-half of one percent (0.50%) of the gross sales price obtained in such tran saction.

Director Compensation

Our directors who are also salaried officers or employees of our company do not receive special or additional compensation for serving on our board of directors or any of its committees. Each director who is not a salaried officer or employee of our company receives an annual fee of $5,000 (except for the Chairman who receives an annual fee of $10,000), plus $1,000 for attending each meeting of the board of directors and $500 for attending each committee meeting. In addition, each non-employee director receives options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the market value on the last trading day of each July.

Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for the year ended December 31, 2001 earned by our Chief Executive Officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers serving as such at December 31, 2001, whose compensation exceeded $100,000 for the years indicated. No other executive officer of our company earned a salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, in excess of $100,000. In this prospectus, we refer to these individuals as our named executive officers.

Summary Compensation Table

   

Annual Compensation(1)

Long Term Compensation

 
       

Restricted

Securities

All Other

Name and Principal

     

Stock

Underlying

Compensation

Position

Year

Salary

Bonus(2)

Awards(2)

Options

(3)

             

Roger Henderson

2001

$293,089

$ 0

$ 0

150,000

 

President, CEO and

2000

297,139

37,500

37,500

90,000

 

Director

1999

228,773

83,000

0

300,000

 
             

James M. Paul

2001

192,000

0

0

60,000

12,300

Executive Vice President

2000

164,904

15,050

15,050

45,000

10,400

and General Manager,

1999

157,672

32,500

0

30,000

10,400

Graphics Division

           
             

Graham Pitman

2001

156,832

0

0

60,000

 

Senior Vice President,

2000

152,661

4,875

4,651

35,000

 

Worldwide Sales

1999

137,819

21,000

0

55,000

 

& Marketing

           

(1) Other Annual Compensation has been excluded since such amounts do not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual base salary and bonus disclosed in this table for any of the named executive officers.

(2) The 2000 bonus amount was payable partly in cash and partly in restricted stock which cannot be sold for a period of one year from May 2001, when the shares were issued. Messrs. Henderson, Paul and Pitman were awarded 32,895, 13,202 and 4,079 shares, worth $37,500, $15,050 and $4,651, respectively, based on the closing price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on the date of issuance of $1.14 per share. At December 31, 2001, these shares were valued at $8,882, $3,565, and $1,101, respectively, based on the closing price of our common stock $0.27 per share on the OTC Bulletin Board.

(3) All other compensation for James Paul includes company contributions under the U.S. 401(k) plan of $2,100, $2,000 and $2,000 and automobile allowance of $10,200, $8,400 and $8.400 for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Stock Option Grants

The following table sets forth the stock options we granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 under our 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan to each of the named executive officers.

 

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

   
 

Individual Grants

   
 

Number of

Percent of

     
 

Securities

Total Options

     
 

Underlying

Granted to

Exercise

 

Grant Date

Present Value

 

Options

Employees in

Price

Expiration

 

Granted

Fiscal Year

Per Share

Date

           

Roger Henderson

150,000

8.8%

$0.55

7/25/11

$61,500

           

James M. Paul

60,000

3.5%

$0.55

7/25/11

$24,600

           

Graham Pitman

60,000

3.5%

$0.55

7/25/11

$24,600

           

All options reported above were awarded under the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the exercise price per share for all options is the closing price of the Common Stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board on the date of grant. The options reported above for Roger Henderson vested as follows: 25,000 became exercisable on the 25th day of each of the months August 2001 through January 2002. The options reported above for James M. Paul and Graham Pitman became exercisable on January 25, 2002.

"Grant Date Present Value" is determined under the Black-Scholes pricing model, a widely recognized method of determining the present value of options. The factors used in this model are as follows: dividend yield = 0.0%, volatility =110.9%, risk-free rate of return = 4.25% and option terms of 4 years. The actual value, if any, an executive officer may realize will depend on the extent to which conditions as to exercisability of the option are satisfied and the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised. There is no assurance that the value realized by an executive officer will be consistent with the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model. The estimated values under the model are based on assumptions regarding interest rates, stock price volatility and future dividend yield. The model is used for valuing market traded options and is not directly applicable to valuing stock options granted under our 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan that ca nnot be transferred.

Fiscal Year End Option Values

Our named executive officers did not exercise any options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. The following table sets forth information concerning the number of options owned by the named executive officers and the value of any in-the-money unexercised options held by the named executive officers at December 31, 2001.

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

Name

Shares

Acquired

On

Exercise

Value

Realized

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options At

       Fiscal Year-End       

Value of

Unexercised

In-the-Money Options

       at Fiscal Year-End       

Exercisable

Unexercisable

Exercisable(1)

Unexercisable(1)

             

Roger Henderson

-

-

527,499

122,501

$0

$0

             

James M. Paul

-

-

77,499

107,501

$0

$0

             

Graham Pitman

-

-

80,332

119,668

$0

$0

             

(1) As of December 31, 2001, none of the unexercised options held by the named executive officers were in-the-money.

Employment Agreements and Change-in-Control Arrangements

We have an employment agreement with Mr. Henderson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, which is in effect until June 30, 2003 and can be renewed on an annual basis thereafter. Under the agreement, Mr. Henderson is entitled to receive a base salary of $325,000, subject to adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. In addition, Mr. Henderson is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of his base salary based upon the achievement of performance goals determined by the Compensation Committee. If the agreement is terminated for cause, Mr. Henderson is entitled only to receive that portion of his base salary owed through date of termination. If the agreement is terminated without cause, Mr. Henderson is entitled to receive the greater of his base salary for a twelve-month period or the remainder of his employment term. In addition, all options which have not vested at the date of termination shall immediately vest. The agreement also contains certain restrictions on competition. Mr. Henderson voluntarily reduced his base salary to $280,000 per annum for the period commencing April 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002. In addition, we have entered into an agreement with Mr. Henderson whereby he may receive a bonus upon the consummation, on or before December 31, 2002, of certain transactions constituting a sale of our company. The amount of the bonus varies between one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) and one-half of one percent (0.50%) of the gross sales price obtained in such transaction.

We have an employment agreement with Mr. Paul, Executive Vice President, which is in effect until October 30, 2003. Mr. Paul is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $215,000 and is eligible for a bonus of up to 30% of his base salary, subject to the achievement of certain annual performance criteria set by the Compensation Committee. If the agreement is terminated for cause, Mr. Paul is entitled only to receive that portion of his base salary owed through the date of termination. If the agreement is terminated without cause, Mr. Paul will be entitled to his base salary and bonus for the lesser of eighteen months or the balance of his employment term. In addition, all options granted which have not vested at the date of termination shall immediately vest. The agreement also contains certain restrictions on competition. Mr. Paul voluntarily reduced his base salary to $185,000 per annum for the period commencing April 1, 2001 and continuing through October 30, 2003.

We have an employment agreement with Mr. Pitman, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Chyron Pro-Bel. The agreement is indefinite until Mr. Pitman is provided written notification by our company. The required notice period is one year. Under the agreement, Mr. Pitman is entitled to receive a base salary of 100,000 British pounds sterling ($145,000 at March 1, 2002). Mr. Pitman shall be entitled to additional remuneration and bonuses as determined by the Compensation Committee. The agreement also contains restrictions on competition.

Mr. Paul and Mr. Pitman are participants in our Executive Retention Program implemented in July 2001, and in effect through December 31, 2003. The program is intended to encourage executives to actively support the sales process in the event of a sale of our company. Under the program, each of Messrs. Paul and Pitman were granted 60,000 loyalty options in July 2001, which vested 6 months from the date of grant, and is eligible to receive a loyalty bonus equal to 3 months' base salary ($53,750 and $40,560, respectively) upon a sale of our company. Although the program contemplates payment of a prorated annual bonus, based upon the participant's bonus received in the prior year, to participants who transfer to a successor company or who are involuntarily terminated upon a sale of our company, no such bonus would be payable under the program because neither Mr. Paul nor Mr. Pitman received a bonus for 2001. The program recognizes Mr. Pitman's right to receive severance payments for a peri od of one year under his employment agreement. In addition, Mr. Paul is eligible to receive payment of COBRA premiums and a minimum of 9 months' severance payments under his employment contract.

Pension Plans

We maintain a domestic, qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the "U.S. Pension Plan") for all of our employees. Under the U.S. Pension Plan, a participant retiring at normal retirement age receives a pension benefit equal to the sum of: (i) 25% of his or her average monthly total compensation up to the level of social security covered compensation plus 38% of such earnings in excess of social security covered earnings for years of service prior to July 1, 1998 and (ii) 32% of his or her average monthly base compensation up to the level of social security covered compensation plus 48% of such earnings in excess of social security covered earnings for years of service subsequent to July 1, 1998. A participant's average monthly compensation is his or her monthly compensation averaged during the five consecutive years during the ten-year period prior to his or her termination that produces the highest average monthly compensation.

Participants in the U.S. Pension Plan vest according to the following schedule:

Employees Hired Prior to July 1, 1998

 

Employees Hired on or After July 1, 1998

             

Years of Service

 

Amount Vested

 

Years of Service

 

Amount Vested

             

Less than 2

 

0%

 

Less than 5

 

0%

2

 

20%

 

5 or more

 

100%

3

 

40%

       

4

 

60%

       

5 or more

 

100%

       

As of December 31, 2001, the number of years of service for the named executive officers is as follows: Mr. Paul, 4 years, entitling him to 60% vesting.

The following table shows the aggregate annual benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan as now in effect that would be currently payable to participants retiring at age sixty-five on a single-life basis under various assumptions as to salary and years of service. Benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan are payable in the form of a monthly, lifetime annuity commencing on the later of normal retirement age or the participant's date of retirement, or, at the participant's election, in a lump sum or installment payments. The amounts shown reflect the level of social security covered compensation for a participant reaching age 65 in 2001. In addition, the participant is entitled to receive social security benefits. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limit the annual retirement benefit that may be paid out of funds accumulated under a qualified pension plan. The current maximum annual benefit payable under the U.S. Pension Plan i s $130,000. This maximum is proportionately reduced for years of plan participation less than ten. Compensation in excess of $200,000 may not be taken into account in the determination of benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan.

U.S. Pension Plan Table

 

Highest Consecutive Five-Year Average

Years of Credited Service at Retirement at Age 65

Compensation During the Last Ten Years

       

of Employment

10

20

30

35

           
 

$ 50,000

$ 5,200

$10,300

$15,500

$18,000

 

100,000

12,000

24,000

36,000

42,000

 

150,000

18,900

37,700

56,600

66,000

 

160,000

20,200

40,500

60,700

70,800

 

170,000

21,600

43,200

64,800

75,600

 

200,000

25,700

51,500

77,200

90,000

Our U.K. subsidiary, Pro-Bel, has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the "U.K. Pension Plan") covering all permanent employees of Pro-Bel who were hired prior to 1999. Under the U.K. Pension Plan, a participant retiring after working 40 years with Pro-Bel will receive 66.66% of his or her basic earnings averaged over the last 36 months of employment in addition to the U.K.'s basic and earnings related pension. Under U.K. legislation, benefits vest on a pro rata basis following completion of 2 years of membership. Spouses' pension of 50% of the members pension are payable on the death of the plan member whether in service or following retirement. As of December 31, 2001, Mr. Henderson and Mr. Pitman, participants in the U.K. Pension Plan, have 17 years and 22 years of credited service, respectively.

401(k) Plan

We adopted a 401(k) Plan exclusively for the benefit of participants and their beneficiaries. All of our U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Effective July 1, 1998, we amended our 401(k) Plan by increasing our matching contribution to one-fifth of up to the first 10% of the compensation contributed by a participant and changing our matching contributions from cash to our common stock and the vesting period for the matching contribution to three years. An employee may elect to contribute a percentage of his or her current compensation to the 401(k) Plan, subject to a maximum of 20% of compensation or the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit ($10,500 in 2001 and 2000), whichever is less. Total compensation that can be considered for contribution purposes is limited to $170,000.

We can elect to make a contribution to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of those participants who have made salary deferral contributions. During 2001, 2000 and 1999, we contributed $0.09 million, $0.06 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the 401(k) Plan.

Stock Option and Other Employee Incentive Plans

On May 12, 1999 our shareholders adopted our 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1999 Plan"). On February 28, 2002, our board of directors unanimously adopted, subject to approval by our shareholders, an amendment to the 1999 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares available for grant thereunder by 1,000,000 shares. The amendment to the 1999 Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 23, 2002. The following general summary of our 1999 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 1999 Plan, a copy of which is on file with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for a description of the documents incorporated by reference.

The purpose of the 1999 Plan is to assist us in attracting, retaining and rewarding high-quality executives, employees, directors and other persons who provide services to us, enabling these persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in us and to strengthen the mutuality of interests between us and such persons, and to provide annual and long-term incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of shareholder value. The 1999 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, consisting of two or more members of the board of directors appointed by the board. The 1999 Plan does not limit the availability of awards to any particular class or classes of eligible employees. If an award were to lapse or rights to an award otherwise were to terminate, the shares subject to the award would be available for future awards to the extent permitted by applicable federal securities laws. Awards granted under the 1999 Plan are not transferable, except in the event of the partic ipant's death. In the event of a change in control, a right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested at the time of change in control.

The total number of shares authorized for issuance in connection with awards under the 1999 Plan is 2,500,000 plus the number of shares remaining available under our 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan") immediately prior to the date on which our shareholders approved adoption of the 1999 Plan, plus the number of shares of our common stock subject to awards under the 1995 Plan which become available in accordance with the 1999 Plan, for an aggregate of 5,500,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 1999 Plan. As of October 1, 2002, 375,614 options granted under the 1999 Plan had been exercised and 3,875,610 options granted under the 1999 Plan were outstanding, leaving 1,248,776 shares remaining available for future option grants.

Awards to Eligible Employees under the 1999 Plan are made in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and annual incentive and performance awards. A non-employee director will automatically be granted options at the close of business on the last trading day of each July. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, designates whom is eligible to receive awards, determines the form of each award, determines the number of shares of stock subject to each award, establishes the exercise price of each award and such other terms and conditions applicable to the award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.

Stock option awards can be either incentive or non-incentive. In either case, the exercise price of the option would not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares as of the date the award is granted. Options would become exercisable at such times as may be established by the Compensation Committee when granting the award. No stock option could be exercised more than ten years after the date the option is granted.

A SAR allows the holder, upon exercise, to receive the excess of the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR. The Compensation Committee determines the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised, the month of exercise and method of settlement. SARs may be awarded independently or in tandem with other awards.

Restricted stock awards are awards of shares subject to such restrictions as to transferability and risk of forfeiture as imposed by the Compensation Committee, which restrictions may lapse separately under such circumstances such as achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the 1999 Plan, any employee granted restricted stock shall have all the rights of a shareholder including the right to vote and receive dividends.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant RSUs to participants which are rights to receive stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant stock as a bonus or to grant stock in lieu of obligations to pay cash under the 1999 Plan or under other compensatory arrangements.

Our board of directors may amend or terminate the 1999 Plan at any time without the consent of shareholders, except that any amendment or alteration to the 1999 Plan shall be subject to the approval of our shareholders not later than the annual meeting next following such board action if shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the common stock may then be listed or quoted, provided that, without the consent of an affected participant, no such board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such participant under any previously granted and outstanding award.

 

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table presents information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of October 1, 2002 for:

    • each stockholder known by us to beneficially hold five percent or more of our common stock,
    • each of our directors,
    • each of our named executive officers, and
    • all of our named executive officers and directors as a group.

This table is based upon information supplied by Schedules 13D and 13G, if any, filed with the SEC, and information obtained from our directors and named executive officers. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by him or her.

As of October 1, 2002, 39,563,691 shares of our common stock were outstanding. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership of that person, shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2002, the conversion of debentures and senior subordinated notes convertible at October 1, 2002 (including accrued interest as of October 1, 2002 payable in additional convertible debentures and senior subordinated notes) and the exercise of warrants exercisable at October 1, 2002, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options, convertible securities and warrants, as the case may be, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any another person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Address of

Amount and Nature of

Percent of

Beneficial Owner

Beneficial Ownership

Class

     

Philip Greer (1)

10,848,941

25.99%

Weiss, Peck & Greer, L.L.C.

   

One New York Plaza

   

New York, New York 10004

   
     

WPG PE Fund Advisor, L.P.(2)

6,396,014

15.66%

One New York Plaza

   

New York, New York 10004

   
     

London Merchant Securities plc(3)

5,321,516

12.93%

Carlton House

   

33 Robert Adam Street

   

London, W1M 5AH

   

England

   
     

Christopher R. Kelly(4)

4,605,768

10.70%

800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1400

   

Seattle, WA 98104

   
     

Michael I. Wellesley-Wesley(5)

2,993,147

7.52%

Chyron Pro-Bel

   

Danehill, Lower Earley RG6 4PB

   

Reading, Berkshire, U.K.

   
     

WPG Venture Partners III, L.P.(6)

2,913,489

7.26%

One New York Plaza

   

New York, New York 10004

   
     

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.(7)

11,083,940

26.53%

     

Roger Henderson(8)

857,630

2.13%

     

Charles M. Diker(9)

742,573

1.87%

     

Graham Pitman(10)

376,264

*

     

James M. Paul(11)

295,778

*

     

Eugene M. Weber(12)

165,849

*

     

Donald P. Greenberg(13)

31,666

*

     

Jerry Kieliszak

25,100

*

     

All directors and executive officers

21,177,715

45.13%

as a group(10 persons)

   
     

* Less than one percent (1%).

  1. Mr. Greer is a General Partner of WPG PE Fund Advisor, L.P. ("PEF"), WPG Venture Partners III, L.P. ("WPGVP") and WPG PE Fund Advisor (Overseas), L.P. ("Overseas"). Overseas beneficially owns 1,619,168 shares, including 261,709 and 44,343 which may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively.
  2. PEF serves as the Fund Investment Advisor of WPG Corporate Development Associates IV, L.L.C. ("CDA IV") which beneficially owns 6,729,822 shares, including 1,095,690 and 185,258 which may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively. PEF disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of its interest in CDA IV.
  3. Includes 4,138,996 shares beneficially owned by Westpool Investment Trust plc, of which 479,851, 782,214 and 80,229 may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures, the conversion of notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively, and 1,515,472 shares beneficially owned by Lion Investments Limited, of which 226,003 and 37,828 may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of London Merchant Securities plc.
  4. Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 1,800,838, 1,407,985 and 268,571 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures, the conversion of notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively.
  5. Includes 2,778,147 shares directly owned by Sun Life Pension Management and which Michael Wellesley-Wesley is deemed to be beneficial owner. Also includes 215,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.
  6. WPGVP serves as the Managing Member of WPG Enterprise Fund II, L.L.C., which beneficially owns 1,679,360 shares, of which 277,216 and 46,743 may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively, and Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Associates III, L.L.C., which beneficially owns 1,386,776 shares, of which 223,835 and 37,943 may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively.
  7. Includes 34,999 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options. Also includes 10,848,941 shares beneficially owned by PEF, WPGVP and Overseas. Mr. Lang is a General Partner of PEF and Overseas and he is also a Managing Director with the investment management company of Weiss, Peck & Greer. Mr. Lang disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of his interests in such entities.
  8.  

  9. Includes 620,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible notes.
  10. Mr. Diker directly owns 356,464 shares of Common Stock, indirectly owns 193,661 shares by family members and is the president of a Foundation that owns 40,000 shares of Common Stock. Also includes 59,999, 78,849 and 13,600 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options, the conversion of presently convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively. Mr. Diker disclaims beneficial ownership of the 233,661 shares owned by family members and the Foundation.
  11. Includes 188,333 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible notes.
  12. Includes 169,999 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible notes.
  13. Includes 34,999 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 10,402, 46,933 and 2,515 that may be acquired upon the conversion of presently convertible debentures, the conversion of notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively.
  14. Includes 26,666 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND Related Party Transactions

Michael Wellesley-Wesley, a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Compensation Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of our board of directors, was paid $15,000 on a monthly basis for a period of six months during 2001 and an additional $26,000 in other forms of compensation for consulting and other services rendered in respect of transactions and potential transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley will continue to receive the $15,000 monthly payment during fiscal 2002 for consulting and other services related to future transactions involving our company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley may also receive a bonus upon the consummation of certain transactions constituting a sale of our company on or before December 31, 2002. The amount of the bonus varies between one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) and one-half of one percent (0.50%) of the gross sales price obtained in such transaction.

In December 2001, we issued 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2.21 million. On February 28, 2002, our board of directors agreed to amend our senior subordinated notes such that we will only pay interest on the senior subordinated notes by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. Certain directors, officers and 5% Shareholders acquired senior subordinated notes, including the following:

  • Christopher Kelly, a director and 5% Shareholder, acquired $450,000 principal amount,
  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliate, acquired $250,000 principal amount, and
  • Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, through an affiliate, acquired $100,000 principal amount.

In December 2001, the terms of our outstanding Series A subordinated convertible debentures and Series B subordinated convertible debentures were amended to:

  • extend the maturity date of the Series A and B debentures from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004,
  • increase the interest rate from 8% to 12%, and
  • provide that until December 31, 2004, interest may be paid in the form of additional debentures, or in cash, at our sole option.

On February 28, 2002, our board of directors approved our decision to pay interest on the Series A and Series B debentures only by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder, rather than in cash, as was our right under the terms of the debentures.

In connection with the December 2001 amendment, we issued warrants to holders of the amended Series A and Series B debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.35 per share. Holders received 114.285719 warrants for each $1,000 principal value of debentures held. The warrants are immediately vested and are exercisable through December 31, 2004.

Certain directors, officers and 5% Shareholders had previously acquired Series A debentures. The principal amount previously acquired, and the number of warrants issued to these holders in December 2001 are as follows:

  • Weiss Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder affiliated with Wesley Lang, a director, acquired through its affiliates $790,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 90,286 shares;
  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliates, acquired $273,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 31,200 shares;
  • Children and affiliates of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, acquired $90,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 10,285 shares; and
  • Charles Diker, a director, acquired $39,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 4,457 shares.

Certain directors, officers and 5% Shareholders had previously acquired Series B debentures. The principal amount previously acquired, and the number of warrants issued to these holders in December 2001 are as follows:

  • Christopher Kelly, a director and 5% Shareholder, acquired $2,350,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 268,571 shares;
  • Weiss Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder affiliated with Wesley Lang, a director, acquired through its affiliates $1,960,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 224,000 shares;
  • London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, through its affiliates, acquired $760,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 86,857 shares;
  • Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director, through an affiliate, acquired $200,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 22,857 shares; and
  • Charles Diker, a director, acquired $80,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 9,143 shares.

  • Eugene Weber, a director, through an affiliate, acquired $2,000 principal amount, and received warrants for 229 shares.

 

Selling Shareholders

The table below sets forth information regarding ownership of our common stock by the selling stockholders on October 1, 2002 and the shares of common stock to be sold by them under this prospectus. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by him or her.

As of October 1, 2002, 39,563,691 shares of our common stock were outstanding. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership of that person, shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 1, 2002, the conversion of debentures and senior subordinated notes convertible at October 1, 2002 (including accrued interest as of October 1, 2002 payable in additional convertible debentures and senior subordinated notes) and the exercise of warrants exercisable at October 1, 2002, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options, convertible securities and warrants, as the case may be, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any another person. The number of shares registered hereunder for any shareholder holding senior subordinated notes and/or convertible debentures inc ludes shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the conversion thereof and which are expected to be issued as paid-in-kind interest on the senior subordinated notes and convertible debentures through their respective maturity dates (i.e., December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004, respectively).

Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering

Shares Registered Hereunder

Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering

Name of Beneficial Owner

Number

Percent

Number

Number

Percent

Philip Greer, Weiss, Peck & Greer LLC (1)

10,848,941

25.99%

2,738,922

8,676,204

21.93%

London Merchant Securities plc (2)

5,321,516

12.93%

1,939,077

3,715,391

9.39%

Christopher R. Kelly (3)

4,605,768

10.70%

4,238,269

1,128,374

2.85%

Posaune Limited (4)

1,918,428

4.66%

1,877,248

277,000

*

Alan J. Hirschfield Living Trust (5)

1,063,584

2.65%

599,638

561,105

1.42%

Roger Henderson (6)

857,630

2.13%

72,010

795,053

1.98%

Charles M. Diker (7)

742,573

1.87%

116,471

650,124

1.64%

Waverley Investments Limited (8)

672,107

1.67%

681,062

50,000

*

Capita Trust Company Limited A/C 9084 (9)

469,328

1.17%

540,074

--

*

ART-FGT Family Partners Limited (10)

388,752

*

447,323

35,211

*

Graham Pitman (11)

376,264

*

72,010

313,687

*

Paul A. Bissinger Trust u/w/o Paul A. Bissinger, Deceased, dated 8/21/69, Paul A. Bissinger, Jr. and Marjorie W. Bissinger Trustees (12)

312,886

*

360,050

--

*

James M. Paul (13)

295,778

*

72,010

233,201

*

Tessler Family Limited Partnership (14)

234,664

*

270,037

--

*

Paul A Bissinger, Jr. and Marjorie W. Bissinger, TTEES - Paul A. Bissinger Trust u/w/o Paul A. Bissinger, deceased, dated 8/21/69 (15)

227,943

*

288,335

--

*

Paul A. Bissinger, Jr. and Kathleen B. Bissinger, TTEES - Paul and Kathleen Bissinger Revocable Trust, dated 9/30/87 (16)

227,943

*

288,335

--

*

 

Prudential Bank & Trust T/F Paul A. Bissinger, Jr. PS Plan dated 12/18/84 FBO Paul A. Bissinger, Jr. Acct. No. HCP-R45018-JW (17)

219,020

*

252,035

--

*

Robert Rayne (18)

206,443

*

180,025

50,000

*

Berte E. Hirschfield Living Trust (19)

177,299

*

10,387

168,938

*

Robert Altemus (20)

158,103

*

158,103

--

*

The Weber Family Trust (21)

165,849

*

70,093

105,999

*

Hull Overseas, Ltd.

153,846

*

153,846

--

*

SBS Nominees Limited A/C SBCLT

153,840

*

153,840

--

*

Metropolitan Venture Partners, L.P. (20)

153,360

*

153,360

--

*

F&C US Smaller Companies PLC

150,000

*

150,000

--

*

F&C Post Office Superannuation Fund

150,000

*

150,000

--

*

David C. King

150,000

*

150,000

--

*

Mrs. Carolyn Amanda Fisher (22)

156,443

*

180,025

--

*

Interregnum Venture Marketing (23)

120,000

*

120,000

--

*

F&C US Smaller Companies Fund

110,000

*

110,000

--

*

David Markin Charitable Trust #1 (24)

108,096

*

108,096

--

*

Trianon Antiques SA (25)

109,510

*

126,017

--

*

Michael Boling (26)

100,000

*

100,000

--

*

F&C Smaller Companies PLC

100,000

*

100,000

--

*

Mark Rivers (26)

100,000

*

100,000

--

*

Brian Sisley (26)

100,000

*

100,000

--

*

John Benjamin Agnew Wallace (27)

97,706

*

111,855

--

*

F&C American Smaller Companies

90,000

*

90,000

--

*

Richard H. Briance (28)

93,327

*

102,760

--

*

Prudential Securities c/f Mrs. Kathleen B. Bissinger IRA dtd 03/06/01 Acct. No. HCP-R45026-JW (29)

93,866

*

108,015

--

*

Crescent International Ltd

77,000

*

77,000

--

*

Cripps Nominees Ltd.

73,050

*

73,050

--

*

Thomas S. Marsoner (30)

70,227

*

79,660

--

*

Union Pension Trustee LTD A/C T.J. Fisher (31)

62,577

*

72,010

--

*

Juliet Wheldon (32)

62,577

*

72,010

--

*

C. Blair Partners L.P.

50,000

*

50,000

--

*

Jonathan H. Cohen (33)

50,000

*

50,000

--

*

Intercontinental Services Limited A/C J331C (34)

48,067

*

48,067

--

*

South China Finance (Nominees) Ltd.

46,000

*

46,000

--

*

Intercontinental Services Limited (RE1401) (35)

46,933

*

54,007

--

*

Value Investing Partners I LLC (36)

43,304

*

43,304

--

*

Oakes Fitzwilliams & Co. (37)

40,417

*

40,417

--

*

NCL Investments Limited

38,500

*

38,500

--

*

C. E. Unterberg, Towbin (38)

38,462

*

38,462

--

*

Compania Finaciera La Granja S.A.

38,460

*

38,460

--

*

Ilan Kaufthal (39)

37,952

*

42,641

--

*

Timothy James Fisher, A/C JLT (40)

35,129

*

39,845

--

*

Bank Sarasin & CIE

30,000

*

30,000

--

*

The Bachmann Trust as Trustees to The Bellerive Settlement

29,630

*

29,630

--

*

Mark Ashley Fisher (41)

31,289

*

36,005

--

*

Purbrook Corporation (42)

26,945

*

26,945

--

*

Alan Dorsey (43)

24,726

*

24,726

--

*

Kevin Greene (44)

24,726

*

24,726

--

*

Bank of Scotland Branch Nominees Ltd.

20,223

*

20,223

--

*

Steve Solmonson (45)

19,875

*

19,875

--

*

Edward Grebow (46)

16,722

*

20,773

--

*

Pauline de Grunne-Cohen

15,384

*

15,384

--

*

Davos Investments Limited

15,375

*

15,375

--

*

Ludivine Holdings Limited

15,375

*

15,375

--

*

Villandry Investments Ltd.

15,000

*

15,000

--

*

A.Julian.L. Beare (47)

15,644

*

18,002

--

*

Boldhurst Properties Ltd.

12,346

*

12,346

--

*

Rathbone Nominees Limited

12,000

*

12,000

--

*

Anthony Rhys Bourne

11,530

*

11,530

--

*

Dave Boczar (48)

10,000

*

10,000

--

*

Laura Hirschfield (49)

8,361

*

10,387

--

*

Marc Hirschfield (50)

8,361

*

10,387

--

*

Scott Hirschfield (51)

8,361

*

10,387

--

*

C.E. Unterberg, Towbin 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan DTD 10/26/90 FBO: Andrew Arno

7,692

*

7,692

--

*

Dr. Mariza Kain

7,690

*

7,690

--

*

Binley Ltd. (A/C 'B')

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Dunpil Management

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Jonathan Horne

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

HSBC Bank International Limited a/c 10182502

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Mayotte Corporation

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Regional Holdings Ltd.

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Simon F. Rogers

7,650

*

7,650

--

*

Andrew Threipland

7,000

*

7,000

--

*

Bonneyhall Ltd.

6,155

*

6,155

--

*

John Burritt

6,153

*

6,153

--

*

Collins Stewart (C.I.) Ltd.

6,150

*

6,150

--

*

Anna & Lilla Bathurst (52)

5,672

*

5,672

--

*

Timothy Baldwin

5,385

*

5,385

--

*

Paul Lisiak (20)

4,743

*

4,743

--

*

C.E. Unterberg, Towbin 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan DTD 10/26/90 FBO: Robert M. Matluck

4,615

*

4,615

--

*

Yorkton Properties Inc.

4,615

*

4,615

--

*

Trifid Securities Limited A/C HT

4,600

*

4,600

--

*

Alan J. Hirschfield GST Exempt Trust Under Norman Hirschfield Revocable Trust (53)

3,902

*

4,847

--

*

Douglas M. Quartner Family 1999 Intergenerational Trust

3,077

*

3,077

--

*

Chris Krecke (54)

1,000

*

1,000

--

*

 

 

_________________________

* Represents less than one percent.

(1) Mr. Greer is a General Partner of WPG PE Fund Advisor, L.P. ("PEF"), WPG Venture Partners III, L.P. ("WPGVP") and WPG PE Fund Advisor (Overseas), L.P. ("Overseas"). PEF serves as the Fund Investment Advisor of WPG Corporate Development Associates IV, L.L.C. ("CDA IV") which beneficially owns 6,729,822 shares, including 1,429,498 and 185,258 which may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively. PEF disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of its interest in CDA IV. WPGVP serves as the Managing Member of WPG Enterprise Fund II, L.L.C., which beneficially owns 1,679,360 shares, of which 361,671 and 46,743 may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively, and Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Associates III, L.L.C., which beneficially owns 1,386,776 shares, of which 292,027 and 37,943 may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures a nd the exercise of warrants, respectively. Overseas serves as the Fund Investment Advisor of WPG Corporate Development Associates IV (Overseas), L.P. which beneficially owns 1,619,168 shares, including 341,439 and 44,343 which may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively.

(2) Includes 4,138,996 shares beneficially owned by Westpool Investment Trust plc, of which 626,040, 900,124 and 80,229 may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures, the conversion of senior subordinated notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively, and 1,515,472 shares beneficially owned by Lion Investments Limited, of which 294,856 and 37,828 may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and the exercise of warrants, respectively. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of London Merchant Securities plc.

(3) Mr. Kelly is a Director of the Company. Includes 15,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and 2,349,475, 1,620,223 and 268,571 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures, the conversion of senior subordinated notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively.

(4) Includes 1,800,248 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(5) Mr. Hirschfield is a former Director of the Company and beneficial owner of 214,102, 360,050 and 25,486 that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures, the conversion of senior subordinated notes and the exercise of warrants, respectively. Also includes 34,999 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options granted to Mr. Hirschfield.

(6) Mr. Henderson is President and CEO of the Company. Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon conversion of senior convertible notes owned by his spouse, Suzanne Henderson, and 620,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of presently exercisable options granted to Mr. Henderson.

(7) Mr. Diker is a Director of the Company. Includes 102,871 and 13,600 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively, and 59,999 that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.

(8) Includes 450,062 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(9) Includes 540,074 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(10) Includes 401,609 and 45,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively.

(11) Mr. Pitman is an executive officer of the Company. Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes and 188,333 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.

(12) Includes 360,050 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(13) Mr. Paul is an executive officer of the Company. Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes and 169,999 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.

(14) Includes 270,037 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(15) Includes 258,621 and 29,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively.

(16) Includes 258,621 and 29,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively.

(17) Includes 252,035 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(18) Includes 180,025 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(19) Includes 8,673 and 1,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Berte E. Hirschfield is the spouse of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director of the Company, who disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(20) Shares acquired in connection with Company's acquisition of Interocity.

(21) Mr. Eugene M. Weber is a Director of the Company and is beneficial owner of these shares. Includes 54,007, 13,571 and 2,515 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes, convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Also includes 34,999 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Weber upon the exercise of presently exercisable options.

(22) Includes 180,025 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(23) Includes 120,000 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(24) Includes 108,096 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures.

(25) Includes 126,017 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(26) Individual is a principal shareholder in Video Technics, Inc. which supplies key products to the Company.

(27) Includes 108,015 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(28) Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(29) Includes 108,015 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(30) Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(31) Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(32) Includes 72,010 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(33) Includes 50,000 shares acquired upon exercise of warrants.

(34) Includes 40,417 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(35) Includes 54,007 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(36) Includes 43,304 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(37) Includes 40,417 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(38) Includes 38,462 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(39) Includes 20,080 and 2,286 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Also includes 20,275 shares previously acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures.

(40) Includes 36,005 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(41) Includes 36,005 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(42) Includes 26,945 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(43) Includes 24,726 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(44) Includes 24,726 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(45) Includes 19,875 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(46) Mr. Grebow is a former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Includes 17,345 and 3,428 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively.

(47) Includes 18,002 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of senior subordinated notes.

(48) Includes 10,000 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(49) Includes 8,673 and 1,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Laura Hirschfield is an adult child of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director of the Company, who disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by his adult children.

(50) Includes 8,673 and 1,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Marc Hirschfield is an adult child of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director of the Company, who disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by his adult children.

(51) Includes 8,673 and 1,714 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively. Scott Hirschfield is an adult child of Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director of the Company, who disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by his adult children.

(52) Includes 5,672 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

(53) Includes 4,047 and 800 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of convertible debentures and warrants, respectively.

(54) Includes 1,000 shares that may be acquired upon the conversion of outstanding warrants.

 

 

Plan of Distribution

All or a portion of the shares to be sold by the selling shareholders may be offered and sold from time to time as market conditions permit in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise, at prices and terms then prevailing in the market, at prices related to the then-current market price or at negotiated prices. These shares may be sold, without limitation, by:

  • a block trade in which a broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction,
  • purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by that broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus,
  • ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers,
  • privately negotiated transactions between sellers and purchasers without a broker-dealer,
  • a combination of any such methods of sale, and

  • any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

Dealers or brokers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders and/or purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agent (which compensation may be in excess of customary commissions). The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers that participate in the distribution of the shares may, under certain circumstances, be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by such broker-dealers and any profits realized on the resale of shares by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We may agree with the selling shareholders to indemnify such broker-dealers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify certain of the selling shareholders with respect to the shares of common stoc k being offered, against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

To the extent required under the Securities Act, a supplemental prospectus will be filed, disclosing:

  • the name of any such broker-dealers,
  • the number of shares involved,
  • the price at which such shares are to be sold,
  • the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealers, where applicable,
  • that such broker-dealers did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as supplemented, and
  • other facts material to the transaction.

Each selling shareholder may be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our securities by the selling shareholders.

The selling stockholders should not make an offer of these shares in any state where the offer is not permitted. The shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

There is no assurance that any of the selling shareholders will sell any or all of the shares of common stock offered hereby. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, the shares of common stock must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with. Therefore, there is no assurance that any of the selling shareholders will sell any or all of the shares of common stock offered hereby.

We have agreed to pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the shares offered hereby, except that the selling shareholders shall be responsible for all selling commissions, transfer taxes, and related charges in connection with the offer and sale of such shares and the fees of the selling shareholders' counsel.

We have agreed to keep the registration statement relating to the offering and sale by certain of the selling shareholders of the shares continuously effective until the earlier of (1) two years from the date of this prospectus and (2) the date that all of the shares have been sold.

Description of Our Capital Stock

The following general summary of our capital stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Form of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due December 31, 2003 and 12% Subordinated Convertible Debentures due December 31, 2004, copies of which are on file with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for a description of the documents incorporated by reference.

General

We are authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $1.00 per share without designation. As of October 1, 2002, 39,563,691 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

As of October 1, 2002 an additional 6,380,958 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon options granted or to be granted pursuant to our 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan and other outstanding warrants.

Common Stock

Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote at all meetings of shareholders. All shares of common stock are equal to each other with respect to liquidation rights and dividend rights. There are no preemptive rights associated with our common stock. In the event that we liquidate, dissolve, or wind up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive, on a pro rata basis, all of our remaining assets after satisfaction of all our liabilities and all liquidation preferences granted to holders of our preferred stock.

We have not paid any dividends on our common stock since 1989 and do not intend to do so in the foreseeable future.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors may, from time to time, authorize the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Subject to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to adopt resolutions to issue shares, establish the number of shares, change the number of shares constituting any series, and provide or change the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions on shares of our preferred stock, including dividend rights, terms of redemption, conversion rights and liquidation preferences, in each case without any action or vote by our stockholders. We have no current intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

One of the effects of undesignated preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise. The issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders by, among other things:

    • restricting dividends on the common stock,
    • diluting the voting power of the common stock,
    • impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock, or
    • delaying or preventing a change in control without further action by the stockholders.

Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes

In December 2001 we completed a private placement of $2,210,000 aggregate principal amount of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes, due December 31, 2003. The senior subordinated notes are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our common stock at a conversion price of $0.35 per share. Interest is payable annually and may be paid by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. Effective February 28, 2002, our board resolved to require that we will only pay interest on the senior subordinated notes by increasing the amount of principal owed thereon for all interest payments to be made thereafter, inclusive of any accrued interest. Through October 1, 2002, approximately $210,170 of interest was paid on the senior subordinated notes by adding such amount to the principal.

The senior subordinated notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of our company. Upon any distribution of assets of our company in connection with any dissolution, winding up or liquidation of our company, the holders of senior subordinated notes are entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of the Series A and Series B debentures (described below) and the holders of our common stock.

Some of the purchasers of the senior subordinated notes are persons and entities who are officers, directors and principal shareholders. As a class, our senior subordinated notes, including accrued interest payable in additional debentures, are convertible as of October 1, 2002 into 6,914,773 shares of our common stock. As of October 1, 2002, none of the senior subordinated notes had been converted into common stock.

The following events qualify as "Events of Default" under the senior subordinated notes if they exist and continue:

    • we fail to pay interest on any senior subordinated note on or before the date such payment is due and such failure to pay remains uncured for a period of 15 days after notice thereof,

    • we fail to pay principal on any senior subordinated note on or before the date such payment is due and such failure to pay remains uncured for a period of 15 days after notice thereof,

    • we fail to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement contained in the senior subordinated notes and that failure remains uncured for the period and after the notice specified below and the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the senior subordinated notes then outstanding notify us of the default and we do not cure the default within 45 days after receipt of proper notice,

    • a custodian, receiver, liquidator or trustee, is appointed or takes possession of us or any of our properties and such appointment or possession remains in effect for more than 60 days, or we are adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or an order for relief is entered under the Federal Bankruptcy Code against us, or any of our property is sequestered by court order and the order remains in effect for more than 60 days, or an involuntary petition is filed against us under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of indebtedness, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, and is not dismissed within 60 days after filing,

    • we file a petition in voluntary bankruptcy or seeking relief under any provision of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of indebtedness, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the filing of any petition against it under any such law, and

    • we make an assignment for the benefit of our creditors, or generally fail to pay our obligations as they become due, or we consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator or trustee of us or all or any substantial part of our property.

In case an event of default, other than an event of default described in the last three paragraphs above, has occurred and is continuing, the holders of the senior subordinated notes, by notice to us from the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the senior subordinated notes then outstanding, may declare the principal of the senior subordinated notes, plus accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable, and upon any declaration principal and accrued interest shall become due and payable immediately. In case an event of default described in the last three paragraphs occurs, such amounts will become due and payable without any declaration or any act on the part of the holders of the senior subordinated notes. A declaration of acceleration may be rescinded and past defaults may be waived by the holders of at least 50% of the principal amount of the senior subordinated notes then outstanding.

Subordinated Convertible Debentures

On January 22, 1999, we completed a private placement of $1,292,000 aggregate principal amount of 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003. The Series A debentures are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.466 per share. We may redeem the Series A debentures, at face value, commencing on December 31, 1999.

On September 7, 1999, we completed a private placement of $6,452,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003. The Series B debentures are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.625 per share. In certain circumstances we may redeem the Series B debentures at face value, commencing July 26, 2000.

Interest on the Series A and B debentures is payable quarterly. On December 17, 2001, the terms of the Series A and Series B debentures were amended to:

  • extend the maturity date of the Series A and B debentures from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004,
  • increase the interest rate from 8% to 12%, and
  • provide that until December 31, 2004, interest may be paid in the form of additional debentures, or in cash, at our sole option.

Effective February 28, 2002, we amended substantially all of the Series A and B debentures so as to eliminate our option to pay interest in cash. Our board resolved that we will only pay interest on the Series A and B debentures by increasing the amount of principal owed thereon for all interest payments to be made thereafter, inclusive of any accrued interest. Through October 1, 2002, approximately $115,288 and $1,573,640 of interest was paid on the Series A and B debentures, respectively, by adding such amount to the principal.

The Series A and B debentures are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of our company. Upon any distribution of assets of our company in connection with any dissolution, winding up or liquidation of our company, the holders of senior indebtedness, including holders of our senior subordinated notes, are entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of these debentures. The Series A and B debenture holders are entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of common stock.

Some of the purchasers of the Series A and B debentures are persons and entities who are officers, directors and principal shareholders. As a class, the Series A and B debentures, including accrued interest payable in additional debentures, are convertible as of October 1, 2002 into 5,489,257 shares of our common stock. As of October 1, 2002, $50,000 of Series A debentures and no Series B debentures had been converted into shares of our common stock.

The following events qualify as "Events of Default" under the Series A and B debentures if they exist and continue:

    • we fail to pay interest on any Series A or B debenture on or before the date such payment is due and such failure to pay remains uncured for a period of 10 days;

    • we fail to pay principal on any Series A or B debenture on or before the date such payment is due;

    • we fail to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement contained in the Series A or B debentures and that failure remains uncured for the period and after the notice specified below and the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Series A or B debentures then outstanding notify us of the default and we do not cure the default within 45 days after receipt of proper notice;

    • a custodian, receiver, liquidator or trustee, is appointed or takes possession of us or any of our properties and such appointment or possession remains in effect for more than 60 days; or we are adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent; or an order for relief is entered under the Federal Bankruptcy Code against us; or any of our property is sequestered by court order and the order remains in effect for more than 60 days; or an involuntary petition is filed against us under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of indebtedness, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, and is not dismissed within 60 days after filing;

    • we file a petition in voluntary bankruptcy or seeking relief under any provision of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of indebtedness, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the filing of any petition against it under any such law; and

    • we make an assignment for the benefit of our creditors, or generally fail to pay our obligations as they become due, or we consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator or trustee of us or all or any substantial part of our property.

In case an event of default, other than an event of default described in the last three paragraphs above, has occurred and is continuing, the holders of the Series A or B debentures, by notice to us from the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the Series A or B debentures then outstanding, may declare the principal of the Series A or B debentures, plus accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable, and upon any declaration principal and accrued interest shall become due and payable immediately. In case an event of default described in the last three paragraphs occurs, such amounts will become due and payable without any declaration or any act on the part of the holders of the Series A or B debentures. A declaration of acceleration may be rescinded and past defaults may be waived by the holders of at least 50% of the principal amount of the Series A or B debentures then outstanding.

Warrants

In connection with the amendment to the Series A and Series B debentures, on December 17, 2001, we issued warrants to holders of the amended Series A and Series B debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.35 per share. These warrants are immediately exercisable and will expire on December 31, 2004. These warrants terminate if not exercised prior to a sale of our company. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable on exercise of these warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for certain events, including stock dividends, splits and combinations, or a reclassification or change to our outstanding common stock.

On April 11, 2000, in connection with a private placement of our common stock, we issued an aggregate of 151,914 warrants to our placement agents and 60,000 warrants to a consulting company to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $6.50 per share. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in April 2005. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable on exercise of these warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for certain events, including stock dividends, splits and combinations, or a reclassification or change to our outstanding common stock. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants issued to the placement agents are also subject to adjustment if we issue securities convertible into our common stock for consideration less than the then current fair market value of the common shares as determined by our board of directors or if we do not satisfy our registr ation obligations. If we repurchase our securities for a price in excess of the then current fair market value of the common shares as determined by our board of directors, we will offer to repurchase the placement agents' warrant shares at the higher price.

In connection with the placement of the Series B debentures, in September, 1999 we issued an aggregate of 123,631 warrants to the placement agent to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $1.625 per share. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in September 2004. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable on exercise of these warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for certain events, including stock dividends, splits and combinations, or if we reclassify or change our outstanding common stock, sell our company, issue securities without charge at a price less than the then current exercise price of these warrants or distribute assets or securities to our shareholders.

On March 30, 2000 we issued 60,000 warrants for consulting services to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $1.12 per share. The exercise price and number of shares of our common stock issuable on exercise of these warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for certain events, including stock dividends, splits and combinations, or a reclassification or change to our outstanding common stock

As of October 1, 2002 all of the warrants listed above were outstanding. Warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of our shareholders.

Registration Rights

In connection with the issuance and sale of the senior subordinated notes and the Series A and Series B debentures, we entered into agreements with the holders thereof, pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, for the public resale of the shares of our common stock into which such senior subordinated notes and Series A and B debentures are convertible. Holders of warrants issued in connection with the Series B offering also have the right to require our company to include those shares in a registration statement. All of the shares underlying the Series A and B debentures and these warrants have previously been registered for resale by the holders thereof. This registration statement covers such shares that to our knowledge were not previously sold. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of warrants issued to holders of Series A and B debentures in December 2001 are also being registered hereunder.

In connection with our purchase of all of the outstanding capital stock of Interocity Development Corporation completed in January 2001, and our 20% equity investment in Video Technics, Inc. completed in November 2000, we agreed to register certain shares of our common stock issued to shareholders of Interocity and Video Technics. All of such shares have previously been registered for resale by the holders thereof. This registration statement covers such shares which to our knowledge were not previously sold.

We agreed to register shares of our common stock issued to the investors in our April 2000 private placement and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the placement agents in connection with the April 2000 private placement. All of such shares have previously been registered for resale by the holders thereof. This registration statement covers such shares which to our knowledge were not previously sold.

This registration statement includes shares issued or issuable pursuant to warrants issued to our consultants which were previously registered for resale by the holders thereof and to our knowledge were not previously sold.

In 1995 we granted demand and piggyback registration rights to certain holders of our common stock, including affiliates of London Merchant Securities plc, a 5% Shareholder, affiliates of Weiss Peck & Greer, a 5% Shareholder affiliated with Wesley Lang, a director, Charles Diker, a director, and an affiliate of each of Michael Wellesley-Wesley, a director, and Alan J. Hirschfield, a former director. These shares are not being registered under this registration statement.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 40 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

Legal Matters

Our counsel, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP, New York, New York, has passed on the legality of the shares to which this prospectus relates. In addition, a member of the firm acts as our corporate secretary, for which he receives no compensation.

 

Experts

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001and 2000 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001 included in this Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

Our Amended and Restated By-laws provide that a director shall not be liable to us or our shareholders for damages for any breach of duty in such capacity as a director except for liability in the event that:

    • a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such director establishes that his acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or that such director personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which he was not legally entitled, or

    • that such director's acts violated Section 719 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York.

Our Amended and Restated By-laws provide that we shall indemnify directors and officers, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, for all costs reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding in which such director or officer is made a party by virtue of his or her being an officer or director of our company, if such director or officer acted in good faith, for a purpose which he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of our company, and in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be available to directors, officers, and controlling persons of our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price and impair our ability to raise capital in the future.

As of October 1, 2002, 39,563,691 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. Approximately 20,711,678 of our outstanding shares will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act after giving effect to this prospectus. The remaining approximately 18,852,013 outstanding shares of common stock are restricted shares under the terms of the Securities Act. All of the approximately 18,852,013 restricted shares may be eligible for immediate sale pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

In addition, an aggregate of 15,085,757 shares issuable upon conversion of senior subordinated notes and Series A and B debentures, including securities that may be paid in kind, and 1,256,572 shares issuable upon exercise of placement agent and other stock purchase warrants are registered for resale under this prospectus.

We have granted, as of October 1, 2002, options to purchase an aggregate of 3,875,610 shares of common stock under our 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan. All of the shares underlying these options have previously been registered and, subject to the applicable vesting requirements, upon exercise of these options the underlying shares may be resold into the public market.

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned restricted securities for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:

    • one percent of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, or
    • the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the sale. However, pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, the OTC Bulletin Board, where our common stock is quoted, is not an "automated quotation system" referred to in Rule 144(e). As a consequence, this market-based volume limitation allowed for securities listed on an exchange or quoted on NASDAQ is unavailable for our common stock.

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to requirements with respect to manner-of-sale requirements, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, is entitled to sell his or her shares without complying with the manner-of-sale, public information, volume limitation, or notice provisions of Rule 144.

Rule 701, as currently in effect, permits our employees, officers, directors, and consultants who purchased shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract to resell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without compliance with the specific restrictions of Rule 144. Rule 701 provides that affiliates may sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirement and that non-affiliates may sell their shares in reliance on Rule 144 without complying with the holding period, public information, volume limitation, or notice provisions of Rule 144.

Where You Can Find More Information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act for the common shares sold in this offering. This prospectus constitutes a part of that registration statement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules because some parts have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, you should reference the registration statement and its exhibits for further information with respect to us and our common shares being sold in this offering. Copies of the registration statement and its exhibits are on file at the offices of the SEC and on its web site.

You may read and copy the registration statement, including the attached exhibits, and any report, statements or other information that we file at the SEC's public reference facilities located in Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549 and also at the regional offices of the SEC located at 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279 and the Citicorp Center at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference facilities. Our SEC filings will also be available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

If you are a shareholder, you may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Chyron Corporation
5 Hub Drive
Melville, New York 11747
Attention: Ms. Margaret Roed
(631) 845-2000

For further information about us and our common shares being sold in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning any document filed as an exhibit are not necessarily complete and we refer you to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

Chyron Corporation

Index to Financial Statements

Financial Statements:

Page

   

Consolidated Financial Statements for Years Ended December 31, 2001,

 

2000 and 1999:

 
   

Report of Independent Accountants - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

F-2

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and 2000

F-3

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2001,

 

2000 and 1999

F-4

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2001,

 

2000 and 1999

F-5

   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December

 

31, 2001, 2000 and 1999

F-6

   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F-7

   

Consolidated Financial Statements for Three and Six Months Ended

 

June 30, 2002:

 
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2002 (unaudited) and

 

December 31, 2001

F-27

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three

 

Months Ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

F-28

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Six

 

Months Ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

F-29

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six

 

Months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

F-30

   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Six

 

Months Ended June 30, 2002 (unaudited) and Year Ended December 31, 2001

F-31

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

F-32

   

Financial Statement Schedule:

 
   

II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

F-36

   

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

 

 

 

To the Board of Directors and

Shareholders of Chyron Corporation

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Chyron Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing st andards generally accepted in the United States of America which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Melville, New York

March 20, 2002

 

 

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)

December 31,

Assets

2001

2000

Current assets:

   

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 4,342

$15,332

Accounts receivable, net

8,029

13,365

Inventories, net

9,081

14,503

Investments

39

603

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

434

1,481

Total current assets

21,925

45,284

     

Property and equipment

5,803

9,274

Excess of purchase price over net tangible assets acquired, net

856

5,042

Investments

 

154

Software development costs, net

381

1,231

Pension and other assets

4,934

4,843

TOTAL ASSETS

$33,899

$65,828

     

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$10,168

$11,870

Current portion of long-term debt

7,286

2,141

Capital lease obligations

105

254

Total current liabilities

17,559

14,265

     

Long-term debt

1,139

6,571

Convertible debentures

10,798

8,037

Capital lease obligations

217

323

Pension and other liabilities

3,873

3,671

Total liabilities

33,586

32,867

     

Commitments and contingencies

   
     

Shareholders' equity:

   

Preferred stock, par value without designation

   

Authorized - 1,000,000 shares, Issued - none

   

Common stock, par value $.01

   

Authorized - 150,000,000 shares,

   

Issued and outstanding - 39,563,691 and 38,870,467 at

   

2001 and 2000, respectively

396

389

Additional paid-in capital

71,324

70,022

Accumulated deficit

(70,569)

(36,902)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(838)

(548)

Total shareholders' equity

313

32,961

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$33,899

$65,828

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

       

Net sales

$46,182

$56,272

$60,709

Cost of products sold

31,171

30,344

34,651

Gross profit

15,011

25,928

26,058

       

Operating expenses:

     

Selling, general and administrative

28,952

29,858

28,166

Research and development

5,635

6,862

7,315

Restructuring and goodwill impairment charges

12,468

0

6,681

       

Total operating expenses

47,055

36,720

42,162

       

Operating loss

(32,044)

(10,792)

(16,104)

       

(Loss) gain on sale of investments

(328)

607

541

       

Interest and other expense, net

(1,295)

(1,723)

(1,272)

       

Loss before provision for income taxes

(33,667)

(11,908)

(16,835)

       

Provision for income taxes

0

0

(12,949)

       

Net loss

$(33,667)

$(11,908)

$(29,784)

       

Net loss per common share - basic

     

and diluted

$ (.86)

$ (.34)

$ (.93)

       

Weighted average shares used in computing net

     

loss per common share:

     

Basic

39,352

34,824

32,084

Diluted

39,352

34,824

32,084

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

CHYRON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     

Net loss

$(33,667)

$(11,908)

$(29,784)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

     

(used in) provided by operating activities:

     

Restructuring and other unusual charges

10,947

 

6,256

Loss (gain) on sale of investments

328

(607)

(541)

Depreciation and amortization

4,732

4,482

5,556

Non-cash settlement of interest liability

563

542

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

   

13,269

Other

53

   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Accounts receivable, net of acquired assets & liabilities

5,612

(2,042)

6,435

Inventories

5,507

(1,092)

3,609

Prepaid expenses and other assets

736

(395)

350

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(2,345)

2,055

(3,936)

Other liabilities

208

117

22

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(7,326)

(8,848)

1,236

       

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Investment in Video Technics

 

(500)

 

Gross proceeds from sale of RT-Set

113

822

750

Acquisition of Interocity, net of acquired assets and liabilities

(5,000)

   

Acquisition of property and equipment

(505)

(2,093)

(439)

Capitalized software development

_____

_____

(3,129)

Net cash used in investing activities

(5,392)

(1,771)

(2,818)

       

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Paydown of expiring credit facility

   

(8,493)

Proceeds from term loan

2,463

 

8,688

Payments of term loan

(675)

(450)

(1,225)

(Payments) borrowings from revolving credit agreement, net

(2,028)

(3,465)

415

Proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes

2,210

 

6,611

Payments of capital lease obligations

(246)

(394)

(547)

Net proceeds from sales of common stock

 

24,110

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

1

697

_____

Net cash provided by financing activities

1,725

20,498

5,449

     

Effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on cash and

     

cash equivalents

3

0

1

       

Change in cash and cash equivalents

(10,990)

9,879

3,868

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

15,332

5,453

1,585

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$4,342

$15,332

$ 5,453

       

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

     

Interest paid

$ 830

$1,378

$ 859

Income taxes paid

$ 0

$ 0

$ 203

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ($000)

         

Accumulated

 
     

Additional

 

Other

 
     

Paid-In

Retained

Comprehensive

 
 

Shares

Amount

Capital

Earnings

Income(loss)

Total

             

Balance at December 31, 1998

32,058

$ 321

$44,021

$ 4,790

$ 638

$ 49,770

             

Net loss

     

(29,784)

 

(29,784)

             

Cumulative translation adjustment

       

(284)

(284)

             

Unrealized gain on available for

           

sale securities

       

2,647

2,647

             

Total comprehensive loss

         

(27,421)

             

Issuance of common stock

           

as compensation

35

 

52

   

52

             

Warrants issued for consulting services

           

and in connection with debenture

           

issuance

______

______

111

______

______

111

             

Balance at December 31, 1999

32,093

321

44,184

(24,994)

3,001

22,512

             

Net loss

     

(11,908)

 

(11,908)

             

Cumulative translation adjustment

       

(768)

(768)

             

Unrealized loss on available

           

for sale securities

       

(2,781)

(2,781)

             

Total comprehensive loss

         

(15,457)

             

Settlement of interest liability

   

409

   

409

             

Exercise of stock options

233

2

595

   

597

             

Conversion of debentures

20

 

49

   

49

             

Sale of common stock to Microsoft, net

3,097

31

5,922

   

5,953

             

Issuance of stock in connection with

           

investment in Video Technics

300

3

578

   

581

             

Sale of common stock in connection

           

with private placement, net

3,077

31

18,126

   

18,157

             

Warrants issued and exercised

50

1

159

________

_______

160

             

Balance at December 31, 2000

38,870

389

70,022

(36,902)

(548)

32,961

             

Net loss

     

(33,667)

 

(33,667)

             

Cumulative translation adjustment

       

(166)

(166)

             

Unrealized loss on available for sale securities

       

(124)

(124)

             

Total comprehensive loss

         

(33,957)

             

Exercise of stock options

2

 

1

   

1

             

Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Interocity

633

6

1,235

   

1,241

             

Issuance of common stock as compensation

59

1

66

________

______

67

             

Balance at December 31, 2001

39,564

$396

$71,324

$(70,569)

$ (838)

$313

             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement

CHYRON CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Chyron Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ("Chyron" or the "Company") develop, manufacture, market and support a broad range of equipment, software and systems, including paint and animation systems, character generators, signal distribution systems, master control switchers and broadcast automation and media management packages. The worldwide market for equipment, software and systems used in the production and presentation of video and audio content encompasses major television networks, cable television broadcasters, direct to home satellite program distributors, production companies and post-production houses, as well as organizations and individuals creating materials such as corporate and specialized video and audio presentations. As implemented through the restructuring plan, the Company has recently refocused its efforts on its core business and is continuing to develop new products and services for its traditional markets as well as new markets.

The Company provides signal distribution and graphics products to the broadcast industry for use in digital television. Currently, its customers are facing capital budget constraints due to a slowdown in the U.S. economy, and there are few signs of growth in its traditional markets. In addition, the Company has sustained losses from operations in each of the three years ended December 31, 2001, and has failed its financial covenant under its credit agreement for which it obtained waivers and/or amendments. The Company plans to approach 2002 with caution, adopting a modest outlook for growth, and sizing the business accordingly. The Company plans to size the core businesses to a level that will not significantly reduce its cash resources while continuing to invest prudently in its new initiatives. The Company operates in a rapidly changing environment and it must remain responsive to changes as they occur. The Company has configured its business with a substantial level of variable costs, giving it the flexibility to reduce costs if economic conditions deteriorate. The Company has the ability and intention to reduce or delay discretionary expenditures such that it will have sufficient cash resources through December 31, 2002, however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to adjust its variable costs in sufficient time to respond to revenue shortfalls or obtain waivers and/or amendments should defaults occur.

In preparing contingency plans for a reduction in 2002 sales, the Company re-examined its cost structure. Should the Company experience a further decline in revenue it believes it has the ability to make further reductions in staff and overhead, in capital expenditures and in discretionary expenses. However, it should be noted that making another level of cuts in personnel and budgets may prove difficult and may adversely affect the Company's ability to generate revenues.

The Company has bank covenants with its U.S. bank. If the Company's performance was to deteriorate and the Company is in violation of covenants, the bank has the right to demand payment and may do so. The Company has four alternatives to generate cash and payoff the bank debt over an agreed upon period:

- Make additional reductions in staff and overhead (discussed above).

- Sell or enter into a sale - lease back of the Company's office building in Reading U.K. to generate $1.5 million to $2.5 million, net of the existing mortgage.

- Utilize available cash on the balance sheet, which was $4.3 million at December 31, 2001.

- Raise additional capital from third parties, which may include the Company's existing major shareholders and board members, through the sale of Company securities.

There is no guarantee, however, that any of these sources of cash would ever materialize or materialize in a timely fashion.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated. Investments in affiliates of less than 20 percent are generally stated at cost. Investments in companies representing ownership interests of 20 percent to 50 percent are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company includes its prorata share of income (loss) in earnings.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, costs and expenses during the periods presented. The Company considers significant estimates of inventory reserves, allowances for doubtful accounts and warranty reserves. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes cash on deposit and amounts invested in highly liquid money market funds. Cash equivalents consist of short term investments with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2001, and 2000 interest income received on investments approximated $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method. The need for inventory obsolescence provisions is evaluated by the Company and, when appropriate, reserves for technological obsolescence, non-profitability of related product lines and excess quantities are established.

Property, Equipment and Depreciation

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Building

35 years

Machinery and equipment

3-10 years

Furniture and fixtures

5-10 years

Leasehold improvements

Shorter of the life of improvement or

remaining life of the lease

 

Excess of Cost over Net Tangible Assets Acquired

The Company continually evaluates whether changes have occurred that would require revision of the remaining estimated useful life of the assigned excess of cost over the value of net tangible assets acquired (goodwill) or its carrying amount. During 2001, the Company determined that goodwill associated with the 1996 acquisition of Pro-Bel Limited, the Company's Signal Distribution and Automation Division, was impaired as a result of continued declines in the division's financial results as discussed further in Note 3. In addition, the Company also determined that goodwill associated with the 2001 acquisition of Interocity Development Corporation ("Interocity") was impaired as a result of the Company's elimination of its streaming services business as discussed further in Note 3.

Investments

The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." This standard requires that certain debt and equity securities be adjusted to market value at the end of each accounting period. Management determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. At December 31, 2001, all securities covered by SFAS No. 115 were designated as available for sale. Accordingly, these securities are stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of comprehensive income, net of tax. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments, as determined by the specific identification method, are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Software Development Costs

Certain software development costs are capitalized when incurred. Capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility in excess of management defined threshold amounts. The establishment of technological feasibility and the ongoing assessment of recoverability of capitalized software development costs are continually monitored by management with respect to anticipated future revenues and estimated economic life. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is provided on a product-by-product basis using the straight line method over each product's estimated economic life, which ranges from 2-3 years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company continually evaluates whether changes have occurred that would require revisions to the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets. In making such determination, the Company reassesses market value, assesses recoverability and replacement values and evaluates undiscounted cash flows of the underlying business. Currently, management does not believe any of its long-lived assets are impaired.

Revenue Recognition

Net sales, which include revenue derived from product sales and upgrades, as well as service revenue, are recorded upon shipment of product or performance of service. Service revenue is generally recognized ratably over a period of twelve months. Customer service costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are not material. Revenues and costs associated with long-term contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, subject to substantive customer acceptance. Revisions in profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Provisions for anticipated losses are charged to earnings when identified.

In the fourth quarter of 2000, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements, which provides guidance in applying generally accepted accounting principles to certain revenue recognition issues. The adoption of SAB 101 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or overall trends in results of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Foreign Currencies

Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the year. Adjustments from translating foreign subsidiaries' financial statements are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Transaction gains or losses are included in interest and other expenses. The net impact of foreign exchange transactions for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 were a loss of $0.04 million, a loss of $0.3 million and a gain of $0.3 million, respectively.

Net Loss Per Share

The Company reports its net loss per share in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." Basic net loss per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net loss per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year plus, when dilutive, additional shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of outstanding common stock equivalents. For 2001, 2000 and 1999 common stock equivalents of 14,720,616, 8,434,264, and 7,197,176, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted net (loss) income per common share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company accounts for its stock compensation plans in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), and its related interpretations, which requires that compensation cost be recognized on the date of grant for stock options issued based on the difference, if any, between the fair market value of the Company's stock and the exercise price. The Company has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB 25 for transactions with employees and provides pro-forma earnings disclosures for employee stock grants as if the fair value based method of accounting in SFAS No. 123 had been applied to these stock grants. The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and EITF No. 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Iss ued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services."

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations. All business combinations in the scope of this statement are to be accounted for using only the purchase method. The provisions of this statement apply to all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001.

Also in July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Tangible Assets." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are no longer amortized but are reviewed annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment. Separable intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. The Company does not believe the application of the goodwill non-amortization provisions of these rules will have any material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting requirements for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 143 will have any material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121 and the accounting and reporting provisions of the Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 30. SFAS No. 144 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company has determined the impact that SFAS No. 144 will have on its financial position and results of operations will not be material.

2. BUSINESS ACQUISITION

In January 2001, the Company acquired Interocity Development Corporation, a privately-held company based in New York City. The purchase price consisted of $5 million in cash and approximately 633,000 shares of Chyron common stock ($1.3 million) accounted for based on the stock price two days before and two days after the announcement and direct acquisition costs of approximately $0.2 million. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with APB16 and accordingly, the excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired of $6.2 million was allocated to goodwill, which is being amortized over a period of three years. Supplemental pro-forma information required by APB16 has been determined to be immaterial.

Due to a general slowdown in the economy, the Company experienced lower than expected revenues in the streaming media markets. Consequently, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2001, management approved a restructuring plan to realign its organization and curtail any spending associated with pursuit of streaming services. In addition, the Company assessed the recoverability of its investment in Interocity and determined that goodwill associated with this acquisition was permanently impaired. See Note 3.

 

3. GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER

UNUSUAL CHARGES

The Company recorded goodwill impairment, restructuring and other unusual charges totaling $12.5 million during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2001 as summarized in the table below.

Goodwill Impairment, Restructuring and Unusual Charges ($000)

           
 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Total

           

Goodwill impairment

$ 0

$5,478

$3,595

$ 0

$9,073

           

Fixed assets

0

1,504

0

0

1,504

           

Severance

0

749

0

571

1,320

           

Lease commitments

0

523

0

0

523

           

Other

0

48

0

0

48

           

Total

$ 0

$8,302

$3,595

$571

$12,468

           

Total cash outlays

0

1,320

0

571

1,891

           

Remaining cash outlays

         

at December 31, 2001

0

230

0

140

370

The largest write-off ($8.3 million) occurred in the second quarter of 2001 and was directly related to closing down Chyron Streaming Services Division. The second major write-off occurred in the third quarter and was directly related to an impairment of goodwill related to the acquisition of the Pro-Bel Division. The remaining obligation at December 31, 2001, consists of 113,000 in lease commitments and $257,000 in severance costs.

The real estate leased for offices in New York City, London, U.K., Slough, U.K., Atlanta, GA and Cupertino, CA, were written-off as were operating leases for software and leased lines. The Company is actively seeking third parties to sub-lease abandoned facilities. Total lease commitments written off were $523,000.

The Company paid severance to 40 employees of Streaming Services Division who were let go. Employee severance costs amounted to $749,000.

By closing down the Streaming Services Division, in the second quarter of 2001, the Company evaluated its investment in Interocity Development Corporation, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("SFAS 121") (as amended by FAS 144). The Company assessed the recoverability of its investment in Interocity by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows with the carrying amount of its investment. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that the expected future cash flows would be insufficient to recover the carrying value of its investment and determined the asset was impaired. Accordingly, the Company determined that the entire net asset of $5.5 million was non-recoverable and recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $5.5 million during the second quarter of 2001.

In creating the Streaming Services Division, the Company invested in computer equipment, servers and furniture. When the Division was closed the total fixed assets written-off were $1.5 million. The total remaining cash obligation at December 31, 2001 related to the second quarter restructuring equals $0.23 million, consisting of $0.12 million in lease commitments, which amount will be paid out of working capital in roughly equal monthly amounts over the related lease term through the fourth quarter of 2002, and $0.13 million in severance costs that will be paid out of working capital during the first quarter of 2002.

In the third quarter of 2001 due to continued poor results of the Pro-Bel Division, the Company assessed the recoverability of its investment in Pro-Bel by comparing the estimated undiscounted future cash flows with the carrying value of its investment. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that the expected future cash flows would be insufficient to recover the carrying value of its investment and determined the asset was impaired. Accordingly, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $3.6 million during the third quarter of 2001. The Company calculated the goodwill impairment by comparing the carrying value of its investment with the present value of its estimated undiscounted future cash flows.

In the fourth quarter, the Company implemented a company-wide restructuring plan to size our cost structure in line with anticipated revenues. All aspects of our business were examined in the U.S., U.K. and France. A plan was formulated that defined cuts of different magnitudes in all departments. Severance associated with the elimination/termination of 66 employees made in implementing the restructuring plan was $0.57 million. Cash outlays related to severance of $0.43 million were made during the fourth quarter of 2001 and approximately $0.14 million will be paid out during the first and second quarters of 2002, and was accrued for as of December 31, 2001.

4. INVESTMENT IN RT-SET

The Company has an investment in RT-Set, which has been reflected in the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2001 and 2000 at fair market value of $0.04 million and $0.6 million, respectively. An unrealized loss of $0.12 million and $2.8 million is reported as a component of shareholders' equity and other comprehensive income at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. During 2001 and 2000, the Company recognized a loss of $0.33 million and a gain of $0.6 million on the sale of a portion of such security, respectively.

5. INVESTMENT IN VIDEO TECHNICS

In November 2000, the Company purchased a 20% interest in Video Technics, Inc. ("Video Technics"), which develops software for the Chyron Aprisa Clip/Stillstore systems. The purchase price consisted of $500,000 in cash and $581,000 in stock accounted for based on the stock price two days before and two days after the announcement. The Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock in connection with this transaction. The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired, of approximately $1.1 million is being amortized over three years. Approximately $0.35 million in goodwill amortization has been recorded in 2001. The goodwill value net of amortization as of December 31, 2002 is $0.66 million.

6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.9 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Accounts receivable are principally due from customers in, and dealers serving, the broadcast video industry and non-broadcast display markets. At December 31, 2001 and 2000, receivables included approximately $4.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively, due from foreign customers. Accounts receivable also includes earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts accounted for on the percentage of completion method of approximately $3.1 million at December 31, 2000. Such amounts represent revenue recognized on long-term contracts that have not been billed pursuant to contract terms.

Bad debt expense amounted to $0.2 million, $0.9 million and $0.4 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The Company periodically evaluates the credit worthiness of its customers and determines whether collateral (in the form of letters of credit or liens on equipment sold) should be taken or whether reduced credit limits are necessary. Credit losses have consistently been within management's expectations. The carrying amounts of accounts receivable approximate their fair values.

7. INVENTORIES

With the legacy iNFiNiT!, MAX!> and MAXINE! being replaced by new products, such as the Duet lines, it became apparent that inventory contained components, subassemblies and finished goods that were deemed to be slow moving or obsolete. The Company wrote-off $3.2 million in inventory in the third quarter of 2001. The write-off is reported in cost of sales in operations. On December 31, 2001 the majority of the inventories consisted of finished goods and raw material.

Inventory is comprised of the following in thousands:

December 31,

 

2001

2000

Finished goods

$3,644

$ 5,330

Work-in-progress

737

1,133

Raw material

4,700

8,040

 

$9,081

$14,503

8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

During the second quarter of 2001, the Company wrote-off computer equipment, servers and furniture as a result of closing down Streaming Services Division. Total fixed assets written-off were $1.5 million.

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

2001

2000

Land

$ 733

$ 733

Building

1,589

1,589

Machinery and equipment

23,296

23,402

Furniture and fixtures

1,788

2,724

Leasehold improvements

491

912

 

27,897

29,360

Less: Accumulated depreciation

   

and amortization

22,094

20,086

 

$5,803

$ 9,274

Machinery and equipment at December 31, 2001 and 2000 includes $0.45 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of assets held under capital lease obligations. Accumulated depreciation and amortization at December 31, 2001 and 2000 includes $0.12 million and $1.3 million, respectively, attributable to assets held under capital lease obligations.

Depreciation expense, which includes amortization of assets under capital lease, was $1.9 million, $2.6 million and $3.5 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

9. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS

The Company capitalized $3.1 million in software development costs in 1999. In 2000 and 2001, the point between technological feasibility and shipment of product was insignificant, and as such, no costs have been capitalized. Amortization expense has $0.8 million, $1.3 million and $1.5 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. During 1999, approximately $3.6 million was written off as part of a restructuring plan. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2001 and 2000, was $9.7 million and $8.8 million, respectively.

10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

 

2001

2000

Accounts payable

$ 4,577

$ 6,410

Compensation

298

786

Other accrued items

5,293

4,674

 

$10,168

$11,870

11. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

2001

2000

Term loan (a)

$2,100

$ 825

Revolving credit facility (a)

2,711

5,251

Commercial mortgage term loan (b)

1,267

1,452

Trade finance facility (c)

2,347

1,184

 

8,425

8,712

Less amounts due in one year

(7,286)

(2,141)

 

$ 1,139

$ 6,571

(a) On March 29, 1999, the Company entered into a new $12 million credit facility with a U.S. bank, as amended, which expires December 26, 2003. Under this facility, the Company borrowed $2 million in the form of a term loan and can obtain revolving credit loans based on its eligible accounts receivable and inventory for the balance of the facility. The term loan has been paid in full as of December 31, 2001.

On December 26, 2001, the Company entered into a new term loan under the same credit facility in the amount of $2.1 million. The loan requires no principal payments through March 31, 2002 and then $75,000 per month for the period commencing April 1, 2002 through December 1, 2003. The final installment is equal to $0.52 million plus any unpaid accrued interest due on December 26, 2003. Interest will be payable monthly at the Prime Rate plus 2% (4.75% at December 31, 2001). Commencing with the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company is required to make additional payments of principal equal to 25% of the Company's excess cash flows, as defined, for the twelve months ending December 31, 2002.

The Company paid a monthly commitment fee equal to one half of 1% per annum of the daily unused portion of the facility. Total commitment fees paid during 2001, 2000 and 1999 were not significant.

The entire facility is secured by Chyron's accounts receivable and inventory and the common stock of Pro-Bel. The agreement contains requirements for levels of earnings and prohibits the Company from paying dividends in excess of 25% of net income in any fiscal year. As of December 31, 2001, the Company was in violation of its financial covenant with its lender for which its agreement was amended. The lender has the right to call the above facility if these financial covenants are not met.

(b) Pro-Bel has a commercial mortgage term loan with a bank. The loan is secured by a building and property located in the United Kingdom. Interest is equal to LIBOR plus 2% (3.883% at December 31, 2001). The loan is payable in quarterly installments of 22,000 British Pounds Sterling (US$31,966, converted at the December 31, 2001 exchange rate) plus interest.

(c) Pro-Bel has an agreement with a bank for an overdraft facility that has been renewed on an annual basis and expires on December 31, 2002. This agreement, provides for an overdraft facility of 2 million GBP. Total borrowings are limited to amounts computed under a formula for eligible accounts receivable. Interest is equal to the bank's base rate plus 1.5% (5.383% at December 31, 2001) and is payable quarterly. It is currently the Company's intention to refinance this facility prior to its expiration date.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt including convertible debentures (described in Note 12) are as follows (in thousands):

2002

7,286

2003

2,900

2004

12,391

2005

128

2006

128

2007 and thereafter

627

The carrying amounts of long-term debt instruments approximate their fair values.

Net interest expense was $1.5 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

12. SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES

During late 1998 and 1999 the Company raised $7.7 million through the issuance of Series A and Series B 8% subordinated convertible debentures, due December 31, 2003, to certain persons and entities, including certain directors, affiliates and shareholders of the Company. The Series A debentures, totaling $1.2 million, pay interest quarterly and are convertible, at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $2.466 per share. The Series A debentures may be redeemed by the Company at any time after December 31, 1999 for a price equal to the principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the debentures at the redemption date. As of December 31, 2001, the aggregate principal was $1.2 million and all interest due was paid in cash.

The Series B debentures, with an original face value of $6.5 million, are convertible, at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.625 per share. In certain circumstances, the Series B debentures may be redeemed by the Company, commencing one year from issue date, for a price equal to the principal and accrued but unpaid interest at the redemption date. Interest is payable quarterly and may be paid by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. During 2001 approximately $0.56 million of interest was paid in the form of additional debentures issued by the Company. The total accumulated principal, including additional debentures paid in kind, at December 31, 2001, was $7.4 million.

On December 17, 2001, the terms of the existing Series A and Series B subordinated convertible debentures were amended to extend the maturity date of the Series A and B debentures from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004, increase the interest rate from 8% to 12%, and provide that until December 31, 2004, interest may be paid in the form of additional debentures, or in cash, at the Company's sole option. On February 28, 2002, the Company's board of directors agreed to pay interest on the Series A and Series B convertible debentures only by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. In connection with the amendment to the Series A and Series B debentures, on December 17, 2001, the Company issued warrants to holders of the amended Series A and Series B debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price equal to $0.35 per share. The warrants have been reflected as a discount to the related obligation, which will be amorti zed as additional interest expense over the life of the debt. The warrants are immediately vested and are exercisable through December 31, 2004 at $0.35 per share. A registration statement relating to the shares of common stock underlying the warrants is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by April 15, 2002.

The Series A and Series B debentures have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The sales of the Series A and Series B debentures were made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, afforded by Section 4(2) thereof and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the purchasers of the Series A and Series B debentures acquired them for their own accounts, and not with a view to any distribution thereof.

In December 2001, the Company completed a private placement of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes and received $2.21 million, exclusive of offering costs of $0.2 million, which have been deferred and will be reflected as additional interest expense over the term of the Notes. These Senior Subordinated Notes have a maturity date of December 31, 2003. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, interest is payable in the form of additional Senior Subordinated Notes, or in cash, at the option of the Company. The Senior Subordinated Notes are immediately convertible into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $0.35. A registration statement relating to the shares of common stock underlying the Senior Subordinated Notes is required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by April 15, 2002. On February 28, 2002, the board of directors agreed to amend the Senior Subordinated Notes. The board resolved that the Company will only pay interest on the Senior Subo rdinated Notes by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder.

13. COMMON STOCK

In January 2001, the Company issued 632,412 shares of common stock in connection with its acquisition of Interocity Development Corporation, as is explained more fully in Note 2, "Business Acquisition."

In May 2001, the Company issued 58,898 shares of common stock to certain executive officers as partial payment of their bonus compensation for 2000.

In April 2000, the Company raised gross proceeds of $20 million in connection with a private placement of 3,076,923 shares of its common stock at a price of $6.50. The offering price per share was determined based on negotiations between the Company and its placement agents taking into account the historical trading history of the common stock and market conditions at such time. The price of the common stock, as listed on the New York Stock Exchange, ranged between $5.44 and $9.44 on the various closing dates. In connection with the private placement, the Company issued 151,914 warrants to the placement agents and 60,000 warrants to a consulting company to purchase common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $6.50. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in April 2005.

In November 2000, the Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock in connection with its purchase of a 20% interest in Video Technics, as is explained more fully in Note 5, "Investment in Video Technics."

In November 2000, Microsoft purchased 3,096,774 shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $1.9375, totaling $6 million. As a result, as of December 31, 2001, Microsoft owned approximately 8% of the Company. The Company used the proceeds from the sale to fund the development of interactive tools and the growth of the Company's streaming services division. Microsoft sold all of those shares in March 2002.

14. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

In May 1999, the Company's shareholders approved the 1999 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan allows for a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of common stock to be available with respect to the grant of awards under the Plan, plus the number of shares remaining available under pre-existing plans. The Plan allows for the award of incentive and non-incentive options to employees and non-incentive options to non-employee members of the Company's board of directors. The Plan allows for a committee, designated by the board, to determine the time and circumstances under which an employee option may be exercised. The terms of all previously granted options were unchanged. All options granted under the Plan have a term of ten years.

All options issued to employees, other than the Company's current and former Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and another officer, vest over a three year period. Certain options issued to the current and former CEO and the other officer vest one third at issuance, with the remaining two thirds vesting over two years.

Transactions involving stock options are summarized as follows:

 

Stock Options

Range of Exercise

Weighted Average

 

Outstanding

Price per Share

Exercise Price Per Share

Balance at December 31, 1999

2,399,924

$0.75 - $16.13

2.09

Granted

1,345,499

$1.88 - $ 4.00

2.48

Exercised

(233,962)

$0.75 - $ 9.38

1.00

Canceled

(157,634)

$0.75 - $ 5.38

1.88

Balance at December 31, 2000

3,353,827

$0.75 - $16.13

2.23

Granted

1,697,500

$0.32 - $ 2.13

0.92

Exercised

(1,914)

$ 0.75

0.75

Canceled

(1,280,901)

$0.55 - $ 5.38

2.08

Balance at December 31, 2001

3,768,512

$0.32 - $16.13

1.70

The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable stock options:

 

Exercise
Price

Outstanding at
December 31, 2001

Weighted Average
Contractual Life

Exercisable at
December 31, 2001

$ 0.32

360,000

9.87

-

0.44

125,000

9.74

62,499

0.50

35,000

9.58

35,000

0.55

613,000

9.56

264,998

0.74

5,000

9.37

-

1.14

11,000

9.22

-

1.88

286,155

8.88

101,658

2.19

263,161

8.82

97,802

2.25

-

8.58

-

2.38

40,000

8.58

40,000

3.19

-

8.48

-

3.13

10,000

8.45

3,333

2.75

8,333

8.43

8,333

3.38

226,997

8.42

81,325

2.94

15,000

8.41

5,000

4.00

4,500

8.11

2,500

3.06

-

8.02

-

0.75

332,990

7.82

230,444

1.38

30,000

7.58

30,000

1.63

120,505

7.55

102,171

1.94

300,000

7.44

300,000

2.50

34,000

7.41

28,666

2.00

263,337

7.20

259,003

2.13

562,874

7.04

313,955

3.94

1,000

6.36

1,000

3.75

25,000

6.17

25,000

5.38

8,000

5.82

8,000

4.50

16,665

5.58

16,665

5.88

6,667

5.18

6,667

12.75

3,333

4.71

3,333

16.13

23,331

4.58

23,331

9.38

3,333

4.14

3,333

5.63

23,331

3.73

23,331

4.88

11,000

3.56

11,000

 

3,768,512

 

2,088,347

If the Company had elected to recognize compensation expense based upon the fair values at the grant date for awards under this plan consistent with the methodology prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company's net loss and net loss per share would be increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

2001

2000

1999

Net loss (in thousands):

     

As reported

$(33,667)

$(11,908)

$(29,784)

Pro forma

(34,539)

(12,137)

(31,293)

       

Net loss per common share:

     

As reported

$(0.86)

$(.34)

$(.93)

Pro forma

(0.88)

(.35)

(.98)

These pro forma amounts may not be representative of future disclosures since the estimated fair value of stock options is amortized to expense over the vesting period for purposes of future pro forma disclosures, and additional options may be granted in future years. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for 2001, 2000 and 1999: dividend yield of 0; expected volatility of 110.9% and expected life of 4 years in 2001 and 4 years in 2000 and 4-5 years in 1999. The weighted average risk free interest rates for 2001, 2000 and 1999 were 4.25%, 6.04% and 5.96%, respectively. Using these assumptions, the weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2001, 2000 and 1999 was $0.68, $1.14 and $0.61 per option share, respectively.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including expected price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options.

15. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

 

2001

2000

1999

Current:

     

Federal and State

$ 0

$ 28

$ 45

Foreign

0

0

0

 

0

28

45

Deferred:

     

Federal and State

0

(28)

(4,865)

Foreign

   

(503)

Valuation reserve

0

0

18,272

 

____

____

12,904

Total provision

$ 0

$ 0

$12,949

The effective income tax rate differed from the Federal statutory rate as follows (in thousands):

 

2001

2000

1999

 

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Federal income tax benefit

           

at statutory rate

$(11,447)

(34.0)

$(4,048)

(34.0)

$(5,724)

(34.0)

State income taxes, net

           

of federal tax benefit

0

0

(1)

0.0

30

0.2

Permanent differences

338

1.0

(320)

(2.7)

45

0.3

Foreign income tax provision

0

0.0

       

International rate differences

354

1.0

199

1.7

36

0.2

Effect of valuation allowance of

           

deferred tax assets

10,755

32.0

3,660

30.7

18,272

108.5

Other, net

0

0.0

510

4.3

290

1.7

 

$ 0

0.0

$ 0

0.0

$12,949

76.9

 

The components of the Company's deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented in the tables below.

 

December 31,

 

2001

2000

Post-reorganization net operating loss carryforward

$17,629

$11,175

Pre-reorganization net operating loss carryforward

4,461

4,461

Pre-reorganization deductible temporary differences

2,161

2,218

Other

8,826

4,579

Total deferred tax assets

33,077

22,433

     

Pre-reorganization taxable temporary differences

83

83

Other

307

418

Total deferred tax liabilities

390

501

Deferred tax valuation allowance

32,687

21,932

Net deferred tax asset

$ 0

$ 0

At December 31, 2001, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") of approximately $55 million expiring between the years 2003 through 2021. In connection with the Company's emergence in 1991 from its reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the benefit of the Company's pre-reorganization NOLs were not reflected in net income, but rather recorded as an increase to paid-in capital. In addition, such NOLs ($13.1 million) are subject to annual limitations under U.S. income tax rules as a result of the changes in control of the Company.

In the second quarter of 1999, the Company established a full valuation allowance of $14.1 million against its net deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances have been recorded on all losses since 1999. The Company's net deferred tax assets include substantial amounts of net operating loss carryforwards. Inability to generate taxable income within the carryforward period would affect the ultimate realization of such assets. Consequently, management determined that sufficient uncertainty exists regarding the realization of these assets to warrant the establishment of the allowance.

16. BENEFIT PLANS

Chyron Corporation has a domestic defined benefit pension plan (the "U.S. Pension Plan") covering substantially all U.S. employees meeting minimum eligibility requirements. Benefits paid to retirees are based upon age at retirement, years of credited service and average compensation. Pension expense is actuarially determined using the projected unit credit method. The Company's policy is to fund the minimum contributions required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The assets of the U.S. Pension Plan at December 31, 2001 include government bonds, equities, mutual funds and cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2001, Chyron stock represented 2.2 percent of total pension investments.

 

Benefit plan information for the U.S. Pension Plan is as follows (in thousands):

 

2001

2000

Reconciliation of benefit obligation

   

Obligation at January 1

$1,585

$1,641

Service cost

370

324

Interest cost

126

105

Plan amendments

3

 

Actuarial (gain) loss

85

(113)

Benefit payments

(73)

(372)

Obligation at December 31

$2,096

$1,585

     

Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets

   

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

$1,440

$1,912

Actual return on plan assets

(85)

(100)

Employer contributions

   

Benefit payments

(74)

(372)

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

$1,281

$1,440

     

Funded Status

   

Funded status at December 31

$ (813)

$ (145)

Unrecognized prior-service cost

(409)

(444)

Unrecognized (gain) loss

(1,346)

(1,714)

Net amount recognized

$(2,568)

$(2,303)

 

2001

2000

1999

Components of net periodic pension cost

     

Service cost

$ 370

$ 324

$ 523

Interest cost

126

105

164

Expected return on plan assets

(119)

(162)

(216)

Amortization of prior service cost

(34)

(34)

(34)

Amortization of net (gain) loss

(78)

(112)

(69)

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 265

$ 121

$ 368

       
       

Weighted-average assumptions as of

     

December 31

     

Discount rate

7.25%

7.5%

8.0%

Expected return on plan assets

9.0%

9.0%

9.0%

Rate of compensation increase

4.5%

5.0%

5.0%

Pro-Bel has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the "U.K. Pension Plan") covering all its permanent employees. Contributions are determined on the basis of valuations using the projected unit method. Pro-Bel's policy is to fund minimum contributions required pursuant to U.K. rules and regulations. The assets of the U.K. Pension Plan at December 31, 2000 and 1999 include cash equivalents and land and a building.

 

Benefit plan information for the U.K. Pension Plan is as follows (in thousands):

 

2001

2000

Reconciliation of benefit obligation

   

Obligation at January 1

$12,299

$11,321

Service cost

745

741

Interest cost

734

676

Plan amendments

   

Actuarial (gain) loss

(571)

(183)

Benefit payments

(194)

(256)

Obligation at December 31

$13,013

$12,299

     

Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets

   

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

$14,736

$12,056

Actual return on plan assets

(849)

2,223

Employer contributions

644

712

Benefit payments

(194)

(255)

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

$14,337

$14,736

     

Funded status

   

Funded status at December 31

$1,325

$2,437

Unrecognized prior-service cost

2,073

743

Unrecognized loss

536

585

Net amount recognized

$3,934

$3,765

 

 

2001

2000

1999

Components of net periodic pension cost

     

Service cost

$ 745

$ 741

$ 739

Interest cost

734

676

531

Expected return on plan assets

(1,052)

(861)

(763)

Amortization of prior service cost

49

49

48

Amortization of net (gain) loss

0

77

8

Net periodic pension cost

$ 476

$ 682

$ 563

       

Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31

     

Discount rate

5.5%

6.0%

6.0%

Expected return on plan assets

6.5%

7.0%

7.0%

Rate of compensation increase

3.5%

6.0%

4.0%

The Company has adopted a 401(k) Plan exclusively for the benefit of participants and their beneficiaries. All U.S. employees of Chyron Corporation are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Effective July 1, 1998, the Company amended its 401(k) Plan by increasing the matching contribution of the Company to 20% and changing its matching contributions from cash to Company common stock and the vesting period for the matching contribution to three years. An employee may elect to contribute a percentage of his or her current compensation to the 401(k) Plan, subject to a maximum of 20% of compensation or the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit ($10,500 in 2001 and 2000), whichever is less. Total compensation that can be considered for contribution purposes is limited to $170,000.

Chyron Corporation can elect to make a contribution to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of those participants who have made salary deferral contributions. During 2001, 2000 and 1999, the Company contributed $0.09 million, $0.06 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the 401(k) Plan.

 

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At December 31, 2001, the Company was obligated under operating and capital leases covering facility space and equipment as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating

Capital

     

2002

1,414

149

2003

1,113

123

2004

836

108

2005

595

36

2006

550

0

2007 thereafter

5,298

0

The operating leases contain provisions for escalations and for maintenance and real estate taxes. Total rent expense was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.3 million, for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The cumulative imputed interest in the capital lease obligation was $0.1 million at December 31, 2001.

The Company, from time to time, is involved in routine legal matters incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The secretary of the Company, a non-executive position, is affiliated with a law firm that rendered various legal services to the Company for which the Company incurred costs of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million during 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

In November 2000, the Company purchased 20% of Video Technics, a supplier of certain hardware and software products.

Since the Company has hardware manufacturing capabilities and supply arrangements, the relationship with Video Technics changed. Video Technics currently only writes the software, sold under license to the Company, and the Company produces the servers.

The price of the Video Technics software is fixed. It is set by Video Technics, taking into account market conditions and competitive offerings. Purchases of Aprisa Clip/Stillstore products from Video Technics were approximately $1.3 million, $2.5 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Currently, the Company is the only customer of Video Technics whose financial well being is dependent on the Company's success with the Aprisa line. Being a privately-held and small company, there is no assurance that Video Technics will not face financial problems, thus being unable to meet its supply obligations and endangering the Aprisa product line for several months. In the past the Aprisa line has provided significant revenues to the Company and is expected to continue doing so in fiscal year 2002.

During fiscal year 2001, Mr. Michael Wellesley-Wesley, a member of the Office of the Chairman, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee of our board of directors, was paid $15,000 on a monthly basis for a period of six months and an additional $26,000 in other forms of compensation for consulting and other services rendered in respect of transactions and potential transactions involving the Company. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley will continue to receive the $15,000 monthly payment during fiscal 2002 for consulting and other services related to future transactions involving the Company.

19. OTC BULLETIN BOARD QUOTATION

In July 1999, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) revised the minimum requirements for continued listing by eliminating the net tangible asset requirement of $12 million and replacing it with a stockholders' equity of $50 million and raising global market capitalization to $50 million from $12 million. The Company was allotted 18 months to comply with the revised listing requirements. In April 2001, the Company received notification that its stock should be removed from the NYSE list as it was not in compliance with the revised continued listing requirements. The Company requested a review with a committee of the board of directors of the NYSE to appeal the decision, which was scheduled for June 6, 2001. In May 2001, the Company voluntarily withdrew its appeal of the NYSE's decision due to the considerable amount of resources it would cost to appeal the decision. The Company believes it is in the best interest of its shareholders to focus its efforts on executing its business plan an d improving the operating performance of the Company.

The Company's common stock has been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board since May 25, 2001, under the symbol CYRO. The OTC Bulletin Board is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last sales prices and volume information in over-the-counter equity securities.

20. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Chyron's businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as three segments. The segments, which are based on differences in products and technologies, are Graphics Products, Signal Distribution and Automation, and Streaming Services.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." The Company is an integrated organization characterized by interdivisional cooperation, cost allocations and inventory transfers. Therefore, management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the financial information shown below. Geographic revenues are segregated by country, where material, based on the location to which products are shipped. Geographic identifiable assets are segregated by country, where material, based on the location of those assets.

 

 

Business Segment Information

 

(In thousands)

       
   

Signal Distribution

Streaming

 

Graphics*

and Automation

Services

Net sales

     

2001

$18,854

$27,106

$ 222

2000

26,867

29,367

38

1999

28,054

32,655

0

       

Operating loss

     

2001

$(10,428)

$(8,866)

$(12,750)

2000

(1,508)

(4,537)

(4,747)

1999

(13,415)

(2,689)

0

       

Identifiable assets

     

2001

$14,567

$19,332

$ 0

2000

35,721

28,957

1,150

1999

24,535

33,846

0

       

Depreciation and amortization

     

2001

$1,935

$1,892

$905

2000

1,765

2,567

150

1999

2,481

3,075

0

*Operating loss includes unusual charges in 2001 and 1999 of $12,468 and $6,681, respectively.

Geographic Areas

(In thousands)

 

United States

United Kingdom

Other

Net sales

     

2001

$19,929

$13,422

$12,831

2000

32,805

9,895

13,572

1999

32,520

11,649

16,540

       
       

     

     
       
       

Identifiable assets

     

2001

$14,567

$19,332

$ 0

2000

38,070

27,703

55

1999

26,231

32,090

60

 

 

 

 

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)

ASSETS

 

(Unaudited)

Current assets:

June 30,
2002

December 31,
2001

Cash and cash equivalents

$2,260

$4,342

Accounts receivable, net

7,813

8,029

Inventories, net

8,832

9,081

Investments

52

39

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

709

434

Total current assets

19,666

21,925

     

Property and equipment, net

5,042

5,803

Intangible assets, net

430

654

Software development costs, net

180

381

Pension asset

3,794

3,794

Other assets

1,263

1,342

TOTAL ASSETS

$30,375

$33,899

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Current liabilities:

   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$9,409

$10,168

Current portion of long-term debt

4,599

7,286

Capital lease obligations

130

105

Total current liabilities

14,138

17,559

     

Long-term debt

2,054

1,139

Convertible debentures

11,222

10,798

Capital lease obligations

170

217

Pension liability

2,575

2,453

Other liabilities

1,422

1,420

Total liabilities

31,581

33,586

     

Commitments and contingencies

   
     

Shareholders' equity (deficit):

Preferred stock, par value without designation

   

Authorized - 1,000,000 shares, Issued - none

   

Common stock, par value $.01

   

Authorized - 150,000,000 shares

   

Issued and outstanding - 39,563,691 at June 30, 2002

   

and December 31, 2001

396

396

Additional paid-in capital

71,453

71,324

Accumulated deficit

(72,376)

(70,569)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(679)

(838)

Total shareholders' equity (deficit)

(1,206)

313

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

$30,375

$ 33,899

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 AND 2001
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

2002

2001

Net sales

$10,297

$13,226

Cost of products sold

5,028

8,298

Gross profit

5,269

4,928

     

Operating expenses:

   

Selling, general and administrative

5,040

8,173

Research and development

1,004

1,478

Restructuring and other unusual charges

8,303

   

Total operating expenses

6,044

17,954

     

Operating loss

(775)

(13,026)

     

Interest expense

541

472

     

Interest income

(4)

(75)

     

Other (income) expense, net

(325)

102

     

Net loss

$(987)

$(13,525)

     

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$(.02)

$(.34)

     

Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per
common share - basic and diluted

39,564

39,530

     

Comprehensive loss:

   

Net loss

$(987)

$(13,525)

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

82

(1)

Unrealized (loss) gain on securities available for sale

(27)

99

Total comprehensive loss

$(932)

$(13,427)

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 AND 2001
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

2002

2001

     

Net sales

$20,365

$23,911

Cost of products sold

9,558

14,275

Gross profit

10,807

9,636

     

Operating expenses:

   

Selling, general and administrative

9,655

17,453

Research and development

2,058

3,441

Restructuring and other unusual charges

8,303

   

Total operating expenses

11,713

29,197

     

Operating loss

(906)

(19,561)

     

Interest expense

1,109

902

     

Interest income

(8)

(180)

     

Other (income) expense, net

(200)

548

     

Net loss

$(1,807)

$(20,831)

     

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$(.05)

$(.53)

     

Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per
common share - basic and diluted

39,564

39,341

     

Comprehensive loss:

   

Net loss

$(1,807)

$(20,831)

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

   

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

146

(127)

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale

13

(202)

     

Total comprehensive loss

$(1,648)

$(21,160)

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

CHYRON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 AND 2001
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

2002

2001

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   

Net loss

$(1,807)

$(20,831)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)

operating activities:

   

Restructuring and other unusual charges

 

7,798

Depreciation and amortization

1,310

3,096

Non-cash settlement of interest liability

665

271

Amortization of debt issue costs

202

63

Other

47

148

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquired business in 2001:

   

Accounts receivable

482

2,383

Inventories

560

372

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(330)

(80)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(874)

(1,051)

Other liabilities

115

77

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

370

(7,754)

     

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   

Acquisitions of property and equipment

(28)

(806)

Sale of investments

 

67

Business acquisition

(4,662)

Net cash used in investing activities

(28)

(5,401)

     

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   

Payments of term loan

(225)

(450)

(Payments) borrowings on revolving credit agreements, net

(2,142)

748

Payments of capital lease obligations

(63)

(144)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(2,430)

154

     

Effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

6

3

     

Change in cash and cash equivalents

(2,082)

(12,998)

     

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

4,342

15,332

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$2,260

$ 2,334

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

CHYRON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In Thousands) (Unaudited)

             

Accumulated

     

Additional

 

Other

 
     

Paid-In

Retained

Comprehensive

 
 

Shares

Amount

Capital

Earnings

Income(loss)

Total

             

Balance at December 31, 2000

38,870

389

70,022

(36,902)

(548)

32,961

             

Net loss

     

(33,667)

 

(33,667)

             

Cumulative translation adjustment

       

(166)

(166)

             

Unrealized loss on available for sale securities

       

(124)

(124)

             

Total comprehensive loss

         

(33,957)

             

Exercise of stock options

2

 

1

   

1

             

Shares issued in connection with the

           

acquisition of Interocity

633

6

1,235

   

1,241

             

Issuance of common stock as compensation

59

1

66

__ ____

______

67

             

Balance at December 31, 2001

39,564

$396

$71,324

$(70,569)

$(838)

$313

             

Net loss

     

(1,807)

 

(1,807)

             

Cumulative translation adjustment

       

146

146

             

Unrealized gain on available for

           

sale securities

       

13

13

             

Total comprehensive income

         

159

             
             

Warrants issued in connection with senior notes

           

issuance and debentures amendment

______

____

129

______ _

_____

129

             

Balance at June 30, 2002

39,564

$396

$71,453

$(72,376)

$(679)

$(1,206)

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General

In the opinion of management of Chyron Corporation (the "Company"), the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2002 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2002 and 2001. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2002. In addition, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Also, during interim periods, certain costs and expenses are allocated among periods based on an estimate of time expired, benefit received, or other activity associated with the periods. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. The December 31, 2001 figures included herein were derived from such audited consolidated financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2001 financial statements to conform to the 2002 method of presentation.

 

Nature of Business

The Company provides signal distribution and graphics products to the broadcast industry for use in digital television. Currently, its customers are facing capital budget constraints due to a slowdown in the worldwide economy, and there are few signs of growth in its traditional markets. In addition, the Company has sustained losses from operations in each of the three years ended December 31, 2001, and had from time to time failed its financial covenant under its credit agreement for which it obtained waivers and/or amendments. While the Company met its financial covenants under its revolving line of credit agreement in the first and second quarters of 2002, there is no assurance that it will meet such covenants in future quarters. During 2002, the Company is operating with caution, adopting a modest outlook for growth, and sizing the business accordingly to conserve cash. The Company operates in a rapidly changing environment and it must remain responsive to changes as they occur. Th e Company has the ability and intention to reduce its variable costs or discretionary spending if necessary during 2002 in order to conserve cash. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to adjust its variable costs and reduce capital expenditures and discretionary spending in sufficient time to respond to revenue shortfalls, or obtain waivers and/or amendments should defaults occur under its revolving line of credit or otherwise.

2. BUSINESS ACQUISITION

In January 2001, the Company acquired Interocity Development Corporation, a privately-held company based in New York City. The purchase price consisted of $5 million in cash and approximately 633,000 shares of Chyron common stock ($1.3 million) accounted for based on the stock price two days before and two days after the announcement and direct acquisition costs of approximately $0.2 million. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with APB16 and accordingly, the excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired of $6.2 million was allocated to goodwill. Due to a general slowdown in the economy, the Company experienced lower than expected revenues in the streaming media markets. Consequently, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2001, management approved a restructuring plan to realign its organization and curtail any spending associated with pursuit of streaming services. In addition, the Company assessed the recoverability of its investment in Inter ocity and determined that the entire net asset associated with this acquisition was permanently impaired and recognized a charge of $5.5 million during the second quarter of 2001.

3. RESTRUCTURING

During 2001 the Company recorded goodwill impairment, restructuring and other unusual charges totaling $12.5 million. At December 31, 2001, future cash outlays associated with these charges totaled $0.37 million. During the first six months of 2002, $0.31 million of costs related to severance and lease payments were paid, and the remaining $0.06 million is expected to be paid before the end of 2002.

4. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142). Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 142, the Company is amortizing the value of its supplier arrangement with a related party over the three-year life of the contract. As of June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the gross asset balance was $1.1 million, and the accumulated amortization was $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2002 was $0.09 million and $0.18 million, respectively. Estimated annual amortization for other intangibles is as follows:

Year Ending December 31

Amount (In thousands)

2002

$ 354

2003

300

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories, net of obsolescence reserves, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

June 30,
2002

December 31,
2001

Finished goods

$3,803

$3,644

Work-in-process

895

737

Raw material

4,134

4,700

 

$8,832

$9,081

 

6. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Chyron's businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as two segments. The segments, which are based on differences in products and technologies, are Graphics Products and Signal Distribution and Automation. The Streaming Services Division was closed in the second quarter of 2001.The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" included in the Company's Financial Statements contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. The Company is an integrated organization characterized by interdivisional cooperation, cost allocations and inventory transfers. Therefore, management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the financial information shown below.

Business Segment Information

Signal

(In thousands)

Distribution &

Streaming

Graphics

Automation

Services

Three months ended June 30, 2002

Net sales

$5,879

$4,418

Operating loss

(37)

(738)

Depreciation and amortization

358

302

Three months ended June 30, 2001

Net sales

$5,070

$8,116

$ 40

Operating loss(1)

(1,696)

(1,309)

(10,021)

Depreciation and amortization

597

546

353

Geographic Areas

United States

United Kingdom

Other

Three months ended June 30, 2002

Net sales

$4,833

$2,033

$3,431

Three months ended June 30, 2001

Net sales

$5,301

$4,448

$3,477

(1) Includes restructuring and unusual charges of $8.3 million.

7. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." The statement primarily rescinds and amends certain reporting requirements relating to gains and losses from extinguishment of debt, accounting for intangible assets of motor carriers, and accounting for leases in sale-leaseback transactions. The provision of the statement relating to gains and losses on extinguishment of debt is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002 while the remaining provisions of the statement are effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" (SFAS 146). This statement provides guidance on the recognition and measurement of liabilities associated with disposal activities and is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

d) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II

 

CHYRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In thousands)

 

 

Column A

Column B

Column C

Column D

Column E

         
 

Balance at

Charged to

 

Balance at

 

Beginning

Costs and

 

End of

Description

of Period

Expenses

Deductions

Period

         

Reserves and allowances deducted from

       

asset accounts:

       
         

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001

       

Allowance for doubtful accounts

$ 2,274

$ 200

$ 551

$ 1,923

Inventory reserves

12,332

2,868

632

14,568

Deferred tax valuation allowance

21,932

10,755

0

32,687

         

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

       

Allowance for doubtful accounts

$ 3,324

$ 945

$1,995

$ 2,274

Inventory reserves

13,460

937

2,065

12,332

Deferred tax valuation allowance

18,272

3,660

0

21,932

         

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999

       

Allowance for doubtful accounts

$ 3,881

$ 400

$ 957

$ 3,324

Inventory reserves

10,066

4,177

783

13,460

Deferred tax valuation allowance

0

18,272

0

18,272

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information contained in this document is current only as of its date.

19,064,781 Shares

Chyron Corporation

Common Stock

 

 

____________

Prospectus

____________

 

OCTOBER 18, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

Part II

Information Not Required in Prospectus

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the shares of common stock being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registration fee.

SEC registration fee

$ 428

Accounting fees and expenses

15,000

Legal fees and expenses

75,000

Blue Sky qualification fees and expenses

10,000

Miscellaneous expenses

4,572

Total

$105,000

The holders of the shares being registered hereby will be responsible for all selling commissions, transfer taxes, and related charges in connection with the offer and sale of the shares offered hereby.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Pursuant to the statutes of the State of New York, a director or officer of a corporation is entitled, under specified circumstances, to indemnification by the corporation against reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of a civil or criminal proceeding to which he has been made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that he or she was such director or officer. In certain circumstances, indemnity is provided against judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement. In general, indemnification is available where the director or officer acted in good faith, for a purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation. Specific court approval is required in some cases. The foregoing statement is subject to the detailed provisions of Sections 715, 717 and 723-725 of the New York Business Corporation Law ("BCL").

We have entered into indemnity agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnity agreements provide that directors and executive officers (the "Indemnitees") will be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest possible extent permitted by law including against all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, penalties and settlement amounts paid or incurred by them in any action, suit or proceeding on account of their services as director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of us or as directors, officers, employees or agents of any other company or entity at our request. We will not, however, be obligated pursuant to the agreements to indemnify or advance expenses to an indemnified party with respect to any action (1) in which a judgment adverse to the Indemnitee establishes (a) that the Indemnitee's acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in either case, were material, or (b) that the Indem nitee personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled, or (2) which the Indemnitee initiated, prior to a change in control of our company, against us or any of our directors or officers unless we consented to the initiation of such claim.

The indemnity agreements require an Indemnitee to reimburse us for expenses advanced only to the extent that it is ultimately determined that the director or executive officer is not entitled, under section 723(a) of the BCL and the indemnity agreement, to indemnification for such expenses.

The indemnification provision in our Amended and Restated By-laws, and the indemnification agreements entered into between us and the Indemnitees, may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Indemnitees for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Set forth below is information regarding securities sold by us since 1999 which were not registered under the Securities Act. We believe that each transaction was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering, based on the private nature of the transactions and the financial sophistication of the purchasers, all of whom had access to complete information concerning us and acquired the securities for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof.

            1. In December 2001, we issued an aggregate of $2.21 million principal amount of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes, due December 31, 2003, to an aggregate of 26 investors, including certain directors, officers and holders of our securities. The senior subordinated notes are convertible, at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.35 per share. Interest on the senior subordinated notes is paid quarterly by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder. We paid an aggregate of $51,000 to our placement agent in connection with this offering.
            2. In December 2001, in connection with an amendment to our Series A and Series B debentures, we issued warrants to holders of our Series A and Series B debentures to purchase an aggregate of 861,027 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.35 per share.
            3. In May 2001, we issued an aggregate of 58,898 shares of common stock valued at $67,040 to an aggregate of four executive officers as partial payment of their bonus compensation for 2000.
            4. In January 2001, we issued 632,412 shares of common stock in connection with our acquisition of Interocity Development Corporation. The value of the stock on the date of the transaction was approximately $1.26 million, or $ 2.00 per share.
            5. In November 2000, we issued 3,096,774 shares of our common stock to Microsoft Corporation at a per share price equal to $1.9375, for an aggregate amount of $6 million. As a result, at that time Microsoft acquired approximately 8% of our company, which it sold to certain directors, officers and employees of our company and holders of our securities -on March 22, 2002. The sale by Microsoft was a private negotiated transaction between Microsoft and the buying shareholders at a price of $0.18 per share. The closing price of our common stock on the day the transaction closed was $0.38 per share and trading volume was 4,500 shares.
            6. In November 2000, we issued 300,000 shares of common stock in connection with our acquisition of a 20% interest in Video Technics, Inc. The value of the stock on the date of purchase was $582,000 or $1.94 per share.
            7. In April 2000, we issued an aggregate of 3,076,923 shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to $6.50, for an aggregate of $20 million, to an aggregate of 83 investors, including certain directors, officers and holders of our securities. We paid an aggregate of $1,075,000 to our placement agents in connection with this offering.
            8. In connection with the private placement completed in April 2000, we issued 151,914 warrants to the placement agents and 60,000 warrants to a consulting company to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $6.50. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in April 2005.
            9. In March 2000 we issued 60,000 warrants for consulting services to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $1.12 per share. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in March 2005.
            10. On September 7, 1999, we completed a private placement of $6,452,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003 (the "Series B Debentures") to an aggregate of 15 investors, including certain directors, officers and holders of our securities. The Series B Debentures are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.625 per share. As of October 1, 2002, no Series B debentures had previously been converted into shares of our common stock. Currently the Series B debentures bear interest at 12%, which interest is paid quarterly by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder, and the maturity date has been extended to December 31, 2004. Through October 1, 2002, approximately $1,573,640 of interest was paid on the Series B Debentures by adding such amount to the principal. We paid an aggregate of $75,000 to our placement agent in connection with this offer ing.
            11. In January 1999, we completed a private placement of $1,292,000 aggregate principal amount of 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures, due December 31, 2003 to an aggregate of 16 investors, including certain directors, officers and principal shareholders of our company. The Series A debentures are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into our common stock at a conversion price of $2.466 per share. As of October 1, 2002, $50,000 of Series A debentures had previously been converted into 20,275 shares of our common stock, which shares were issued in March 2000. Currently the Series A debentures bear interest at 12%, which interest is paid quarterly by increasing the amount of principal owed thereunder, and the maturity date has been extended to December 31, 2004. Through October 1, 2002, approximately $115,288 of interest was paid on the Series A Debentures by adding such amount to the principal.
            12. In connection with the placement of the Series B Debentures, in September 1999 we issued 123,631 warrants to the placement agent to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $1.625. These warrants, which are immediately exercisable, will expire in September 2004.
            13. In October 1999 we issued 50,000 warrants for consulting services to purchase our common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. These warrants were exercised in full in September 2000.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

    1. The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Number

Exhibit Title

3.1*

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chyron Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 31, 1992).

   

3.2*

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Chyron Corporation, adopted October 28, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30, 1999).

 
   

3.3*

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Chyron Corporation, adopted January 24, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 

 

   

4.1*

Registration Rights Agreement dated July 25, 1995 by and between Chyron Corporation and CC Acquisition Company A, L.L.C., CC Acquisition Company B, L.L.C., WPG Corporate Development Associates, IV, L.P., WPG Corporate Development Associates IV (Overseas), L.P., WPG Enterprise Fund II, L.P., Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Associates, III, L.P., Westpool Investment Trust PLC, Lion Investment Limited, Charles Diker, Mint House Nominees Limited, Pine Street Ventures, L.L.C., Isaac Hersly, Alan I. Annex, Ilan Kaufthal, Z Four Partners L.L.C. and A.Julian.L. Beare (filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 14, 1996).

 
   

4.2*

Form of 8% Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30, 1999).

 
   

4.3*

Form of Subscription Agreement and Investment Representation for the purchase of the 8% Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30, 1999).

 
 
   

4.4*

Form of 8% Series B Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2000).

 
   

4.5*

Form of Subscription Agreement and Investment Representation for the purchase of the 8% Series B Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(e) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2000).

 
 
   

4.6*

Form of 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Note Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

4.7*

Form of Subscription, Subordination and Registration Rights Agreement for the purchase of the 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
 
   

4.8*

Form of Series A 12% Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 4(h) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

4.9*

Form of Series B 12% Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due December 31, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 4(i) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

4.10*

Form of Amendment to the 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due December 31, 2003 and the Series B 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 4(j) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
 
   

4.11*

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, Issued on December 17, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 4(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

4.12*

Notice of Amendment of each of the 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes Due December 31, 2003, Series A 12% Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due December 31, 2004 and Series B 12% Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due December 31, 2004, Dated March 11, 2002 (filed as Exhibit 4(l) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
 
 
 
   

5.1**

Opinion of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.

 

   

10.1*

Loan Agreement between Pro-Bel Limited and Barclays Bank, PLC dated December 19, 1996 effective January 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10(hh) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.2*

Overdraft Facility Letter Agreement among Chyron UK Holdings Limited, Pro-Bel Limited and Barclays Bank, PLC Dated January 16, 2002 (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.3*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Charles M. Diker dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10(oo) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.4*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Donald P. Greenberg dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10 (pp) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.5*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Roger Henderson dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10(rr) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.6*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Alan J. Hirschfield dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10(tt) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.7*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Wesley W. Lang, Jr. dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10 (vv) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.8*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Eugene M. Weber dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10(ww) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.9*

Indemnification Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Michael Wellesley-Wesley dated November 19, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10(xx) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 1997).

 
   

10.10*

Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank dated March 29, 1999 (filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2000).

 
   

10.11*

Letter Agreement Amending Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated November 8, 2000 (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

10.12*

Amendment No. 2 to Loan Agreement and Waiver between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated March 26, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

10.13*

Amendment No. 3 to Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated May 14, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

 

10.14*

Amendment No. 4 to Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated August 6, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

10.15*

Amendment No. 5 to Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated November 30, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

10.16*

Amendment No. 6 to Loan Agreement between Chyron Corporation and AmSouth Bank Dated December 26, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.17*

Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Roger Henderson dated July 21, 1999 (filed as Exhibit 10(j) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2000).

 
   

10.18*

Amendment to Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Roger Henderson dated January 10, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10(m) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.19*

Letter Amendment to Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and Roger Henderson dated April 5, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10(n) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.20*

Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and James Paul dated October 1, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 10(o) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.21*

Amendment to Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and James Paul dated January 10, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10(p) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
   

10.22*

Letter Amendment to Employment Agreement between Chyron Corporation and James Paul dated November 2, 2001 effective April 1, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10(q) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2002).

 
 
   

10.23**

Letter agreement dated May 9, 2000 amending the Loan Agreement between AmSouth Capital Corp. and Chyron Corporation.

   

10.24**

Letter agreement dated July 26, 2000 amending the Loan Agreement between AmSouth Capital Corp. and Chyron Corporation.

   

10.25**

Letter agreement dated November 8, 2000 amending the Loan Agreement between AmSouth Capital Corp. and Chyron Corporation.

   

10.26**

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Roger Henderson, President and CEO, dated May 14, 2002.

   

10.27**

Letter agreement with Mr. Michael Wellesley-Wesley dated April 11, 2002.

   

10.28**

Letter agreement with Messrs. Michael Wellesley-Wesley and Roger Henderson concerning additional compensation for their assistance in consummating a transaction for the Company, dated October 30, 2001.

   

 

10.29**

Executive Retention Program approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on July 25, 2001 with respect to Graham Pitman and James Paul.

   

10.30**

Service Agreement between Graham Pitman and Pro-Bel Ltd. Dated December 15, 1995.

   

10.31**

Modification of Service Agreement between Graham Pitman and Chyron Corp. dated August 20, 1999.

   

10.32**

Second Amendment to Employment Agreement between James Paul, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Division, and Chyron Corp. dated August 12, 2002.

   

10.33**

Amendment No. 7 to Loan Agreement between AmSouth Bank and Chyron Corporation dated September 25, 2002.

   

21.1*

Subsidiaries of Chyron Corporation (filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 17, 2002).

   

23.1**

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

   

23.2

Consent of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

   

24.1

Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).

   

*

Exhibits designated with an asterisk (*) have previously been filed with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference to the document referenced in parentheticals following the descriptions of such exhibits.

   

**

Filed herewith.

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedule

All schedules are omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is contained in the Financial Statements or Notes.

Item 17. Undertakings.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 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 SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) 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;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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.

(4) If the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and in formation are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.

 

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-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Suffolk, State of New York, on October 18, 2002.

   

Chyron Corporation

     
 

By:

/s/ Roger Henderson

   

Roger Henderson

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

     
 

By:

/s/ Jerry Kieliszak

   

Jerry Kieliszak

   

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Power of Attorney

 

Know all men by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Roger Henderson and Jerry Kieliszak, individually, as their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Roger Henderson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

October 18, 2002

Roger Henderson

   
     

 

/s/ Jerry Kieliszak

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

October 18, 2002

Jerry Kieliszak

   
     

/s/ Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Chairman

October 18, 2002

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

   
     

/s/ Michael Wellesley-Wesley

Director

October 18, 2002

Michael Wellesley-Wesley

   
     

/s/ Charles M. Diker

Director

October 18, 2002

Charles M. Diker

   
     

/s/ Donald P. Greenberg

Director

October 18, 2002

Donald P. Greenberg

   
     

/s/ Christopher R. Kelly

Director

October 18, 2002

Christopher R. Kelly

   
     

/s/ Eugene M. Weber

Director

October 18, 2002

Eugene M. Weber

   

Exhibit 5.1

Legal Opinion

 

[LETTERHEAD OF AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.]

October 18, 2002

 

Board of Directors

Chyron Corporation

5 Hub Drive

Melville, NY 11747

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Chyron Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the offering and sale by the stockholders of the Company named in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders" in the registration statement (the "Selling Stockholders") of up to 19,064,781 shares (the "Selling Stockholder Shares") of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"). All capitalized terms used in this letter, without definition, have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

We have examined originals or certified copies of such corporate records of the Company and other certificates and documents of officials of the Company, public officials and others as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of this letter. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed and certified or reproduced copies.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth hereinafter, we are of the opinion that the Selling Stockholder Shares are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except, where applicable, as provided by Section 630 of the New York Business Corporation Law.

The opinions and other matters in this letter are qualified in their entirety and subject to the following:

A. We have assumed the valid conversion of the notes and the debentures and the proper exercise of the warrants, each referenced in the Registration Statement, in accordance with the terms of each such instrument and applicable Laws (as defined below).

B. We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than any published constitutions, treaties, laws, rules or regulations or judicial or administrative decisions ("Laws") of the State of New York.

C. This letter and the matters addressed herein are as of the date hereof or such earlier date as is specified herein, and we undertake no, and hereby disclaim any, obligation to advise you of any change in any matter set forth herein, whether based on a change in the law, a change in any fact relating to the Company or any other person, or any other circumstance. This opinion letter is limited to the matters expressly stated herein and no opinions are to be inferred or may be implied beyond the opinions expressly set forth herein.

D. This law firm is a registered limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Texas.

Please be advised that one of the partner's of this Firm is the corporate secretary of the Company, for which he receives no compensation.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption "Legal Matters". In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. We also consent to your filing copies of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.

 

AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Accountants

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated March 20, 2002, relating to the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule of Chyron Corporation, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Data" in such Registration Statement.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Melville, New York

October 18, 2002

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP

(Contained in Exhibit 5.1)

 

Exhibit 24.1

Power of Attorney

(Included on signature page of this Registration Statement)

 

 

EX-10.23 4 bankltr050900.htm

May 9, 2000

Dawn R. Johnston

Chief Financial Officer

Chyron Corporation

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

Dear Ms. Johnston:

Reference is made to the Loan Agreement dated March 29, 1999, among Chyron Corporation ("Chyron") and AmSouth Bank (the "Bank"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

(I) The Bank has agreed to amend the provisions of Section 6.1(a) of the Loan Agreement as follows;

Period Minimum Quarterly EBITDA

Q1 2000 ($245,000)

All other testing thereafter will remain in effect per the Credit Agreement.

(II) The Bank has agreed to waive its rights with respect to the FQE March 2000 EBITDA Covenant defaults.

This will confirm the Bank's consent to the terms and conditions as set forth above. Nothing in this letter shall constitute a waiver of any future Default or Event of Default under the Agreement (including any default in payment of principal resulting from restrictions on availability of Revolving Credit Loans) or a waiver of any right or remedy the Bank may have with respect to any such future Default or Event of Default.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement please so indicate by executing this letter in the space provided below and returning a copy to the Agent.

Very truly yours,

AMSOUTH BANK

 

By: /s/ Barry S. Renow

Barry S. Renow

 

Its: Attorney-In-Fact

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

CHYRON CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Dawn Johnston

Dawn Johnston

 

Its: CFO

 
 
EX-10.24 5 bankltr072600.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 26, 2000

Dawn R. Johnston

Chief Financial Officer

Chyron Corporation

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

Dear Ms. Johnston:

Reference is made to the Loan Agreement dated March 29, 1999, among Chyron Corporation ("Chyron") and AmSouth Bank (the "Bank"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

(I) The Bank has agreed to amend the provisions of Section 6.1(a) of the Loan Agreement as follows;

Period Minimum Quarterly EBITDA

Q2 2000 ($585,000)

All other testing thereafter will remain in effect per the Credit Agreement.

(II) The Bank has agreed to waive its rights with respect to the FQE June 2000 EBITDA Covenant defaults.

This will confirm the Bank's consent to the terms and conditions as set forth above. Nothing in this letter shall constitute a waiver of any future Default or Event of Default under the Agreement (including any default in payment of principal resulting from restrictions on availability of Revolving Credit Loans) or a waiver of any right or remedy the Bank may have with respect to any such future Default or Event of Default.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement please so indicate by executing this letter in the space provided below and returning a copy to the Agent.

Very truly yours,

 

AMSOUTH BANK

 

By: /s/ Barry S. Renow

Barry S. Renow

 

Its: Attorney-In-Fact

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

CHYRON CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Dawn Johnston

Dawn Johnston

 

Its: CFO

 
EX-10.25 6 bankltr110800.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 8, 2000

Dawn R. Johnston

Chief Financial Officer

Chyron Corporation

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

Dear Ms. Johnston:

Reference is made to the Loan Agreement dated March 29, 1999, among Chyron Corporation ("Chyron") and AmSouth Bank (the "Bank"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

(I) The Bank has agreed to amend the provisions of Section 6.1(a) of the Loan Agreement as follows;

Period Minimum Quarterly EBITDA

Q3 2000 $119,000

Q4 2000 ($1,600,000)

Q1 2001 testing and thereafter will remain in effect per the Credit Agreement.

and add Section 6.1 (c) as follows;

Minimum Cash on the Balance Sheet . Borrower must maintain a "Cash" position of $3,000,000 on the balance sheet at all times, where Cash is defined according to GAAP regulations.

(II) As it relates to the sale of the RT-Set stock through December 31, 2000 only, the Bank has agreed to waive their rights with regard to Section 7.2 of the Loan Agreement. Chyron is able to retain the proceeds from the sale of the stock through FYE 2000.

 

(III) The Bank has agreed to amend the provisions of Section 7.3 of the Loan Agreement as follows;

Section 7.3(iv) will become Section 7.3(v) and the new Section 7.3(iv) will read as follows;

(iv) investments per Schedule 1 of the Chyron Amendment & Waiver document dated November 2000;

(Chyron Corporation Cash Investment Policy)

 

 

This will confirm the Bank's consent to the terms and conditions as set forth above. Nothing in this letter shall constitute a waiver of any future Default or Event of Default under the Agreement (including any default in payment of principal resulting from restrictions on availability of Revolving Credit Loans) or a waiver of any right or remedy the Bank may have with respect to any such future Default or Event of Default.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement please so indicate by executing this letter in the space provided below and returning a copy to the Agent.

Very truly yours,

AMSOUTH BANK

 

By: /s/ Barry S. Renow

Barry S. Renow

 

Its: Attorney-In-Fact

 
 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

CHYRON CORPORATION

 

By: Dawn Johnston

Dawn Johnston

 

Its: CFO

 

EX-10.26 7 rhag051402.htm AMENDMENT

May 14, 2002

Roger Henderson

Hollytree Cottage

Swallowfield Street

Swallowfield

U.K.

Re: Amendment to Employment Agreement

Dear Mr. Henderson:

This shall confirm the agreement between you and Chyron Corporation (the "Company") pursuant to which you have agreed to reduce your annual base salary from $325,000 US to $280,000 US effective January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 (the "Reduced Amount"). This reduction was done voluntarily for the benefit of the Company and shall not affect the severance due you under the Employment Agreement dated July 21, 1999, as amended on January 10, 2001, April 5, 2001, and May 14, 2002 (collectively, the "Employment Agreement"). In addition, in the event the Company terminates you "without cause" or you resign with "Good Reason," as defined under the Employment Agreement, then the Reduced Amount, and the Reduced Amount set forth in the April 5, 2001 Amendment shall all be due and payable as part of your severance under the Employment Agreement. All other terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

All other terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Please acknowledge your consent to the above by executing and dating below and returning this letter agreement to me.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Wesley W. Lang, Jr., Chairman

 

Agreed and Accepted

 

/s/ Roger Henderson __

Roger Henderson

Dated: May 23rd 2002

AMENDMENT

TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT (the "Amendment"), is being made as of the date written below, and is between Chyron Corporation, a New York corporation, having its principal offices at 5 Hub Drive, Melville, New York 11747 (the "Company") and Roger Henderson ("Henderson"), an individual residing at Hollytree Cottage, Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield, Berks, United Kingdom.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company and Henderson have entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of July 21, 1999, as amended on January 10, 2001, April 5, 2001, and May 14, 2002 (collectively, the "Agreement") pursuant to which Henderson is employed by the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Henderson wish to amend certain terms and conditions of the Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

    1. Except as specifically defined herein, each defined term utilized herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement.
    2. The Company and Henderson agree that the Agreement has been extended for the Renewal Term which shall end on June 30, 2003.
    3. Section 2(a) of the Agreement is amended by adding the following language:
    4. The Company and Henderson acknowledge that the Company has established an Office of the Chairman which shall consist of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer. The Office of the Chairman is charged with being responsible for investor relations, merger and acquisitions, strategic initiatives, oversight of the finances of the Company and generally to provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer in the day-to-day operations of the Company (the "Office of the Chairman's Duties"). The Company and Henderson acknowledge that the creation of the Office of the Chairman and the Office of the Chairman's Duties do not constitute Good Reason, as defined below.

    5. The first sentence of Section 9(a) is amended by inserting the following:
    6. ",or Henderson terminates this Agreement with Good Reason (as defined below)," immediately after ", Henderson is terminated by the Company without cause,".

    7. Section 9 is amended by adding the following new provision:
    8. (f) Good Reason shall mean: (i) willful breach of any material term of this Agreement by the Company which is not corrected within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice thereof; (ii) a reduction in Henderson's Base Salary or Incentive Bonus without the consent of Henderson; and (iii) a material reduction in Henderson's title, status or duties as Chief Executive Officer of the Company as set forth in Section 2(a) without the consent of Henderson.

    9. Except with respect to the changes effected by this Amendment, the terms and conditions provided in the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
    10. This Amendment may be effected in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Amendment to the Agreement as of this 14th day of May, 2002.

CHYRON CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Chairman

 

/s/ Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson

 

EX-10.27 8 mwwltr041102.htm CHYRON CORPORATION

CHYRON CORPORATION

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

 

April 11, 2002

Michael Wellesley-Wesley

c/o Chyron Corporation

Hartman House, Danehill

Lower Earley, Reading

Berks, UK RG6 4PB

Re: Additional Compensation

Dear Mr. Wellesley-Wesley:

In consideration of you, in your role as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, becoming a Member of the Office of the Chairman, Chyron Corporation (the "Company") has decided to grant to you additional compensation. This letter and amendment agreement ("Agreement") formalizes the understanding regarding such additional compensation and supersedes all prior communications (both written and oral) to you regarding the subject matter hereof, except as set forth in the October 2001 Agreement, which is amended by this Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 2002.

    1. Services.

In consideration of the compensation to be paid hereunder, you shall perform services on behalf of the Company including, without limitation, advising the Company in respect of potential mergers and acquisitions, strategic initiatives and investor relations, and any other duties reasonably assigned to you by the Chairman of the Board of Directors. You shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company.

2. Options.

You shall be granted an option or options (the "Options") to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on March 8, 2002. The Options shall be exercisable for a period of five years and shall vest as follows: 50,000 Options shall vest and become exercisable on each six month anniversary of March 8, 2002, commencing on September 8, 2002; provided, that (A) if you are replaced or asked to resign as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors all of the Options not previously vested shall vest in full and be immediately exercisable on the date on which you are replaced or asked to resign, as the case may be, or (B) in the event of a Transaction (as defined in the October Agreement), all of the Options not previously vested shall vest in full and be immediately exercisable on the date immediately prior to the closing of such Transact ion so that you may elect to participate in the Transaction.

3. Consulting Fee.

For the period commencing on January 1, 2002 and continuing until such time as this Agreement has been terminated, the Company shall pay to you the sum of $15,000 per month for your services provided hereunder. The Company shall reimburse you for all reasonable and necessary business and travel expenses incurred by you in performing such services hereunder, subject to receipt of a written request for reimbursement accompanied by supporting documentation. You shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company.

4. Miscellaneous.

You and the Company expressly agree that you are an independent contractor and the services performed by you under this Agreement are performed as an independent contractor. All fees payable to you hereunder shall be paid in full, without any withholding, deduction, or offset of any state or federal withholding taxes, FICA, SDI, income or similar taxes. You hereby covenant and agree that you shall be solely responsible for all such taxes, withholding and similar items (both employee and employer portions) with respect to all fees paid by the Company to you under this Agreement, and to indemnify and hold the Company harmless with respect to such taxes and withholding. You shall not be eligible for, nor shall you participate in, nor shall you be entitled to compensation in lieu of any insurance, benefit, retirement or other plan or program provided by the Company to its employees.

This Agreement will terminate on three months' written notice of termination from either party ; provided that written notice by you to the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall constitute notice to the Company.

The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver or amendment must be in a writing stating that it is a waiver or amendment under this Agreement and executed by the party to be charged with such waiver or amendment.

The Company may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise convey any of its rights or delegate any of its duties under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to rules governing the conflict of laws. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

Please indicate your agreement with the terms of this Agreement by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

Sincerely,

Chyron Corporation

 

By: /s/ Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Chairman, Compensation Committee

Agreed to by:

 

/s/ Michael Wellesley-Wesley
Michael Wellesley-Wesley

Dated: 29/04/2002

 

 

EX-10.28 9 mww103001.htm CHYRON CORPORATION

CHYRON CORPORATION

5 Hub Drive

Melville, New York 11747

 

October 30, 2001

Michael Wellesley-Wesley

Roger Henderson

c/o Chyron Corporation

Hartman House, Danehill

Lower Earley, Reading

Berks, UK RG6 4PB

Re: Additional Compensation

Gentlemen:

As you know, in addition to the remuneration and reimbursement received by Michael Wellesley-Wesley and Roger Henderson as a director and as CEO of the Company, respectively, Chyron Corporation (the "Company") has decided to grant to you additional compensation for your assistance in consummating a transaction for the Company. This letter agreement (the "Agreement") formalizes the understanding regarding such additional compensation and supersedes all prior communications (both written and oral) to you regarding the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be effective as of July 1, 2001.

    1. Services.

In consideration of the compensation to be paid hereunder, each of you shall jointly perform services on behalf of the Company in respect of a possible Transaction (as defined below) including, without limitation, contacting potential acquirors, determining preliminary interest, responding to questions, analyzing proposals, assisting in structuring the Transaction and negotiations to reach an agreement in principle, and facilitating final negotiation of business terms and communications in finalizing documents and other matters through the closing of a Transaction.

2. Options.

Each of you shall be granted an option or options (the "Options") to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to $.55 per share (which each of you acknowledges is the closing price of the Company's common stock on July 25, 2001). The Options shall be exercisable for a period of five years and shall vest as follows: 25,000 Options shall vest and become exercisable on the first day of each month commencing on August 1, 2001; provided, that in the event of a Transaction (as defined below), all of the Options not previously vested shall vest in full and be immediately exercisable on the date immediately prior to the closing of such Transaction.

3. Cash.

If a Transaction is consummated on or prior to December 31, 2002, each of you will be paid a bonus (the "Sale Bonus") calculated as follows:

    1. if the Gross Sales Price (as defined below) is equal to or below ____, an amount equal to the Gross Sales Price multiplied by one-quarter of one percent (.25%); or
    2. if the Gross Sales Price exceeds ____, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph (i) above plus an amount equal to the amount of the Gross Sales Price in excess of ____ multiplied by one-half of one percent (.5%).

4. Consulting Fee.

For the period commencing on July 1, 2001 and ending on December 31, 2001 (unless extended by the Board of Directors of the Company), the Company shall pay to Mr. Wellesley-Wesley the sum of $15,000 per month for his services in respect of the possible Transaction. The Company shall reimburse Mr. Wellesley-Wesley for all reasonable and necessary business and travel expenses incurred thereby in performing such services hereunder, subject to receipt of a written request for reimbursement accompanied by supporting documentation. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Mr. Wellesley-Wesley and the Company expressly agree that he is an independent contractor and the services performed by him under this Agreement are performed as an independent contractor. All fees payable to Mr. Wellesley-Wesley hereunder shall be paid in full, without any withholding, deduction, or offset of any state or federal withholding taxes, FICA, SDI, income or similar taxes. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley hereby covenants and agrees that he shall be solely responsible for all such taxes, withholding and similar items (both employee and employer portions) with respect to all fees paid by the Company to him under this Agreement, and agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless with respect to such taxes and withholding. Mr. Wellesley-Wesley shall not be eligible for, nor shall he participate in, nor shall be entitled to compensation in lieu of any insurance, benefit, retirement, or other plan or program provided by the Company to its employees.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Transaction" means the sale of the Company to a third party or parties, in one or a series of related transactions, whether by way of the sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company, or the sale of securities of the Company (whether directly or by way of consolidation, reorganization or merger of the Company with or into another entity) resulting in such third party or parties acquiring at least 50% of the voting securities of the Company, in which (a) Mr. Wellesley-Wesley and/or Mr. Henderson introduce the Company to such third party or parties on or prior to December 31, 2001, through identifying such party or parties to the Company and/or contacting such party or parties for purposes of effecting a sale of the Company to such third party or parties as described above, and (b) such sale is consummated on or prior to December 31, 2002. A sale (or multiple related sales) of either of the Pro-Bel or Graphics businesses of the Co mpany (whether by way of merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all assets related to such businesses) shall be deemed a Transaction.

For the purposes of determining the amount of the Sale Bonus payable hereunder, "Gross Sales Price" shall mean the aggregate amount of consideration paid in such Transaction, including without limitation the assumption of any debt of the Company or its subsidiaries, before deducting therefrom any discounts, commissions, concessions or other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the Company in connection with such Transaction. In calculating the consideration received, cash consideration shall be valued at the face amount of cash paid and the value of consideration other than cash, if any, shall be the fair value thereof, irrespective of any accounting treatment, except where such consideration consists of securities, which shall be valued at the average of the daily closing prices per share of such security for 10 consecutive business days ending on the date immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction (as adjusted for any stock dividend, split, combination or reclassification that took effect during such 10 business-day period). The closing price for each day shall be the last reported sales price or, in the case no such reported sales take place on such day, the average of the last reported bid and asked prices, in either case on the principal national securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading, or if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the average of the highest bid and the lowest asked prices quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or if not so quoted, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.; provided, that if such security is not traded in a manner such that any of the quotations referred to above are available for the period required hereunder, the fair value of such security shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, irrespective of any accounting treatment. The fair value of any consideration other than cash o r securities will be determined by the Board of Directors. If you challenge any determination by the Board of the fair value of any consideration and we are unable to reach agreement as to the fair value of any such consideration within five days after the occurrence of a Transaction, the fair value of such consideration will be determined within 48 hours of the fifth day following such Transaction by an appraiser selected in good faith by the Company and agreed upon in good faith by each of you. The determination of such appraiser shall be binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

Payment of the Sale Bonus shall be within five days after the effective date of a Transaction or, in the event of a challenge of a Board determination of fair value of any consideration, the determination of an appraiser in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph. The Sale Bonus shall be paid in a lump-sum and, in the case of Mr. Henderson, net of applicable withholding taxes.

The parties acknowledge that the offering, issuance and sale of up to $3,000,000 principle amount of the Company's 12% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due December 31, 2003 do not constitute a Transaction for which a Sales Bonus would be payable pursuant to paragraph 3 above, and the grant of options and other remuneration payable to Mr. Wellesley-Wesley pursuant to this Agreement, including the consulting fee payable pursuant to paragraph 4, constitute all compensation payable to Mr. Wellesley-Wesley in connection with his participation in the Company's financing activities.

This Agreement will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) termination of negotiations relating to potential Transactions under this Agreement, and (ii) December 31, 2002.

The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver or amendment must be in a writing stating that it is a waiver or amendment under this Agreement and executed by the party to be charged with such waiver or amendment.

The Company may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise convey any of its rights or delegate any of its duties under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to rules governing the conflict of laws. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

Please indicate your agreement with the terms of this Agreement by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

Sincerely,

Chyron Corporation

 

By:/s/ Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Wesley W. Lang, Jr.

Chairman, Compensation Committee

Agreed to by:

 

/s/ Michael Wellesley-Wesley

Michael Wellesley-Wesley

Dated:10/24/2001

 

/s/ Roger Henderson
Roger Henderson

Dated: 30 Oct '01

EX-10.29 10 erp.htm Chyron Corporation

Chyron Corporation

Executive Retention Program

In order to encourage executives to actively support the sale process, the Company is making the following changes to the executive compensation and benefit programs. Collectively the changes constitute the Executive Retention Program.

 

Participants

The participants will include the executives who are under the control of the Compensation Committee.

 

Effective Date

The program is effective from July 25, 2001 through December 31, 2002 or for one year from the date the participant transfers to a successor company, whichever comes first.

 

Loyalty Bonus

The Company will pay participants a bonus equal to 3 months base salary in accordance with Attachment A. The bonus will be payable as of (i) the date the Company is sold, or (ii) the date the participant transfers to a successor company, or (iii) the date the participant is terminated involuntarily.

 

Loyalty Options

The Company will grant stock options to participants in accordance with Attachment A. The options will vest 6 months from the date of the grant. Early vesting will occur as of (i) the date the Company is sold, or (ii) the date the participant transfers to a successor company, or (iii) the date the participant is terminated involuntarily.

 

Annual Bonus

Participants who transfer to a successor company or who are involuntarily terminated will receive the prorated portion of their actual bonus paid from the prior year.

 

Revised Severance Benefits

Benefits for executives will be increased in accordance with Attachment B. For participants subject to COBRA, the Company will pay COBRA premiums throughout the severance period.

 

Chyron Corporation

Executive Retention Program - Attachment A

Loyalty

Loyalty

Bonus ($)

Options

World Wide Sales & Marketing

Graham Pitman

$40,560

60,000

Corporate

Jim Paul

$53,750

60,000

 

Chyron Corporation

Executive Retention Program - Attachment B

Current

Proposed

Severance

Severance

World Wide Sales & Marketing

Graham Pitman

1 year

no change

Corporate

Jim Paul

per contract

*

* per contract or 9 months, whichever is greater

 

EX-10.30 11 gp95ag.htm DATED 15th December 1995

DATED 15th December 1995

 

PRO-BEL LIMITED

- and -

G. M. PITMAN

 

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

 

 

Charles Russell

Killowen House

Bayshill Road

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire

GL50 3AW

THIS AGREEMENT is made the fifteenth day of December One thousand nine hundred and ninety-five BETWEEN PRO-BEL LIMITED whose registered office is at 22 Manor Road, South Hinksey, Oxford (hereinafter called "the Company") of the one part and Graham Michael Pitman of Whitehaven, Norton Rd, Reading (hereinafter called "the Executive") of the other part.

WHEREBY IT IS AGREED as follows:

1. Definitions

In this Agreement

"the Board" means the Board of Directors from time to time of the Company present at a duly convened and quorate meeting of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors duly appointed for the purpose in question

"Group Company" means a company which is from time to time a subsidiary or a holding company (as those expressions are defined by Section 736 of the Companies Act 1985) of the Company or a subsidiary (other than the Company) of a holding company of the Company

2. Appointment

2.1 The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve the Company as Operations Director or in such other capacity of the like status as the Board may require and during his employment hereunder the Executive shall perform the duties and exercise the powers and functions (not being duties inappropriate to his senior status) in relation to the business of the company or any Group Company which may from time to time be vested in or assigned to him by the Board and shall comply with all reasonable directions from time to time given to him by the Board and with all rules and regulations from time to time laid down by the Company concerning its employees

2.2 In the performance of his duties hereunder the Executive shall be required to work principally at the present location of the principal office of the Company or any Group Company but the Board shall be entitled to require the Executive to perform some or all of his duties hereunder at another location or locations provided that in such an event the Board shall cause the Company to pay such compensation to the Executive for any relocation or additional travelling expenses incurred by the Executive as the Board shall consider to be fair and appropriate in the circumstances.

3. Term

The employment hereunder shall continue subject as hereinafter provided for the period from the date of this Agreement until determined by either

3.1 the Company giving to the Executive not less than two years' notice in writing

3.2 the Executive giving to the Company not less than six month's notice in writing

3.3 the Executive attaining normal retirement age

4. Executive's Obligations

4.1 The Executive shall carry out his duties in a proper and efficient manner and shall during the continuance of his employment hereunder well and faithfully serve the Company and use his best endeavours to promote the interests of the Company and of any Group Company

4.2 Unless otherwise directed by the Board or prevented by ill-health accident or other incapacity and except during holiday permitted by this Agreement the Executive shall during the continuance of his employment hereunder devote his full working time attention and abilities to carrying out his duties hereunder subject to obtaining consent pursuant to clause 4.3 below to any specific activities

4.3 The Executive shall not without the prior written consent of the Board such consent not to be unreasonably withheld during the continuance of his employment hereunder engage or be concerned or interested directly or indirectly in any other business whatsoever provided that nothing in this Clause 4.3 shall preclude the Executive from holding or acquiring as an investment shares or other securities of any company which are listed on any recognised Stock Exchange unless the Company shall require him not to do so in any particular case on the ground that such other company is or may be carrying on a business competing or tending to compete with the business of the Company or a Group Company and in any case so long as such holding does not exceed 3% of the class of securities concerned

4.4 The Executive's normal working hours shall be 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday inclusive but in addition the Executive shall work during such hours as may be necessary properly to fulfil his duties hereunder to the satisfaction of the Board

4.5 During the continuance of his employment hereunder the Executive shall travel to such places (whether in or outside the United Kingdom) and in such manner and on such occasions as the Board may from time to time reasonably require

5. Remuneration

5.1 The Executive shall be paid by way of remuneration for his services during the continuance of his employment hereunder a salary at the rate of British Pounds Sterling 56,000 per annum (which shall be deemed to accrue from day to day and shall be reviewed annually) payable in arrear by equal monthly instalments on the last day of each month

5.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Articles of Association of the Company or any Group Company the salary described in 5.1 above shall be deemed to be inclusive of any fees to which the Executive may be entitled as a Director of the company or any Group Company and the Executive shall effectually waive his right to any such fee

5.3 The Executive shall be entitled to be paid such bonuses or additional remuneration (if any) as the Board may from time to time determine but so that the Executive shall not be entitled to any such bonus or additional remuneration as of right and so that the Company may at any time discontinue the payment of any such bonus or additional remuneration it may in fact pay unless it has expressly bound itself in writing not to do so

6. Expenses

In accordance with the terms of such expenses policy as may be generally applicable and authorised by the Board the Company shall reimburse to the Executive all reasonable travelling hotel entertainment and other out of pocket expenses which he may from time to time incur in the exercise of his duties hereunder provided that the Board shall be entitled to such evidence of expenditure as it may reasonably require

7. Car

7.1 During the continuance of the employment of the Executive hereunder the Company shall provide for the use of the Executive (subject to his being fully qualified to drive) a motor car appropriate to his responsibilities and position in the Company

7.2 The Company shall bear the cost of maintaining licensing insuring testing and repairing the said motor car and shall reimburse the Executive all running expenses of the car

7.3 The Executive shall take good care of the car and procure that the provisions and conditions of any Policy of insurance relating to it are observed and shall return the car and its keys to the Company's registered office (or to such other address as the Company may notify to the Executive for that purpose) immediately upon the termination of his employment hereunder

8. Pension Rights and Other Benefits

 

8.1 The Executive may join the Company's non-contributory Pension Scheme as soon as he is eligible under the rules of the Scheme for the time being in force particulars whereof may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company

8.2 The employment hereunder is not contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme.

8.3 The Executive may wish to take out his own personal pension scheme which, in appropriate circumstances, will be able to contract out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme. The Executive is recommended to consult a reputable pensions adviser before taking out his own scheme.

8.4 The Company provides a non-contributory Staff Life Assurance Scheme for employees who are eligible under the rules of the Scheme in force from time to time particulars whereof may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company

8.5 The Executive will be eligible to join the Company's medical insurance scheme on the commencement of employment hereunder subject to the production of a satisfactory health record and his spouse and children under 21 (or under 24 if in full-time education) will be included in the scheme after he has completed one year's service. All contributions are paid by the Company. Cover will be provided at a level not lower than Private Patients Plan Band C at the date of this Agreement

9. Holidays

9.1 In addition to Bank and other Public Holidays under the Laws of England the Executive shall be entitled to a minimum of four weeks paid holiday in each holiday year during the continuance of this Agreement which holiday shall be taken at such time or times as may be agreed between the Executive and the Board. The Company's holiday year runs from 1st February to 31st January in each year

9.2 The Executive may not without the consent of the Board carry unused periods of holiday entitlement from one such holiday year into the succeeding holiday year

9.3 In the holiday year during which the employment hereunder commences (and in the holiday year in which the employment hereunder terminates for any reason) the Executive shall be entitled in respect of such holiday year to such proportion of the period of paid holiday set out in Clause 9.1 above as shall correspond to the proportion that the length of the period of the Executive's employment hereunder in such holiday year bears to the total length of such holiday year except (in the case of termination of the employment hereunder) in so far as the Executive has already taken as long a (or a longer) period of paid holiday when the Company shall be entitled to make a proportionate deduction from the Executive's remuneration in respect of such excess

9.4.1 The period of holiday to which the Executive is entitled in each holiday year shall be increased after the completion of five years continuous employment with the Company or any Group Company as follows:

In the sixth year of continuous employment 22 days holiday

In the seventh year 23 days holiday

In the eighth year 24 days holiday

In the ninth and subsequent years 25 days holiday

9.4.2 At the discretion of the Executive any entitlement to additional days holiday pursuant to 9.4.1 above may be commuted for additional salary at the rate per day payable hereunder at the relevant time provided that any such election for commutation is made in writing by the Executive and delivered to the Secretary of the Company during or not later than 30 days after the expiry of the holiday year in respect of which the election is made

10. Sickness Incapacity or Injury

10.1 If the Executive shall be prevented by ill health accident or other incapacity from properly performing his duties hereunder (and he shall if required by the Board furnish it with evidence satisfactory to it of such incapacity) the Company shall pay to the Executive his full salary hereunder in respect of the first ninety-one days (whether consecutive or not) of his incapacity in any three hundred and sixty-five day period and if the incapacity shall continue thereafter no salary shall be payable to the Executive in respect of any further period PROVIDED THAT

10.1.1 whilst the Executive is entitled to e paid his full salary there shall be deducted therefrom any amount of income benefit which the Executive is entitled to claim in consequence of such incapacity or by virtue of any sickness and/or accident benefit and/or permanent health scheme operated by the Company except insofar as any such payments represent reimbursement of medical or nursing fees or expenses incurred by the Executive

10.1.2 in the event of the Executive suffering a long illness the Board will review the position regularly and consider whether it would be in the best interests of the Company to continue payments of salary (whether at the full or any reduced rate) after the expiry of the said ninety-one day period but any such additional payment shall be without prejudice to the Company's right to terminate the employment hereunder pursuant to clause 10.3 below

10.2 Any payment made to the Executive in respect of a day of incapacity for work shall go towards discharging any liability of the Company to pay statutory sick pay to the Executive in respect of that day and any statutory sick pay paid to the Executive in respect of any such day shall go toward discharging the liability of the company to make any contractual payment to the Executive in respect of that day

10.3 If the Executive shall be so incapacitated for more than one hundred and twenty-two days (whether consecutive or not) in any period of three hundred and sixty-five days then the Company may by not less than one months notice in writing to the Executive terminate the Executive's employment hereunder and the Executive shall have no claim for damages or otherwise against the Company in respect of such termination

10.4 The Executive shall at the expense of the Company submit at such times as shall be requested by the Company to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Company and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose to the Company the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it

11. Intellectual Property Rights

11.1 It shall be part of the normal duties of the Executive at all times to consider in what manner and by what new methods or devices the products services processes equipment or systems of the Company or any Group Company with which he is involved might be improved and promptly to give to the Board full details of any invention or improvement which he may from time to time make or discover in the course of his duties and to further the interests of the Company's undertakings with regard thereto and subject to any contrary provisions of the Patents Act 1977 (as amended by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988) where applicable the Company shall be entitled free of charge to the sole ownership of any such invention or improvement and so far as the law permits to the exclusive use thereof

11.2 Subject as aforesaid the Executive shall forthwith and from time to time both during his employment hereunder and thereafter at the request and cost of the Company apply for and execute and do all such documents acts and things as may in the opinion of the Board be necessary or conducive to obtain letters patent or protection of any other sort whatsoever for any such invention or improvement in any part of the world and to vest such letters patent or other protection in the Company or its nominee and the Executive hereby irrevocably authorises the Company for the purpose aforesaid to make use of the name of the Executive and to sign and do anything on his behalf (or where permissible to obtain the patent or other protection in its own name or in that of its nominee) and the Executive shall not knowingly do anything to imperil the validity of any such patent or protection or any application therefor but on the contrary shall at the cost of the Company render all possible assistance to the Company both in obtaining and maintaining such patent or other protection and the Executive shall not either during the continuance of his employment hereunder or thereafter exploit or assist others to exploit any such invention or improvement or (unless the same shall have become public knowledge) make public or disclose any such invention or improvement or give any information in respect thereof except to the Company or as it may direct

12. Directorship

12.1 The removal of the Executive from the office of Director of the Company or the failure of the Company in general meeting to re-elect the Executive as a Director of the Company if under the Articles of Association for the time being of the Company he shall be obliged to retire by rotation or otherwise shall determine his employment under this Agreement without the necessity for any notice and such determination shall be deemed to be a breach by the Company of this Agreement unless at the time of such removal or such failure to re-elect the Company was entitled to determine his employment under this Agreement under the provisions of Clause 13 below

12.2 The Executive shall not during the continuance of his employment hereunder resign office as a Director of the Company or do anything which would cause him to be disqualified from continuing to act as such a Director

13. Termination

13.1 The Company may summarily terminate the Executive's employment hereunder without prior notice so that the Executive shall have no claim for damages or otherwise against the Company in respect of such termination but without prejudice to any other remedy which the Company may have against the Executive) if the Executive shall:-

(1) become bankrupt or make any composition or enter into any Deed or arrangement with his creditors; or

(2) be convicted of any criminal offence (other than an offence under Road Traffic legislation in the United Kingdom or elsewhere for which a penalty other than imprisonment for 3 months or more is imposed); or

(3) intentionally commit any act of dishonesty; or

(4) be guilty of any serious misconduct relating to the discharge of his duties hereunder or materially affecting the discharge of such duties; or

(5) be guilty of any serious neglect in the discharge of his duties hereunder or commit any wilful or persistent breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of such incapacity as is referred to in Clause 10 above); or

(6) (if he is a Director) become prohibited by law from being a Director

13.2 Any delay or forbearance by the Company in exercising any such right of determination shall not constitute a waiver of such right

13.3 In order to investigate a complaint against the Executive of misconduct the Board is entitled to suspend the Executive on full pay for as long as may be necessary to carry out a proper investigation and hold a disciplinary hearing

14. Reconstruction or Amalgamation

In the event of the Company going into voluntary liquidation for the purpose of amalgamation or reconstruction or transferring the whole or any substantial part of its undertaking to any other company the Executive shall not by reason thereof or by reason of any termination of his employment hereunder arising or resulting therefrom have any claim for damages or otherwise for termination of his employment hereunder if the Executive shall be offered employment on terms no less favourable than those contained in this Agreement by any company succeeding to the whole or any part of the business or undertaking of the Company

15. Consequences of Termination

Upon termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder for any reason whatsoever the Executive shall:-

(1) upon the request of the Company resign from office as a Director of the company and from all other offices held by him in any Group Company and if the Executive fails to do so, the Company is authorised to appoint a person to sign such resignations and deliver them to the Board; and

(2) immediately deliver up to the Company all lists of clients or customers, correspondence and all other documents, papers and records which may have been prepared by him or come into his possession in the course of his employment by the company and the Executive shall not be entitled to and shall not retain any copies thereof

16. Non-solicitation of Employees

16.1 In this Clause and in Clause 17 below the following words shall bear the following respective meanings:-

"Group Business" means a business or businesses of the Company or any Group Company with which the Executive was involved at any time or times during the period of two years prior to the date of the termination of his employment under this Agreement

"Restricted Capacity" means either alone or jointly with or as principal partner agent director employee or consultant of or for any other person firm or company

"Restricted Purpose" means the purpose of competing directly or indirectly with any Group Business

16.2 The Executive shall not without the written consent of the Board (such consent only to be withheld so far as may reasonably be necessary to protect the interests of the Company and any Group Company) during the period of two years after the date of the termination of the employment of the Executive for any reason whatsoever under this Agreement in any Restricted Capacity solicit the allegiance or services or endeavour to entice away from allegiance to or service of the Company or any Group Company any person who during the whole or part of the two years prior to the date of termination of the employment of the Executive with the Company under this Agreement shall have been employed or engaged by or on behalf of the Company or any Group Company in an executive managerial or skilled operational capacity and who was so employed or engaged at the date of termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder or would but for any such solicitation or enticement as aforesaid have been so employed or engaged

17. Non-Solicitation of Customers and Others

The Executive shall not without the written consent of the Board (such consent only to be withheld so far as may reasonably be necessary to protect the interests of the company and any Group Company) during the period of nine months after the termination of the employment of the Executive under this Agreement for any reason whatsoever in any Restricted Capacity solicit or deal with or in any way interfere with or disrupt for a Restricted Purpose the custom of or trading arrangements of the Company or any Group Company with any person firm or corporation who within the period of two years prior to such termination shall have been:-

(1) a client or customer of the Company or such Group Company; or

(2) a supplier distributor or agent of or otherwise in the habit of dealing in any capacity whatsoever with the Company or such other Group Company;

18. Confidential Information

18.1 In this clause "Confidential Information" includes all information which is of a confidential nature and of value to the Company including without limitation

secrets of the design of the products of the Company or any Group Company;

secret manufacturing processes of the Company or any group Company;

secret business methods of the Company or any Group Company;

confidential lists and particulars of the suppliers or customers of the Company or any Group Company;

information provided t the Company or any Group Company by any person firm or company in circumstances which imply that the information is to be kept confidential by the recipient or where the provider of the information has expressly imposed upon the recipient a duty to keep such information confidential;

information made available to the Executive or to which he has access in the course of his employment hereunder and which is either marked as confidential or its confidential nature is expressly drawn to the attention of the Executive or it is supplied to the Executive or maintained by the Company or any Group Company in such a way as to connote that it is confidential information.

18.2 The Executive undertakes at all times during the continuance of his employment hereunder to keep all Confidential Information secret except to the extent that disclosure is authorised by the Company and to use Confidential Information only for the purposes of the Company and any Group Company.

18.3 The Executive undertakes at all times after the termination of his employment hereunder for any reason whatsoever to keep Confidential Information secret and not to use any Confidential Information obtained by the Executive during the course of his employment hereunder.

19. Reasonableness of Restrictions

The parties agree that they consider that the restrictions contained in Clauses 16, 17 and 18 are no greater than is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interest of the Company and the Group Companies but if any such restriction shall be held to be void but would be valid if deleted in part or reduced in application, such restriction shall apply with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and enforceable

20. Misrepresentation

The Executive shall not at any time after the termination for any reason whatsoever of his employment under this Agreement represent himself as being in any way connected with or interested in the business of the Company or any Group Company (other than as a shareholder in the Company)

21. Disciplinary Rules and Grievance Procedure

21.1 The Executive shall at all times during the continuance of his employment under this Agreement carry out and perform his duties hereunder in accordance with the high standards or conduct and efficiency which may reasonably be expected from a person occupying his senior position in the Company and shall familiarise himself with any disciplinary rules of the Company which are applicable to him

21.2 In the event of the Executive wishing to seek redress for any grievance relating to his employment under this Agreement or being dissatisfied with any disciplinary decisions concerning him he should first discuss the matter with the Chairman of the Company or a Non-Executive Director.

21.3 If the grievance or dissatisfaction is not then settled the Executive should lay his grievance or dissatisfaction before the Board in writing who will afford the Executive the opportunity of a full and fair hearing and the decision of the Board on such grievance or dissatisfaction shall be final

22. Rights and Obligations after Notice

22.1 On the service of notice for any reason to terminate the employment of the Executive (whether by the Company or the Executive) the Company shall be entitled to pay to the Executive his remuneration (at the rate then current) and to provide him with his other benefits due hereunder for the unexpired portion of the duration of his appointment or entitlement to notice as may be the case and to require the Executive not to undertake any work for the Company or to be involved at his home address in such projects as may be notified to the Executive by the Board during such unexpired portion or entitlement

22.2 In the vent of the Company exercising its entitlement under Clause 22.1 the provisions of Clause 15 shall apply as if the date of service of notice was the termination date

22.3 Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement and the Company's rights at common law the Executive shall not without the written consent of the Board during such unexpired portion of entitlement to notice carry on be engaged or otherwise concerned in any business where he is likely to disclose or make use of confidential information or trade secrets belonging to the Company or any Group Company and which the Executive obtained as a result of his employment with the Company or any Group Company

22.4 The Company may deduct from any remuneration paid pursuant to Clause 22.1 an amount in respect of notional income tax and national insurance contributions

23. Commencement of Employment

The Executive's employment with the Company or a Group Company commenced on 15th August 1977 and no employment with any previous employer counts as part of the Executive's continuous employment

24. Notices

24.1 Any notice to be served under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be duly served hereunder if in the case of the Company it is handed to a Director of the company (other than the Executive) or sent by Registered Post to the Company at its registered office for the time being and if in the case of the Executive it is handed to him or sent by Registered Post to him at his address specified in this Agreement or such other address as he may notify to the Company

24.2 Any such notice sent by post shall be deemed served 24 hours after it is posted and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice was properly addressed and put in the post

25. Interpretation

The headings which appear in this Agreement have been inserted for information only and shall not be construed as limiting in any way the provisions of any of the Clauses of this Agreement.

26. Other Agreements

This Agreement supersedes all previous arrangements and agreements (if any) relating to the employment of the Executive (which shall be deemed to have been terminated by mutual consent) and the Executive acknowledges that he is not entering into this Agreement in reliance on any representation not expressly set out herein

27. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed and construed under English Law and each of the parties hereto submits to the jurisdiction of the English Courts as regards any claim or matter arising under this Agreement.

IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been executed as a Deed by or on behalf of the parties hereto the day and year first before written

SIGNED AND DELIVERED as a Deed)

/s/ Graham M. Pitman

by the Executive in the presence of:- )

Graham M. Pitman

   

Witness:

/s/ C. Pritchard

 

C. Pritchard

Address:

28 Mannock Way, Woodley, Berks.

   
   

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED as a )

 

Deed on behalf of the Company by )

 
   

Director

/s/ D. Owen

 

D. Owen

   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-10.31 12 gp99ltr.htm August 20, 1999

August 20, 1999

Mr. Graham Pitman

Whitehaven

Norton Road

Riseley

Reading RG7 1SH

Dear Graham

Further to our discussions, I am writing to confirm the modification of your employment agreement dated December 15, 1995 (the "Agreement") as a result of your new position as Managing Director of Pro-Bel Limited.

1. The date on which you assumed this role was Monday June 14, 1999

2. Your salary will increase to British Pounds Sterling 100,000 per annum with retroactive effect to June 14, 1999.

3. You have been granted 40,000 stock options with an exercise period of July 21, 1999 until July 21, 2009 at an exercise price equal t $1 and 5/8ths with the following vesting schedule:

13,334 on July 21, 2000

13,333 on July 21, 2001

13,333 on July 21, 2002

We will follow up with a formal stock option grant certificate.

3. The period of notice that is defined in Section 3.1 of the Agreement will be modified as follows:

The period of notice will be reduced on a month by month basis over a period of one year (from 6/14/99 to 6/13/00), from two years so that beginning on 6/14/00 the required notice period under the Agreement shall be one year.

I trust that these terms are agreeable to you and represent your recollection of our discussions. Please acknowledge your acceptance of these changed terms. I would also like to take this opportunity of congratulating you on your promotion.

Yours sincerely

/s/ Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson

Agreed and Accepted this 20th day of August, 1999

/s/ Graham Pitman

Graham Pitman

cc: Jim Paul

 

EX-10.32 13 jp2amend081202.htm AMENDMENT

CHYRON CORPORATION

August 12, 2002

Jim Paul

100 Lucinda Drive

Babylon, New York 11702

Re: Amendment to Employment Agreement

Dear Mr. Paul:

This shall confirm the agreement between you and Chyron Corporation (the "Company") pursuant to which you have agreed to continue to reduce your annual base salary from $215,000 to $185,000 effective January 1, 2002 through October 30, 2003 which is the end of the term of your amended employment agreement (the "Reduced Amount"). This reduction was done voluntarily for the benefit of the Company and shall not affect the severance due you under the Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1997 and as amended on January 10, 2001 and August 12, 2002 (collectively, the "Employment Agreement"). In addition, in the event the Company terminates you "without cause," as defined under the Employment Agreement, then the Reduced Amount, including any reduced amounts from prior years, shall be due and payable as part of your severance under the Employment Agreement. All other terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full f orce and effect.

If the Employment Agreement is no longer in effect and at such time your employment by the Company is terminated without cause, as defined under the Employment Agreement, then you will be entitled to receive the Reduced Amount, including any reduced amounts from prior years, in addition to any other severance owed to you by the Company.

Please acknowledge your consent to the above by executing and dating below and returning this letter agreement to me.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson

Agreed and Accepted

/s/ Jim Paul

Jim Paul

Dated: 9-4-02

SECOND AMENDMENT

TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT (the "Second Amendment"), is being made this 12th day of August, 2002, effective immediately, between Chyron Corporation, a New York corporation, having its principal offices at 5 Hub Drive, Melville, New York 11747 (the "Company") and James Paul ("Paul"), an individual residing at 100 Lucinda Drive, Babylon, New York 11702.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Company and Paul have entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of October 11, 1997 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Paul was originally employed by the Company as its Senior Vice President-Human Resources, and which was amended as of January 10, 2001 (the "First Amendment," collectively, the "Employment Agreement") pursuant to which he was promoted to Executive Vice President and a member of the office of Chief Executive Officer, and subsequently given the title of Executive Vice President Human Resources and General Manager of Chyron Graphics;

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to extend the term of the Employment Agreement and Paul wishes to accept such extension.

NOW THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

    1. Except as specifically defined herein, each defined term utilized herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in the Employment Agreement.
    2. The phrase "Executive Vice President and member of the office of the Chief Executive Officer" shall be deleted in each instance and replaced with "Executive Vice President Human Resources and General Manager of Chyron Graphics".
    3. Section 1 of the Employment Agreement is hereby amended by deleting and replacing "October 30, 2002" with "October 30,2003".
    4. Except with respect to the changes effected by this Second Amendment, the terms and conditions provided in the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
    5. This Second Amendment may be effected in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

CHYRON CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson

President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 

/s/ James Paul

James Paul

EX-10.33 14 amend7.htm AMENDMENT NO

 

AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO LOAN AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment"), made as of September 25, 2002, between:

AMSOUTH BANK, an Alabama banking corporation (the "Bank"), with an office at 350 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and CHYRON CORPORATION, a New York corporation (the "Borrower"), with its principal place of business at 5 Hub Drive, Melville, New York 11747.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS:

(A) The Bank and the Borrower entered into a loan agreement, dated as of March 29, 1999, pursuant to which the Bank made available to Borrower a total credit facility of up to Twelve Million Dollars ($12,000,000) (such agreement, as amended by the amendments described below, referred to hereinafter collectively as the Loan Agreement");

    1. A letter amendment dated November 8, 2000 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower, which, among other things, amended Section 7.3 of the Loan Agreement to add a new Section 7.3(iv) with the former Section 7.3(iv) becoming new Section 7.3(v):
    2. An amendment dated March 26, 2001 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower pursuant to which, among other things, the Loan Agreement was amended to permit the Borrower to purchase all of the capital stock of Interocity Development Corporation and certain shares of common stock of Video Technics, Inc.;
    3. An amendment dated May 15, 2001 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower which, among other things, reduced the Revolving Credit Loans available under Loan Agreement, modified certain financial covenants contained in the Loan Agreement, and extended the term of the Revolving Credit Loans through March 31, 2003;
    4. An amendment dated August 6, 2001 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower which, among other things, modified Section 6.1(b) of the Loan Agreement;
    5. An amendment dated November 30, 2001 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower which, among other things, modified Sections 4.3(c), 6.1, and 10.4 of the Loan Agreement;
    6.  

    7. An amendment dated December 26, 2001 was signed by and between the Bank and the Borrower which, among other things, modified Sections 1, 2.1, 2.8, 2.9, 6.1, 7.1 and 8 of the Loan Agreement;

  1. The Borrower and the Bank wish to further amend the Loan Agreement as set forth herein; and
  2. Any capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement. Reference to Sections and Subsections, unless otherwise indicated, are references to Section and Subsections of the Loan Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements, set forth in this Amendment, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1 Amendment to the Loan Agreement.

Section 1.1 Incorporation By Reference.

This Amendment shall be deemed to an amendment to the Loan Agreement and should not be construed in any way as a replacement or substitution therefor. All of the terms and provisions of this Amendment are hereby incorporated by reference into the Loan Agreement as if such terms and provisions were set forth in full therein.

 Section 1.2 Amendment to Article 1, Section 1.2 (b) of Amendment No. 6 to the Loan Agreement

      1. to the definition of "Fixed Charge Ratio", add the following;

"For the purposes of computing this ratio, EBITDA shall be calculated on a cumulative year-to-date basis for the test periods ending September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2002.

 

Section 1.3 Amendment to Section 2.9

Section 2.9 of the Loan Agreement (Term Note) is hereby amended as follows:

"2.9 Term Note; Scheduled Payments; Excess Cash Flow Payments

(a) Scheduled Payments. In addition to the amortization schedule detailed in Amendment #6, an additional $75,000 payment of the Term Loan will take place in each of the following months; November 2002, February 2003 and May 2003

 

Section 1.4 Amendment to Section 6.1

Section 6.1(a) of the Loan Agreement (Minimum Cumulative EBIT) is hereby amended for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2002 and thereafter in its entirety as follows:

(a) Minimum Cumulative EBITDA/EBIT. Maintain at all times during the periods designated below minimum EBITDA or minimum cumulative earnings before interest and taxes ("Minimum EBIT") as follows:

Period

Minimum EBITDA

Q3 2002

$190,000

Q4 2002

$220,000

 

 

 

Minimum EBIT

Q-1 2003

 

and thereafter

$2,000,000"

 

 

 

Article 2 Conditions to Effectiveness of this Amendment.

The effectiveness of this Amendment and the obligations of the Bank hereunder shall be subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions, as determined by the Bank in its sole discretion:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein or which are contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary at any time under or in connection herewith shall be correct in all material respects.

(b) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

      1. Guaranty. The Bank shall have received the acknowledgment of Pro-Bel Limited, as set forth at the end of this Amendment, that the guaranty of Pro-Bel Limited in favor of the Bank dated March 29, 1999 remains unmodified and in full force and effect with respect to the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby.
      2. Certificate of Incorporation/Good Standing. The Bank shall have received the following:

(i) a Certificate of good standing for Borrower from the Secretary of State of the State of New York State;

        1. a copy of the Borrower's certificate of incorporation certified by the Secretary of State of the State of New York State;

 

      1. Additional Matters. All other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank and its counsel.

 

 

Article 3 Representations and Warranties.

Section 3.1 By Borrower's execution and delivery of this Amendment, Borrower hereby renews and remakes in favor of the Bank, as of the date hereof, all of Borrower's representations, warranties and covenants made in the Loan Documents, with the same effect as if they were made on and as of the date of this Amendment, other than any such representation or warranty which specifically relates to a specified prior date.

Section 3.2 Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment has been duly authorized by all necessary and proper action on the part of Borrower, and the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this Amendment (i) will not violate any provision of any applicable law or regulation or of any order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree of any governmental authority, (ii) will not violate any provisions of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Borrower, and (iii) will not violate any provision of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any asset of Borrower (other than the liens in favor of the Bank) pursuant to any contract, agreement or other undertaking to which the Borrower is a party or which is binding upon the Borrower, or upon any of Borrower's assets.

Article 4 Miscellaneous.

Section 4.1 All references in the Loan Agreement and in all of the Loan Documents to the Loan Agreement, shall be deemed to refer to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.

Section 4.2 The Loan Agreement and all of the Loan Documents shall each be deemed amended, to the extent necessary, to give effect to the provisions of this Amendment.

Section 4.3 As specifically amended herein, the Loan Agreement and all Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms.

Section 4.4 Borrower hereby warrants and represents that as of the date hereof, there are no offsets, counterclaims or defenses to its obligations and agreements as they exist as of the date hereof, in each case with respect to the performance of terms Borrower has been required to perform to date, or to the enforcement of the Bank's rights or remedies under the Loan Documents as they exist as of the date hereof and, if and to the extent any of the same exist, they are hereby waived in their entirety, it being acknowledged by each of the Borrower and the Guarantor that each of them has received good, valuable and sufficient consideration therefor.

Section 4.5 Subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement, this Amendment shall be binding upon Borrower and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Bank and its successors and assigns.

Section 4.6 Any provision of this Amendment which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or prohibited or unenforceable as to any person or entity shall, as to such jurisdiction, person or entity, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provisions as against any other person or entity.

Section 4.7 This Amendment shall be construed, enforced and interpreted according to the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to its conflicts or choice of laws provisions.

Section 4.8 This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts when executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 4.9 Borrower and Bank hereby irrevocably waive all rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Amendment, the Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents.

Section 4.10 With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Amendment, time is of the essence.

Section 4.11 This Amendment supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to its subject matter and constitutes a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date and year first above written.

CHYRON CORPORATION

By: /s/ Jerry Kieliszak

Name: Jerry Kieliszak

Title: SVP & CFO

 

AMSOUTH BANK

 

By: /s/ Barry S. Renow

Name: Barry S. Renow

Title: Attorney-in-Fact

The Guarantor hereby acknowledges that its Guaranty dated March 29, 1999 remains unmodified and in full force and effect with respect to the Loan Agreement, as amended by the foregoing Amendment to the Loan Agreement, without any offset, defense or counterclaim.

PRO-BEL LIMITED

 

By:/s/ Roger Henderson

Name: Roger Henderson

Title: President & CEO

 

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