Note 17 - Stockholder Rights Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block]

17.   STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On February 15, 1989, the Board adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan. Pursuant to that plan, the Company declared a dividend, paid March 1, 1989, of one right (“Right”) for each outstanding share of Common Stock held on record on March 1, 1989 pursuant to a Rights Agreement dated February 15, 1989. The Rights Agreement was amended and restated on November 15, 1995 and again on June 18, 1997 to exclude an acquisition. The Rights Agreement was further amended on December 9, 2008 to clarify certain items. As amended, each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company 1/100 of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for a price of $150, subject to adjustment. The Rights will be exercisable only if a person or group has acquired, or announces the intention to acquire, 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company is entitled to redeem each Right for $0.01, subject to adjustment, at any time prior to the earlier of the tenth business day following the acquisition by any person or group of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock or the expiration date of the Rights. The Rights Agreement will expire on November 15, 2015.

As a result of the Rights distribution, 600,000 of the 1,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock were reserved for issuance as Series A Preferred Stock.